"Please show me your driver's license."
Driver's license??
Jiraiya stared blankly at the white-capped officer in front of him. He was just riding a toad—how could he be stopped for that?
This person should be similar to Konoha's police force, right?
But when did the police force start caring about people riding toads?
And that driver's license…
What was that thing?
He had traveled to so many countries but had never heard of such a thing.
"Sorry, I…" Jiraiya rubbed his hands awkwardly. "That driver's license…"
However, before he could finish…
The Uzushio traffic officer, seeing Jiraiya's expression, immediately understood.
This was…
An unlicensed driver.
"Uzushio travel permit?" The officer frowned, but seeing Jiraiya's confused look, he realized he didn't know about that either. He sighed helplessly. "Just entered the country?"
"Yes, I just arrived from outside," Jiraiya said, flashing what he thought was a charming smile. "I am one of Konoha's Sannin—Jiraiya."
"Jiraiya, huh?" The officer nodded, jotting something down in his notebook. It read:
Jiraiya—unlicensed driving, running a red light, no travel permit…
"Since you're new here," the officer frowned, "you should know Uzushio's laws, right?"
"Please show me your entry permit."
"..."
Jiraiya was dumbfounded again.
What was this entry permit?
In the shinobi world, when had traveling to another country ever been this complicated?
And…
He was one of Konoha's Sannin!
The one who fought evenly with the "Half-God of Shinobi." Hadn't this person heard of him?
Uzushio's information network must be seriously outdated.
"I am one of Konoha's Sannin," Jiraiya repeated solemnly. "The Toad Sage, Jiraiya."
However…
The officer completely ignored the identity of this traffic violator. He sighed, shook his head, and said helplessly,
"Countless roads, safety first. Irregular driving, loved ones shed two lines of tears!"
Then…
He picked up his walkie-talkie.
"Found someone illegally entering the country. Please send backup immediately."
Looking up at the still-confused Jiraiya…
The officer nodded. This shinobi seemed honest—he hadn't even tried to run. Probably not a spy.
But…
If that was the case, why didn't he just go through the proper entry procedures at the border checkpoint?
"Excuse me," Jiraiya asked cautiously, "what exactly is this entry permit?"
"When you entered Uzushio, didn't you see officers in uniforms like mine at the checkpoint?" The officer frowned. "That can't be right!"
"There are thirty-four entry points, and Uzushio has set up checkpoints at all of them!"
"..."
Hearing this, Jiraiya finally understood.
He scratched his head awkwardly.
When he saw shinobi at the checkpoint, he had sneaked in without going through the proper procedures.
So…
He had no idea about any of this!
Wasn't this standard practice among shinobi?
But Uzushio…
Why was it so different from everywhere else?
As Jiraiya fell into thought, the officer sighed and grabbed his walkie-talkie again, speaking seriously.
"Confirmed, an illegal border crosser. Suspected spy. Please notify the relevant department."
"..."
...
"What did you say?" Uzumaki Jun wiped the tea he had accidentally spat out, maintaining a calm expression. "Jiraiya is here?"
"Yes," Uzumaki Hibiki replied, habitually cleaning up with Water and Wind Release. "He's currently at the traffic police department, but he'll probably be transferred to the public security bureau soon."
"..."
What did he do??
Uzumaki Jun looked at Uzumaki Hibiki in confusion. How had Jiraiya gotten arrested the moment he arrived in Uzushio?
And from the traffic police to the public security bureau…
This was serious.
"Illegal entry, no driver's license, running a red light, and no pet registration permit," Uzumaki Hibiki adjusted his glasses. "Now he's suspected of being a spy."
Ah.
Uzumaki Jun nodded understandingly.
He deserved it.
Luckily, Jiraiya hadn't been drinking while riding his toad, or he'd have gotten a DUI too!
But…
Why had Jiraiya snuck into Uzushio for no reason?
Was he here on the Hokage's orders to investigate Uzushio's true situation?
"What's the bureau's plan?" Uzumaki Jun stroked his chin, narrowing his eyes.
"They asked me to consult you," Uzumaki Hibiki said. "After all, he is one of Konoha's Sannin."
Should they make an exception?
"You all…" Uzumaki Jun shook his head disappointedly. "This is favoritism!"
What's so special about Konoha? What's so special about the Sannin?
Anyone who violates Uzushio's laws must be punished severely!
"So you mean…" Uzumaki Hibiki nodded in understanding. "I'll arrange it."
"Remember, Uzushio is a nation governed by law," Uzumaki Jun said sternly. "Everyone is equal before the law."
"No matter who it is, if they break Uzushio's laws, they must be punished accordingly."
So…
Punish him severely!
Preferably fine Jiraiya so much he has to work in Uzushio to pay it off…
...
"Sigh." Jiraiya looked at his wallet and sighed. "The shinobi world…"
How had it changed so fast?
Hadn't he just fought in one war? How was Uzushio so different from what Tsunade had described?
And…
If every country was like Uzushio, wouldn't his dream of traveling the shinobi world be ruined?
Because…
He had no money!
"It seems I must stick to my childhood dream," Jiraiya muttered helplessly. "But for now…"
He had to get a pet registration permit for Gamahiro first.
Who knew that even summoning animals needed permits in Uzushio?
He didn't dare summon Gamahiro now. If he got fined again, he'd…
Be sleeping on the streets tonight.
"I, one of Konoha's Sannin, the Toad Sage, the dream lover of countless girls in the shinobi world," Jiraiya flicked his stiff white hair. "How can I sleep on the streets?"
It would be too humiliating.
He had to get all the necessary permits first, then find inspiration.
Where in Uzushio could he gather material?
"Bus stop?" Jiraiya walked to a small shelter by the roadside. "This must be the place."
According to their instructions, he just needed to take Bus No. 1 and count three stops to reach the pet hospital.
That's where he could register Gamahiro.
After waiting a while…
He saw a slow-moving metal box with a big "1" on it—the bus he needed.
Curious, he lined up with the others and boarded.
"A tool?" Jiraiya looked curiously at the rows of seats inside. "This is really interesting!"
Tsunade hadn't told him Uzushio had things like this!
Then…
First stop, second stop, third stop.
"Here." Jiraiya counted silently and followed the other passengers off the bus.
"This place…"
He stared blankly at the Uzushio Affiliated Academy in front of him.
Where was this?
Wasn't the pet hospital supposed to be visible right after getting off?
Why couldn't the Toad Sage see it?
Unless…
The pet hospital in Uzushio was called "Academy"?
Jiraiya skeptically examined the Uzushio Affiliated Academy, then asked an older man nearby, "Excuse me, where's the pet hospital?"
"They said it's right here after three stops, right?"
The old man pointed to the bus stop across the street, frowned at the white-haired young man, and sighed.
"Take the bus over there. Six stops, and you'll be there."
"You must've taken the wrong bus."
Kids these days…
Can't even read bus signs properly.
Shaking his head, he muttered as he walked away, leaving behind…
A dumbfounded Jiraiya.
He…
The Toad Sage had taken the wrong bus??
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