Naruto didn't quite understand what Jiraiya-sensei was thinking. Why hadn't the wedding date been decided yet? Wouldn't it be set after he got married?
Jiraiya sighed quietly, staring into his tea.
Naruto thought for a moment, then signaled to Hinata, his parents, and Kakashi-sensei to leave first. He wanted to talk privately with Pervy Sage.
Inside the teahouse
Naruto leaned forward and asked, "Pervy Sage, why haven't you decided on a date yet?"
Jiraiya rolled his eyes, took a long sip of tea, and replied, "Isn't this the manga adaptation by Sai? It was just completed, and the first edition was released. My new book hasn't even been published yet, so I haven't received any royalties. Without money, how can I get married?"
Naruto blinked, then laughed. "I already told you I'd lend it to you, Pervy Sage! Why are you acting shy now? You have to save face!"
Jiraiya stiffened his neck stubbornly. "How can I care about face in a situation like this?"
Naruto chuckled. "Okay, okay. Since you don't care about face, I'll lend you the money now. Don't worry, Pervy Sage — I'll cover all the expenses for your wedding with Granny Tsunade. When your royalties and comic payments come in, you can just pay me back then, alright?"
Jiraiya thought about Tsunade's expression if she found out he couldn't pay, and after a long sigh, decided to borrow from Naruto.
He consoled himself: Naruto was his apprentice, after all — it wasn't too disgraceful to borrow from him.
"Well… fine. But remember, I'm borrowing this, not taking it as a gift!"
Naruto smiled bitterly. "Alright, alright — you're borrowing it! Now, come on!"
Jiraiya looked up in confusion. "Where are we going?"
Naruto rolled his eyes. "What else? To the bank! Let's go get you the money!"
The two of them walked together through the streets of Konoha until they reached the Konoha Bank. Naruto withdrew a generous amount of money and handed it to Jiraiya.
After taking the money, Jiraiya's confidence visibly rose. His back straightened, his grin widened. Leaving the bank, he looked at Naruto and declared proudly,
"Naruto, just wait for the banquet!"
Naruto laughed. "Alright, alright. I'll wait for it."
To make sure Jiraiya wouldn't run short, Naruto had actually doubled the amount — using his own wedding expenses as a reference point. Jiraiya had tried to refuse, but Naruto insisted.
"More money, less trouble!" he said with a grin.
Seeing Naruto's sincerity, Jiraiya finally accepted the extra funds with a grin.
But just as they stepped outside, a loud voice called out behind them.
"Naruto!!!"
Both Naruto and Jiraiya turned around. Standing not far away were Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko!
Naruto's eyes lit up. "Hey! Senior Sister Konan! Senior Brother Yahiko! Nagato! Why are you all here?"
The three of them walked over, smiling warmly.
"We were actually looking for you," Yahiko said awkwardly. "Didn't expect to run into you like this!"
Nagato nodded. "Yeah, what a coincidence."
Konan, as composed as ever, looked directly at Naruto. "Naruto, I have something to discuss with you."
Naruto nodded respectfully. "Go ahead, Senior Sister Konan."
Konan hesitated for a moment, glancing at Jiraiya. He instantly understood her meaning and scratched his head.
"Ah… well, I suddenly remembered something. I'll leave you two to talk."
But Konan quickly said, "It's fine, sensei. You're involved in this too."
At Naruto's wedding banquet not long ago, Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato had all shared drinks with Jiraiya. They had openly acknowledged him once again as their master, clearing away all the bitterness of the past. Jiraiya had never stopped considering them his disciples — deep down, that bond had always remained.
Konan looked at Naruto seriously. "Naruto, on one hand, we came to celebrate your marriage. But on the other, I wanted to ask you for some financial help."
Naruto tilted his head. "Financial help?"
Konan nodded. "Yes. Since the war ended, we've been rebuilding Amegakure. The village was severely damaged — its water systems, buildings, and infrastructure are all falling apart. We've run into major funding issues."
Naruto smiled gently. "Sister, what are you talking about? You'll always be the financial manager of our organization. Besides, that money originally came from you and the others. I was just holding it temporarily — it's only fair it returns to its rightful owner."
He took out a card and handed it to her. "But I have to warn you — I did spend quite a lot of it while it was with me!"
Konan raised her hands quickly. "No, no, no! I don't need all of it, Naruto. Just a portion will be enough."
Naruto smiled wider. "Take it, Senior Sister. Honestly, I don't need it for anything right now. And if I ever do, I'll just use the Flying Thunder God Technique to come borrow some from you, right? It'll be more useful in your hands than sitting in mine."
He gently placed the card into her hand.
Konan was moved. To be given such a large amount of money, without hesitation — that was exactly the kind of heart she admired in Naruto. He truly carried the will of his mentors and friends — selfless and genuine.
Jiraiya, meanwhile, felt a strange chill.
"Wait," he thought, "if Naruto's money came from Konan… doesn't that mean the money I borrowed from Naruto is actually Konan's?!"
He opened his mouth to explain, but Naruto quickly placed a hand on his shoulder and shook his head.
"Pervy Sage, what's between you and me stays between us. What's between me and Senior Sister Konan stays between us too."
Jiraiya froze, then sighed and nodded. "Alright, alright… fine."
Yahiko scratched his head curiously. "What's going on between you two?"
Naruto waved it off. "Nothing important. Anyway, there's something else to talk about. Pervy Sage is going to marry Granny Tsunade soon. You guys staying around for the wedding, or heading back?"
Yahiko's jaw dropped. "Wait, seriously?!"
Konan smiled warmly at Jiraiya. "Congratulations, sensei. You and Lady Tsunade finally reached the end of that long road."
Nagato added quietly, "The two Sannin finally together… it feels right."
Jiraiya threw back his head and laughed. "Hahaha! Just wait for the wedding!"
Konan exchanged a look with her teammates. "Then we'll stay for a little while before returning?"
Nagato thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No. We need to head back first — the people of Amegakure are expecting us soon."
Naruto nodded in understanding. "That's true. You have your people to look after — and your students. Amegakure's next generation depends on them."
He smiled softly. "I'll visit soon. It's been too long since I've seen your village."
The three of them lit up with joy at Naruto's words.
Jiraiya crossed his arms. "Should I tag along too?"
Naruto shook his head. "Not now, Pervy Sage. Right now, your priority is your wedding with Granny Tsunade. Once Konan and the others finish rebuilding, you can visit Amegakure with her — call it your honeymoon."
Nagato chuckled. "That's true, sensei. It doesn't rain every day anymore — we control the weather ourselves now. Most days are clear."
Jiraiya smiled proudly at his three students. "Alright then. Naruto, Konan, Yahiko, Nagato — you all have things to do. Go on."
Naruto nodded. "Got it."
He held out his hands, signaling them to join. Once all four were linked, he activated the Flying Thunder God Technique — and in an instant, they vanished in a flash of golden light.
Jiraiya stood alone, watching the fading sparkles in the air. He exhaled deeply, a grin spreading across his face.
"It's good to have so many disciples."
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