"Thank you, Lord Jiraiya, and the three of you."
Matsuyama Kōji remained as respectful as ever.
Then, he couldn't help but complain, recounting past events regarding Hirakawa Kenshō.
This guy was a seasoned gambler.
However, the Hirakawa family had a significant influence in the Land of River. Their wealth was considerable, but due to Kenshō's incompetence and compulsive gambling, Hirakawa Kō had been considering grooming a successor.
Thus, in recent years, Kenshō's funds were dwindling, and he had accrued a massive debt.
Previously, even goods owed to the Hirakawa family had been misappropriated by him.
In short, the family's troubles were substantial.
As Matsuyama Kōji spoke, his eyes suddenly brightened. "By the way, Lord Jiraiya, now that you're leading a team of Genin, does this mean you'll have time for more missions?"
"Theoretically, yes," Jiraiya replied, already suspecting what Matsuyama Kōji was getting at.
A directed commission.
Matsuyama Kōji leaned in a little closer.
"Well, our family is heading to the Land of Waves soon to do business with a man named Kadō. However, this person seems to have cultivated a large group of samurai in the Land of Waves. We're worried that his dealings might not be entirely clean."
"I'll take the mission, but you'll need to first place a formal request through Konoha."
Jiraiya made a quick decision.
The Land of Waves.
It wasn't just samurai there—there could be ninjas operating as well.
"I understand, thank you, Lord Jiraiya."
Matsuyama Kōji's eyes lit up.
Jiraiya smiled. "By the way, Mr. Matsuyama, I'd like to ask you something. Has anyone at your gambling hall—or perhaps at a friend's gambling hall—seen a young woman wearing clothing with the kanji for 'gamble'?"
"'Gamble'?"
Matsuyama Kōji frowned.
He thought for a moment before his expression became serious. "Yes! There was such a person. She came in just yesterday."
"I see. Thank you."
Jiraiya's lips curled into a slight smile.
As expected.
After leaving Konoha, how could she not visit Shortbook Street?
He silently chuckled.
"Thank you, Mr. Matsuyama. It seems my task here is complete?"
"Yes, thank you for your help."
Matsuyama Kōji bowed.
Then he hesitated for a moment. "However, if you're planning on finding this 'gamble' woman, could I ask a small favor?"
"What?"
Jiraiya had an inkling of what was coming—and it wasn't good.
"She lost a lot of money at our gambling hall, and, well, if you happen to run into her, could you help collect her debt? At the very least, we need an IOU…"
Matsuyama Kōji spoke cautiously.
He had some suspicions about her identity.
A big fish in the industry.
But also a symbol of trouble.
"Ah, well... hahahaha, I'll do my best. I'll get that IOU for you. How much does she owe?"
Jiraiya lightly coughed.
Tsunade... who knew how much she lost?
Repayment, at least in the short term, seemed unlikely.
He felt slightly awkward.
Matsuyama Kōji breathed a sigh of relief. "No problem. As long as there's an IOU, I can report back to my family."
"You know, this business isn't just mine to handle," he added quickly.
Jiraiya nodded in understanding.
Sunset Kurenai followed behind, glancing at Kyōen and Kakashi, hoping for an explanation.
However, both of them shook their heads.
Of course.
Kyōen understood that Jiraiya's target was likely Tsunade, who had already left Konoha.
As one of the Legendary Three Ninjas, Tsunade had developed hemophobia, making it difficult for her to continue as a regular ninja. With the added psychological factors, leaving the village had been a logical choice.
Kyōen didn't hope to bring Tsunade back. Instead, he was considering how to benefit from her presence.
After all, she was Tsunade!
Any small advantage he could gain from her would be a huge reward for his current self.
Kyōen's eyes flickered as he began to think seriously.
Medical ninjutsu…
Konoha already had a very mature medical ninja system, so there wasn't much he could offer in that regard.
As for other techniques, Tsunade might find it difficult to teach them.
And as for Creation Rebirth—
Tsunade probably hadn't fully mastered it yet.
Kyōen thought to himself, trying to figure out the next step.
After some consideration, he decided to take things one step at a time, not overcomplicating matters.
Shortbook Street, near the ancient Shortbook City Wall.
Jiraiya was carefully observing his surroundings, his face solemn.
"Sensei, who exactly was the person you asked Matsuyama about?"
Kurenai couldn't help but ask.
Jiraiya glanced at them, then smiled. "Guess."
Kakashi paused for a moment, then shook his head. "I don't know."
"Could it be one of the Legendary Three Ninjas? I've only heard that she's involved with gambling."
Kyōen murmured.
Jiraiya turned to him, then smiled. "You, kid!"
He nodded.
"I told you before—aside from the mission, I also wanted to gather information about Tsunade."
As they walked, Jiraiya continued, "Kyōen, have you started researching other aspects of the Water Style yet?"
"I've only tried compressing the water flow. I'm not sure if that's what you meant by property change."
Kyōen responded.
Jiraiya nodded. "That's right."
He couldn't help but reflect.
"Sometimes, I wonder if the Second Hokage, when he was younger, tried something similar... He tried compressing the water flow and ultimately improved it into the Water Dismantling Wave."
As he spoke, Jiraiya began to explain the terrifying nature of that jutsu.
Nothing can escape it!
The deadly power of Water Style ninjutsu.
He also talked about the achievements of the Second Hokage.
Kakashi and Kurenai listened intently.
Kyōen, too, was interested.
But he was more focused on the ninjutsu itself.
"So, does this mean my thinking is on the right track?"
Kyōen asked.
"Compression and condensation are techniques commonly used in advanced ninjutsu. It's not just Water Style; Fire Style and Lightning Style have similar techniques. For example, the Fourth Raikage's famous technique, the Four Pillars Hand…"
Jiraiya continued as they walked.
Kakashi looked thoughtful, as if something had clicked in his mind.
Just then, Jiraiya suddenly stopped and turned to look at a location on the street.
It was an izakaya.
From upstairs, a woman's voice drifted down.
"We don't have much money left!"
"Oh no..."
A familiar voice.
Kyōen's memories resurfaced.
He had briefly been classmates with Shizune in his past life. Afterward, Shizune left with Tsunade, and he hadn't seen her since. But her voice hadn't changed much.
"We found her!"
Jiraiya grinned and began scanning the area.
"Sensei, I think we should go in through the front door. I heard that woman once nearly sent you to the hospital."
Kyōen quietly reminded him.
Hm?
Such a secret?
Kakashi and Kurenai both perked up, their curiosity visible despite their masks.
Jiraiya scowled.
"You brat, where did you hear that gossip?"
"My grandmother used to tell me."
Kyōen replied casually.
"Dammit!"
Jiraiya, flustered, punched him lightly on the head. "You sure know a lot!"
However, he ultimately took Kyōen's advice and entered through the front door, heading to the room where Tsunade was, hoping to avoid a punch that could knock him out.
When Tsunade saw Jiraiya, she wasn't surprised—
They knew each other well enough that the commotion had been enough to give her a clue about his identity.
"Yo, Jiraiya."
Tsunade leaned lazily against the wall, a sake bottle in hand.
Her demeanor was relaxed, but her commanding presence was undeniable, leaving an impact on anyone nearby.
Even Kurenai, a fellow woman, couldn't help but stare wide-eyed, occasionally glancing down in awe.
She was truly taken aback.