"Tan-tan-tan~ Sage Mode—FUUUULLLL POWER!"
Gin didn't mind the ridiculously long chant this NPC was putting on. In fact, he leaned back on the bench with interest, casually waiting it out—and even gave it a dramatic vocal intro for effect.
As Jiraiya pressed his palms together, a strange energy began to rise from his body. But Gin quickly noticed—this wasn't regular chakra.
"So this is natural energy? Feels kinda… wild."
He could sense the raw, untamed nature of the power surging through Jiraiya. Powerful, yes—but also volatile, easy to backfire if misused.
Poof!
Once Jiraiya achieved balance between his chakra and the natural energy, he slammed a hand on the ground and summoned something. White smoke billowed out—when it cleared, two tiny toads had appeared, perched on his shoulders.
Only then did Jiraiya's Sage Mode fully activate.
Immediately, Gin slipped into full theater mode. He rummaged through his backpack and pulled out a dark blue-black book.
"Behold! He who unites the power of the Three Great Sage Toads! The fearless hero who dares challenge the cycle of reincarnation! The Sage Form of none other than—Informant-San! This moment marks the final blaze of his glory!"
Standing solemnly, one hand holding the ominous tome and the other pointed at Jiraiya, Gin dramatically declared his monologue with an exaggerated voice.
...The silence that followed was deafening.
It was so awkward it almost froze the NPC in place.
"Sigh~ Guess no one got the reference?"
Gin looked at the charging "Informant-san" and sighed. What a boring world.
With Sage Mode active, Jiraiya's stats had skyrocketed. He now seemed confident—where fear once clouded his eyes, there was now a glint of long-awaited vengeance.
"Is this all Sage Mode can do?"
Gin wasn't impressed. His ultra-sensitive perception told him this NPC wasn't weak—but not quite as terrifying as he'd expected.
If he had to put it into numbers, he'd say:
1 Sage Jiraiya = 0.8 Uncle.
No more than that.
Boom!
Jiraiya lunged with blinding speed, swinging his toad-like fist at Gin. The wind pressure alone tossed Gin's hair wildly.
But Gin's eyes flashed red—the Sharingan activated.
Everything slowed. Jiraiya's attack was suddenly transparent and sluggish. Gin calmly tilted his head to the side and dodged it with ease.
"Come on, you gotta try harder than that, bro~"
He glanced at the fist passing by his cheek and let out a disappointed sigh.
Maybe Jiraiya understood that insult, because his hands began to glow faintly blue—he swung again.
Gin noticed the change, but figured it was nothing. Another punch, same dodge.
Thud!
Just as Gin turned away, thinking about how to send the white-haired guy packing, an unexpected force slammed into him.
He was launched several meters away, crashing into the dirt with a puff of dust.
Jiraiya grinned triumphantly. He'd waited decades for this moment.
Huh? What the hell was that? He didn't even touch me… Frog Kata?
"Tch. I underestimated you. This Sage Mode's got a little bite after all."
From the dust, Gin's voice sounded mildly impressed.
He emerged from the cloud, perfectly unharmed, casually brushing dirt off his clothes.
Looking at Jiraiya, he tilted his head and asked:
"Say… doesn't that hurt?"
???
Jiraiya looked at his own hands—and his eyes widened. His palms were torn and bleeding.
"Hehe~ Not used to counter-armor, huh?"
Gin grinned. Aside from bathing, he never took his counter-armor off.
"Alright, I've got a good read on your strength. Time to say goodnight."
He gave Jiraiya an S-rank in his mental combat assessment, then extended his hand.
A single finger glowed with a concentrated bolt of lightning.
"Zzzap~"
The compressed Raiton chakra erupted like a serpent of light, tearing through the air at speeds faster than the eye could follow—faster than light.
It pierced straight through Jiraiya's chest, leaving a neat, coin-sized hole.
The Sage stumbled backward, eyes full of disbelief. He collapsed onto the grass.
Guess no matter the world, I still can't beat this damn curly-haired freak…
Jiraiya closed his eyes, and a ripple of light opened above, whisking his body away.
"Backyard Mode Daily Drop: Random Skill – [Sage Mode Fragment +1]"
[Sage Mode (1/100) – Collect 100 Fragments to Synthesize]
Not bad. Expected a shard—not the whole package.
Gin didn't mind. A skill like Sage Mode was way too busted to drop outright. Shards were fine.
Feeling accomplished, Gin stretched his arms. A cool wave of energy washed over him, clearing his battle debuffs.
"Not necessary, y'know. I recover just by breathing. Maybe next time, skip the theatrics."
He joked toward the system, not sure if it was even listening.
Back home, Itama and Hikaru had settled into a truce. No more chaos in the living room—for now.
"Haaa~ I'm calling it a night. You guys should sleep early too."
Exhausted from the day, Gin yawned and headed upstairs.
Flop!
"Eh? Why does it smell… creamy?"
He dove face-first into his bed, inhaled, and caught a strange sweet scent.
But he was too tired to care. Hugging the soft blanket, he drifted off.
—
The next morning, shockingly, Gin didn't sleep in.
Big day ahead.
While brushing his teeth, the smell of breakfast wafted up from downstairs. When he came down, he found a surprise: Itama—wearing an apron and humming while cooking.
The kid looked way too comfortable in this new role.
"Yo, squirt. Mornin'."
Gin didn't hesitate. He yanked a chair and sat down, eyeing the feast on the table.
"Damn, looks good. Made it just for me?"
"Urusai! I eat like this every day, okay?!"
Itama turned beet red, charging out of the kitchen with a hot spatula and shoving it against Gin's nose.
"Hot-hot-HOT!"
Gin leapt back, rubbing his now red and swollen nose.
Yup, just like the old saying: Spoil a kid for three days and he thinks he owns the roof.
Knock knock knock!
Gin rolled up his sleeves, ready to deal with the rebellious little brat, when the door knocked.
Someone visiting? Already?
"Coming~!"
He abandoned the scuffle and raced to the door.
"…Aw, it's you."
The excitement drained from his face when he saw who it was—his long-absent cousin, Izuna.
"You're finally back, aniki!"
Izuna had been visiting daily, only to leave disappointed each time. But yesterday, his father said Gin had returned. So the kid came first thing in the morning, eyes dark with exhaustion.
"…Come in."
Gin opened the door and let him inside.
"Eat anything yet?"
He returned to the dining table. With a guest present, Itama behaved and stayed in the kitchen.
"How could I eat?!"
Izuna's frustration exploded. But just as he yelled—
Grrrrrrrgle~
His stomach roared in protest.
"…Well well, sounds like your belly disagrees."
Gin pointed at the seat across from him and smirked.
"Sit. Eat. Then talk."
Embarrassed, Izuna grumbled but took the offer. He vowed to punish his stomach—by stuffing it to the limit.
Together, they devoured the entire table.
Burp!
"…Aniki, I'm counting on you."
Stuffed to the brim, Izuna looked up seriously. His eyes were full of desperation and hope.
"Stop dancing around it. Just say it."
Gin picked his teeth and gave him a deadpan stare.
"I hate riddles."
"…It's about big brother. He hasn't left his room in three days—not even to train."
"…That's it? Maybe he's just locked himself in to… you know. Take care of business."
(End of Chapter)
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