In the time that followed, Jiraiya had Nagato and the other two earnestly make as much Chakra as possible.
The three of them had started their training much later than the children in the village. Naturally, they had to put in more hard work.
Haruki, on the other hand, was taught taijutsu by Jiraiya.
Haruki: "…"
Before he could even surprise Jiraiya, he was trained by Jiraiya into a puddle of mud within a single day.
On the way back to the wooden house in the evening, Haruki was trembling all over. Nagato and Yahiko helped Haruki back to the wooden house with difficulty.
The seafood feast prepared by Jiraiya was already laid out on the table.
"Let's eat."
The small wooden house, bathed in the setting sun, emitted a warm yellow light, filled with laughter and joy, making it exceptionally cozy.
Haruki, who had trained hard all day, ate the food on the table in large mouthfuls.
"So delicious."
Haruki's mouth was full. This seafood was truly fresh.
Konan couldn't help but secretly laugh at him. While secretly laughing, she didn't forget to pick another piece of fish for him.
"Eat slowly, don't choke." Konan gently reminded him.
She knew that Haruki had worked harder than the three of them today. On the way back, Haruki's clothes were completely soaked with sweat.
"You all should also eat more meat."
Haruki picked meat for Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan respectively.
After eating, they played games together in the living room for a while before returning to their respective rooms to rest.
Night.
Late at night, all was quiet.
Occasionally, a frog's croak could be heard, making the night seem even more tranquil.
Haruki, in order to appear profound and earn affection points, tiptoed out of bed and quietly left the bedroom. He came to the veranda outside the living room's window and sat down.
The bright moon seemed to rise from the sea, scattering countless silver specks that slowly drifted with the waves.
Haruki had a profound expression, looking as if he was burdened with many thoughts. After sitting silently for two minutes, he finally heard a sound as he wished.
"Why are you still awake so late?"
Footsteps came from behind, and Jiraiya walked over and sat beside him.
Jiraiya looked down at the child beside him and asked curiously, "I felt like you had a lot on your mind during dinner today."
Haruki: "…"
Regardless of the truth, Haruki grinned triumphantly in his heart.
This was the effect he wanted!
"I can't sleep." Haruki replied dejectedly.
"Haruki, how old are you this year?" Jiraiya suddenly asked.
Haruki thought of the age marked on the system and answered truthfully, "8 years old."
He's still a child.
[…]
Haruki had previously asked Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan their ages. Among the three of them, Konan was the youngest at nine years old this year. So his eight years old was quite advantageous.
Hehehehehehe.
[…]
Jiraiya exclaimed in surprise as expected, "8 years old?"
He didn't expect that Haruki, who looked the most mature, was actually the youngest among this group of children.
Not only that, although Haruki was young, he was more like the big brother among this group of children in terms of taking care of Yahiko and the others. Jiraiya felt a surge of emotion.
"Why do you always want to protect Yahiko and the others?" Jiraiya connected it to what happened yesterday and asked searchingly.
As far as he knew, Haruki had not spent much time with Yahiko and the others.
"Because Yahiko and the others are my family."
Haruki earnestly told Jiraiya, "My relatives all died in the war. It was Yahiko and the others who voluntarily let me stay with them. In my heart, they are my family."
Jiraiya listened to his exceptionally naive and sincere words, feeling both sad and warm.
"And…"
Haruki continued.
He pursed his lips, his large eyes sparkling in the moonlight, "Even if I didn't know Yahiko and the others, I would still want to protect them."
Jiraiya looked at Haruki with slight surprise. Next, he heard a sentence that shocked him.
"I want to protect everyone who has been hurt in the war." Haruki vowed.
Jiraiya was speechless for a moment. Silence stretched for a long time. Jiraiya heard the question Haruki posed.
"Why must there be war?"
"Jiraiya-sensei?"
"Why do people have to fight and kill each other?"
Facing his confused questions, Jiraiya's heart grew heavier.
"Yes."
"Why must there be war?"
Jiraiya sighed deeply, echoing Haruki's words.
After a while, he said to Haruki, "This world is full of battlefields, and hatred is everywhere. I want to change this situation. What is peace, I also want to find the answer."
Jiraiya looked deeply at Haruki, and his warm large hand ruffled Haruki's hair.
"Haruki, I believe you and Nagato can also do it."
"Perhaps you will find the answer to peace before I do." Jiraiya emphasized.
Both Haruki and Nagato possessed abilities beyond ordinary imagination. Perhaps this was a hint from heaven.
Fate had him stay and teach Haruki and Nagato, giving this world a chance for war to disappear.
Jiraiya's heart was filled with strength. He would definitely teach Haruki and Nagato well.
Haruki gradually became determined under Jiraiya's trusting gaze.
He nodded and promised, "I will definitely do it."
Jiraiya smiled. He ruffled Haruki's head again and said, "Go back and rest quickly."
Haruki stood up and said to Jiraiya, "Jiraiya-sensei, good night."
Jiraiya looked at his retreating back, a wave of tenderness rising in his heart.
"Good night."
[Ding!]
[System detected Jiraiya's affection value +2000]
[System hereby awards the host the 'Annual Best Acting Male Host Award'.]
[Affection value 2000 has been collected. Would you like to feed your companion Cursed Spirit Rika?]
[Yes] [No]
Haruki clicked [Yes].
[Ding!]
[Your companion Cursed Spirit Rika's rank has increased to 38.002%]
[Your companion Cursed Spirit Rika sends feedback: I want to sleep with Yuta.]
"…"
Haruki's response to Rika: Go ahead!
He lied tiredly on the bed, closing his eyes and immediately falling asleep.
The next day, he and the others appeared on the training rocky beach.
Haruki was doing push-ups nearby, while Jiraiya was testing Yahiko and the others' Chakra natures.
Jiraiya handed each of the three a piece of paper. Haruki knew these were Chakra paper. Of course, he didn't have any. He was someone without any Chakra, let alone Chakra nature. The test results were quickly out.
Haruki listened to Jiraiya and their conversation while doing push-ups.
"Yahiko, your Chakra nature is Water. Next, I will teach you Water Release Ninjutsu."
"Yes."
"Nagato, Konan, your two natures are special."
"Nagato has multiple Chakra natures and can learn Ninjutsu of different natures."
"Konan, you are more suited to maximize your own origami."
"…"