Kapitel 60: Chapter 60
Jiraiya's lips twitched slightly, his air of grandeur fading in an instant.
"Have all of Konoha's kids grown up so fast these days?" he muttered, shaking his head in mock disbelief. "You brats, no fun at all."
Feigning a sigh, Jiraiya straightened up. "I'm here for a mission, just like you."
"Oh!" Uzumaki Heiji's eyes lit up. "If Jiraiya-sama himself is involved, it must be some high-level mission, right? An S-Rank mission?"
There's something about strong people that weaklings can't help but admire blindly. While Fuijiwara Tetsuya was still busy speculating about Jiraiya's mission, Uzumaki Heiji and Namihana squeezed forward, their eyes wide with admiration as they stared up at Jiraiya like starstruck kids.
"Uzumaki clan kids, huh?" Jiraiya smirked, his tone lighter. "You two are far cuter than these brats over here." He jerked a thumb towards Tetsuya's group. "Yeah, it's true. I'm here on an S-Rank mission."
Typical Jiraiya. One minute, serious as they come, and the next? Completely losing the plot. Some things never change.
"Ah-hem," Tetsuya coughed, interrupting. "Jiraiya-sama, we're still ninja, after all. Don't forget the code."
Caught up in the kids' praise, Jiraiya was on the verge of forgetting himself entirely. His ego inflating was an almost physical phenomenon. Tetsuya felt he had no choice but to cut in before the situation got even more ridiculous.
Jiraiya blinked, then burst into laughter. "You're right, Tetsuya. Thanks for the reminder." His tone was jovial, but he quickly added with a sly grin, "But the code is flexible, you know? As long as it doesn't go against our ninja way, it's open to interpretation."
As Jiraiya launched into his story, Tetsuya, along with his companions, perked up. The details of Jiraiya's mission were just as Tetsuya had expected: He was in Uzushiogakure to investigate the forces behind the recent attacks on the Uzumaki clan. If he could figure out who was responsible—and take them down—that would be ideal. But at the very least, gathering intel and relaying it back to Uzumaki Ashina was the mission's main goal.
Hearing this, Tetsuya's expression hardened. The forces plotting against the Uzumaki clan weren't just a single entity. Jiraiya's task was likely far more complicated than he was letting on. Tetsuya figured Jiraiya knew this too—that's probably why he had found time to unwind at a sushi bar.
After leaving the restaurant, Uzumaki Heiji and Namihana took Tetsuya's group on a tour around Uzushiogakure. The day passed in a blur of new sights, and by the time they returned to their lodgings at sunset, everyone was exhausted.
"Jiraiya-sama! What are you doing here?"
The same question, different location. When Tetsuya opened the door to their shared quarters, there sat Jiraiya, all serious for once, sipping tea with Yuhi Shin as if nothing were out of the ordinary.
"Now, now, why so surprised?" Jiraiya said, giving them all a mischievous grin. "We're all from the same village, aren't we? I'm your senior. You should be happy to see me!"
Even in front of another elite ninja like Shin, Jiraiya didn't dial back the theatrics. Tetsuya shot a quick glance at Shin, who simply sipped his tea, completely unfazed. It was at that moment Tetsuya had a sinking realization: They wouldn't be returning to Konoha anytime soon.
Jiraiya, seeing the confusion on their faces, leaned back with a grin. "Alright, enough joking around, kids. I came here for a reason. I need your team's help."
Tetsuya raised an eyebrow. This couldn't be good.
Jiraiya continued, "In the waters east of Uzushio, near the Misty Island, I've found some leads. I suspect the ninja from Kirigakure are plotting something." His expression grew grim. "I need your team to come with me and help me put a stop to whatever they're planning."
"Jiraiya-sama," Tetsuya interjected, a trace of unease creeping into his voice. "Forgive me for asking, but isn't this something you should be discussing with Uzushiogakure's leadership? Wouldn't it be better to get their best shinobi involved? Why us?"
Jiraiya locked eyes with Tetsuya, studying him for a moment. "Sharp kid. You've got a good head on your shoulders." He gave a nod, clearly impressed. "But let me tell you why I need you specifically."
Tetsuya shifted his stance, waiting for Jiraiya's explanation.
"Uzushiogakure's stronger shinobi are already being monitored by outside forces," Jiraiya explained, his voice lowering. "If I alert them and get their top fighters involved, it'll tip off our enemies. Best-case scenario? We get nothing. Worst case? We all walk into a trap set by the Hidden Mist."
Tetsuya frowned. He had guessed that things were complicated, but this level of surveillance...
Jiraiya continued, "That's why I'm asking you. Shin's skills combined with your team's abilities make you a perfect fit for this mission—strong enough to handle what's coming, but not enough to raise red flags."
There it was. The reason. As Jiraiya finished, the room fell silent. Tetsuya noticed that even Uchiha Mikoto and Aburame Mokujin seemed a bit swayed, their eyes darting in his direction, waiting for him to speak.
"Well, kids?" Jiraiya folded his arms. "What's it gonna be? You in or out?"
Tetsuya looked around at his teammates, feeling the weight of their unspoken question. But after a moment's thought, he stepped forward and gave his answer without hesitation.
"Jiraiya-sama, we refuse."
Jiraiya blinked in surprise. "What?" His face twitched in disbelief, as though he hadn't expected this at all. "You're saying no?!"
"Exactly." Tetsuya stood firm, his tone calm but resolute. "This isn't wartime, and we aren't your subordinates, Jiraiya-sama." He paused, taking a deep breath. "And more importantly…"
To be continued...
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