章 21: Chapter 21: Something More Important Than Training
"Of course I'd love to!" Minato's blue pupils shimmered with ripples, and for some reason, he was overjoyed at this moment. Although he had barely seen Jiraiya a few times before, he felt a special affection for him. Minato could not describe this feeling previously, but now he understood. It was like a mentor, like a father!
Immediately, Minato knelt down and paid his respects to take Jiraiya as his master. Jiraiya's face showed a gratified smile, as from today, he too became someone's teacher. Over a decade ago, it was here that he became the Third Hokage's disciple. This is what is called the legacy being passed down.
Jiraiya extended his hand to help Minato up, his eyes showing a hint of warmth, "From today onwards, I will guide your training. You no longer need to run to the mountain for practice. I have made arrangements for you to freely enter and exit this place."
Minato had now developed the true qualities of a ninja and was fully qualified to train at the Seventh Training Grounds.
"Yes, Master Jiraiya!" Minato's voice carried a hint of joy, unable to contain his elation, so his tone was slightly raised.
Seeing Minato's eager face, Jiraiya glanced up at the pitch black night sky and said, "It's already evening. You've had a long day at the Ninja Academy, so we'll discuss your training tomorrow."
A lecherous grin flashed across Jiraiya's face, though Minato did not notice, only nodding obediently.
"For now, your master will take you to do something even more important than training." Jiraiya's expression and tone suddenly became serious. Not knowing what Jiraiya meant, Minato's demeanor also turned grave, though his mind was puzzled - what could be more important than training?
The two then swiftly left the Seventh Training Grounds, hurrying through many streets, Jiraiya's pace growing very brisk, though still within Minato's limits.
When they finally reached their destination, however, Minato froze at the entrance - for Jiraiya had brought him to Konoha's hot springs.
"Master Jiraiya, this..." Minato was perplexed - this was the important matter more crucial than training?
Jiraiya patted Minato's shoulder and laughed, "Ninjas need to balance work and rest too. Nothing is more relaxing after a busy day than soaking in a warm spring!"
With that, Jiraiya led Minato inside. Although Minato could not fully understand his master's thinking, he absolutely obeyed Jiraiya's words.
After neatly folding his clothes into a basket, Minato realized Master Jiraiya had disappeared, his own clothes messily tossed into a bin, some even scattered on the floor.
Minato went to reorganize Jiraiya's clothes before slowly entering the hot spring. Since it was a holiday, the springs were quite crowded, with some children around Minato's age, though none of his classmates.
"Minato, what took you so long?" An impatient voice called out - Jiraiya was leaning against the spring's edge, a wooden tray beside him holding a bottle and cup with a pungent aroma wafting out.
"My apologies," Minato hurried over and bowed.
Jiraiya's face was flushed, cup in hand, its contents giving off a smell that struck Minato as rather strong.
"No worries, you're too polite," Jiraiya waved his hand and downed the cup.
After a while, Jiraiya unsteadily stood, telling Minato, "I'll be right back."
"Master Jiraiya, are you okay?" Concerned by Jiraiya's stagger, Minato asked. Jiraiya waved dismissively, "Perfectly fine!"
He finished speaking and seemed to shake off his slight inebriation, swiftly leaving at great speed.
Minato did not know what Jiraiya was doing but enjoyed the occasional hot spring soak. However, after some time with no sign of Jiraiya's return, Minato grew worried. Donning a robe, he searched everywhere for his master.
Scouring the entire bathhouse yielded no trace of Jiraiya. When Minato returned to the changing area, Jiraiya's clothes from the bin were also gone.
Minato assumed Jiraiya must have had some urgent matter to attend to first and found nothing too strange about it.
"Master Jiraiya must have had an emergency," Minato thought, changing into his own clothes before exiting the bathhouse.
"Nice, nice..." Just as Minato was about to leave, he heard a faint murmuring voice. His well-trained ninja senses allowed him to detect sounds better than ordinary people.
He glanced up to see a silhouette lurking on the bathhouse rooftop under the night.
It was Jiraiya.
"Master Jiraiya?" Minato called out twice, but his completely engrossed master showed no sign of hearing him, utterly focused on whatever held his attention.
There were few people at the entrance, so no one had yet noticed this oddity.
Puzzled, Minato found a discreet spot and leapt onto the rooftop, quickly arriving at Jiraiya's side.
"Master Ji-" As Minato was about to address him, Jiraiya covered his mouth with an eerie swiftness.
"Shh, don't speak," Jiraiya held a finger to his lips, then that sly gaze returned to its previous fixation.
That look struck Minato as rather strange, so he followed Jiraiya's line of sight.
"Master Jiraiya, this is what you meant by more important than training?" Minato's face paled as he flushed deeply, instantly turning away.
For Jiraiya was leering into the women's bathhouse section.
Flustered, Minato spoke louder than intended while shifting awkwardly, making some noise that drew unwanted attention from within the women's area.
A piercing shriek rang out, even startling passersby on the street outside as the peeping pair's sinister shadows were spotted.
"No good, let's go!" Jiraiya cursed under his breath, grabbing Minato and vanishing from the rooftop in a flash.
(End of chapter)
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