After resting for another day in the Land of Waves, Gen, and Jiraiya set off again once Kakashi started feeling a bit better.
Thanks to Kitagawa Gen’s insights, both Kakashi and Jiraiya had begun to suspect that Orochimaru and his group were likely in the Land of Water.
But the Land of Waves was simply too close to the Land of Water. Once Uchiha Itachi and Biwa Jūzō returned to report, who knew whether they'd co looking for them?
So whatever the case—better to flee first and talk later.
Fortunately, they encountered no trouble on the road back. In less than two days, they had returned to Konohagakure.
“Konoha still looks the sa as always. Hasn’t changed a bit.”
Standing outside the village gates, Jiraiya gazed at the familiar sight before him. A wave of emotion washed over him.
Sotis, he couldn’t help but wonder—
If he hadn’t left ten years ago, would things have turned out differently?
One of the reasons he stayed away all these years was to track Orochimaru.
But another, more personal reason, was simply that he didn’t want to revisit those painful mories.
Still, what was done was done. Thinking about it now wouldn’t change anything. It was better to focus on the task at hand.
“Let’s go.”
Turning his head, Jiraiya looked toward Kakashi, who was leaning on Kitagawa Gen for support.
“Kakashi, I’ll take you to the hospital first. Then I’ll go see the old man. Kid, keep an eye on Kakashi for , alright?”
“No need. I’ll go with you to see the Hokage.”
Kakashi shook his head, directly refusing Jiraiya’s offer.
“I’m alright for now. And this matter is too important—we should report it first.”
“Hey now, no need to push yourself, alright?”
Jiraiya rubbed his temples. Just looking at Kakashi’s state gave him a headache.
But Kakashi was firm.
“Don’t worry. I know my own condition. I’m not going to push past my limit.”
“Alright then.”
Jiraiya could only nod in response. Then he turned to Kitagawa Gen, who had remained quiet all this ti.
“Kid, I’m borrowing your sensei for a while. You’re dismissed for now.”
“No problem!”
Kitagawa Gen nodded obediently, though in truth, he had already been itching to get away.
Being around those two, he really had no ti to focus on the coins he’d just scored from that old coot.
He’d been holding back for so long—he was practically bursting with anticipation.
“Oh, and save so room.”
Jiraiya stepped forward and supported Kakashi, then spoke casually over his shoulder.
“First ti completing a mission, huh? But clearly Kakashi’s in no shape to celebrate. So this Sage will reluctantly celebrate in his place. If you’ve got any friends you want to bring, go ahead—co find at the hospital.”
Truth be told, Jiraiya’s impression of Kitagawa Gen wasn’t half bad.
Though the kid had a sharp tongue, when facing two infamous rogue ninja—Uchiha Itachi and Biwa Jūzō—not only had he refused to flee alone despite Kakashi's suggestion…
He had also calmly assessed the situation, tricked those two renegades, held his ground against Biwa Jūzō on his own, and even managed to save Kakashi.
Even the analysis of that mysterious organization afterward had stemd from his insights!
Smart, loyal to his comrades, and exceptionally gifted—how could Jiraiya not like a kid like that?
Especially since he was Kakashi’s student.
"Then I’ll be counting on you, Jiraiya-sama."
This kind of opportunity? Kitagawa Gen wasn’t about to turn it down.
Jiraiya certainly wasn’t short on cash—the guy was a bestselling author. anwhile, even though Gen had beco a shinobi, he was still pretty broke.
As he followed the two back into the village, Kitagawa Gen noticed sothing: he didn’t have to fill out any of those annoying forms.
He couldn’t help but glance at Jiraiya again. Kakashi, even with his connections, had to fill out so paperwork—but with this guy around, not even that was necessary.
"Finally... I’m ho."
After seeing the two off, Kitagawa Gen turned and sprinted toward his house.
But just as he was nearing his front door, he suddenly spotted Naruto jumping down from his windowsill.
"Hey, hey, hey! What the hell are you doing?!"
Kitagawa Gen was stunned at the sight.
"Huh? You’re back?"
Naruto jumped in surprise too—but quickly lost his composure.
"Damn it! You jerk! You asked to water your plants and didn’t even leave a key!"
"Uh… really?"
Gen blinked. Only now did he rember vaguely asking Naruto to help with that—an awkward realization.
"Sorry, sorry! I was just saying it offhand—I didn’t think you’d actually do it!"
"Exactly why you’re a jerk."
Naruto huffed and crossed his arms, though a proud expression crept onto his face.
"But even if you are a jerk, once I promise sothing, I follow through! Just like I’m going to pass my exam and beco a ninja, no matter what!"
"Weren’t you saying before that you wanted to take the exam early? What happened, lowering the bar now?"
Gen raised an eyebrow. Naruto’s face froze for a second—before he could respond, Gen added, "Also, if you want to pass, you’d better hit the books. Don’t you have class today?"
"Today’s a rest day..."
Naruto’s voice faltered. But he quickly yelled back with renewed determination: "Idiot! I’m definitely going to pass!"
"Yeah, yeah..."
Gen scratched his ear. Man, this kid had a loud voice.
"I believe you. Following through on your word—that’s your ninja way, right? Got it."
"Huh?"
Naruto paused at that.
"Following through... Ninja way...?"
That actually… sounded pretty fitting.
"Here, this is for you."
While Naruto stood there blankly, Kitagawa Gen suddenly pulled a kunai and a scroll from his ninja tool pouch.
"This kunai was the first weapon I used to take down an enemy. Consider it your reward for watering my plants. I hope you beco a ninja soon too. As for the scroll, I bought it as a souvenir in the Land of Waves—it's yours."
"Uh… th-thanks!"
Naruto quickly accepted both items, staring down at them in a daze.
In that mont, he completely forgot that he had just been calling Gen a jerk—and his eyes even began to mist up a little.
"Hey, none of that now. We’re friends, after all."
Gen playfully punched Naruto in the chest. He had taken quite a few of the kid’s governnt subsidies, after all—this was the least he could do.
"Oh, and I’m having a little party tonight to celebrate finishing my first mission. Save your appetite and make sure to co. Don’t be shy."
"Ah…"
Naruto blinked back to reality, first looking excited—then suddenly growing wary.
"But… I haven’t gotten my allowance yet."
"Idiot. Soone else is footing the bill. You’re good."
Gen didn’t give him a chance to decline. He just turned and headed toward his house.
"And don’t bother later—I’m exhausted after these past few days."
Without waiting for a reply, Kitagawa Gen stepped through the door and shut it behind him. Then he collapsed onto his bed.
"Finally… I can really try it out."
Closing his eyes, he began to carefully review the knowledge he had obtained from Jiraiya.
On the way back, he had already sorted through most of it—he just hadn’t had a chance to practice or experint.
Ti passed slowly.
After nearly an hour of intense concentration, his eyes suddenly snapped open—and in that instant, an unusual aura burst forth from his body!
A faint reddish eye shadow appeared around his eyes.
...
“So things are really that complicated?”
Inside the Hokage’s office, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the still visibly drained Kakashi and the deeply grave expression on Jiraiya’s face. He couldn’t help but rub his temples.
At first, seeing Jiraiya return had given him quite a shock—but also a great deal of joy.
Konoha was currently in a sowhat precarious situation. Although this newer generation, including Kakashi, had already grown stronger, the village was still lacking in true mainstays.
In truth, his three forr students were ant to fill that role.
And yet, one had defected, and the other two were lost in a life of 'constant debauchery and gambling'.
Naturally, he was glad that Jiraiya had returned—but the news he brought back left Hiruzen with a bit of a headache.
“That’s right, old man,” Jiraiya nodded, rubbing his own temples as he spoke.
“If it weren’t so complicated, I wouldn’t have co back looking for you. Even though it’s all still just speculation, that place is far too sensitive, so I need your help.”
“You’re aware it’s sensitive?” Hiruzen shot Jiraiya a sharp look.
“We’re talking about Kirigakure here. It’s across a sea—it’s already hard enough just to send soone over. And because of their policies, they’re practically isolated from the rest of the world. No one really knows what’s going on in there. What exactly do you expect to investigate?”
Trouble with Kirigakure wasn’t anything new. It was already difficult to gather intelligence because it was an island. Then ca their so-called 'Blood Mist Policy' and a complete isolationist lockdown—making information-gathering practically impossible.
Especially now that it involved that organization...
'Uchiha Itachi is in there. How has he been undercover for two and a half years, and yet there hasn’t been a single report?'
Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, falling into silence, clearly just as confused.
“Hokage-sama, doesn’t the ANBU still have people stationed in Kirigakure?” Kakashi, who had been quiet all this ti, finally spoke after a mont of hesitation, his voice low.
“It might be difficult, but could we at least try to contact them and see if they can send any intel?”
“Well…”
Hiruzen looked troubled, and that clearly irritated Jiraiya.
“Oi, old man, if it’s really that much trouble, then I’ll just go check it out myself. That should save you the headache, right?”
“No. You don’t understand how delicate this situation is.”
Hiruzen rubbed his temples again. After a mont of thought, he let out a long sigh.
“Fine. I’ll handle it. But you absolutely must not act recklessly. You’re good at intelligence work, sure—but you’re still not a specialist."
"Stay in Konoha for now and don’t go wandering off. I’ll try to finish the investigation as quickly as possible.”
“Tch, like I’d even be able to leave right now if I wanted to.”
Jiraiya pursed his lips. After a small nod, he added, “Don’t worry. I won’t act without thinking—if I were that reckless, I wouldn’t have co back at all."
"If there’s nothing else, I’ll take Kakashi to the hospital."
"Later on, I’ve got to help his student celebrate completing their first mission... what a pain.”
As he spoke, Jiraiya led Kakashi out the door. Kakashi gave Hiruzen a slightly apologetic nod before leaving.
Fortunately, Hiruzen knew his student’s personality well and didn’t take it to heart.
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