Raj pondered for a mont, then roughly understood Jiraiya's reasoning.
While Rin's combat abilities weren't poor, they were far from exceptional compared to ordinary ninja.
Excluding her from this test mission - aside from her unconsciousness - likely had deliberate intent.
The Chunin Exams, however, were different.
These were covert and overt struggles between villages, where enemies showed no rcy.
Naturally, every trick in the book would be used.
For Raj, not participating in missions was no loss.
As a Ninja Cat, he didn't need mission data to maintain his reputation; avoiding them was ideal.
Moreover, these test missions ca with endless rules and restrictions.
It was far better to freeload around the village.
After all, he was just doing unpaid labor - no need to be so diligent.
Raj perched on a branch, watching the burly "Tank" return in frustration after failing to track Jiraiya.
When Jiraiya saw this, his expression changed instantly, and he imdiately used the Transformation Technique to transform into another White Cat.
The Akimichi Clan woman glanced at the two cats, finding them odd, especially the White Cat, which she found particularly sleazy.
She slowly approached the White Cat.
Raj could have simply sat back and watched the show, but he wasn't sure if Jiraiya would retaliate later.
Out of gratitude for the "1,500" Points, he decided to save Jiraiya's life.
"ow!"
Raj leaped down, landing on the Akimichi Clan woman's head before gently pushing off to land in front of the White Cat.
Annoyed, "Tank" grabbed Raj.
Seeing the na tag around his neck, she paused for a few seconds before setting Raj down.
She patted his head "gently" and said, "Thank you for helping us find that old pervert earlier. If he tries to retaliate, co find !"
With that, she released Raj and strode back to the bathhouse with a hearty laugh.
After a long mont, Jiraiya reverted to his human form, letting out a long sigh.
"Thank goodness you helped out this ti, kid. Otherwise, I'd have to run again."
"Is she really that strong?" Raj asked, puzzled.
He couldn't think of many people in Konoha who could surpass Jiraiya in strength.
While the Akimichi Clan was powerful, this woman clearly wasn't one of them.
"It's not about strength," Jiraiya explained in a low voice.
"She's just... the kind of person who's impossible to deal with."
"You know Torifu Akimichi, right? Oh, right, you wouldn't. She's his youngest daughter. If I cross her, I'll have a hard ti getting by in Konoha."
Torifu Akimichi's youngest daughter?
Images of Torifu Akimichi flashed through Raj's mind.
He suddenly understood.
Torifu was of the sa generation as the Third Hokage, and while his youngest daughter was younger than Jiraiya, they were roughly of the sa generation.
More importantly, Torifu Akimichi was in charge of Konoha's defense.
If he decided to stop Jiraiya from engaging in such activities, Jiraiya would have to go to other villages for his "entertainnt."
"As if she wouldn't report you even if you weren't caught... ow! Why are you grabbing ? I'm just telling the truth!"
Raj flailed his limbs wildly, but struggled to grasp Jiraiya's hand.
It was the truth, but it stung deeply.
Jiraiya's fury intensified.
"If you hadn't interfered, you little brat, and let Tsunade trick , I wouldn't be in this miserable state! And you have the nerve to make sarcastic remarks!"
"ow~ I just saved you too."
Raj bristled with indignation.
'If I'd known this would happen, I should have just stood by and even made faces to provoke him. I might have earned more Points!'
"One thing at a ti."
Jiraiya hefted the cat, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
This little guy must have absorbed more Natural Energy.
He's noticeably heavier.
Yet, miraculously, the cat's size hadn't increased dramatically.
Clearly, its ability to digest Natural Energy had improved, while its body remained relatively unchanged.
Unlike the toads of Mount Myoboku, whose bodies swell massively after accumulating Sage Art Chakra, this cat seed to maintain its original form.
Newly born toads, upon learning to absorb Sage Art Chakra, initially undergo rapid growth spurts.
But this cat remained stubbornly the sa.
The only thing that seed to be growing rapidly was its belly.
Jiraiya found this increasingly baffling.
Could it be related to the cat's species or constitution?
He pondered whether to consult Sennin Fukasaku or take the cat to Mount Myoboku for further study.
"ow!"
Sensing danger, Raj instantly activated Needle Jizo.
Just as the cat's fur began to stiffen, Jiraiya flung it away, avoiding the risk of being pierced by the hardened quills.
Raj leaped onto a tree branch, its voice sharp with suspicion.
"Were you trying to take to feed the toads?"
"How could you say 'feed the toads'? Sennin Fukasaku is a very kind sage!" Jiraiya rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, inwardly cursing the Dead Cat's sensitivity and intelligence.
The cat wasn't buying it.
The toads of Mount Myoboku were hardly benevolent creatures.
Gamamaru had once tricked even the Sage of the Six Paths, and in his old age, he had manipulated Jiraiya into dedicating his entire life to the mountain.
In truth, Mount Myoboku was a dangerous place!
The man and cat continued their chaotic struggle.
Only Jiraiya would resort to such tactics; no other Jonin or mber of the Three Great Sages would ever act so unorthodox.
Thanks to this, Raj not only gained over three hundred points but also received a barbecue al as compensation.
It had assud Jiraiya would treat it to a barbecue restaurant, but reality proved him less generous.
Instead, he took Raj to buy a pile of at and seasonings, then skillfully led the way to Minato's house.
Wasn't Minato on a mission?
Could Jiraiya be planning to have Kushina cook the barbecue?!
Raj imdiately recalled the fish she had cooked earlier.
The taste... wasn't exactly inedible, but it certainly didn't qualify as "delicious."
Letting her cook barbecue would be a complete waste of good ingredients.
"Heh heh heh, don't worry, Minato and the others are returning today," Jiraiya chuckled softly, noticing the cat's expression and realizing it had likely experienced Kushina's cooking firsthand.
Returning today?
Raj turned its head.
How does this guy know so much?!
Oh, right, the Chunin Exams.
The Chunin Exams schedule must be planned in advance, and Minato would undoubtedly control their return ti.
Of course, this assud no unexpected complications.
But such missions rarely encounter major incidents, focusing more on observing team collaboration and the capabilities of the Genin beyond Jonin supervision.
Kakashi and the others were doing fine.
It followed Jiraiya to the door.
After he knocked, Kushina opened it.
"Ahhh, Raj, I've missed you so much!"
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