Chapter 26: First Encounter with Jiraiya

The next day.

Minato Namikaze arrived at Konoha's main gate with Shindai.

Kakashi, Obito, and Rin Nohara came to meet them and were greatly surprised when they saw Shindai. From their perspective, it seemed like Shindai should be treated as a spy—kept under surveillance in Konoha, so he could feed false intelligence back to the Third Kazekage of Sunagakure through that Ninja Hawk.

Smiling, Minato said to Kakashi and the others, "The Third has already agreed. From today on, Shindai will join us on our missions. I have decided to take full responsibility for him. If Shindai makes contributions to Konoha from now on, he will officially become one of us."

Though Shindai was once a ninja from Sunagakure, Minato continued, "I hope you can all regard him as a true comrade."

Kakashi and the others nodded, thinking that clearly Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato must have had some special plans for Shindai to bring him along.

"Then let's get moving."

Shindai, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin followed Minato Namikaze toward the Land of Hot Water.

Six days later.

Shindai's group arrived at Konoha's base camp in the Land of Hot Water.

Inside Konoha's base camp located in the Land of Hot Water, the commanders were Orochimaru and Jiraiya.

In fact, Tsunade was present too, but due to her hemophobia, she couldn't directly engage in battle or provide treatment upon seeing blood.

Thus, Tsunade's role here was mainly to supervise Medical Ninjas in treating the wounded.

Commanders Orochimaru and Jiraiya did not personally engage in combat themselves.

After all, the ongoing skirmishes with Kumogakure's ninja were not yet significant enough to warrant their direct involvement.

Furthermore, both of them believed that the Third Great Ninja War was drawing near, and Konoha might face attacks from multiple hidden villages.

Therefore, the Sannin were temporarily stationed together; once the full-scale war began, they would deploy separately to fight independently.

Seeing his favorite disciple return, Jiraiya immediately smiled, walked up to Minato, and patted his shoulder. "Minato, you're finally back! When those Kumo bastards realized you were gone, they suddenly became extremely aggressive and pushed back hard against us."

Minato apologized, "Something happened, and my mission in the Land of Rivers got exposed. I'm sorry for causing trouble for you and Master Orochimaru."

Jiraiya waved him off, "No problem, no problem. Orochimaru led a surprise attack on the Kumo camp with a squad of ninja, forcing them to retreat. Their offensive has already been neutralized."

As Minato spoke with Jiraiya, Shindai curiously examined Jiraiya as well.

Shindai had expected Jiraiya to look somewhat perverted, but the man's first impression struck him as surprisingly handsome.

Jiraiya's gaze also shifted to Shindai as he asked Minato, "Minato, who is he?"

Minato explained to Jiraiya, "I rescued Shindai when I was in the Land of Rivers. Originally, Sunagakure and Iwagakure planned to form an alliance, offering the Kekkei Genkai bearer in exchange for military supplies as proof of their cooperation.

But our allies in the Land of Rivers discovered their plan early, and since I was already there at the time, I intercepted Shindai.

Now Shindai follows me and will work alongside Kakashi and the others."

Jiraiya looked at Shindai in surprise. "Oh? A Kekkei Genkai bearer... Sunagakure actually dared to use one to form an alliance with Iwagakure."

Shindai greeted Jiraiya timidly, "J-Jiraiya-sama, it's an honor to meet you."

Jiraiya asked in surprise, "Oh? You know me?"

Before Shindai could speak for himself, Minato sighed helplessly and called out, "Teacher Jiraiya..."

Jiraiya felt slightly embarrassed.

Right, just now Minato had already addressed him as Teacher Jiraiya.

Minato said to Kakashi and the others, "You guys take Shindai to an empty tent."

Kakashi and the others took Shindai away. Watching Shindai's retreating figure, Jiraiya asked, "Minato, are you sure about this?"

Minato naturally understood what Jiraiya meant but didn't reply immediately. Instead, he said, "Teacher Jiraiya, let's talk in your tent."

Immediately realizing that there might be something unusual about Shindai, Jiraiya went with Minato to his tent.

Inside the tent, Minato told Jiraiya, "Teacher Jiraiya, that child is a spy sent by Sunagakure into Konoha."

Jiraiya wasn't surprised because he had already suspected such a possibility while walking here.

Jiraiya asked, "Since you brought this child here, you must've already informed the old man back in Konoha, right? Was it on the Third Hokage's orders that you brought him here?"

Minato shook his head, "No, I personally requested permission from the Third."

Jiraiya frowned in confusion, "You made the request yourself? Why? Could this child be especially significant?"

Minato then recounted everything regarding Shindai to Jiraiya.

After listening, Jiraiya displayed an interested expression, "So that's how it is. Having an exceptionally talented [Magnet Release kekkei genkai] bearer joining Konoha would indeed be beneficial for us. However, Minato, do you have confidence in making this child truly loyal to Konoha?"

Minato Namikaze revealed a gentle smile. "I believe I can do it. Shindai's biggest problem is his lack of safety. As long as we treat him well and let him feel the warmth he never felt in Sunagakure, and give him a true sense of safety, I believe Shindai will eventually embrace Konoha."

Jiraiya saw how confident Minato was and became convinced his outstanding disciple would succeed. At the same time, he couldn't help but feel a little pride—he had trained this excellent student himself.

Minato asked, "So then, Master Jiraiya, what's the current situation in the Hot Water Country?"

Jiraiya explained to Minato, "Although the Kumo ninja launched an offensive while you were away, Orochimaru countered the attack, and since then they've been much quieter—though how long that'll last is anyone's guess.

This war has become your generation's time to shine. Right now, your name among the Kumo ninja has become synonymous with invincibility. After this war, your 'Yellow Flash' might even surpass the Sannin in renown."

Minato sighed softly. "Actually, being forgotten isn't so bad. It just means there's peace."

Hearing Minato say this, Jiraiya couldn't help but exclaim, "That's true too. After all, our names were paid for in blood."

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