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Jiraiya left the publishing house and strolled down the streets of the new commercial district.
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All sorts of novel shops were open for business.
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As he took in the changes that had occurred in Konoha over the years, everything felt both familiar and foreign.
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The Konoha he remembered, shrouded in the dark clouds of war, seemed to have become a tale from a history book.
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Several magnificent buildings stood tall in the new commercial district.
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Many out-of-towners gathered there, hiring photographers to capture their visit.
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There were even ordinary people who had traveled on foot from small nations to Konoha. Konoha, with its benevolent heart, had implemented many policies beneficial to tourists from other villages.
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For example, they could exchange slogans for a free photo opportunity.
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From afar, Jiraiya heard:
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"Reaching the strongest village in the shinobi world-Konoha! So beautiful, Konoha!"
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"Oh my, isn''t that... Look at the Hokage Rock in the distance, everyone!"
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Such peculiar slogans… yet, as Jiraiya listened to the out-of-towners'' chants, he couldn''t help but straighten his back with pride.
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Jiraiya sighed, "It feels like ninjas like me have been left behind by the times."
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"Where should I go next? It''s rare for me to return to Konoha. Should I visit the old man?"
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As he walked, Jiraiya''s footsteps suddenly halted.
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His eyes lit up as he spotted a foot massage parlor tucked away in a corner of the street!
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A foot massage parlor.
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Jiraiya had encountered one during his travels to a small nation.
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Beautiful young women, ordinary people with massage skills rivaling those of ninjas, had provided him with a truly fantastic experience.
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He never imagined he''d find such an establishment in Konoha.
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Now, seeing the shapely figures of the women at the entrance of the foot massage parlor, Jiraiya''s desires stirred.
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"Should I go in and relax for a bit?"
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Jiraiya was about to take a step but hesitated, his expression conflicted.
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Konoha was, after all, his hometown.
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A gentleman didn''t dip his pen in the company ink, and besides… he still harbored a romantic, innocent, and somewhat age-inappropriate infatuation for Tsunade.
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If word of him visiting a foot massage parlor reached Tsunade''s ears… he could kiss that innocent fantasy goodbye.
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Jiraiya couldn''t bear the thought.
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"I''ll just endure it. I can always visit the women''s bathhouse tonight…"
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Jiraiya clicked his tongue, trying to force himself to leave.
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His gaze involuntarily drifted downwards, landing on the mysterious pouch attached to his waist.
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"Ah, look at me, I completely forgot to open it."
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As he spoke, Jiraiya''s eyes lingered on the fair legs of the women at the entrance of the foot massage parlor.
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Every glance was a blessing.
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
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Inside the pouch, as expected, was a note. The handwriting was clear, conveying the message the mysterious author intended for Jiraiya.
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"Oh, great author I''ve never met, you must have something to say to the great Jiraiya-sama."
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Jiraiya focused his gaze on the note-
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[Don''t underestimate my intelligence network. As you open this pouch, you''re standing hesitantly in front of a foot massage parlor, aren''t you?]
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Jiraiya''s pupils constricted. He couldn''t comprehend how the author knew his current state.
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Was it the old man''s Telescope Technique?!
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[Remember:]
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[You''re not just washing feet; you''re washing away the grime of your journey through the shinobi world. You''re kneading away the rough edges and misfortunes carved by time. The pain you feel is their fate.]
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[They don''t seek your ninjutsu or your chakra, yet they offer you the gentlest touch.]
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[At first, you thought today was an ordinary day, but when they stand before you with their cases, they''re like flowers nurtured by a mountain spring. The autumn wind knows your tender and affectionate heart.]
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[Love arises with the chime of the clock, and when the clock stops, love lingers.]
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[If you don''t go today, you''ll appear to be a man who doesn''t understand romance.]
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Jiraiya was utterly shaken. His chakra felt drained as he instinctively straightened his back, a single thought consuming his mind:
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"This… is this what a literary master is like?"
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"How can I, the gallant Jiraiya, be someone who doesn''t understand romance?!"
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…
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…
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"Eh? You''re saying Jiraiya and Orochimaru want to treat me to dinner?"
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"Really?"
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Gojo Kaigetsu, sitting in his office at the publishing house, looked at Kakashi with surprise.
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Since Samui''s departure for Tanzaku Quarters, Gojo Kaigetsu had practically been living at the publishing house, reluctant to even return home.
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"It''s… definitely true." Kakashi nodded solemnly. "After all, Jiraiya-sama personally approached me about it."
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"Oh, in that case, I''ll have to prepare a proper gift."
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"You''re dismissed, Kakashi."
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"Yes, Gojo-sama. Also… the investigation results regarding Specialist Koyama''s accusations of embezzlement against you are out."
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"Hmm? And?"
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Kakashi cleared his throat. "According to the investigation, Gojo-sama, your conduct is exemplary, and you are undoubtedly innocent! Specialist Koyama''s accusations are pure fabrication."
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"Haha, Kakashi, you''re quite the flatterer… quite skilled at providing emotional support."
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"Tell you what, I''ll let you in on a secret." Gojo Kaigetsu covered his mouth and whispered, "Actually… I''m a time-traveling ninja who came back through the dragon vein."
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Kakashi: "..."
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"This afternoon, Specialist Koyama will be severely beaten by a masked assailant. And you, Kakashi, will be promoted within the ANBU thanks to your abilities."
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"Ah…? Then you really are a time traveler!"
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"Right? You can''t go around telling people I''m a time-traveling ninja. It won''t work if you spread it around." Gojo Kaigetsu waved his hand dismissively. "Alright, go get to work."
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After Kakashi left, Gojo Kaigetsu was alone again in the empty office.
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He closed his eyes, contemplating Orochimaru.
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That guy''s resolve was far too strong. Gojo Kaigetsu had attempted various Talk-no-Jutsu tactics to sway him, hoping to keep him in Konoha.
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However, his Talk-no-Jutsu level was clearly insufficient, mostly eliciting ambiguous responses.
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Furthermore, subsequent system logs had completely shattered Gojo Kaigetsu''s hopes.
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Orochimaru''s defection from the village was a foregone conclusion. The ticking time bomb of "human experimentation," planted who knows when, was a constant threat.
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Some argued that Orochimaru defected because he lost the competition for the Fourth Hokage position against Minato, portraying him as a sore loser in a political power struggle. This was a gross understatement of Orochimaru''s character.
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Before defecting, Orochimaru had completed 521 B-rank missions, 491 A-rank missions, and 108 S-rank missions for Konoha.
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Even Minato''s S-rank mission count was less than a third of his, his A-rank count was only two-thirds, and his B and C-rank counts were less than half.
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Such a distinguished figure, whose contributions could be considered on par with a Konoha military commander, chose to defect for the sake of pursuing immortality and conducting bloody human experiments in the name of scientific advancement…
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As long as a ninja''s energy was channeled in the right direction, they wouldn''t be bothered by such trivial matters.
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He needed to let the lower-ranking ninjas and civilians know that Konoha was still Konoha, capable of thriving even without him, Gojo Kaigetsu, or anyone else!
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"Since I can''t keep him, and I can''t kill him at this stage, and prolonging the timeline might even increase Konoha''s prosperity…"
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Faced with this predicament, Konoha''s chief physician, Gojo Kaigetsu, thought-
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"I might as well make things unpleasant for you, Orochimaru."
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"At this stage, has Orochimaru already developed and refined the Edo Tensei?" Gojo Kaigetsu stroked his chin. He didn''t remember many details about Orochimaru''s current progress.
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Gojo Kaigetsu took out a pen and paper and swiftly wrote down a passage resembling an incantation.
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An average person might scoff at its contents, but for Orochimaru, who was already obsessed with his research… it was just the right bait.
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"Snake demon, I want you…"
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"Oh, wait."
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"Basilisk, I want to help you!"