Hearing Jiraiya's words, Kakashi couldn't help but smile inwardly. Jiraiya had always had a crush on Tsunade—no, it was an obvious affection. He had even confessed, but Tsunade had never reciprocated his feelings.
"Understood, Jiraiya-sama!"
Outwardly, Kakashi responded respectfully to Jiraiya.
"Good, I'll go talk to the Third Hokage now! Wait for my message!"
Jiraiya patted Kakashi's shoulder excitedly and swiftly left. His urgency showed his eagerness for Kakashi to deliver his message to Tsunade.
"Kakashi, this is your first solo mission outside the village. Even though it's not a combat mission, be careful."
Seeing Jiraiya leave hurriedly, Minato couldn't help but smile and shake his head. Then he looked at Kakashi with concern.
"Yes, Sensei!"
Feeling Minato's concern, Kakashi responded quickly. He greatly admired Minato, both from his original memories and his current experiences, for his strength and spirit.
"Kakashi is going on a solo mission outside the village, huh? Let me give you a gift. I didn't give you a present when you became a Jonin."
Kushina, who had been silent, smiled and spoke up. As she spoke, she pulled out a scroll from her robes.
"Kushina!"
Seeing what she had taken out, Minato's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected Kushina to give Kakashi this.
Kakashi's curiosity was piqued. Anything that could surprise Minato had to be extraordinary.
"It's fine. Kakashi is your disciple, and he can learn our Uzumaki clan's techniques."
Kushina reassured Minato with a smile.
Hearing this, Kakashi was stunned. He looked at the scroll in Kushina's hand, feeling excited. The Uzumaki clan's sealing and barrier techniques were renowned across the ninja world. Techniques like the Reaper Death Seal, which is capable of sealing the Nine-Tails, originated from the Uzumaki clan.
"Sensei's wife, if this is an Uzumaki clan technique, I can't accept it."
Despite his desire for the scroll, Kakashi knew it was polite to refuse initially.
"It's alright. If your Sensei can learn it, so can you. Besides, this is just the basic first scroll, containing only elementary sealing techniques."
Kushina smiled sweetly, reassuring him.
Minato couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. He had gone through a lot to learn this basic scroll from Kushina, yet she gave it to Kakashi so quickly.
"Right, Minato?"
Kushina looked at Minato, her eyes hinting at a subtle threat.
"Yes, Kakashi, you should take it. It's a gift from your Sensei's wife."
Minato quickly agreed, not daring to argue.
"Thank you."
Kakashi could only comply by taking the scroll from Kushina.
Swish!
Just as Kakashi pocketed the scroll, Jiraiya returned.
"All set, Kakashi! The Third Hokage agreed to let you search for Tsunade, but you have only one month. You must return if you can't find her in that time."
Jiraiya announced with a big smile, clearly pleased with himself.
"Yes, thank you, Jiraiya-sama!"
Kakashi thanked him respectfully, noticing the books Jiraiya held.
"Jiraiya-sama, what are those?"
He asked curiously.
"Ah, sharp eyes, Kakashi! These are my latest books, just published. These are the first copies sent to me by the publisher."
Jiraiya's excitement grew as he spoke, showing off the books. Minato and Kushina looked on curiously.
"Jiraiya-sensei, let me see one!"
Kushina reached out to grab one, and Jiraiya didn't stop her. As she took it, Kakashi saw the title.
"Uh…"
"Icha Icha Paradise..."
Despite expecting it, Kakashi was still shocked. Jiraiya was showing this to Kushina, apparently too excited to realize it was inappropriate.
"Here, Minato and Kakashi, you take a look too. I put a lot of effort into this!"
Jiraiya handed a copy to Minato and Kakashi each, still oblivious to the potential fallout.
Curious about Jiraiya's infamous Icha Icha series, Kakashi eagerly accepted the book and started reading without hesitation.