Jiraiya was truly familiar with the toads of Mount Myoboku. He seemed to know nearly every toad in the place, and this helped Natsuro quickly get acquainted with most of the toads. Even Gamabunta, who was not very accommodating even to Jiraiya, took notice of Natsuro and, while likely not taking orders from him, at least recognized him.
After Jiraiya and Natsuro had circled around and gotten familiar with most places, they returned to the location where they had been reverse-summoned.
By this time, Sage Fukasaku was already waiting for them. However, standing next to him was a small green toad with purple hair and purple lips…
Jiraiya's face changed when he saw her, but he still had to bring Natsuro forward.
"Boss, Big Sister, we're back."
"Hmm, done with the tour?" Fukasaku asked.
"Of course. I've shown Natsuro around everywhere except where the Great Toad Sage is. I made sure he's familiar with most of the places." Jiraiya said proudly. His toad connections spanned across Mount Myoboku!
"By the way, Natsuro, this is my wife. You can just call her Sage Shima."
"Hello, Sage Shima." He greeted politely.
"So you're the new disciple Jiraiya picked up. You seem… pretty good," Sage Shima scrutinized him and, finding him not inferior in appearance to the previous disciple, was satisfied.
"Come, come! I've prepared a feast of delicious bugs for you two!" Sage Shima suddenly presented a large bowl from behind her, filled with what looked like 'nutritious and delectable' bugs.
Immediately, both Natsuro and Jiraiya's expressions changed drastically.
"Big Sister, the time's up for today. I'll take Natsuro back now. See you next time." Jiraiya said, grabbing him and using reverse summoning to vanish from Mount Myoboku in a puff of white smoke. If it were just Natsuro, Jiraiya might have stayed to watch, but unfortunately, he was part of the scene as well.
"What the heck, old man! Jiraiya is getting more and more unreasonable! Don't teach that brat any more!" Shima was furious upon witnessing the scene.
"Ha ha, calm down, my dear. After all, they're human. It's understandable they don't appreciate fine cuisine," Fukasaku said, finding the situation amusing and not getting angry. He took the bowl from Shima and started eating quickly with a look of enjoyment.
Konoha, Back Mountain.
Jiraiya and Natsuro, having dispelled the reverse summoning, looked at each other and wiped the sweat from their brows, then burst into laughter.
"Sensei, if you keep acting like this, you won't have to go to Mount Myoboku anymore. What about me?" He suddenly realized something and asked.
"That's not something I need to worry about." Jiraiya said, his gaze somewhat unfocused.
His face changed at once, and Jiraiya, sensing something was wrong, quickly slid away and started to run!
Natsuro's legs crackled with electricity as he began to 'chase' Jiraiya.
...
The next day, at the gate of Konoha.
Natsuro and Fukasaku stood together, looking at Jiraiya on the opposite side.
"Sensei, really, can't you stay?" He asked. There were still many things Jiraiya hadn't taught him, like the proper use of Rasengan.
Although Jiraiya hadn't taught him, Natsuro understood why. After all, Rasengan consumed a lot of chakra, and teaching it to him now would be a waste of time as he didn't have enough chakra. However, Jiraiya didn't know that he already understood the principles and could use it.
"Sorry, Natsuro." Jiraiya said apologetically. He had said everything that needed to be said before, and no more explanations were needed now.
After a moment of silence, he took out a headband matching the color of Jiraiya's cloak from his pocket and handed it to Jiraiya.
"What's this…" Jiraiya took the headband and widened his eyes.
"It's a gift for you, Sensei. Don't lose it." Natsuro said.
Jiraiya was silent for a while, then removed his original headband and replaced it with the one he gave him. He tied his unruly white hair with it and said firmly, "Don't worry, I won't lose it!"
"Ha ha, even if you lost it, it's no big deal. It's not worth much." Natsuro said with a smile.
Jiraiya didn't reply, but as he looked at Natsuro, he began to see traces of Minato in him and smiled.
Acceptance is always a mutual process. At this moment, Jiraiya no longer saw him merely as a disciple with high talent. He gradually came to regard him as he did his previous disciple, though perhaps not to the same extent yet, but the tendency was there.
"I'm leaving!" Jiraiya turned his back to Natsuro, waving his hand, and strode away in a very dashing manner.
Natsuro waved back, sighed, and thought that as a teacher, Jiraiya was undoubtedly competent. He was genuinely generous with his resources, and Natsuro's impression of him had only improved over the days they spent together.
However, it seemed that Jiraiya was indeed generous, not foolish. Even though he took on three disciples, he had reserved some teachings due to their status. For instance, the summoning contract with Mount Myoboku was something none of the three had obtained.
Sage Fukasaku watched the scene with a smile, feeling a bit of admiration. Jiraiya had indeed taken on a good disciple.
After a long while, when Jiraiya's figure disappeared from view, Fukasaku said, "Natsuro, let's go back. Get ready at home."
"Alright, Sage Fukasaku." Natsuro nodded and followed him away.
At the gate of Konoha, the Third Hokage also observed the scene with a smile. Although it was a pity that Jiraiya didn't stay, he had known this outcome long ago, so it wasn't a big deal.
What made him happy was that Natsuro and Jiraiya's relationship had developed as he had hoped. That was good.
The Third Hokage had also been informed of his future arrangements and his training at Mount Myoboku. He had no objections, as it was the same for Jiraiya before. However, he considered increasing his mother's salary because Natsuro's training expenses were beyond what an ordinary family could bear. The Third Hokage pondered this.
As the Third Hokage watched Jiraiya's retreating figure, he saw Jiraiya look back at Konoha and raise his head, as if saying a silent farewell.
Seeing this, the lines on the Third Hokage's face seemed to soften a bit.
*Mount Myoboku.*
Fukasaku looked at Natsuro with a serious expression and said, "From now on, I will oversee your training. First, I need to clarify that my requirements are very strict..."
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