Despite some disputes, the daimyo dared not refuse Konoha the funds for development. That much was guaranteed. At most, they would provide just enough to get by.
Konoha could endure the loss, albeit with gritted teeth.
In the village, as the gates of Konoha came into view, Jiraiya burst out with excitement. "The most handsome toad sage, Jiraiya-sama, is back!"
After being away for so long, Jiraiya couldn't help but shout in joy. However, his triumphant return was met with an unexpected reaction.
The ninja on duty at the gate, unfamiliar with him, barked sternly, "Who are you, and why are you shouting at the village gate?"
"Don't you know me?" Jiraiya froze, stunned by the question.
"Should I?" the ninja replied impatiently, clearly unimpressed.
This man—calling himself the "most handsome toad sage," Jiraiya-sama—was unknown to the younger generation of ninjas in the village.
"Forget it..." Jiraiya muttered, deflating slightly. With a sigh, he handed over his forehead protector and ninja ID for verification.
"Oh! You're Jiraiya-sama?"
"Wasn't that obvious? Didn't I just introduce myself?" Jiraiya snapped.
"Sorry, sorry, Jiraiya-sama. I didn't recognize you at first," the ninja stammered awkwardly.
"..." Jiraiya rolled his eyes. This guy must be messing with me.
Without the same renown as in the original timeline, Jiraiya's name was not as widely recognized. The newer generation of ninjas had only heard his name in passing. By contrast, Tsunade and Orochimaru were much more famous.
Tsunade's reputation as the "Princess of Konoha" and her candidacy for the next Hokage preceded her. Orochimaru, despite his darker reputation, was known for leading Konoha to victory after victory, solidifying his status as a hero among the villagers.
Jiraiya, on the other hand, had been absent from Konoha for more than two years, hiding in the Rain Country. Compared to his companions, his presence had diminished significantly.
Jiraiya's return, however, did not go unnoticed. From the moment he entered the village gate, Shinki was aware of it. Each entrance to Konoha was monitored by Shinki's puppets, ensuring that no one entered unnoticed—be it through the gates or even from the skies.
While Shinki typically avoided meddling in others' affairs, he always kept tabs on key information. This time, curiosity got the better of him. What will Jiraiya do first after being away for so long?
Would he report to the Hokage's office? Apologize to Nawaki? Or indulge in some other activity?
Through his puppet's vision, Shinki observed Jiraiya strolling into the village, deep in thought.
Jiraiya's Dilemma
Jiraiya was equally conflicted. "Where should I go first? Apologize to Nawaki? Report to the old man? Or maybe..."
His serious expression quickly shifted to something mischievous. A sly grin spread across his face.
Shinki, observing this change, sighed inwardly. This guy can't resist his impulses.
Sure enough, Jiraiya made his decision. Ignoring both Nawaki and the Hokage, he headed straight for the hot spring hotel—not to relax, but to peep.
Ten minutes later, the shameless sage lay sprawled against the wall of the hot spring hotel, peering through a small hole with a lewd grin. His face was plastered with glee as he drooled over the scene inside.
Hopeless, Shinki thought, shaking his head. He had seen enough and decided to disengage from monitoring such antics. Before withdrawing completely, however, he controlled his puppet to throw a kunai.
Caught in the Act
"Swish!"
The sound of a kunai cutting through the air alerted Jiraiya. He instinctively leapt up, narrowly avoiding the weapon. He landed on top of the hot spring wall, momentarily relieved.
Who would attack a fellow ninja within the village? Jiraiya wondered, staring at the kunai embedded in the wall. Scanning the area, he found no suspects.
But his relief was short-lived.
A series of startled screams erupted from inside the hot spring. Jiraiya's eyes widened in horror as realization dawned: his position atop the wall had given him away.
Damn it!
The women inside had not only seen him but also recognized him. Panic set in as Jiraiya scrambled to cover his face and flee, but it was too late.
The Aftermath
Half an hour later, a group of furious women stormed the Hokage's office, demanding justice for Jiraiya's shameless behavior.
The Third Hokage's expression was a mix of frustration and embarrassment. Of all the things Jiraiya could do after being away for two years...
Tobirama's teachings on surveillance came to mind, but this? This was beyond anything the Third Hokage could excuse.
Jiraiya had not only failed to report his return but had also caused a public scandal. The women's complaints were justified, and the Third Hokage was forced to personally apologize to calm the situation.
Just as the matter seemed resolved, another problem surfaced.
"Hokage-sama!" one of the guards interrupted. "The hot spring hotel owners have filed a formal complaint. They claim Jiraiya-sama's actions have damaged their business reputation."
The Third Hokage buried his face in his hands. Of course, the hotel owners are furious. How could anyone feel comfortable visiting their hot springs after this incident?
The fallout was far from over. Jiraiya's antics had not only embarrassed himself but also created a public relations nightmare for Konoha. One thing was certain: his return to the village would be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
>>>>>
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A/N: Hey Guys,
I was going over the discount code and saw that it wasn't toggled on for all the tiers. I fixed it now, sorry about that. ;)