“Tsunade, who is he?” Jiraiya regained his senses, quickly stood up, walked a few steps to Tsunade, and asked somewhat eagerly.

“His name is Kitazawa.” Tsunade paused for a moment before finally introducing him. “He’s half my student.”

“You actually have a student?” Jiraiya’s face showed surprise, but he quickly asked with a puzzled tone, “Why ‘half’ a student?”

“My affairs are none of your business.” Tsunade was too lazy to explain. Her gaze sharpened, and she clenched her fist as she spoke.

“Consider it unasked.” Jiraiya felt the threat in her words and immediately backed down.

“Kitazawa, he is Ji—” Tsunade was about to introduce Jiraiya, but he interrupted her mid-sentence.

“Wait! I’ll do this myself!” Jiraiya chuckled and took a step back. He stood on one leg, striking an odd pose.

“I am the unrivaled White-Haired Toad Sage, who knows no cardinal directions! Even crying children fall silent at the sight of my beauty!”

Jiraiya didn’t even get to finish the words “beautiful man” before a fist the size of a sandbag appeared before his eyes.

The next second, he flew several meters like a white meteor, followed by a scream.

“His name is Jiraiya.” Tsunade shook her hand, her expression normal, and said, “You should keep your distance from him, usually.”

“What do you mean, ‘keep my distance from me’?” Jiraiya, like an unkillable cockroach, reappeared before Tsunade.

“You know the reason yourself.” Tsunade glared at him and said coldly, “If I catch you peeping at the Konoha hot springs again, you’ll die a miserable death.”

“It was all a misunderstanding!” Jiraiya’s forehead dripped with cold sweat at her words. He quickly explained, “I came back to the village this time to spend New Year’s Eve with the Old Man and you!”

“Go spend it with the Old Man.” Tsunade waved her hand dismissively. “I don’t need you.”

“Don’t need me?” Jiraiya subconsciously looked at Kitazawa.

“I, Lady Tsunade, Senior Sister Shizune, and Mrs. Rina are spending it together,” Kitazawa said with a calm expression.

“Who is Rina?” Jiraiya scratched his head and asked.

“You’ve been out of Konoha for so long, so naturally you wouldn’t know what’s been happening,” Tsunade snorted, somewhat displeased.

Kitazawa blinked. In truth, Tsunade was pretty much the same as Jiraiya.

If he hadn’t proposed the Psychological Medical Ninja system, she would have had to wait for Uzumaki Naruto to seek her out after his graduation before returning to the village.

Of course, he wouldn’t dare say that out loud, lest he suffer the same fate as Jiraiya.

“If you want to ask anything, go find the Old Man.” Tsunade turned around and casually closed the door.

Jiraiya rubbed his nose, feeling a bit… He hesitated for two seconds, didn’t bother Tsunade again, and, after greeting Kitazawa, went to the Hokage’s Office.

“Old Man, still looking at your crystal ball? How about lending it to me for a couple of days?” A sudden voice rang out beside him.

Sarutobi Hiruzen subconsciously covered the crystal ball in front of him, only sighing in relief when he recognized whose voice it was.

“The Hokage’s Office is still the same as ever.” Jiraiya jumped down from the window and walked up to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

“Can’t you just use the door?” Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a stern face. “Just like Tsunade, always so disrespectful!”

“Next time for sure!” Jiraiya said nonchalantly.

“Forget it, you wouldn’t listen anyway.” Sarutobi Hiruzen put away the crystal ball and asked, “Have you found your Child of Prophecy?”

“No.” Jiraiya shook his head.

Mount Myōboku, one of the Three Great Sage Regions for summoning, had a leader called the Great Toad Sage, who possessed the ability to foresee the future.

In his prophecy, among the students Jiraiya took in, there was one who possessed the ability to revolutionize the entire ninja world.

However, if not guided, this student also had the potential to destroy the ninja world. This student was, of course, the Child of Prophecy. And Jiraiya had been searching for him throughout the ninja world to guide him.

“You’ve been searching for so many years without finding him; perhaps the Child of Prophecy doesn’t exist at all.” Sarutobi Hiruzen said slowly, “Since you’ve returned to Konoha Village, why don’t you stay?”

“Sorry, Old Man, I must find the Child of Prophecy.” Jiraiya was silent for two seconds, then said very firmly, “The Child of Prophecy exists!”

Sarutobi Hiruzen was speechless.

Jiraiya, in terms of both strength and status, was not much inferior to Tsunade. If he had stayed in Konoha Village, the outcome of many things might have been completely different — for example, the Nine-Tailed Fox Incident.

“I just went to see Tsunade.” Jiraiya changed the subject and asked, “Who is this Kitazawa? How did he become half of Tsunade’s student?”

“See for yourself.” Sarutobi Hiruzen pulled out Kitazawa’s file and handed it to him.

Jiraiya took the file and started reading. At first, he was calm, but the further he read, the more astonished he became.

There was no way around it; Kitazawa’s transformation was truly extraordinary. In less than a year, he had gone from an ordinary Ninja Academy teacher to an Elite Jonin proficient in Medical Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, Water Release, and more.

Jiraiya felt a sense of déjà vu because he himself had been like that back in the day. Among Konoha’s Sannin, his talent had been the weakest until he accidentally stumbled into Mount Myōboku, where his strength rapidly improved.

But what was Kitazawa’s fortuitous encounter? Or was he simply a late bloomer?

“No wonder Tsunade returned to the village.”

Jiraiya couldn’t help but exclaim when he saw the Psychological Medical Ninja system.

In fact, when he returned to the village this time, he hadn’t expected to encounter Tsunade. After all, Tsunade, like him, wandered all over the ninja world.

He had been quite surprised to hear she was in Konoha Village earlier, but he was kicked out before he could ask why.

“This Psychological Medical Ninja system will probably benefit many ninjas.”

Jiraiya’s pupils suddenly contracted. Thinking of something, he asked impatiently, “Can it also treat Tsunade’s hemophobia?”

“Mm.” Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. “I’ve already had Kitazawa and the others work on it, but whether it will succeed is hard to say.”

“If Tsunade’s hemophobia can be successfully treated, that would be wonderful!”

As Tsunade’s teammate, Jiraiya knew well the origin of her hemophobia and the suffering it caused. He hoped more than anyone that her phobia could be cured.

“Kitazawa is indeed qualified to be Tsunade’s student,” Jiraiya said, putting down Kitazawa’s file.

He didn’t inquire about Kitazawa’s fortuitous encounter—there was no need. Kitazawa was now half Tsunade’s student, a high-ranking member of Konoha, and vice-principal of the Ninja Academy.

He had enough strength and status to keep his own secrets. Besides, Kitazawa had already passed the double test of Sarutobi Hiruzen and Tsunade, so there were no problems.

“Mm.” Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, then added with satisfaction, “He’s also a very excellent Ninja Academy teacher.”

“No matter how excellent a Ninja Academy teacher is, it’s still just that,” Jiraiya replied indifferently.

He wasn’t someone who hadn’t attended school. In his opinion, the level of Ninja Academy teachers was generally mediocre; teaching the basic Three E-rank Technique was usually their limit.

“Look at this.” Sarutobi Hiruzen took out the Genius Class file and handed it to him.

“Genius Class?” Jiraiya raised an eyebrow and quickly flipped through it.

“How is it?” Sarutobi Hiruzen asked with a chuckle.

“A very good reform,” Jiraiya admitted. “If we had a Genius Class back then, maybe we could have defeated Hanzo.”

Konoha’s Sannin’s famous battle took place during the Second Ninja World War, when the three of them fought against Hanzo of the Hidden Rain Village. But at that time, they were utterly defeated.

Besides them, all the ninja of Konoha died at Hanzo’s hands. Even the title of Konoha’s Sannin was bestowed by Hanzo. In a sense, Konoha’s Sannin was a humiliation. However, because the name became so widely spread, the three of them could only let it be.

“Who is Rina?” Jiraiya asked again.

“Rina Uzumaki, a survivor of the Uzumaki Clan,” Sarutobi Hiruzen explained. “She was brought back from the Grass Hidden Village by Tsunade and Kitazawa.”

“There are still members of the Uzumaki Clan?” Jiraiya looked surprised.

“I didn’t expect it either,” Sarutobi Hiruzen said gratefully. “It’s a good thing Kitazawa found her in time.”

“I’ve learned what I needed to know. I’m going to see Naruto.” Jiraiya casually placed the Genius Class file on the Hokage’s desk.

“You can see him, but don’t do anything unnecessary,” Sarutobi Hiruzen warned.

“When do you plan to tell Naruto the truth?” Jiraiya asked, frowning.

“He’s still young; we’ll talk about it after he graduates,” Sarutobi Hiruzen replied.

“Tonight is New Year’s Eve. Aren’t you going to bring Naruto along?” Jiraiya asked, looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent upon hearing this.

“Tsunade has been in the Village all this time. What do you have to worry about?” Jiraiya pressed him mercilessly. “Old Man, you’re a ninja hero of your generation. Why are you so indecisive now?”

“Bring Naruto to my house tonight.” Sarutobi Hiruzen hesitated for a few seconds but finally agreed.

“That’s more like it.” Jiraiya waved his hand. “I’m leaving. See you tonight.”

“It seems I really am getting old.” Sarutobi Hiruzen watched Jiraiya jump out the window and couldn’t help but sigh.

Both Tsunade and Jiraiya had more courage than he did now. But Jiraiya also had big problems—because he too readily believed Mount Myōboku’s arrangements, spending all his time outside searching for the Child of Prophecy.

“It’s probably safer to hand Konoha over to Tsunade,” Sarutobi Hiruzen said thoughtfully.

As the New Year approached, Konoha Village became very lively. Not only were all the shops on both sides of the street open, but there were also many mobile and temporary snack and food stalls.

Of course, the most numerous were the constant streams of pedestrians. Every street was packed full.

“Is your general store not open today?” Kurenai held Kitazawa’s hand and reminded him, “Then you’ll lose a lot of money.”

“No, accompanying you is more important.” Kitazawa shook his head. “Besides, I’m not short on money now.”

“That’s true.” Kurenai looked around. “You are now a medical ninja second only to Lady Tsunade; earning money is effortless for you.”

“Provided you don’t get addicted to gambling,” Kitazawa said casually. “Otherwise, you’ll end up penniless like Lady Tsunade.”

“She’s your teacher, after all.” Kurenai couldn’t help but laugh. “Be careful she doesn’t dump all her IOUs on you.”

“Don’t say such terrifying things.” Kitazawa’s mouth twitched involuntarily.

Kurenai suddenly stopped and asked, “Look, isn’t that Asuma and Kakashi?”

“It certainly is them.” Kitazawa followed her gaze.

“Kitazawa!” Might Guy noticed them and immediately waved.

Asuma subconsciously glanced over and saw their hands clasped together. He immediately felt a myocardial infarction.

“Asuma, when did you get back?” Kitazawa walked over and asked.

“I came back yesterday afternoon,” Asuma replied.

“How did you all end up together?” Kurenai asked curiously.

“We ran into each other by chance.” Asuma complained, “That Old Man suddenly sent someone to tell me to go out and buy groceries, saying he had guests tonight.”

“Isn’t today New Year’s Eve? How can there be guests?” Kurenai asked, somewhat puzzled.

“I don’t know.” Asuma shook his head.

“I know who it is.” Kitazawa’s mind stirred, and he said, “This morning, I saw Jiraiya.”

“Jiraiya?” The expressionless Kakashi suddenly reacted.

A glimmer of light flashed in his dead-fish-like eyes. He had already read Make-Out Paradise many times; he wondered if there was a new volume.

“Yes.” Kitazawa smiled. “He went to see Lady Tsunade, and then he was punched out.”

“As expected of Lady Tsunade,” Kurenai said with great admiration.

“So that’s how it is.” Asuma’s face showed sudden realization.

“Since Jiraiya is visiting, we should indeed prepare well,” Kurenai smiled. “Lady Tsunade is visiting our house today.”

Your house? Asuma felt this was not a place to linger. He had lost too thoroughly!

“You all go on; we’re going to check out that supermarket.” Asuma pulled Kakashi and walked forward.

“Wait for me!” Might Guy immediately chased after them.

“Asuma.” Kakashi deliberated repeatedly and said, “I’ll go home with you later; I have something to discuss with Jiraiya.”

“No problem.” Asuma paused, then smiled and asked, “How about you spend New Year’s Eve at my place?”

“Me?” Kakashi couldn’t help but be stunned.

“You’re Jiraiya’s grand-disciple. After not seeing each other for so long, we can chat while eating.” Asuma laughed heartily. “The Old Man will definitely be very happy to see you too.”

—

Time came to evening. Heavy snow began to fall.

Shizune and Rina Uzumaki arrived at Kurenai’s house early to help prepare dinner.

Kitazawa had originally wanted to help, too, but he was sent away. With three people already crowded in the kitchen, four would make it even harder to move, thus affecting efficiency.

In the living room, Karin sat cross-legged on the sofa, watching TV intently.

Kitazawa walked over and sat beside her. After watching for a while, he felt bored—the TV programs in the Ninja World were indeed uninspired.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

“I’ll get it.” Kitazawa stood up and went to the door.

After he opened it, a beautiful and delicate face came into view—it was Tsunade. Even though it was snowing, she was still wearing her teal-green jacket with the character “Gamble” printed on it.

“Lady Tsunade, why are you only just arriving now?” Kitazawa stepped back, letting her into the house.

“I went to buy sake.” Tsunade’s lips curved slightly as she smiled. “This weather is perfect for drinking sake.”

After she finished speaking, she bent down and began to take off her shoes. Kitazawa subconsciously glanced and was immediately drawn to skin whiter than snow.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll punch you away?” Tsunade put her shoes aside, looked at him, and asked.

“No.” Kitazawa said seriously, “I haven’t done anything wrong.”

He reached out and brushed the snow from her shoulder.

“I’ll let you off for now today.” Tsunade paused slightly and said.

She walked barefoot across the carpet into the living room. Kitazawa couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. It seems this auto-aim really needs to be controlled.

“Lady Tsunade.” Karin quickly greeted her.

“How’s your training been recently?” Tsunade sat beside her, stroked her head, and asked.

“Very smooth.” Karin glanced at Kitazawa. “Teacher Kitazawa said I can try learning the Sealing Technique from next week.”

“As expected of a member of the Uzumaki Clan.” Tsunade raised an eyebrow.

“Mainly, Karin’s talent for Sealing Technique is very good,” Kitazawa said with a smile, sitting opposite Tsunade.

“You’re teaching her Sealing Technique?” Tsunade suddenly thought of something. “Have you learned the three Sealing Techniques I gave you?”

“I’ve learned two.” Kitazawa said modestly, “My talent for Sealing Technique is a bit lacking.”

“I really want to punch you out!” Tsunade rolled her eyes.

Learning two Sealing Techniques in such a short time—this talent couldn’t be called poor, let alone inhuman.

“You don’t need to punch me, Lady Tsunade; just say the word, and I’ll go.” Kitazawa joked.

Having spent a long time with Tsunade, he had already figured out her personality and wasn’t very afraid of her.

Although she was strong-willed, she also had boundaries. As long as Kitazawa didn’t make mistakes, she wouldn’t actually resort to violence.

As for Jiraiya, he had too many past offenses, such as peeping at hot springs. Tsunade naturally wouldn’t give him a good look.

An hour later, dinner was served. Kitazawa, Tsunade, Kurenai, Shizune, Rina Uzumaki, and Karin sat together.

“Come on, pour the sake!” Tsunade placed all six bottles she had bought on the table.

“Lady Tsunade, weren’t you supposed to buy two bottles?” Shizune immediately asked, somewhat angrily.

“Today is New Year’s Eve; how can two bottles be enough?” Tsunade retorted self-righteously.

“It’s fine.” Kurenai played mediator. “I’ll drink with Lady Tsunade.” Although she wasn’t as obsessed with sake as Tsunade, she was pretty close.

“Drink!” Tsunade raised her glass.

“Wait.” Kitazawa held her wrist. “The first drink of the New Year should be drunk by everyone together.”

“That’s true.” Tsunade nodded. “Everyone, raise your glasses; let’s toast!”

Except for Karin, everyone else raised their glasses.

“Happy New Year!” Everyone said in unison.

—

The Sarutobi Clan’s compound.

“Today is a good day.”

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Jiraiya, Asuma, Kakashi, and Naruto before him, a wide smile on his face. He couldn’t remember the last time it had been this lively.

—

—

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P@atreon/Arvinstorm (45+ Advanced Chapters)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep