"Seriously."
Sarutobi-sensei, still young, placed his hands on his hips and sighed, looking at Jiraiya tied to a log.
"Why do you always fall for such obvious traps?"
"Because…" Jiraiya mumbled.
"Try to learn a little from Orochimaru." Sarutobi-sensei said casually. That child, Orochimaru, was far too satisfactory. In comparison, this child…
He had chosen his own disciple, so he had to teach him even if he had to kneel, but it was only human nature to complain a little.
But to his surprise, Jiraiya suddenly burst out.
"Sarutobi-sensei is the one! All you ever talk about is Orochimaru, it's so annoying!"
Jiraiya yelled loudly.
Sarutobi-sensei was stunned for a moment. This wasn't like this child's personality. Had his pride been stung?
He had thought Jiraiya was just a simple-minded optimist who only knew how to be happy.
"When I'm peeping, I also use amazing transparent Ninjutsu!"
Jiraiya said proudly.
But, peeping? Transparent Ninjutsu?
What was this child talking about?
Sarutobi-sensei bowed his head, sighing with a helpless, bitter smile: "Seriously, just how amazing is this transparent Ninjutsu you're talking about?"
"I've never been caught before! It's true!"
Hmm…
Sarutobi-sensei crossed his arms and closed his eyes in thought.
So amazing…
No!
He should consider the child's pride.
"Since you've said so much…"
Sarutobi-sensei looked up, his face a little red, staring at the sky.
"Next time, I'll go with you."
A long, wordless silence…
After a while, Jiraiya said.
"Sarutobi-sensei, you pervert."
"You're the pervert, you scoundrel!"
Sarutobi-sensei jumped up and punched Jiraiya on the head.
This brat tricked him!
Tears instantly welled up, and Jiraiya, in pain, couldn't speak.
"Seriously…" Sarutobi-sensei said: "Don't be foolish next time. Let's go have a grand feast. My treat."
Tsunade and Orochimaru, who had left earlier, should be at the restaurant by now.
"That's great!" Jiraiya was not at all polite, his eyes lighting up at the words.
"Seriously." Sarutobi-sensei untied Jiraiya.
At the Senju clan compound, Miki and the others were still listening to Mito ramble.
"To celebrate the formation of Second Class, let's go have a grand feast!"
Mito said cheerfully, seemingly looking forward to it herself.
Although she was not young, she was still very girlish.
Rather, it wouldn't be wrong to say her appearance was that of a young girl.
Chiri and Hitomi looked at each other. What did we come here for today?
To eat?
They felt as if they had done something, yet done nothing at all.
"Mito, sealing technique."
Miki reminded her.
Their goal for today hadn't been achieved yet; they couldn't go back empty-handed.
"That doesn't matter. Anyway, Mushi-Hime, you won't learn it in a day. It's a rare holiday; it would be a shame to just practice."
Mito said with a smile.
"Didn't you say you had a date with Chiri? Meet here tomorrow. First, let me let you have a good day of fun."
Yay!
Chiri's eyes lit up, and she thought the grandmother in front of her was a very good person.
Miki bowed her head, rubbing her forehead, and said nothing.
Anyway, she wouldn't listen even if Miki spoke.
Following her rhythm was the smartest thing to do right now.
Hyuga Hitomi was a little bewildered.
Play? Play what?
"However, I still need to assign you some study tasks."
Mito softly called out towards the door: "Tao Hua."
The proud Shinobi returned, holding three books.
Originally, there were two, but halfway through, due to Mito's decision, she went back to get another one.
"Mito."
Mito took the books, handed them to the three respectively, and said: "You must memorize all these incantations."
Miki flipped through the book. Although she was mentally prepared, looking at these scribbles still gave her a headache.
Chiri, looking at the book, nodded. As expected, this wasn't very simple, if it was just about memorizing it.
Hyuga Hitomi held the book, very confused.
Wasn't I supposed to be learning Medical Ninjutsu?
Why was she given this completely incomprehensible gibberish?
"This is the simplest foundation." Mito said: "The academy also teaches these basics."
sealing technique basics.
But Mito's version was super-enhanced.
"Alright, put them away, let's go!"
With that, Mito got up and left, decisive and swift.
Miki and the others had no choice but to follow.
In recent years, Mito had rarely moved around the Village, largely due to reminiscing about the past.
Some new faces in the Village no longer recognized her, and walking through the Village caused no stir. Everywhere was a lively scene full of vitality.
The sun shone down, a little harsh.
Mito glanced at the Hokage Rock in the distance, a slight smile on her face.
"Where are we eating, Mito?" Miki asked. The midday sun was too harsh.
"Secret~"
Finally, Miki and the others followed Mito to a barbecue restaurant.
In Konoha Year 15, the variety of shops in Konoha was not yet very rich.
Most were general stores like grain and oil shops, selling daily necessities. Entertainment-wise, besides izakayas, there were casinos and hot spring inns.
Miki hadn't seen any entertainment facilities like cinemas yet.
Oh, and there was a Shueisha, just no 'Icha Icha Paradise'.
As for dining, it wasn't extremely diverse, but it had what was necessary.
Though called a Village, it was actually the size of a county town, with a permanent population of over one hundred thousand, mostly civilians.
Shinobi accounted for roughly two-fifths of the population.
And a larger population was concentrated in bigger cities with more traffic.
The commercial street area was very lively, the main place where the Village's population gathered.
Everything was sold, including novelties from outside the Village.
It must be said that Konoha was actually quite small.
Quite naturally, the two groups of people just happened to run into each other.
In the lobby of a barbecue restaurant.
Across an aisle, Tsunade glared fiercely at Miki.
"What a coincidence, Mito."
"What a coincidence, Hiruzen."
The two adults exchanged pleasantries. Miki was already too lazy to say more.
Was this something that could be explained by coincidence?
It was clearly intentional.
Naturally, the two groups sat at the same table.
A common low, long table on the tatami mat.
Sarutobi-sensei and Mito sat at each end, Miki's three sat on one side, and Tsunade's three sat opposite.
The atmosphere became awkward for a moment.
Orochimaru, however, maintained a poker face. Although he noticed the atmosphere, he didn't care.
Jiraiya was rarely flustered, but the Hyuga sitting opposite him had such a delicately cute face.
As for Tsunade, Jiraiya didn't want to admit she was a girl right now, just a mere flat-chested, super-strong woman.
Although she was very beautiful.
But his gaze didn't know where to drift.
Atmosphere? What atmosphere?
Jiraiya didn't know, but it was so fair.
But Hyuga Hitomi noticed it; her eyesight was always very good.
It started with Tsunade, an implicitly confrontational atmosphere.
"Hahaha…" Sarutobi-sensei chuckled: "Everyone, get to know each other. From now on, you'll all be Konoha Shinobi and comrades, and you'll go on missions together."
"No need!" Tsunade said discontentedly: "We all know each other! Right, pervert Jiraiya!"
"Huh? Ah! Yes!" Jiraiya nodded.
Miki looked at Jiraiya, extended her hand, and said: "Your drool is about to fall. Are you hungry? Do you want to eat?"
Jiraiya looked at the insects in Miki's hand and shook his head frantically.
A vein throbbed on Tsunade's forehead, a familiar sight. Why did this guy ignore her so skillfully!
They had just fought to a draw yesterday!
Indeed, this guy was the worst!
Thinking this, Tsunade angrily slapped Jiraiya on the head.
Jiraiya, in pain, jumped up.
"Why did you hit me?! Flat-chested, super-strong woman!"
"Take your eyes off me, you idiot! Haven't you seen enough before?!"
It wasn't this close before.
Jiraiya rubbed his head, looking wronged.
"Tsk." Miki chuckled.
Hyuga Hitomi lowered her head, her face a little red.
She somewhat regretted sitting opposite this white-haired boy.
She hadn't expected Jiraiya to be like this.
Although it wasn't their first meeting, the impression was even stronger now.
Orochimaru quietly looked at Miki.
Noticing Orochimaru's gaze, Chiri tugged at Miki's sleeve.
Meaning, this boy kept looking at her.
Miki didn't mind; there were no flowers on her mask, anyway.
However, she was being targeted by a snake.
No matter how she thought about it, it was the fault of the title 'genius'.
Although it was their first meeting, Orochimaru at this time looked very weak.
Miki didn't want to say much.
Hunters often appear as prey.
You think you've got your eyes on me?
No, I've got my eyes on you.
Miki wanted to borrow this guy's clever little brain.
Mito watched the small movements on the field, a mysterious smile on her face.
Sarutobi-sensei only felt a headache, hoping that Tsunade, who was currently biting her tongue, wouldn't flip the table.
Yesterday, there were only four monthly votes. Do you all not have any votes left?
Monthly votes don't matter anyway.
Daily readership is most important. Remember to read the latest chapter.
Even if you don't read it, please help click it open and scroll to the bottom.
This is only temporary during the new book period; it won't be this troublesome later.
It's currently at number ten on the Light Novel New Book Overall Ranking. By the way, can it go higher?
If you all give it your best, there might be a surprise.
Probably…
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 70 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!