Might Guy racked his brain, but he just couldn't pinpoint where he had seen that name before. He was absolutely certain he'd encountered it, yet the memory remained just out of reach.
Seeing Guy in such deep thought, Jiraiya patted his shoulder and said, "If you can't remember, don't sweat it."
"Jiraiya-sama, why are you looking for this 'Next-Door Old Wang' anyway? Did he offend you?" Guy asked curiously.
Jiraiya shook his head with a look of profound reverence. "On the contrary, I hold this master in the highest regard. I am looking for him to request an apprenticeship."
Both Guy and Asuma nearly choked on their drinks, their eyes widening in unison.
"Jiraiya-sama... is this Next-Door Old Wang really that powerful? An elite of your level actually wants to study under him???" Asuma asked, stunned.
Jiraiya chuckled and gave a small nod. "This Next-Door Old Wang is a legendary novelist. I seek him to learn the true art of writing."
"A writer?" Asuma blinked. He had assumed it was some hidden ninjutsu master! It turned out to be a novelist. It made sense why someone like Jiraiya would seek a teacher in that field, but still... Jiraiya's own writing wasn't exactly weak.
Asuma voiced his confusion. "Jiraiya-sama, is your writing not already top-tier? Do you really need to learn from someone else?"
Jiraiya laughed. "My novels lack... a certain passion. I need to study under Mr. Old Wang to master those 'intense' descriptive techniques."
"Does this Old Wang have any famous works? How come I've never heard of him?" Asuma considered himself a well-read man, but he couldn't recall a single book by that author.
In response, Jiraiya mysteriously pulled a book from his pocket and laid it on the table before them. "This... is Mr. Old Wang's masterpiece!"
Asuma picked it up curiously and read the title aloud: "The Story of the Overbearing CEO and His Three Female Secretaries."
Might Guy's eyes suddenly lit up. He slammed his hand on the table, causing the dishes to rattle. "I remember now! This is exactly like the book Raizen gave to Kakashi!"
"Raizen mentioned once that he wrote those whenever he was bored."
"Wait... so Next-Door Old Wang is Raizen?"
Guy stared at the book in Asuma's hand, then back at Jiraiya. "So, the person Jiraiya-sama wants to apprentice under... is Raizen Uchiha!!!"
Once the realization hit, Guy was floored. He thought to himself, Are those books really that good? Even someone as legendary as Jiraiya-sama wants to learn from him!!
"Raizen?" Jiraiya's eyes sparkled. "Guy, you know him? Tell me, where is he?"
"Raizen lives in the Uchiha district. In recent years, he rarely leaves home. He's usually busy staying glued to his beautiful wives," Guy said, a hint of envy crossing his face. Fortunately, Raizen had taught him a few "tricks" to help him find some companionship of his own.
"The Uchiha district? So Next-Door Old Wang's real name is Raizen Uchiha. He's one of the clan!" Jiraiya mused.
Guy nodded. "Yeah, he's one of the survivors. To restore the Uchiha, that guy has married quite a few women. It's enough to make any man jealous!!"
Asuma's expression turned complex at the mention of Raizen. His own "fall" into frequenting red-light districts was largely due to Raizen; his beloved Kurenai had been snatched away by the man. In his heartbreak, he had chosen to "save" lost ladies as a way to cope.
"Raizen Uchiha! I'll pay him a visit right after this meal!" Jiraiya declared. He was a true fan of Raizen's work. After reading his books, he had so many ideas he was dying to discuss.
"Jiraiya-sama," Guy interjected, "Raizen has set up a barrier around the entire Uchiha district. Unless someone opens it from the inside, you can't get in without using brute force."
"A barrier? Why go to such lengths? Konoha is—" Jiraiya started to say "safe," but immediately stopped as he remembered the Uchiha Massacre. Even though he was away, the news had shaken him deeply.
"Sigh..." Jiraiya let out a heavy breath. The politics of the massacre were messy, and he was powerless to change the past.
"Hehe, Jiraiya-sama, no need for sighs! Raizen and I are great buddies. If you want to see him, I can introduce you anytime," Guy said, puffing out his chest.
"Really? Then I'm counting on you, Guy!!!"
"Leave it to me!" Guy flashed his signature grin, his teeth sparkling as he gave a thumbs-up.
"Drinks on me today!" Jiraiya announced boisterously. "Let's celebrate!"
A Moment of Reflection
Raizen had spent the evening scouting Konoha's bathhouses but found no trace of a peeping Sannin.
Maybe he's at the outdoor springs outside the village? Raizen thought. Forget it, it's getting late. Better head home.
Back at the estate, he enjoyed a lively dinner with his children. Once the meal was over, he walked alone to the Uchiha Cemetery. This was the resting place of the vast majority of his fallen kin.
He sat before the tombstone of Fugaku Uchiha, poured a cup of sake, and set it down. "Brother... do you regret your decision? If you could choose again, would you make the same move?"
With Sōnga in his possession, Raizen could revive Fugaku at any moment. But then what? He hadn't decided how to handle a resurrected Clan Head.
"Brother... maybe I'll wait until Sasuke has grown a bit more before I bring you back."
Reviving Fugaku now would surely alert the village elders, potentially inviting another slaughter. His children were still young; despite his god-like power, protecting every single child in a total war would be difficult. They were his treasures.
"Wait a little longer, Brother, Sister-in-law. Sleep a bit more. And the rest of the clan... stay put for now. Don't come out and cause a mess just yet."
After finishing the bottle, Raizen sat in silence for a while before leaving the graveyard.
As he entered his home, Kurenai walked over with a gentle smile. "Raizen-kun, where have you been?"
"Just paying my respects to my brother and his wife. We had a little chat."
Kurenai, thinking he was grieving, hugged him tenderly. "Don't be sad, Raizen-kun. You still have us."
"I'm not sad," Raizen replied, stroking her hair. "It's just a routine visit."
Kurenai blushed slightly. "It's getting late... shall we bathe and rest together?"
Raizen grinned. "Sounds good. Tonight, let's 'unlock' a few more aquatic maneuvers!"