Hehe… no one's said that to me in a long time.
"But you owe me an explanation later," Hayate said, glancing at Gamabunta—who was now staring straight at him.
"Th-this kid…" A massive bead of sweat rolled down the toad's forehead. He eyed the glowing golden Rasengan in Hayate's hand with unmistakable fear.
"Huh?" Hayate's expression shifted. He turned to the side just as Jiraiya sprinted toward him, blood still dripping from his hands. The Sannin froze for a moment when he saw Hayate—and especially the large Rasengan spinning in his grip. His face twisted in shock, then hardened.
"Kid, who the hell are you?! Why are you helping the Blood Clan?!" Jiraiya shouted.
"Me? I'm a shinobi of Konoha," Hayate replied evenly. "But what I really want to know is—why…"
Before Jiraiya could blink, Hayate vanished from sight. In the next instant, he was right in front of Gamabunta, the massive Rasengan blazing in his hand.
"Why are you so ruthless?!"
BOOM!
The golden sphere struck Gamabunta head-on. The giant toad trembled violently, eyes rolling as his massive frame crashed backward—then burst into smoke, vanishing back to Mount Myōboku.
Jiraiya's pupils contracted sharply. He hadn't expected this boy's technique to be that powerful. To drive Gamabunta back with a single hit—this was no ordinary ninja.
"Hah… hah…" The moment Hayate released the Rasengan, his knees weakened. He could feel the divine energy within him being nearly drained away. The Body Flicker Technique took little chakra—but the Big Jade Rasengan was a different story. In his current state, he could probably only use it three times, at best.
I knew I shouldn't have shown off in front of Hinata earlier… Hayate sighed bitterly, then looked at Mayfair, who was covered in blood. He shook his head.
"She's not someone worth killing," Jiraiya said as he approached. "From that girl, I only sensed hatred toward the tea merchants. Whatever happened between them, I don't know—but she's not a monster. Not the kind who kills without reason."
Mayfair tensed. Her small hands balled into fists as she prepared to defend herself—but when she saw Hayate stay still, she slowly lowered them again.
"Now then… you," Jiraiya said, his gaze locking onto Hayate. His tone was direct, his curiosity plain. "I'm very interested in you."
He extended his right hand, forming a Rasengan with practiced ease. "That technique you used just now… its principle is identical to my Rasengan, but the chakra output was immense. How did you pull that off?"
He remained in Sage Mode, his toad-like eyes glinting with focus.
Hayate scratched the back of his head. "If I said I'm just a genius… would you believe me?"
"Eh? Huh?!" Jiraiya almost stumbled. He stared at Hayate for a long moment, then sighed, defeated. "Fine, fine. If you don't want to talk, don't. Have it your way."
The Sannin dispelled Sage Mode with a shake of his head, clearly sensing no malice from Hayate.
"I'll be off, then. We'll meet again someday, I'm sure. When Gamabunta's recovered, I'll make him cough up everyone he swallowed—including your teacher. Just wait at the rendezvous point."
He waved as he turned to leave.
"Where are you even going?" Hayate called after him. "Shouldn't we meet up with the others at the teahouse outside the Land of Tea?"
"You don't get it, kid," Jiraiya said, grinning. "I'm a novelist. Inspiration's flowing through me right now—I can't let it go to waste. Time to gather some material… and maybe a little research, too!"
And with a lecherous laugh, he vanished in a blur.
Hayate stared after him, speechless. "Research," huh? More like peeking at women bathing again…
Once Jiraiya was gone, his carefree grin faded. His face grew solemn.
(That boy… his ninjutsu is far too advanced for someone his age. I'll need to investigate when I return to the village.)
Then his thoughts abruptly shifted. He struck a dramatic pose and shouted internally, "Ladies! The great Sage has arrived!"
"Brother… why did you save me?" Mayfair's voice was small, her eyes filled with confusion and something softer—something she didn't understand.
"Because you called me brother," Hayate said simply, sitting down beside her. Seeing her battered and bloodied made his chest tighten. "Does it hurt? Are you okay?"
"I'll be fine. My body heals on its own." Mayfair pressed her hands together, and a gentle white mist began to rise from her skin, knitting her wounds closed.
"Why did you kill those tea merchants?" Hayate asked quietly. "Were they hired by someone? Or… was it revenge?"
His instincts told him she wasn't the type to kill out of cruelty. There had to be a reason—something deeper.
"My village was destroyed by the shinobi of Kirigakure," Mayfair said softly, her gaze distant. "Only my parents and grandparents escaped. We fled to the Land of Tea. But once the tea merchants learned who we were, they grew afraid—afraid of being targeted by the Mist. So…"
Her fingers trembled. "They decided to kill us first. To hand our heads over and buy their own safety."
Her voice cracked as she looked up at the sky. "My parents and grandparents fought to protect me… They made sure I escaped. And then they… they died at the hands of those merchants."
"That day, I awakened the bloodline within me. When I became strong enough, I met the Blood Gate—and I took command of them. Later, I even fought Hanzo the Salamander, the demigod of the shinobi world." Her eyes dimmed with memory. "We barely survived. One of my men died buying our escape. That's when I realized my own power… and that I could finally avenge them."
"So I told those merchants—on the day of the tea ceremony, I would come for them. To make them pay."
"I see…" Hayate murmured. Then, with a small, wry smile, he flicked her forehead. "You're really something, huh? So proud of yourself."
Mayfair let out a small laugh, but the sorrow in her eyes never faded.