After finishing the serious talk, Jiraiya shot Yue a subtle glance—
a very clear "scram, I've got adult business to attend to" kind of glance.
He had research to do.
Important research.
Make-Out Paradise needed material for the next volume.
He wasn't about to corrupt Yue just yet—
Not when the kid was treasured by both the Third and the Fourth Hokage.
If they found out Jiraiya dragged Yue along for "research," they'd kill him themselves.
Yue of course understood the signal…
But he also desperately wanted to learn the Summoning Technique.
Time was precious—how could he just let Jiraiya escape?
He thought for a moment, and then—
a mischievous idea lit up in his head.
"Jiraiya-sensei, I've heard a lot of things about you… in the village."
Yue said with a very serious face.
Jiraiya froze.
Then stared at Yue with a suspicious smirk, as if waiting for the punchline.
"Jiraiya-sensei… do you like Lady Tsunade?"
Critical hit.
Jiraiya's entire soul almost leapt out of his body.
His old face went bright red as he smacked Yue on the head.
"Y-you little brat! Who told you that!?"
Even with Yue's tough skull, stars danced in his vision.
"It's not like anyone told me. But I get it."
Yue sighed dramatically as if reciting poetry:
"You loved Lady Tsunade since childhood.
Grew up together.
But you hid your feelings deep down, afraid to say them aloud.
Then she fell in love with someone else… and you could only bless her in silence."
"You acted pervy and carefree to numb the pain… to forget the longing."
"Sensei… you're a great man."
Every line stabbed straight into Jiraiya's heart.
He suddenly felt exposed—undressed—emotionally violated.
And then Yue wasn't done.
He put on a shameless, drooling face.
"But sensei, you've got great taste. I've seen Lady Tsunade's photo. That body? Tsk tsk. Absolute top-tier!"
"Calling her Konoha's number one beauty is an understatement."
At that moment, Jiraiya's eyes glazed over as Tsunade's image appeared in his mind.
He mirrored Yue's creepy smile.
"Sensei, don't worry. I already have a plan.
When you come back from your trip, take me with you.
I'll say I want to visit my clan's senior—Lady Tsunade.
Then you two can finally meet again."
"While you're both still young and healthy—get married! Have a few kids!"
"I'll help you win her heart! I guarantee it!"
Yue's words ignited the fire Jiraiya had suppressed for decades.
He'd always been too scared to confess.
And now this kid—Tsunade's own clan descendant!—was offering to help him?
Jiraiya grabbed Yue's arm.
"LET'S GO! RIGHT NOW! WE'RE FINDING TSUNADE!"
For Yue, this wasn't just helping his teacher.
He wanted to fix one of the biggest tragedies in his previous life—
Tsunade, that proud, beautiful woman, growing old alone…
drinking by the window as she mourned Jiraiya's death.
Unacceptable.
Also, if Tsunade ended up with Jiraiya, she'd likely return to Konoha.
That alone would be a huge insurance policy for next year's Nine-Tails incident.
So Jiraiya and Yue hit the road immediately.
Officially, he told the village it was "training Yue."
He didn't even bring Yamato.
Along the journey, the two openly rated every beauty they encountered.
Anyone overhearing them would immediately identify:
Two hopeless degenerates.
Yue even shared several "advanced theories" about women—
so impressive that even Jiraiya felt refreshed.
He couldn't believe this child understood women better than him.
If Yue had been a bit older, Jiraiya would've dragged him straight to the nearest brothel for "field research."
One day, Yue even took out Miroku's letters and photos—
showing off his girlfriend and explaining how he won her over.
Jiraiya's jaw almost fell off.
This kid was a monster.
A prodigy in romance.
Jiraiya started to think he should be the disciple.
"So? Got any ideas about Tsunade yet?" Jiraiya asked, almost trembling with excitement.
"Women like Lady Tsunade have seen it all.
Normal tricks won't work—they might even backfire," Yue said confidently.
"We need to find her first. Then I'll observe her up close.
Only then can I come up with a strategy."
He wasn't stupid enough to reveal his actual plan before meeting Tsunade.
What if it failed? That'd be embarrassing.
And besides—Jiraiya already believed everything Yue said. Why ruin it?
"But first, sensei… teach me the Summoning Technique."
Jiraiya nodded, took down the huge scroll on his back, and spread it open.
"Write your name first."
Yue obediently wrote his name.
He noticed Minato's name ahead of his, Jiraiya's after, and several others he didn't recognize.
Then Jiraiya taught him the hand signs.
Yue practiced once—
and because he was overexcited…
he summoned Gamabunta.
POOF!
Yue stood on the massive toad's head, staring at him.
"Oi, brat! Where's Jiraiya? What'd he summon me for this time?"
Gamabunta grumbled angrily.
Yue wasn't intimidated.
Summoned beasts were partners, not masters.
Gamabunta and Manda were spoiled precisely because people treated them like royalty.
"It was me who summoned you," Yue said flatly.
"From now on, we're partners. Please take care of me."
Polite tone.
Threatening aura.
Perfect balance.
Gamabunta burst into mocking laughter.
"HAH!
My partners include Jiraiya and the Fourth Hokage!
You think a little brat like you qualifies?"
"What a joke!"
~------------------------------------
◇ Read advance chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/DevilWarden