Jiraiya didn't waste words. He got straight to the point:
"Seisui's bloodline ability can now actually kill enemies inside the Duel Arena."
"Hm?" Sarutobi Hiruzen paused mid-smoke, looking at him in disbelief.
"Really?"
If that was true, Seisui's strategic value would be enormous.
Once he fully matured, he'd be a nightmare for ninjas from other villages.
Imagine this: on the battlefield, if a stronger ninja managed to pull you into the Duel Arena, and if he was fast enough, he could wipe out all the ninjas from other villages alone.
Thinking this, Sarutobi couldn't help but smile.
Luckily, Seisui was a Konoha ninja. Had he been from another village, Sarutobi couldn't even imagine what kind of terrifying attacks Konoha would face in the future.
What was even better, Seisui was his grand-student, a pure-blooded direct descendant of the Hokage line.
Lost in thought, he remembered the old Uchiha, the madman who dared to assassinate the Second Hokage.
The Uchiha in Jiraiya's team was that old man's granddaughter, and she seemed to have a special connection with Seisui.
As the student most like him, Jiraiya knew exactly what he was thinking and said,
"Uchiha Haru and Uchiha Setsuna are different."
"Unlike most proud Uchiha, Haru is a bit withdrawn but gentle to her comrades."
Sarutobi stroked his chin.
"Like Uchiha Kagami?"
After a moment's thought, Sarutobi breathed a silent sigh of relief.
He trusted Jiraiya's judgment but warned,
"If that's the case, proceed cautiously. But under no circumstances can information about Seisui be leaked!"
Sarutobi's tone was serious. Jiraiya understood why and nodded solemnly:
"I understand!"
Sarutobi then nodded and picked up paperwork to work.
Jiraiya lingered in the Hokage's office, looking for the hidden crystal ball.
As Sarutobi's prized possession, it was obviously well hidden.
"So stingy," Jiraiya muttered, glancing at the darkening sky as he stretched and moved his stiff limbs.
He hadn't forgotten he was supposed to treat the others tonight, so he prepared to leave.
But at the door, he turned back, knocking on Sarutobi's desk with a grin.
"What about our payment?"
"What payment?" Sarutobi blinked, then feigned ignorance.
"Didn't you already get your reward?"
"What more do you want?"
"We were just reporting the mission!"
"I even brought you that photo book!"
"I'll tell Biwako-sama you asked me to bring it, and peeked at it."
Before Jiraiya could finish, Sarutobi's face reddened and he lightly cleared his throat, cutting him off:
"Can't help you. Since that's the case, I'll personally give you a little extra. But don't let it happen again, Jiraiya-san."
Jiraiya sneered, not impressed by the extra pay, but he was genuinely short on funds lately.
Most of his money was borrowed by Tsunade, though she promised to pay him back.
Which she never did. He wasn't holding his breath.
Counting the cash in the envelope, Jiraiya nodded with satisfaction:
Thirty thousand ryo total. He could keep half, enough to treat the others.
How nice, to use their money to buy them barbecue, and still get thanks.
==========
Meanwhile, Seisui, Minato, and Uchiha Haru were already seated inside the Yakiniku Q restaurant.
Nearby sat Nara Shikaku and his two companions.
"Really strong," Akimichi Choza said enviously, looking at Seisui.
"We haven't graduated yet, and you're already on C-rank missions."
Minato asked curiously,
"Can't you apply for early graduation?"
"Why graduate?" Seisui replied, not the trio but himself.
He tapped Minato's head lightly with his chopsticks.
"If it weren't for Jiraiya-sensei leading us, I wouldn't want to graduate either."
"Graduation is dangerous, people die, missions come up. Better to stay at the Ninja Academy."
Nara Shikaku nodded approvingly, looking at Seisui like he'd found a kindred spirit.
"Graduating is too much trouble."
Shikaku slumped in his seat, weakly adding,
"Better to enjoy peace while you can."
==========
"Not good!" Jiraiya entered the restaurant and heard Shikaku's words.
Shaking his head, he approached,
"A real ninja endures what ordinary people can't, that's what being a ninja means."
"If you're not strong enough, you'll die easily!"
The three turned and stood respectfully,
"Jiraiya-sama!"
Seisui looked at Akimichi Choza and asked Jiraiya,
"Sensei, Shikaku and the others don't eat much. Can they join us?"
With Akimichi here? Not eating much? What a traitor.
But since Seisui asked, Jiraiya forced a smile,
"No problem, of course not. Eat up."
He even patted the envelope in his pocket, hoping the thirty thousand ryo would last.
Pouring water into an empty glass, Jiraiya glanced at the trio, who exchanged helpless looks.
Seisui smiled and then asked,
"So, what about our mission reward?"
He knew the reward was thirty thousand ryo, half would be fifteen thousand, five thousand each.
Hearing this, Jiraiya froze mid-pour, scratched his head, and said,
"I forgot to bring it. I'll give it to you tomorrow."
Seisui smiled and returned to his seat.
Jiraiya sighed but soon felt anxious, worried his money wouldn't cover everything and he'd embarrass himself.
Seisui noticed this and remembered hearing from Uzumaki Kushina that Tsunade had recently acquired a large sum and spent nights gambling.
Recalling Jiraiya's recent tough times, Seisui understood what was going on.
Tsunade had borrowed all the money; anyone would be struggling.
Still, Seisui teased Jiraiya lightly and didn't order too much.
By the time they arrived, Shikaku and company had finished eating and were just chatting.
When the bill came, Jiraiya breathed a sigh of relief.
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