Because Akimichi Choza was with them, the restaurant gave a discount.
After the reduction, the bill was exactly fifteen thousand ryo, no more, no less.
Jiraiya cast a suspicious glance at Seisui.
He couldn't shake the feeling someone was messing with him.
But fifteen thousand ryo wasn't much to him.
Even though Tsunade had borrowed most of his fortune, he still had hundreds of thousands of ryo left.
When the meal ended, Jiraiya called the three over and looked seriously at Seisui:
"About your bloodline's second awakening, this must not be revealed to anyone."
Then he looked at Uchiha Haru and Minato.
"You two as well. Don't tell anyone about Seisui's bloodline ability."
Both Haru and Minato were taken aback but nodded firmly.
They had no intention of telling anyone anyway; ninja secrets were forbidden to leak, especially something this sensitive.
Minato had only been told because Seisui agreed beforehand.
Satisfied with their nods, Jiraiya smiled and pulled out fifteen thousand ryo from his pocket.
"This is your mission reward. Take a good rest for a while."
Paying the money was no problem, and he happily handed it over.
He had initially worried thirty thousand ryo wouldn't be enough since the Akimichi, Nara, and Inuzuka trio had already eaten.
Seisui gave him a look that said, I knew it, and casually accepted the payment.
Jiraiya felt a bit embarrassed and quickly teleported away.
"Jiraiya-sensei's so lame!" Seisui teased the others.
Minato looked a bit uneasy.
"Is this really appropriate?"
"What's wrong with it? Jiraiya-sensei saw through it all along." Seisui shrugged.
==========
The next morning, Seisui was promptly awakened by knocking at his door.
Lying in bed with his eyes open, he felt groggy.
When you first wake up, it always takes a moment to fully clear your head.
The knocking continued.
Seisui forced himself up.
"I'm coming, I'm coming."
He got up, his voice weak, and in pajamas opened the door.
But it wasn't Minato outside, it was Uchiha Haru.
Seisui blinked in disbelief, glancing at the brightening sky.
Normally Minato came to wake him—why was it Haru today?
Seeing Seisui's messy pajamas, Haru's face flushed red, especially as she caught sight of his exposed stomach through the loose clothing.
Her mind drifted into fantasies.
Noticing her expression, Seisui realized he'd walked out half-exposed.
Clearing his throat, he quickly straightened his pajamas.
Now fully awake, he understood why Haru was there, they had agreed the day before to hang out together today.
Used to Minato's morning visits, it took him a moment to adjust.
Soon, Seisui and Haru were out on the streets, enjoying the day.
==========
In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen stared at the crystal ball showing the two of them and took a drag from his pipe.
"I hope this means the Uchiha are starting to integrate into the village."
He had been pushing for their integration, but with little success.
The Uchiha were too proud.
The honor of the thousand-year legacy of the Sharingan made them disdain mingling with commoners.
Meanwhile, the villagers feared them like madmen.
Plus, the Uchiha refused to give up their role as the village's security force.
All of this combined made village life difficult for them.
But the Uchiha themselves didn't see it that way.
It was a headache for Sarutobi.
Still, he was firm, powerful, and had firmly secured his position as the Third Hokage after the Second World War.
He continued trying to bring the Uchiha into the fold.
Sighing, Sarutobi stopped watching the crystal ball and returned to his paperwork.
==========
Seisui and Haru spent the whole day out.
When they returned home, Minato was waiting at his door, looking resentful.
"Minato?"
Seisui was surprised.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to get you to come over to Jiraiya-sensei's." Minato's face still looked like that of a scorned woman.
"He told us to come after dinner. I was going to invite you to eat, but you only just got back after I finished."
Seisui scratched his head.
Since he and Haru had been out all day, they hadn't eaten at home.
He was a little confused by Jiraiya's summons but nodded.
"Give me a moment."
He shook a bag in his hand.
It contained clothes Haru had bought him.
As a little rich lady, Haru spent money so fast Seisui almost felt sorry for her.
Minato glanced at the bag, a bit envious.
He wished Kushina would go out with him too.
==========
When they arrived at Jiraiya's house, Jiraiya was already waiting at the door.
Seeing them, he laughed heartily.
"I called you here to tell you I'm going on a secret mission. I won't be able to take you along for a while."
"But I talked with the old man, and you'll be allowed to accept C and D-rank missions on your own."
Seisui and Minato were stunned and exchanged surprised looks.
"I was going to call Haru too," Jiraiya continued,
"But the Uchiha clan doesn't welcome outsiders easily."
He sighed.
"You two should talk to her about it tomorrow."
Seisui considered this and said,
"Okay!"
"No problem. Sensei, you can go without worry."
"I'll lead the team, no problem at all!"
"Safe as can be!"
Jiraiya froze, sensing something off.
What did he mean by 'go without worry'?
The more he thought, the more uneasy he felt.
Jiraiya gave him a light punch on the head.
"Don't say such ominous things next time!"
Seisui held his head.
"Got it."
Jiraiya nodded, satisfied.
"Just do your missions well, and don't forget to keep training."
"I'll be back to test you!"
With that, he sent them off.
==========
On the way, Minato scratched his head and asked,
"Why is Jiraiya-sensei suddenly going on a mission?"
Seisui shrugged.
"Who knows?"
"But the days ahead will be pretty quiet."
He had no intention of taking C-rank missions himself.
Who knew if the mission details would be accurate?
Doing some D-rank missions and training every day was fulfilling enough.
=============
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