Chapter 131: Kurama: Who isn't a drama queen these days? 

When Jiraiya found Naruto and Sasuke, the two were still riding horses like overjoyed puppies, running around without a care. I have to say, as ninjas, being able to ignore the impact from the horses was impressive. The feeling of riding a horse was exhilarating, far better than running on foot.

It was indeed exhilarating, much more so than running on the road.

Jiraiya, holding an unfamiliar woman in his arms, looked somewhat confused at Sasuke and Naruto, who had stopped in front of him. "You two... where did you get these horses?"

Both Sasuke and Naruto had a bit of a flush on their faces. Naruto almost instinctively wanted to speak, but Sasuke stepped up first. 

"We found them, so we thought we'd bring them to you for you to deal with."

Naruto fell silent, still showing traces of excitement.

Jiraiya felt something was off, his expression turning strange. "Found them? Are you sure they were found?"

"Well, what else could they be, if not stolen?" Sasuke said this with complete seriousness, then handed the reins to Jiraiya. "Don't overthink it. You're short on cash, right? You can sell these horses and save us some money for a place to stay tonight."

Jiraiya felt something wasn't right, but he couldn't pinpoint what. After all, as Sasuke said, these horses couldn't have been stolen, right?

Thinking this, Jiraiya hesitated for a moment before taking the reins, his doubts lingering. "You two are really this generous?"

"Of course, you're our respected perverted sage," Sasuke said with a distant look in his eyes.

At times like this, flattery was all that was needed.

Sure enough, Jiraiya gave an embarrassed smile, moved slightly closer to the woman in his arms, and laughed. "Hahaha, you two still have a conscience. I didn't waste all this time teaching you! Hahahaha…"

Then, he looked proudly at the woman in his arms. "Lai Lai, you see? I told you I'm very reliable. My two disciples really respect me."

The woman, Lai Lai, shyly snuggled closer to Jiraiya, blushing. 

"Ah, Jiraiya-sama, I know how strong you are. Of course, someone as great as you deserves respect. I've never doubted that."

Sasuke shivered, and Naruto trembled, both taking a step back.

This woman was pretty, but her voice was too high-pitched. The two of them were still young and couldn't handle that kind of squeaky voice. Plus, the shy expression she was making just didn't feel right—seemed like she was doing whatever she could to please Jiraiya.

Sasuke couldn't stand it. It reminded him of the girls who used to constantly bother him, and it just annoyed him. Women, no matter their age, were a hassle. The only exception was Sakura, who was much more normal now.

As for Naruto, it was simpler. He was just thinking about Hinata. After all, he thought Hinata's shy, gentle personality made her look more beautiful.

Yeah, he felt like he liked Hinata just a little bit more now.

Thanks, perverted sage.

Slightly easing his guilty conscience, Naruto waved at Jiraiya. "Well then, we'll go find the client. Enjoy yourself, perverted sage."

"Go, go," Jiraiya waved them off impatiently. He couldn't wait for them to leave so he could enjoy his time.

So, Sasuke and Naruto left, while Jiraiya happily grabbed a beauty with one arm and held two horses with the other, looking much younger.

Far off, Naruto clutched his chest. "Sasuke, I feel a little guilty."

"You're overthinking it. You have no conscience," Sasuke replied, crossing his arms and showing no emotion.

"Really?" Naruto paused, then smiled brightly

"Well, now I feel better."

Before long, the two arrived at the entrance to the movie studio. Naruto had followed Sandayu's shadow clone, which had already disappeared. The memory was fully shared with Naruto. After spending the afternoon galloping on horseback, it was now near evening, and Sandayu and the others had long since woken up.

It was better that they woke up, because when they did, they were shocked. The princess had run away, and to make matters worse, two horses were missing! These horses belonged to the movie studio, not theirs. Now, they not only had to find the princess, but also those two missing horses.

It was definitely the fault of those two crazy Konohagakure ninjas.

Complaint! A complaint must be made! Sandayu was going to write to the Fifth Hokage to complain about those two ninjas named Kakashi and Jiraiya!

Sandayu sat down, looking worn out, completely drained. He couldn't understand why Konohagakure would send two crazy ninjas; he was physically and mentally exhausted.

At that moment, someone carefully walked into the room. "Sandayu?"

Sandayu looked up, his eyes dull as he stared at the person. "Ah, Kyu-Tian, what's going on? Did you find the princess? What about the horses?"

Kyu-Tian couldn't help but twitch his lips at the sight of Sandayu looking so aged. After thinking for a moment about Sandayu's question, he took a deep breath and said slowly, "Sandayu, two kids say they're ninjas from Konohagakure, and they've come to find you because they took your mission."

!!!

Sandayu jumped up from his seat, his eyes, once dull, now burning with anger. His whole body was shaking, and he gritted his teeth as he glared at Kyu-Tian. "Tell them to get lost!!!"

Kyu-Tian flinched and swallowed nervously. "Well, Sandayu, I looked at them, and they seem normal. They're young, but they look trustworthy. They even showed us the mission scroll, and it matches the one you gave Konohagakure."

Sandayu blinked in surprise. "Not those two crazy ones?"

"No," Kyu-Tian shook his head.

Sandayu took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and looked outside. "Go with me to see them!"

He suppressed his inner fury, walking like an angry lion, with Kyu-Tian following nervously as they stepped outside and approached the movie studio entrance.

Sandayu walked through the crowd, his furious gaze sweeping around. "Where are those two Konohagakure ninjas? Tell them to come here!"

No matter who it is, as long as they are from Konohagakure, he won't show them any kindness!

Naruto and Sasuke exchanged a quick glance, both confirming the plan, then stepped forward and walked out.

Sasuke's face was full of indifference, his expression exactly like the reckless version of himself from the past: "I am a ninja from Konohagakure, named Uchiha Sasuke."

Naruto wore a bright, cheerful smile, just like Namikaze Minato once did: 

"Hello, I'm Uzumaki Naruto, a chunin from Konohagakure. You must be our client, Asama Sandayu, right?"

Sandayu was stunned, and his anger subsided a little.

It must be said that the cold Sasuke and the sunny Naruto were really deceiving. Sasuke's indifference came from his confidence, the kind of aura that screamed "I'm the best," and it was very intimidating. 

Meanwhile, the Minato-style trademark sunny smile was irresistible, soft and gentle. When standing with someone like Sasuke, who had a cold expression, that gentleness became even more powerful. It was a combination that could be overwhelming!

It was really intimidating. In fact, everyone in the room didn't know how to react and could only turn their gaze toward Sandayu.

Sandayu took a deep breath. He was also affected, but he still had his composure. He glared at Naruto and Sasuke, then spoke directly:

"Before, two other Konohagakure ninjas claimed they had taken a mission, but they knocked us out, let the target escape, and even stole our two horses!"

Sasuke remained cold, while Naruto was a bit surprised, tilting his head in confusion: 

"Something like that happened?"

"Do you think I'm lying to you?" Sandayu's expression wasn't great.

"Of course not." Naruto said seriously. "We are also very angry that such ninjas have ruined the reputation of Konohagakure. Do you know their names? I won't let them off!"

Sandayu froze, somewhat at a loss. His previously aggressive attitude softened: 

"Those two guys are called Kakashi and Jiraiya, both with white hair... wait, are they really from Konohagakure?"

Sandayu started to doubt if he had made a mistake.

Then he saw Naruto and Sasuke both show a look of surprise, glance at each other, and then fall silent.

Sandayu felt that things were getting a bit out of hand. He quickly asked: 

"Do you two know who those guys are?"

Naruto took a deep breath, a complicated expression crossing his face, one that seemed like a mix of pain and bitterness. He looked at Sandayu and said in a regretful tone: 

"Kakashi and Jiraiya... they are our teachers!"

"What!" Sandayu was shocked.

Sasuke sighed and shook his head: 

"Naruto's right. Kakashi and Jiraiya are both very reckless. Kakashi carries around a book called 'Icha Icha Paradise' every day and never lets it go. Jiraiya is even more involved in various shady places. I wouldn't be surprised if they caused trouble."

"Exactly." Naruto sighed. 

"You don't know, but Jiraiya is actually the author of 'Icha Icha Paradise.' He's also one of the legendary Three Ninjas, very strong. So, a lot of the time, it's not that we don't want to deal with them, it's just..." 

At this point, Naruto suddenly looked at Sandayu: 

"Asama, do you know who the Fifth Hokage is?"

Sandayu paused for a moment, instinctively nodding before answering: 

"One of the legendary Three Ninjas, the medical ninja Tsunade-hime... huff!"

Sandayu took a sharp breath: 

"Are you saying..."

Jiraiya, one of the Three Ninjas, Tsunade-hime, also one of the Three Ninjas, this!

A look of sadness flashed across Naruto's face: 

"So now you understand why Sasuke and I look like this, right?"

Sandayu nodded. He completely understood.

Heartbroken, Sandayu forced a bitter smile and shook his head: 

"Looks like those two horses can't be brought back..."

"No!" Naruto suddenly clenched his fist and spoke up, standing tall with great determination. 

"Don't worry, Sasuke and I, as Jiraiya's students, should be able to get those two horses back. After all, we're quite the perverts ourselves."

"This... this..." Sandayu was moved to tears. 

"Actually, it's just two horses. We don't really..." 

"No, this is about Konohagakure's reputation! We won't let you lose out!" Sasuke also said firmly.

The people around them were deeply touched, some even crying, and it looked like they were about to drag Naruto and Sasuke inside.

Sandayu wiped away his tears, feeling overwhelmed. 

He hadn't expected that Konohagakure not only had people like Jiraiya and Kakashi, who were strong and influential, but also had brave and righteous ninjas like Naruto and Sasuke. Choosing Konohagakure was definitely the right decision!

Inside the sealing space, Kurama watched the two ungrateful kids put on their act. After a long silence, Kurama finally spoke up with a tearful voice. 

"It's my fault, all my fault! As your guiding star on your journey, I not only failed to teach you ninjutsu properly, but I also allowed you to develop a talent for comedy... it's all my fault, wuwuwu~"

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