Chapter 8

Under a gloomy sky, large raindrops rolled off the chakra shield.

Haruki didn't like the Land of Rain.

The constant rain always reminded him of the rainy season.

"Teacher, weren't we supposed to eliminate bandits?" Minato Namikaze asked, looking at the dilapidated buildings around them.

"I'm taking you to meet someone," Haruki said, ruffling his hair. "Didn't you say Jiraiya was your favorite among the Sannin?"

"Jiraiya-sama is here?" Minato's face lit up with joy.

Haruki clicked his tongue. He really couldn't understand what Minato liked so much about Jiraiya.

"Yes," he replied, remembering how, after their battle with Hanzo, Jiraiya had met Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan, and decided to stay.

"Who goes there?" A loud shout was followed by a paper kunai flying toward Haruki.

He caught the kunai.

Then, seeing the light from an explosive tag, he raised an eyebrow and made the kunai disappear from his hand just before it exploded.

"Konan, your ninjutsu is getting better," he said, looking at the girl at the door.

Her light blue-purple hair stood out in the rain, and though her clothes were plain and worn, they couldn't hide her beautiful face.

"Why are you here?" she asked.

"Where's Jiraiya?"

"Sensei said he went out for research."

What kind of research? Haruki felt helpless. Only Jiraiya could go "researching" even in Amegakure.

"Have you eaten?" Haruki rolled up his sleeves. "You three haven't had my cooking for a few months, right?"

Konan's face lit up with joy, and she seemed to be salivating a bit.

She instinctively covered her stomach and said shyly, "Sorry to trouble you, Haruki-sama. I'd like grilled fish."

"No problem," Haruki agreed readily, knowing that Konan liked grilled fish.

"This is Minato Namikaze, my student. Strictly speaking, you should be his senior," Haruki introduced Minato, patting him on the shoulder. "Call her Senior Konan. It will be to your benefit."

Minato, though somewhat confused, followed Haruki's instructions.

"Senior Konan."

"Junior Minato," Konan smiled, folding a paper flower. "I don't have much to give you."

"Thank you, Senior. It's very pretty," Minato said, carefully putting the paper flower into his backpack.

Haruki felt a sudden sense of achievement.

Nurturing characters and changing destinies seemed quite rewarding.

While Haruki prepared lunch, Nagato and Yahiko returned.

After some small talk, they warmly welcomed the unexpected new junior.

At their age and with high emotional intelligence, Minato quickly became good friends with them.

"Haruki!" Jiraiya's voice arrived before he did.

"Be quiet, or there won't be any food for you," Haruki glared at him.

"Okay, okay," Jiraiya said, sniffing the aroma from the kitchen and caving in immediately.

"Writing a new novel?" Haruki asked casually while chopping vegetables.

"How did you know?"

"Konan said you were out for research."

"Oh," Jiraiya's expression turned subtle. "Yes, research!"

"Let me publish your new book," Haruki said, taking out a stack of vouchers and handing them to Jiraiya.

Seeing what they were, Jiraiya's eyes lit up.

Konoha Hot Springs discount vouchers.

He carefully stashed them away and patted his chest, "No problem, we're friends who have been to the hot springs together!"

This scene was witnessed by Minato, who was helping to set the table.

He widened his eyes.

He seemed to have overheard something incredible.

It shocked his innocent mind.

"Kids shouldn't go," Haruki warned, handing him a plate with a smile.

A moment later, the dishes were all on the table.

Jiraiya instinctively took out his sake flask.

"No drinking in front of minors," Haruki stopped him.

Jiraiya looked conflicted.

He was as fond of drinking as Tsunade was.

"It's okay, Sensei, if you want to drink, drink," Konan said, smiling.

"See, that's a good student," Jiraiya said, ignoring Haruki's look and pouring himself a drink. "Is this your student?"

"Yes, Minato Namikaze," Haruki replied, thinking it best to let Jiraiya drink for now since he'd essentially taken Minato from him.

"Jiraiya-sama," Minato greeted.

"Not bad, quite handsome, just like you—a pretty boy," Jiraiya glanced at Minato and commented.

Minato felt a bit disheartened.

His admiration for Jiraiya shattered.

"Can't even keep your mouth shut while eating," Haruki shook his head.

"Actually, your visit is just in time," Jiraiya said, munching on grilled fish. "The story you told me about Tanjiro wasn't finished, and it's been itching in my mind."

"You'll have plenty of time to hear stories when you return to Konoha. I have official business today," Haruki looked at Konan, Nagato, and Yahiko.

"Remember what I said before I left? Konoha is recruiting wandering ninjas. If you are willing, you can become Konoha ninjas."

"Haruki, you should know about Nagato's eyes," Jiraiya said, putting down his chopsticks. The main reason he hadn't taken them back to Konoha was the Rinnegan.

If they returned to Konoha, it would undoubtedly cause a stir.

Haruki was about to speak when Nagato shook his head.

"My parents were killed by Konoha ninjas. I won't go to Konoha," Nagato said firmly.

Haruki could only sigh.

Fate was such.

He had hoped that if they were willing, perhaps the hidden Uchiha Madara wouldn't act.

But now, they could only stay here.

After the meal, Haruki called Konan, Nagato, and Yahiko aside.

"Jiraiya will eventually return to Konoha. What are your plans then?"

The three exchanged glances, and Yahiko, the most composed, spoke up:

"We want to form an organization to fight against Hanzo's Amegakure."

"What will it be called?" Haruki felt that things were still developing as in the original story.

"We haven't decided yet," Yahiko scratched his head. "Haruki-sama, do you have any suggestions?"

"Akatsuki," Haruki said softly, looking at them. "Only when we awaken can the dawn break. The dawn is not just the morning light but also the red sun."

Their eyes lit up slightly.

Both the name and the meaning were excellent.

"In that case, I have some gifts for you," Haruki took out a scroll and handed it to Yahiko.

"These are the medical ninjutsu I've learned, including one or two forbidden techniques. They might help you, but you mustn't reveal them to others."

"Thank you, Haruki-sama!" The three bowed deeply.

They understood the importance of forbidden techniques. If Konoha found out, Haruki could be branded a traitor.

"I, too, am a war orphan. You three and I share the same fate. I'll help where I can," Haruki sighed and, recalling the original story, began to give advice.

Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan listened intently at first, then looked at each other.

The content became increasingly outlandish.

The initial organizational structure, survival strategies, and the situation in the Land of Rain were normal. But then there were mentions of strange things, like a half-black, half-white plant man and a lunatic with red eyes.

Was Haruki-sama reading too many of Jiraiya-sama's novels?

The three thought simultaneously.