Chapter 91: Expensive Care

"E… Eight years old?"

"And mastered Sage Mode?"

"Are you kidding?"

The room fell silent.

It wasn't just Jiraiya who was shocked. Tsunade and Shizune, standing nearby, were equally dumbfounded. 

Even Karin, who only had a basic understanding of Sage Mode, was struck by the dramatic change in Kiyoshi's aura. 

Her gaze was fixed on him, eyes wide in disbelief as she whispered, "He is… amazing."

Watching Kiyoshi instantly enter Sage Mode, Jiraiya swallowed nervously, glancing over at Tsunade. "Tsunade, is this… real?"

Tsunade's mind raced, eyes wide with shock. You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?

She rolled her eyes in disbelief, almost ready to curse. 

Her gaze flickered between Kiyoshi's previous form and the one standing before them now, his presence seamlessly merged with the natural energy around him, exuding an aura of untold depth.

I'll give him this, she thought, this brat actually looks impressive in this state.

Even someone as composed and experienced as Tsunade couldn't help but feel momentarily taken aback. A hint of desire flared up, but she quickly pushed it down.

"Ahem."

Clearing her throat, Tsunade regained her composure and forced down any unexpected feelings. 

She shot Kiyoshi, who seemed outwardly calm but no doubt secretly pleased with himself, a sharp look. 

To think this brat mastered Sage Mode at eight and kept it hidden from his teacher this long.

Suppressing her urge to scold him, she crossed her arms and lifted her chin. "Hmph. Well, what do you expect? He is my student."

She turned to Jiraiya with a smug smile. "So, how does my student measure up? Better than Minato, wouldn't you say?" 

She threw a sideways glance at Jiraiya, who lay there, utterly speechless.

"You win, alright… you win."

Jiraiya's face turned beet red, realizing that the talent he'd prided himself on mastering was something Kiyoshi had already achieved at eight.

He wanted to disappear into the ground, filled with embarrassment.

"Anyway, let's get this guy back," Tsunade said, giving Kiyoshi a pointed look that clearly promised he'd be dealing with her later.

"Allow me." Kiyoshi stepped out of Sage Mode, his hair and eyes returning to their usual state. 

With a casual shrug, he created a wood clone. Without much ceremony, he hoisted Jiraiya onto his shoulder.

You thought I'd carry you like royalty? Fat chance!

Besides, Kiyoshi himself was a medical ninja. As long as he's not dead, he could heal him.

"Aah! Careful, kid." Jiraiya, who had been sullen, now winced in pain.

"That's what you get! If it weren't for the fact that you and Tsunade-nee fought alongside each other, I'd be tempted to… well, make sure you never peep on anyone again."

Jiraiya fell silent, feeling a chill run down his spine. His legs instinctively clamped together as the air suddenly felt colder.

---

Back at the inn, Kiyoshi got a room for Jiraiya. 

Ever cautious, he personally tended to Jiraiya's wounds, wrapping him in so many bandages he looked like a giant rice dumpling. 

Jiraiya lay there completely immobilized, only his swollen, bruised face visible.

"Well, that's done," Kiyoshi said, dusting his hands. 

Smiling, he added, "I told the innkeeper to have an older lady come in daily to feed you and help you to the restroom. Of course, the caregiver fees are on you."

"Wait, if I'm paying, could you at least get someone a little more… pleasant-looking?"

"Nope. You need to focus on recuperating, free of any, ah… distractions," Kiyoshi said with a straight face, blinking innocently.

Tsunade, Shizune, and Karin all burst into laughter, though none seemed inclined to stick up for Jiraiya. Men like him needed to learn their lesson the hard way.

Jiraiya stared at the ceiling, a profound sense of despair settling over him. 

This brat was tormenting him on purpose, and there was nothing he could do about it. His fists clenched in frustration as he muttered under his breath.

"Oh, and by the way," Kiyoshi added nonchalantly, "don't forget to pay your consultation fee. I don't come cheap… just thirty million ryo."

Jiraiya nearly leaped out of his bandages. If he could move, he'd have been pointing at Kiyoshi, railing against the outrage. 

His injuries, if treated at the Konoha Hospital in the best VIP room with the most beautiful nurses, wouldn't cost more than a hundred thousand ryo, tops! 

And with his status as one of the Sannin, the hospital would practically let him stay for free.

Glancing at Tsunade, who stood to the side, smiling and clearly uninterested in intervening, Jiraiya regretted coming to the Land of Hot Water to gather research materials in the first place.

Glaring at Kiyoshi, he protested, "Kid, don't you think this is a bit much? After all, I'm on your side."

"Not happy with the price?" Kiyoshi raised an eyebrow. "Considering you're Tsunade-nee's teammate, I already gave you a fifty percent discount."

"You've got the nerve to call that fair?" Jiraiya's eyes rolled in disbelief. "I'm practically broke."

"Oh? Is that so?" Kiyoshi smirked, making Jiraiya's stomach twist with unease. "Remind me… what's your bounty on the black market these days?"

Producing a small notebook, Kiyoshi began flipping through it, counting aloud, "One, two, three."

This was a book he'd picked up two years ago from a rogue ninja he'd defeated on a journey. 

It listed bounties from the black market, covering high-profile figures from the major villages, renegade ninjas, and even politicians and aristocrats.

"Wow… a nine-digit bounty! As expected of the legendary Sannin… Even Asuma Sarutobi, a former member of the Twelve Guardian Ninja of the Land of Fire, only fetches thirty-five million ryo."

Kiyoshi's eyes sparkled as he looked at Jiraiya like he was a treasure trove rather than a person.

Jiraiya's eye twitched, casting a helpless glance at Tsunade, who was still chuckling and refusing to intervene. He finally sighed, defeated, and gritted his teeth. 

"Fine, fine! I'll pay."

"See? I, Kiyoshi Ishikawa, am a healer at heart. My prices are fair, driven by integrity and reason."

Jiraiya was speechless. Integrity? More like a heart of coal.

He shot Tsunade a desperate look. "Tsunade, you've got yourself a 'wonderful student' here."

"Hmm? What was that?" Tsunade's eyebrows arched.

Jiraiya cleared his throat, "I mean… you sure know how to pick them. Such skill at such a young age… no doubt his future will be impressive."

Thinking about the steep fee he had just been forced to agree to, even Jiraiya felt a pang in his jaw. This kid wasn't just talented—he'd definitely grow up to have deep pockets.

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