Chapter 131 - Reunion

Stepping through the Hidden Leaf's gate, Ryu and Yoruichi found themselves in a whirlwind of colors and sounds. The village was alive and pulsating even with the looming threat, a vivid testament to its enduring vitality and strength.

A cobblestone pathway stretched ahead of them, leading to a cluster of wooden houses that huddled together, their sturdy walls offering a sense of security and familiarity. Their walls were interspersed with sliding doors that opened onto the street, revealing the quiet bustle of village life within. Above them, the curved rooftops, in varying shades of muted browns and deep charcoal, were reminiscent of an artist's carefree strokes.

"It's been a while since I've been here," Ryu murmured, a soft smile playing on his lips. His eyes, sparkling with nostalgia, roamed around the streets, taking in the familiarity of it all. He breathed in deeply, a sigh escaping him. "I never took myself for the nostalgic type, guess I was wrong."

Yoruichi glanced at Ryu, a hint of amusement twinkling in her eyes before she took in the unique landscape around her. "The way the woodwork and cement blend... there's a harmony to it. It has electricity, cement, and other things that appear relatively modern, but it doesn't overpower the traditional look," she mused aloud, her gaze moving across the village's skyline.

Ryu chuckled at Yoruichi's assessment. "Harmony. I like that," he said, his voice soft as he looked at her, "It's a good way to put it."

As they delved deeper into the village, the hustle and bustle of daily life enveloped them. Street vendors called out their wares, their voices mingling with the laughter of children playing and the clatter of utensils from food stalls. The smell of fresh bread wafted from a bakery, mixing with the enticing aromas of various delicacies being prepared.

Not far from the main street, they spotted a well-maintained Zen garden. Gravel was meticulously raked into patterns, forming an intricate design around large, naturally sculpted rocks. The serene environment seemed to cocoon itself from the outside world, exuding an air of tranquility amidst the village's bustling life.

Towards the center of the village, a towering multi-tiered red structure reached for the sky. It was grander than the other buildings around it, its architecture hinting at its significance. The eaves of the roof were carved meticulously, their delicate design standing in contrast with the building's overall imposing stature.

"That's the Hokage's office. Man, I haven't seen Jiraiya in so long, I bet he'll be surprised," Ryu chuckled expectantly.

---

"Lord Hokage, we have some suspicious people that need to be identified. They claim to know you," the Leaf Kunoichi said after knocking on the large green door that led inside the Hokage's office.

"Come in," a muffled voice came from the inside.

The Hokage's office was an imposing room, a testament to the power and responsibility that came with its title. Bookshelves lined the room, their timber panels filled with tomes and scrolls detailing village laws, historical records, and a myriad of shinobi techniques. Towards the room's center, a large oak desk stood, its surface home to a hodgepodge of parchments, ink pots, and various village artifacts.

Behind the desk, a grand floor-to-ceiling window showcased the breathtaking view of Konoha, bathing the room in warm sunlight that gilded to every corner with a soft glow. Tapestries depicting past Hokages decorated the walls, their watchful eyes seeming to scrutinize the room's occupants with an intensity that spoke of wisdom and experience.

Occupying the seat behind the desk, and buried under a mountain of paperwork, was none other than Jiraiya. His wild white hair stood out like a splash of moonlight in the sunny room. His fingers danced over a parchment, a quill in his hand as he scribbled down notes with a furrowed brow. The weight of his position was clear in his posture, a stark contrast to the jovial nature Ryu had remembered seeing him in.

As Ryu and Yoruichi entered, Jiraiya looked up, his gaze taking in the newcomers. A moment passed in silence before Jiraiya processed what he was seeing. Jiraiya's jaw hit the ground before a wild, almost boyish grin split his face, his eyes crinkling in joy.

"Ryu! Is that really you? It's been so long since I've seen you, why did you disappear without a word!?" he roared, his voice echoing through the office. The quill dropped from his hand, forgotten as he sprang to his feet, knocking the chair backward in his haste. He crossed the room in a few strides, engulfing Ryu in a bear hug.

"Hahahaha! Oh, you don't have any idea how long it's been," Ryu chuckled as he returned the hug, putting in some force to hurt Jiraiya slightly.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch!" Jiraiya yelped, his body twitching as Ryu released him. The flailing of his arms and the comical look of pain on his face prompted a burst of melodic laughter from Yoruichi.

"Oh, right. Who's the gal?" Jiraiya asked, turning to Yoruichi with a sly smile. He elbowed Ryu, his eyebrows wiggling suggestively as his eyes twinkled with mischief. "Your girlfriend~?"

"Yes, actually," Ryu responded, his voice steady, the corners of his mouth tugging upwards in an affectionate smile.

The effect of Ryu's admission on Jiraiya was instantaneous. His mischievous grin gave way to an expression of pure disbelief. "You bastard, I was kidding!" He exclaimed, his face flushed with an amusing mix of shock and jealousy. "You managed to score such a hottie? She's out of your league, damn it!"

Ryu, in response, could do nothing but clutch his stomach, laughter bubbling forth uncontrollably. "Still just as perverted, huh?" Ryu managed to gasp out between bouts of laughter, wiping a tear from his eye. "How are your books coming along?"

"Do you think I have time to work on some books with this job?" Jiraiya scoffed. "Though looking at your girlfriend, I have some inspiration~," Jiraiya remarked suggestively, causing Ryu to swat the back of Jiraiya's head, sending him face-first into the floor with a thud that echoed through the room.

"Behave," Ryu scolded, his tone still light with laughter. Jiraiya, now nursing a bump on his head, could only grin sheepishly.

"By the way, where's Naruto?" Ryu asked as Jiraiya's expression turned a little more somber.

"He's training nearby, I can send someone to call for him, but you best be prepared. Your sudden disappearance really affected him, so he'll either be really glad or want to beat the hell out of you," Jiraiya explained.

"Yeah, it was stupid to do that, but you can't change the past. Well, I can, but that's a can of worms I don't want to open... Can you call him?" Ryu asked as Jiraiya's mouth gaped open.

"You can do 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓!?" Jiraiya exclaimed in shock. "I'll explain later, can you call him?" Ryu asked again.

"... Sure... This will be interesting," Jiraiya commented as signaled to one of the Anbu before returning to his chair, pulling a snack from one of the drawers, and starting to eat it.

Not a minute passed and a voice belonging to a teenager resounded from outside. "Did you call me, Jiraiya?" the muffled voice asked.

"Yes, Naruto, come in," Jiraiya replied as the door creaked open, revealing the voice's owner.

Naruto had a mix of boyish charm and robust masculinity. He stood tall and proud, his posture relaxed yet assertive. A noticeable muscle tone was hinted through the fit of his clothes, lending him an air of physical competence without appearing overbearing.

His blonde, spiky hair was a tad more settled than what one would expect of a teenager, a sign of the maturity that had slowly but surely crept upon him. His blue eyes, as vibrant and bright as the clear afternoon sky, held a deep-seated resolve and unwavering spirit.

He wore a vibrant orange jacket, the bottom flaring out slightly. It hung unzipped, revealing a black, form-fitting shirt underneath that plastered the Uzumaki clan sign on his exposed chest. The shirt hugged his muscular torso, making his physique all the more pronounced. Fiery symbols, reminiscent of chakra tails of the Nine-Tails, were boldly etched onto the back of his jacket, perfectly aligning with his tailbone, making it seem as though the tails were his own.

His black fitted pants were accented by an orange, swirling pattern running along the sides, giving the illusion of chakra flowing through his legs. The pants ballooned a bit around his thighs, providing him the necessary room for agile movements.

On his feet were a pair of sleek, black ninja sandals. Tied around his forehead was a protector etched with the symbol of the Allied Shinobi Forces, worn like a badge of honor.

A wide black belt cinched around his waist, its large, orange buckle showcasing the spiraling motif of the Uzumaki clan. Equipped on his person were black kunai holsters, strapped securely on each of his thighs.

"... Hey, Naruto, long time n-" Ryu began to speak but Naruto's fist interrupted him before he could finish, slamming him into the wall.