The next day, on the streets of Konoha.
"Tian Yuan, that looks good—buy me some," Anko said eagerly.
"Anko, don't you earn money on your missions?" Tian Yuan asked.
"My earnings are too little; you can't compare," Anko replied quickly.
All right, Tian Yuan did have some funds—not much from missions, but he sold the ninja tools taken from the shinobi he defeated, and kept some for himself.
"Wow, Anko, you're preying on the rich. I'm not even rich," Tian Yuan joked.
"No problem—if you run out, just ask me," Anko said generously.
"Uh…" Tian Yuan glanced at her, shook his head, and let it go.
"Tian Yuan–onii-chan, I want this one." The blue-haired little girl Usugumo Yugao spoke cutely.
"Oh, okay—I'll get it for you," Tian Yuan replied.
"Tian Yuan, you're playing favorites!" Anko teased.
"You're already a ninja; Yugao's still at the Ninja Academy," Tian Yuan shot back.
"All right, then let's go for barbecue later," Anko conceded with a nod.
In the Hokage's office.
Jiraiya held a cigarette between his lips. "Hiruzen-sensei, what did you want to see me about?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's mouth twitched. "Jiraiya, since when did you become a smoker?"
"It's great—so much better than our crude pipes," Jiraiya said.
"Uh…" Hiruzen's eyes flickered. "Jiraiya, give me one."
"Here." Jiraiya tossed him a pack.
Hiruzen struck a match and lit a cigarette. Inhaling deeply, he said, "This tobacco is truly fine."
Amid curling clouds of smoke, they sat together.
After a moment, Hiruzen returned to business.
"Serious question: Jiraiya, what have you uncovered about the Land of Wind's Raikage situation?" Hiruzen asked.
"The exact cause is unclear. Hidden Sand Village's not intentionally laying a trap, and other villages are investigating as well," Jiraiya replied.
"I see. Trouble abounds in the ninja world: I heard Hidden Cloud Village's Eight-Tails Jinchuuriki was recently injured."
"Is that so? I hadn't heard," Jiraiya paused, then shook his head.
"And Tsunade—how is she?" Hiruzen asked.
"No change—perhaps a bit better lately," Jiraiya thought, then said.
"Better?" Hiruzen echoed.
"Maybe thanks to Tian Yuan," Jiraiya said directly.
"Tian Yuan…" Hiruzen's cigarette halted mid-air. "How is he faring under Orochimaru?"
"He's doing well," Jiraiya smiled.
"It seems the upcoming Chunin exams will see Tian Yuan's participation." Hiruzen considered the looming tests.
"Perhaps," Jiraiya agreed. They discussed world affairs further before Jiraiya left the office.
"Jiraiya—where did you get that smoke?" Hiruzen called as Jiraiya departed.
"From Tian Yuan. Ask him if you need more. Farewell, Hiruzen-sensei."
"Tian Yuan…" Hiruzen hesitated. Where could he procure cigarettes?
Not far outside the office, a flustered figure burst into Jiraiya, tumbling backward and landing in a heap.
Jiraiya looked down and laughed. "Asuma—it's you."
Sarutobi Asuma, Hiruzen's son, now twelve, stood up defiantly.
"Uncle Jiraiya," Asuma said.
"Ha—off to see your father again?" Jiraiya chuckled, producing a pack of Zhonghua soft-shell cigarettes. "Here you go, Asuma—good stuff." He grinned and walked off.
Asuma pulled one out, examined it, then lit it uncertainly.
…
That evening, at a barbecue restaurant in Konoha.
"I'm stuffed—finally full," Anko patted her belly, delighted.
"Anko, does your stomach have no bottom? You ate so much," Tian Yuan said, exasperated.
"I have a big appetite—I'm still growing, you know!" Anko replied.
"All right, I get it." Tian Yuan stood. "Let me walk you two home."
"Thanks, Tian Yuan–onii-chan," Usugumo Yugao said gratefully.
"I don't need you to escort me," Anko retorted.
"No problem—call it digestion exercise," Tian Yuan laughed.
"That's what you said!" Anko huffed.
Tian Yuan escorted Anko and Yugao to their homes.
"Hm." A surprising thought crossed Tian Yuan's mind. "I've detected an HD video signal—and the location seems familiar."
Occasionally, good signals appeared even within Konoha, but his former strength couldn't reach the dangerous spots. Konoha was small, but those few hard-to-access areas were memorable.
"Let's check it out." Tian Yuan vanished.
Moments later, at the edge of Konoha Village, before a building.
Tian Yuan studied it. "So it is here—one of Root's headquarters. Konoha's shadow power."
He'd noticed a signal here before, but lacked the strength to investigate.
But now…
A glint shone in Tian Yuan's eyes.
He would wait until nightfall. It wasn't time yet.
Ha—knew you had 'em. Let's head back."
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]