The Road to the Uchiha Clan Revival & Other Stories

Chapter 33 - At the Dango Shop

Chapter 33 – At the Dango Shop

Jiraiya sat down across the table, inviting himself. The shop owner came over to bring us two cups of Ocha (Japanese Green Tea), emitting deep aromas.

"What would you two like to have?" The shop owner rubbed his hands together

"Hm, Bocchan Dango for two. The tab's on me!" Jiraiya laughed

"Right away..!" The owner left

"Gee, thanks for covering the tab. I guess this is your way to recompense me for your peeping attempt?" I said in a pouting face

"Oi! Don't use such perverted expression! I was doing research!" Jiraiya's vein popped

"Tell me about it..!" I crossed my arms

"Heh, I'm the author of a famous book series. I always need "special inspirations" to write, you know." Jiraiya proudly took out a book from his green short skirt kimono

イチャイチャパラダイス(make-out paradise) flashed in front of me. My mouth dropped: "Whaa?! You wrote that?!" Flashbacks of Kakashi reading that popped into my head in an instant.

"Oooh- even you have heard about it; I'm really famous I see..!" Jiraiya complacently nodded to himself

That was the last straw... I have completely lost all respect for this perverted old man, regardless his title of a Sannin..

"Here's your Dango!" The owner brought four Dangos separated in two plates and gave one to each of us

"Itadakimasu (thanks for the food)" I took a Dango by the wooden stick

"Not bad..!" Jiraiya's mouth was full

I threw a glance at him: I really haven't looked at him properly until now. Jiraiya's white hair has bangs framing down on both sides of his face. Unique symmetrical red lines ran down from his eyes all the way to his jawline. That headband of his was especially interesting; it was horned with a 油 written on it. Another noticeable thing was a big scroll, which Jiraiya carried with him.

"Jiraiya-sama, what are you doing in a small town like this?" I swallowed the first red bean rice ball

"Hm?" Jiraiya looked up. "Well.. I'm traveling to gather information on some Organization."

"What Organization?"

"Hmm.." Jiraiya frowned and crossed his arms. "This is a top secret matter; I cannot reveal anything further to a stranger I just met. But don't get offended, young lady!" Jiraiya laughed again

Some Organization, huh? Perhaps he's talking about the Akatsuki? Well, I don't know if it's wise of me to engage into this conversation. For the moment I should pretend that I know nothing about it.

"It's fine" I answered in a casual way

"Say, what is your name? I still don't know anything about you yet..!" Jiraiya's hand reached the back of his head in slight embarrassment

"I'm Michitoki Hisako from the Michitoki Clan"

"Oh-!" Jiraiya's expression suddenly turned serious for a swift moment at the name of Michitoki, but quickly assuaged

"Ohh~!" Jiraiya tapped his fist in his other palm with an enlightened expression. "I know that Clan! A long time ago when I just became a Jounin, I got the chance to know another Michitoki who contributed greatly in the Second Shinobi World War!"

"Jiraiya-sama, you are actually the first person I met who know about my Clan." I don't know whether I should feel happy or rather embarrassed of my small Clan's poor recognition in overall

"Um Hm..! It sure brings back memories..!" The look on Jiraiya's face turned into a nostalgic smile

We finished our Dangos and had a further conversation about a few casual matters. Apparently, Jiraiya was a gregarious and carefree individual. He displayed no more perversion interest in neither his conversation nor in his facial expressions. In fact, he seemed to be well mannered. Since he did fail his peeping attempt and saw nothing of me back at the hot spring, I decided to brush off the old grudge. Judging from his reasoning, Jiraiya had a strong belief in peace and an optimistic view for the future Shinobi generation. The Sannin went off to a separate road after we left the town together. He leaked nothing of his future whereabouts for the sake of the mission's secrecy. I continued my journey alone. My next destination should be a town situated more in the proximity of Konoha. I mustn't be away for too long. Tsunade might call for me anytime.