It had been nearly half a year since arriving in Konoha, yet Seiryū rarely wandered around the village.
Now, walking leisurely with a relaxed and playful mindset, Seiryū felt a slightly different atmosphere.
Although Konoha was not as prosperous as the great cities of his previous life, it had a stronger pastoral charm and a distinct rural flavor. Of course, there were no actual farmlands.
No wonder they needed funding from the Fire Daimyō. Given Konoha's situation, it could not even be self-sufficient.
Why was the excellent land in the Forest of Death not cultivated into fertile fields?
This made Seiryū feel that it was a terrible waste, such a large piece of land left unused.
Oh, wait. Wasn't this area created by the First Hokage using Wood Release?
Then forget it.
Since it was a relic left behind by a predecessor, it should indeed be preserved.
Still, Konoha's administration truly did not know how to make money.
They could completely develop the Forest of Death into a tourist attraction and charge admission fees.
This place had been created using Wood Release by the legendary shinobi Senju Hashirama, the God of Shinobi and First Hokage.
Just saying that would already attract people.
They could even add a selling point, claiming that the secrets of Wood Release were hidden within the Forest of Death. Believe it or not, not only Konoha, but all the other villages would be interested.
Wouldn't the money just come pouring in?
Kurenai found it strange that Seiryū had been silent for so long. "Seiryū, what are you thinking about? You're so absorbed."
Seiryū slowly exhaled. "I just thought of another dream. Do you think there's any potential in leasing out the Forest of Death as a tourist attraction and charging admission? I even thought of a name. Forest of Death, Five-Star Scenic Area."
Kurenai fell silent.
What was wrong with Seiryū's brain? He kept coming up with dreams, and every single one was outrageous.
Opening a shop, becoming an astronaut, achieving peace in the ninja world, and now leasing the Forest of Death.
What kind of person had that many dreams?
Dreams were not silver coins. Having more did not make them better.
Since he was her brother, she decided to humor him. Kurenai felt she was being quite understanding and replied, "That would cost a lot of money. I don't think your savings are enough. And aren't you still planning to open a shop?"
Seiryū replied calmly, "I don't know when the ramen shop will open. You have to choose the right timing to do business. What if I lose money? There's no rush."
Once again, Kurenai felt how terrifying habit was. She was already used to Seiryū's behavior. She continued playing along. "So when are you planning to open it?"
Seiryū pretended to be shocked. "Are you crazy? How old am I? Have you ever seen a boss who's only a few years old?"
Kurenai froze for a moment. She reminded herself not to get angry and retorted, "I'm not crazy, you are. And who even has that many dreams?"
Seiryū pointed at himself. "Why not? I do. Kurenai, don't judge others by your own perspective. Some people are just that amazing. They can have several dreams."
Kurenai sighed softly. "Sigh. My fault. I shouldn't have tried to argue with you."
She realized that trying to understand Seiryū's way of thinking was impossible.
She would stop arguing with him about such things. It was too exhausting.
Seiryū rubbed Kurenai's small head and laughed cheerfully. "You should learn from me. More dreams mean more paths. If one doesn't work out, switch to another. This is called a staged dream. Who knows, maybe one of them will coincidentally come true. Then this life won't be wasted."
Kurenai slapped his hand away and glared at him. She realized Seiryū was deliberately teasing her and huffed. "Hmph. I don't want to talk to you right now."
Seiryū pointed forward. "Are you sure? We've already arrived at the hot spring inn. Do you want to pay for yourself?"
Kurenai's expression immediately fell. She pouted and decided not to let pride get in the way of money. "I take back what I just said."
Seiryū laughed loudly. "Hahaha."
"Ahhh. You're so annoying. Why are you like this? You only know how to bully me."
"Alright, alright. I won't tease you anymore. Let's go enjoy the hot springs."
Seiryū smiled, stopped teasing her, and led Kurenai toward the hot spring inn.
Clatter. Bang. Bang.
Just as they reached the entrance, Seiryū heard a commotion from inside. It sounded like things being smashed, accompanied by screams, angry shouts, and furious curses.
"Ah. Someone's peeping."
"Quick, catch him."
"Damn it. How dare he cause trouble on my turf. Don't let him get away."
In the next moment, wooden basins, ladles, soap, and cups flew out from inside the inn.
Then, a miserable figure rushed out, clutching his head.
It was a young man with long white hair, wearing a red haori and wooden clogs. His left eye was swollen and bruised purple, as if he had been punched. He sprinted away in panic, not daring to stop even as objects struck his back.
Seiryū fell silent.
What a familiar sense of déjà vu.
First, there was Uchiha Obito, the King of Lateness. Now, there was this peeping tom. The traits of these people were always so obvious.
That outfit was far too distinctive. As far as Seiryū remembered, no one else dressed like that except a certain Pervy Sage.
Although his face was not Jiraiya's, shinobi knew Transformation Jutsu. Who would use their real face when peeping?
There was no doubt about it. This was at least ninety percent likely to be Jiraiya, one of the Sannin.
Interesting. Meeting Jiraiya like this really suited his character.
Time to leave a deep impression.
"In broad daylight, under the clear sky, how dare you commit such a filthy act. How could a degenerate like you appear in Konoha Village? You are truly disgracing Konoha."
Seiryū instantly became a righteous young man, standing on the moral high ground. Helping the people was a virtue every Konoha resident should possess.
As soon as he finished speaking, Seiryū erupted chakra through his legs. Using the recoil, his speed surged forward, and his figure flashed as he appeared directly in front of the man.
He threw a punch straight at the man's face.
"Hm?"
The white-haired man was startled. He had not expected someone to chase from behind while another blocked him from the front.
Someone was attacking him.
A quick glance revealed a red-haired little kid.
Oh, a good-hearted kid.
This brat had a sense of justice. The old man's education was not bad. But he was still too green.
How could he, the great Jiraiya of the Sannin, be struck by a kid who had not even finished growing his hair?
More importantly, his identity could not be exposed. He was one of the Sannin. How embarrassing would it be if his peeping were revealed?
"Not bad, kid, but…" Jiraiya grinned and raised his right hand, intending to catch Seiryū's punch and escape.
Before he could finish speaking, his expression changed.
The moment their fists met, a strangely familiar sensation surged through him.
Was this Tsunade's Monster Strength Fist?
Not good. I underestimated him.
"You despicable degenerate, how dare you resist?" Seiryū shouted righteously, fully committed to his role.
As the punch landed, chakra instantly surged and exploded from his fist. Enhanced by the Monster Strength Fist, it smashed through Jiraiya's blocking hand and slammed directly into his other eye.
Bang.
After taking that punch, Jiraiya's Transformation Jutsu was immediately dispelled. The blow was heavy enough to force him back to his original appearance.
Both eyes were now bruised black and purple, perfectly symmetrical.
Jiraiya grimaced in pain.
What kind of monster was this kid?
Could he be Tsunade's disciple?
He had never heard of such a thing.
But now was not the time to think about that.
He absolutely could not let anyone find out that Jiraiya, disciple of the Hokage, one of the Sannin, and the Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku, was a peeping tom.
Poof.
Almost the instant his transformation ended, Jiraiya quickly formed a hand seal, and his entire body vanished in a puff of white smoke.
(To be continued.)
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