Jiraiya's mouth gaped in shock, his mind replaying the scene of his first meeting with Keiko.
Her kind and approachable face made it hard to imagine that she was once a battle-hardened Ninja.
Hiruzen picked up the short blade, walked over to Jiraiya, who was still somewhat stunned, and handed it to him.
"She entrusted this blade to me. She hoped that at the right time, it would be given to Chizhao."
Jiraiya took the unique short blade with both hands, a sense of respect rising in his heart.
"Why didn't she give it to her herself?"
"Perhaps she didn't want the child to know about her bloody past. Everyone, more or less, harbors their own secrets, don't they?"
Jiraiya silently gazed at the blade, unsure if Hiruzen's words carried a hidden meaning or if they were merely unintentional.
"Since she doesn't have Chakra, then focus on training her Taijutsu and Kenjutsu, doing your best to enhance her self-preservation abilities. Therefore, now is the best time to give her this blade."
"Splash!"
The sound of falling into the water pulled Jiraiya, who was lost in thought, back to reality. He focused his eyes.
He saw Chizhao sitting in the river in a disheveled state, and several plump fish were impaled on the short blade.
A happy Chizhao held up her spoils of war, showing them off to Jiraiya.
"Master, look! We can have grilled fish!"
Seeing this scene, a 'well' symbol appeared on Jiraiya's forehead, and he angrily walked over and gave her a smack on the head.
"You're using such a good blade to spear fish?! What a prodigal! You better practice your swordsmanship!"
.........
"I didn't expect this fish to be so fragrant..."
Chizhao looked speechlessly at Jiraiya, who was smacking his lips. Just moments ago, he had looked like he was disappointed in her, but now he was happily enjoying the grilled fish she had made.
Was this the so-called "true incense law"?
Chizhao took a bite of the grilled fish, which was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and her eyes narrowed in delight.
"Oh, right, Chizhao, you said today that you're already 5 years old?"
Jiraiya looked at the girl opposite him, realizing that he still hadn't really gotten to know his disciple. As a Master, he was truly negligent.
"Five and a half." She said without looking up, continuing to gnaw on the fish in her hand.
"That's almost the age to attend the Ninja Academy. It seems my time with you won't be much longer."
Chizhao chewed on the fish, looking up at Jiraiya across from her with a puzzled expression: "Are you leaving when I go to school?"
"Because I still have things I haven't finished, but I will still come back to see you."
Jiraiya tossed the fishbone into the fire and happily picked up another grilled fish.
Indeed, Jiraiya couldn't stay by her side forever. Moreover, Naruto didn't even know Jiraiya yet. If the future timeline was disrupted, who knew what kind of trouble it would cause.
Just like that, a day of training concluded perfectly amidst the aroma of grilled fish.
"Granny, I'm home~"
Chizhao returned home with the short blade on her back. When Aihara Keiko saw the short blade behind Chizhao, her expression subtly changed, then quickly hid behind a smile, praising it intentionally or unintentionally:
"This blade is so beautiful. Did Lord Jiraiya give it to you?"
She took the short blade off her back, caressing the scabbard, her face full of joy.
"Yes, Master said it's a very strong blade and told me to practice more."
Keiko squatted down, looking at the short blade in Chizhao's hand, her eyes reflecting different emotions.
She gently stroked the scabbard with her finger, a soft light inadvertently appearing in her eyes.
"If you have any difficulties with your practice, you can tell me."
Keiko stood up, gazing gently at the girl.
"Eh?! Granny also uses a blade?"
"Have you forgotten that I used to be an intelligence member of the Hidden Sand Village Anbu? I still have some life-saving skills..."
Chizhao's eyes immediately lit up.
"Okay! Anyway, Master might not have time to train with me in the future, so I'll ask Granny then!"
Keiko patted Chizhao's little head: "No problem!"
The days of training passed little by little with time, and the seasons also changed a full cycle unknowingly.
Under Chizhao's unremitting efforts, the foundation of the wooden house finally took shape, and her swordsmanship also improved daily. Jiraiya looked at everything before him and nodded with satisfaction.
He calculated that the time was about right; it was time for him to leave.
On the day the tree branches sprouted tender buds, he called Chizhao to him, took out three-color dango he had bought on the street, and looked proud.
"I waited in line for a long time to buy these, you know! Hurry and try them!"
Chizhao looked at the three-color dango in Jiraiya's hand with a surprised expression, unceremoniously picked up one skewer, and sat on the ground to taste it.
"Mmm~ So sweet, delicious!"
Jiraiya also sat cross-legged beside Chizhao. Seeing her eat so happily, he also took a skewer and put it in his mouth, chewing with a satisfied expression.
"It was worth this old man waiting in such a long line."
After finishing the three-color dango, Chizhao bit the bamboo skewer and looked at Jiraiya beside her with a puzzled expression.
"Why did you suddenly buy three-color dango today?"
Jiraiya's gaze lingered on the neat foundation. He ate the last dango and pulled out a small bird carved from wood from his bag.
"Starting tomorrow, you'll be attending the Ninja Academy. This is a gift to celebrate your entry into the path of a Ninja."
Chizhao carefully took the wooden carving from Jiraiya's hand, her eyes sparkling with joy.
This small bird was petite and exquisite, with an elegant posture.
Its head was slightly raised, and its small, pointed beak was tightly closed.
Its round eyes were carved to be bright and lively, deep and agile, as if containing an infinite yearning for the sky.
Chizhao caressed the patterns on the wooden carving with great affection, but at the same time, she remembered what Jiraiya had said earlier, and felt a little lost.
"Does that mean Master, you're leaving too?"
"People always have to grow, and separation is also for a better reunion. I believe the next time we meet, you will definitely be an excellent female Ninja!"
Jiraiya flashed a confident smile, gave a thumbs-up, and winked at Chizhao.
Greatly encouraged, she recovered her mood. She gripped the sōran at her side, looked at the foundation by the river, and stood up full of vigor.
"Yosh! I will definitely complete my training, become strong, and protect the people around me!"
Jiraiya nodded, looking around.
"This is a good place. Whether you're training or not, you can always come here."
"I'll definitely come often, because my little wooden house is here!"
A slight curve appeared at the corner of Jiraiya's mouth. He relaxed his shoulders as if relieved, pulled out a Membrane Card from his 懷 and held it in front of Chizhao.
"Although I couldn't teach you Ninjutsu, this should be enough. Be sure to use it carefully."
Taking the Membrane Card, the familiar words "Fire Release: Flame Bullet" appeared before her eyes.
In an instant, all the past scenes with her Master flashed through her mind like a slideshow.
Chizhao felt a pang in her nose, and tears involuntarily streamed down her face. She lunged and clung to Jiraiya, sobbing loudly without caring about her image.
"Master, please don't go! What will I do without you supervising my training?! Wuwuwu, don't go, ahhh, wuwuwu..."
Suddenly having a hanger attached to him, Jiraiya frantically tried to pull her off.
"Wait! Why are you crying... Oh, come down! Hey... your snot is on my clothes, ahhh!"
In the end, Jiraiya still left, waving goodbye with a smile, without a hint of reluctance.
He stepped into his wooden clogs and embarked on his journey of writing erotic novels...
At least, that's what Shiratori Chichao believed.