While Sasuke was learning Chidori with Kakashi, at the Uzumaki's household.
The quiet hum of the Uzumaki household was broken only by the soft clink of porcelain.
Kushina leaned forward gracefully, placing the steaming cup of tea in front of the tall white-haired man seated opposite her, a faintest smirk tugged at her lips.
Jiraiya accepted it with both hands, bowing his head slightly.
"Thanks, Kushina," He murmured before taking a careful sip.
The bitterness of the tea lingered on his tongue, but what stung more was the silence between them. His gaze shifted briefly to the window, where sunlight trickled in.
"…It's been a long time, hasn't it?" His voice carried an uncharacteristic weight. His usual boisterous tone seemed muted, almost fragile. "The last time I saw you… Minato was still—"
He stopped himself, the words catching in his throat. His heart clenched as memories flashed through his head... of Minato's determined smile, Kushina's fiery laughter, the boy they never got to raise together.
Kushina caught the hesitation. For a moment, her crimson eyes softened, but she quickly masked it with a teasing grin. "Hmph, no need to stop halfway, Jiraiya-sensei. I know what you were about to say."
She leaned back, folding her arms. "Minato was still alive, and I was still the fiery red tomato you loved to tease."
Jiraiya's lips twitched. "You're still fiery… maybe even more terrifying now."
Her laughter rang through the room, bright and disarming. "Flattery won't save you, you old fool."
He chuckled, shaking his head, then quickly steered the conversation elsewhere. "So… Naruto. How's the kid doing? I heard he's been making quite a name for himself during the exams."
At that, Kushina's entire expression lit up. Her chest swelled with pride as she straightened. "He's doing wonderfully. Already passed three tests... and his last one's coming soon."
She clasped her hands together, eyes sparkling. "He's got Minato's looks, his charisma, and his talents. Works harder than anyone, always helping his friends train."
Her lips curved into a mischievous smile. "And unlike a certain someone I know, he's already popular with the ladies."
Jiraiya nearly choked on his tea. He coughed into his sleeve, his face reddening. "Oi, oi, oi.... did you really have to go there?!"
Kushina arched a brow, clearly enjoying herself. "Why not? Truth hurts, doesn't it?"
"I'll have you know," Jiraiya countered, puffing his chest with mock dignity, "back in my day, women lined up for me! I was a heartthrob, a legend, the gallant Jiraiya-sama!"
Kushina's eyes narrowed, her grin widening wickedly. "Uh-huh. And now you're just a lonely old man peeping into bathhouses to remind yourself of those days."
"Wha—hey!" Jiraiya slammed his palm on the table, though there was no real anger in it. His ears burned crimson as he pointed at her. "That's uncalled for!"
"True, though." Kushina winked.
For a moment, silence followed. Then Jiraiya slumped back, rubbing his temple, muttering, "Why do I even come here? She'll be the death of me one day…"
Yet beneath his grumbling, warmth filled his chest. Seeing her laugh again and teasing him like the old days, it almost made him forget the weight of everything.
But Kushina, though smiling, felt a pang in her heart too. She masked it with her banter, but deep inside she was glad he came.
Jiraiya was a link to the past.
"Still…" She said more softly, her voice losing some of its sharpness. "Thank you for coming today. So, Hokage-sama have asked you to be Naruto's teacher. I might tease you, Jiraiya, but… I trust you."
Jiraiya froze for a moment, staring at her. The sincerity in her words caught him off guard. His chest tightened. He looked away, scratching his cheek awkwardly. "Hah… You don't have to say things like that. Just makes this old man all… sentimental."
Kushina tilted her head, a sly smile returning. "Oh? I thought you liked hearing pretty words from pretty women."
That made him choke again. "You—! Still as sharp-tongued as ever."
"Always," Kushina said proudly, sipping her tea.
Just then, the sound of the front door creaking open echoed through the house.
"I'm home!" Naruto's voice carried in, loud and casual, like always.
The boy stepped into the living room, hands shoved in his pockets, his blond hair slightly messy as if he'd just wrestled with the wind outside. His sharp blue eyes immediately caught sight of the stranger lounging in the living room.
Naruto stopped dead in his tracks, his brows arching.
"Oh? We got a guest…" He muttered, pretending to be surprised though deep down, he already knew. His senses had picked up Jiraiya's chakra the moment he approached the house. 'So that's the famous "Legendary Sannin"? Hmph… doesn't look like much to me.'
Kushina, who had been practically glowing with excitement, waved her hand with a wide grin.
"Naruto! Come here, come here!" She called warmly, motioning her son over. "I'll introduce you properly. This—"
She pointed dramatically at the man — "is Jiraiya. Your father's teacher. A Legendary Sannin."
Naruto's eyes shifted up and down, taking in the white-haired man's flamboyant red haori, his wooden sandals, and the odd headband that looked like it belonged more at a festival than on a battlefield. His
"This guy?" Naruto's lips twitched and he asked bluntly, his tone carrying a mix of curiosity and mischief. He tilted his head, squinting as though inspecting a questionable piece of fruit at the market. "He's really my dad's teacher? Doesn't… look like a decent one."
Jiraiya's face stiffened and a vein pulsed on his forehead as his grin faltered into a strained twitch.
"…Heh. This brat…"
Kushina burst out laughing, clutching her stomach. "Pfft! Naruto! Hahaha! You're just like me. Already poking at him!"
She slapped her thigh, clearly enjoying herself.
Jiraiya's eye twitched. 'Just like Kushina, huh? Great. That means he's going to be a handful.'
Straightening up with an exaggerated flourish, Jiraiya decided to take back the stage. He stomped once, leaping onto the center table with a loud thud, making the cups rattle. He flung his arms wide, his long white mane spilling behind him like a lion's mane as he boomed:"I am Jiraiya the Gallant! The Toad Sage! Master of unrivaled ninjutsu and the man of irresistible charm!"
His voice practically shook the walls, and he struck a ridiculous pose, chin up, nose high, one hand raised like he was expecting applause.
Naruto just stood there, utterly unimpressed. He blinked twice and then deadpanned. "…Please tell me you don't actually summon a frog in this house."
Kushina slapped her forehead with mock despair.
"Naruto!" She scolded between giggles.
Jiraiya coughed, awkward but still puffing up his chest. "I could summon one if I wanted to! But out of respect for your furniture, I'm refraining. Be grateful!"
Naruto folded his arms, tilting his head. His lips curved into a sly smirk as he delivered the killing blow. "Yeah, no thanks. I already learned something from you, though."
Jiraiya blinked. "Huh?"
Naruto jabbed a thumb at him, smirking like a fox. "What NOT to learn."
The boy let out a playful laugh, shaking his head. "That dramatic posing, yelling about yourself like a maniac, standing on the table… all that childish stuff? It's just asking for someone to come over and smack you in the head. Honestly, you look like an old man trying to be cool in front of kids."
Kushina gasped, her laughter nearly tipping her over the sofa. "Naruto! Hahaha! Stop... pfft! You're killing me!"
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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