Chapter 12: A Sage's Bargain
"What... what's going on...?" Ryouma stared dumbfounded at Jiraiya, who had appeared so early in the plot. But after a moment's thought, he figured it out. Jiraiya had undertaken countless missions; his presence here wasn't actually that surprising.
However, when Ryouma remembered Jiraiya's other title, the "Pervy Sage," he instinctively stepped in front of Hinata, shielding her from view.
"Oh, it's you. I didn't expect to meet you here," Kurenai said, seeming to recognize Jiraiya from a previous encounter.
Jiraiya nodded in acknowledgment, his eyes briefly scanning the wary Vulture before settling on Ryouma and the other two genin. His expression turned serious. "Although I'm here, it's best not to let these three subordinates stay. The leader of the enemy we're facing next is... troublesome."
"What? Even you say that..." Hearing Jiraiya's assessment, Kurenai understood the opponent must be formidably strong. She turned to her team. "In that case, you three head back to the Land of Tea. Wait for me at the teahouse we passed on our way here. I'll stay and assist Lord Jiraiya."
"Oh, okay! We'll leave right away!" Ryouma couldn't hide his relief. He was ready to grab Hinata and get away from this impending danger immediately.
"Wait a minute." Jiraiya's hand shot out, grabbing Ryouma by the collar. He narrowed his eyes, studying the young man. "You seem awfully eager to run away. That scared of dying?"
"Teacher Kurenai ordered us to leave, so we naturally obey," Ryouma replied, trying to keep his voice steady. "Besides, we'd just be useless here anyway."
Jiraiya scratched his head. "Fine, fine, go on then." He released Ryouma and turned his attention back to Kurenai. "Just outside, I caught a member of the Blood Gate. He's a traitor from Konoha. Do you recognize him?" As he spoke, he dumped the unconscious man in black onto the floor.
Kurenai took a closer look and gasped. "What? It's him! Naraku Ryosuke?!"
"Holy—! Who?!" Ryouma, who had just reached the doorway, stumbled and nearly fell flat on his face.
He hadn't forgotten the system's second mission: eliminate Naraku Ryosuke. His sensitivity to that name was off the charts.
"What? You know him?" Jiraiya looked surprised, then stroked his stubbly chin in thought. "Well, you're a Konoha ninja too, I suppose it's not strange you'd know of him."
"You... you killed him?" Ryouma's heart pounded. *That's 300 Almighty Points! Gone just like that? And I'd get a 100-point penalty?*
Wait, no. If points were deducted, the system would have notified me. No prompt means Naraku Ryosuke isn't dead yet!
"No, I just knocked him out," Jiraiya said, watching Ryouma's reaction with growing curiosity. This kid seems unusually concerned about Naraku Ryosuke. Is there some history between them?
Hearing the traitor was still alive, Ryouma sighed in relief internally. But a new problem arose: how to finish the job and claim the head? Furthermore, his conspicuous concern had already drawn Jiraiya's suspicion. Saying more might only make the legendary Sannin distrust him further.
As Ryouma and Jiraiya were locked in their respective thoughts, Hinata gently tugged on Ryouma's sleeve. "Ryouma-nii, what's wrong?"
"Oh, it's nothing." Ryouma snapped out of it, quickly schooling his features back to normal, though his mind was racing, unable to calm down.
Just as he was about to leave, an idea struck him. He turned back to Jiraiya. "Lord Jiraiya, may I have a word with you in private?"
Jiraiya heard him, gave Ryouma a deep, appraising look, then nodded. "Sure."
"Hinata, wait here for me. I'll be right back."
"O-okay..."
In a secluded corridor, Jiraiya looked down at the youthful ninja before him with an amused smile. "So, kid, what's this about? Got some 'life advice' you need from me?"
"Lord Jiraiya," Ryouma began, putting on his most 'sincere' expression, his eyes wide and earnest. "Naraku Ryosuke... he's the man who murdered my family. I beg you, please hand him over to me. Of course, you can interrogate him for any information you need first. Would that be possible?" He bowed his head slightly. "Please, Lord Jiraiya!"
"Oh? Is that so..." Jiraiya frowned, adopting a tone of feigned difficulty. "But he's a Konoha rogue ninja. According to protocol, he should be delivered to the Hokage for judgment..." As he spoke, he glanced meaningfully at Ryouma.
Seeing Jiraiya's act and that telling glance, Ryouma almost laughed. He knew Jiraiya's character perfectly well. The man was no stickler for rules. His expression clearly said he was open to negotiation—for a price.
But what do I have that he'd want? Ryouma wracked his brain.
"Ahem, no, no, this is a serious matter! I can't just let it slide. I need to take that Naraku Ryosuke back to Konoha and hand him over to the Third Hokage!" Jiraiya insisted, though his eyes still held that expectant glint. He was waiting for Ryouma to make an offer.
"Lord Jiraiya," Ryouma said, lowering his voice after a moment's desperate thought. "If you can hand him over to me... I... I can give you information about the Akatsuki organization!"
It was a risky move, but the 300 Almighty Points from eliminating Ryosuke were worth the gamble.
The moment the words "Akatsuki organization" left Ryouma's mouth, Jiraiya's playful demeanor vanished. His face grew stern, all traces of levity gone. "Boy," he said, his voice low and serious, "how do you know about Akatsuki?"
"Lord Jiraiya, I often have... dreams. Dreams that are like premonitions. I saw things about the Akatsuki organization in one of them." Ryouma spun a tale, drawing on every excuse he'd ever used to skip school for internet cafes—plausible and well-practiced. In the original Naruto story, the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku possessed the ability to see the future in his dreams, so the concept wasn't entirely foreign.
"Oh? Really?" Jiraiya wasn't fully convinced, but he couldn't outright dismiss it. How else would a young genin know about Akatsuki? It was a secret even most chunin in Konoha were unaware of.
"Tell me, what exactly did you dream about regarding Akatsuki?"
"First, the matter of Naraku Ryosuke..." Ryouma pressed, not letting go of his primary objective.
"If the information you provide checks out," Jiraiya conceded, "then you can take Naraku Ryosuke."