"How did you trick Uncle Fugaku?"
Jokichi looked surprised.
The Sharingan's observational ability is extraordinary, able to see many things invisible to the naked eye.
No matter how amazing Jiraiya was, it was impossible to create traces that could deceive the heavens in such a short time.
"Leaving obvious traces on one side, while leaving hard-to-detect traces on the other. Normal thinking would assume the obvious traces were deliberately made to deceive people. This is the so-called 'darkness under the lamp', right!" Jiraiya smiled faintly.
"The Uchiha clan's Sharingan is indeed amazing, but they rely too much on the Sharingan."
"Amazing!"
Jokichi praised from the bottom of his heart.
The rich life experience of these veterans who survived the battlefield was not something a junior like him could compare to.
"Since you know how amazing I am, stop pestering me. I have to hurry and gather new material."
Saying that, Jiraiya turned around and prepared to leave.
"Wait!"
Jokichi stopped him.
Jiraiya's body paused.
He looked back and asked, "Is there anything else?"
After speaking, as if thinking of something, he said preemptively, "Let me state this beforehand, I don't take disciples."
"Pfft, who wants to be an old pervert's disciple!"
"I told you I'm not a pervert!" Jiraiya's hair stood on end.
"So annoying!"
Jokichi's face turned serious, and he assumed an attacking posture toward him.
"Come and fight me!"
"No."
Jiraiya firmly refused.
He crossed his arms over his chest, turned his head to the side, acting out of spite like a child.
"Why do I have to fight a kid I don't even know!"
"You're one of the legendary Sannin, right! Don't be so stingy!"
"Hah! To actually be recognized by a kid, I didn't expect myself to be quite famous!"
Jiraiya smoothed his hair, looking narcissistic.
"..."
The corner of Jokichi's mouth twitched unnaturally.
When watching the anime, he only found it funny. But in reality, seeing an old man being so narcissistic, he inwardly only wanted to hit him.
However, with a master of his level, if he was dead set on hiding from him, there was really nothing he could do.
So, endure, I must endure.
A so-called ninja is one who knows how to endure.
Jokichi tried hard to calm his mood and complimented, "It's exactly because I saw that you are one of the legendary Sannin that I wanted to fight you, to see what I amount to."
"You have quite high standards for a kid!" Jiraiya crossed his arms over his chest, looking at him from the corner of his eye.
"An ordinary person, upon learning my identity, even if they didn't stand respectfully behind me, wouldn't dare have such an offending thought."
"Because I am very strong," Jokichi said confidently.
"I could tell from the chase earlier, however..." Jiraiya nodded, then changed the subject, "Why should I help you?"
Yes, why should I help you?
Just because you're a Konoha ninja?
Just because you're a genius?
Are you kidding?
There are so many Konoha ninjas, and quite a few geniuses, why should I help you in particular?
Not to mention, Jiraiya once said to Orochimaru: Compared to teaching a genius, I prefer teaching someone without talent. Teaching a mediocre person to become successful is much more fun.
Jiraiya had seen countless people in his life.
It was impossible for him to help Jokichi for these reasons.
Jokichi also understood this reasoning.
He thought for a moment, a flash of inspiration hitting him, and snapped his fingers. "Wait a moment."
Saying that, he turned his back and pretended to tinker with something.
Jiraiya was very curious, standing on tiptoes wanting to peek, but was always intentionally or unintentionally blocked by Jokichi's back.
"Done."
Jokichi put on a show, took the Harem Simulator out of the system space, turned around, and handed it to Jiraiya.
"I'll give this to you, will you fight me?"
"What is this?"
Looking at this high-tech helmet, Jiraiya scratched his chin, looking puzzled.
He had traveled the ninja world for a long time and had seen many modern technological products.
However, he had never seen such an exquisite technological item.
"This is a helmet I made combining modern technology and Genjutsu. Put it on and you can enter a simulated mental world, there are all kinds of beautiful women inside!"
"Really?"
Jiraiya's eyes lit up, as if he had seen some rare treasure, saliva even drooling out.
"You can try the goods first. If it doesn't meet your requirements, you can refuse my request."
"Then hurry up."
"Just press this switch after putting it on. If you want to exit, there will be prompts inside."
Jokichi handed the helmet to Jiraiya and taught him how to use it.
The usage method was very simple; Jiraiya understood it after hearing it once.
He instantly couldn't wait to put on the helmet and enter the game.
Soon, a lewd smile appeared on his face, and he even shouted things like "Oh yeah, oh yeah", making Jokichi look speechless.
However...
Looking at Jiraiya addicted to the game, Jokichi pondered slightly.
If I pull two hairs from him now, he probably wouldn't notice, right!
And, to have so little guard in front of someone whose name he doesn't even know, should I say he's confident, or arrogant?
Or is it trust towards a Konoha ninja?
No, it's probably confidence in his own judgment of people!
He knows I won't hurt him!
Recalling Jiraiya's life, this man always gave full trust to the people he acknowledged. Even if betrayed, he never changed.
"What an incredible man!"
Jokichi sighed inwardly.
Suddenly, Jiraiya fainted straight away, thick blood flowing from his nose.
"..."
Jokichi fell silent for a moment, sighing, "I take back my previous thought."
Afterwards, Jokichi pulled a few hairs from Jiraiya, then took the helmet and put it away.
"Although I really wanted to give this to you as a gift, considering your health, I think I'll keep it."
Saying goodbye to Jiraiya, Jokichi turned and left.
A long while later, Jiraiya suddenly sat up.
He glanced in the direction Jokichi left, then at his own hair, and pinched his mouth, falling into deep thought.
What exactly does this kid mean?
...
Jokichi returned to his courtyard.
He glanced at the Magikarp in the pond; it was blowing bubbles very fast.
Mhm! Very healthy.
Jokichi nodded, glanced at the crow zoning out in the tree again, smiled, opened the door, and entered the dojo.
Closed the door, turned on the lights.
Jokichi took out Jiraiya's hair, and the system's prompt instantly sounded in his mind.
[Ding! Detected special material "Madman's Hair", can forge special items "Toad Spirit", "Stone of Nature", "Strongest Teacher", "Pervert Glasses". Do you wish to forge?]
"Madman..."
Jokichi pondered slightly.
"It seems Orochimaru did say that Jiraiya was once called the Konoha Madman. However, as one of the Sannin, his body tissues can only forge four items. This difference is too big, isn't it!"