Naruto: Pay-to-Win Ninja System

At this moment, in the Konoha bathhouse...

A group of female Kunoichi, drenched in sweat and steam, were joyfully playing around inside the mist-filled hot spring pool.

Not a single soul noticed.

In a small hole within the wooden fence far away, a pair of wide-open "toad eyes" were shamelessly feasting on the inner scenery.

"Hehehe!"

"This is great, really great!"

"That one's body is also amazing!"

"Aha! More inspiration! My novel has new material again!"

A series of lewd laughter came from this middle-aged white-haired man.

That steady trickle of blood and wiggling backside told the whole story.

Just how excited Jiraiya was at this moment.

Just then... a hand suddenly clapped onto his shoulder.

"Don't disturb me! I'm busy right now!"

Jiraiya waved his hand impatiently, trying to chase away the interruption.

"Jiraiya-sama!"

Kakashi called out.

Upon hearing his own disciple's disciple—and also his loyal fan—Jiraiya immediately stood up and turned around:

"Yo! Kakashi! Long time no see..."

"How did you find me?"

"I heard you came back to the village. So there was a good chance you'd be skulking around near the baths."

Kakashi shrugged his shoulders and replied casually.

"Hahahaha! That's right! Only this place is the sacred land of romance. This is where my inspiration really takes off!"

"So, what do you think of the latest edition of Make Out Paradise? That's my greatest masterpiece ever!"

Jiraiya wiped away his nosebleed with one stroke, proudly bragged.

When it came to Make Out Paradise, Kakashi lit right up.

"Of course! I've reread it ten times already—it's truly a rare gem!"

"Has the latest issue not been released yet?"

"Patience, patience! It'll be out soon enough. I'm still gathering materials right now!"

Jiraiya lifted his nose high, clearly very pleased with himself.

Don't let his sketchy way of research fool you.

In the literary world, he really did have genuine talent.

His ongoing adult-rated novel Make Out Paradise had become a bestseller across more than ten countries.

Even the rulers of petty kingdoms counted themselves among his devoted fans!

Furthermore, thanks to these novels, he raked in huge royalties.

Making him filthy rich in the process...

Of course, though this legendary Sannin known as Jiraiya seemed carefree and shamelessly flirtatious most of the time,

When it came to matters of right and wrong, or issues of critical importance,

He always knew how to keep things in check.

Only half an hour more of 'research', after those young female kunoichi finished their bath and a group of older women entered—

Jiraiya voluntarily ended his "research session."

Then, he moved to a small tavern and finally began discussing serious business with Kakashi.

"When did you return, Jiraiya-sama?"

"Just today."

"The Third really went all out—sending so many ninjas looking for me everywhere, spreading messages, posting announcements, offering rewards... I even thought something major happened in the village..."

Jiraiya sipped his little cup of sake, chuckled with a wry smile.

It was a shame he had rushed back immediately upon hearing the news, almost believing Konoha was about to be destroyed!

As for the earlier incident of the Uchiha Clan's defection, he had heard about it.

But he hadn't paid much attention.

After all, Konoha was built upon the strength of over ten renowned clans from the Ninja World.

Losing one clan like the Uchiha wasn't really that big of a deal.

Moreover, given how poorly Konoha had treated the Uchiha Clan, he had predicted something like this would happen long ago.

Truth was, he'd gotten tired of the constant power struggles in the village.

And with his only two close friends having already left, he had intentionally departed on his journey.

Don't worry — I didn't leave just to chase after new writing material.

"What about you, Kakashi? Still with Anbu?"

"Yes."

"Anbu doesn't suit you. Staying in there forever won't bring you peace..."

Jiraiya advised gently.

After all, in the Ninja World, there were no psychological counselors nor systematic post-war trauma rehabilitation.

All pain had to be endured alone.

If you couldn't bear it anymore, you simply collapsed—just that straightforward...

Therefore, throwing oneself into obsessive training or getting lost in busy Anbu missions was nothing but an escape.

"I..."

Kakashi hesitated slightly but didn't argue.

He also knew he couldn't keep going like this forever.

But often enough, inner wounds weren't easily healed with just a few comforting words.

"It's alright. You're still young; slowly change. You're Minato's prized student—you'll make it through eventually!"

"Oh, by the way, how's that kid Naruto doing lately?"

"Naruto... He..."

Kakashi paused, unsure exactly how to respond.

After all, he couldn't just say:

Right now, Naruto was living in total poverty, completely alone, surviving mostly on expired instant noodles and old milk, only scraping by thanks to the small allowance from the Third Hokage...

To be honest, Naruto's life was even worse off than those kids at the Orphanage.

Kakashi also couldn't understand why The Third insisted on putting Naruto through such hardship...

Even as training, it seemed excessively cruel for a child.

"He's fine. Still alive."

"That's good, that's good!"

Jiraiya chuckled, not thinking much of it.

In his mind, given Minato's status and contributions, the village surely wouldn't mistreat the son of a hero too harshly.

When the time was right, he'd personally step in to train Naruto and see whether the boy wanted to walk the same path as his father and become a 'Toad Ninja.'

"By the way, Jiraiya-sama, what exactly does the village plan to do this time?"

"You mean we're going to war?"

"You already know?"

"You could tell at a glance."

Jiraiya smirked lightly. After all, he had lived in the village since childhood, spending decades growing up here.

He knew every inch of this place.

Upon returning, just looking at the outer defenses, troop movements inside the village, and how supplies were being handed out — you could easily feel the air of coming war.

"So then… who are we fighting?"

"I don't know."

"But according to speculation, it should be Iwagakure Village!"

"One of the Five Great Hidden Villages?"

"Sarutobi-sama really made a bold decision!"

Jiraiya sighed.

From what he remembered, his lecherous mentor Sarutobi had gradually become more conservative and cautious in style after growing older.

He wouldn't normally provoke conflict between major hidden villages just because of one attack, would he?

"Two weeks ago, on that night, Koharu Utatane also died during the invasion."

"The suspect is Akatsuki, an organization believed to have close ties with Iwagakure Village..."

"What! Did Koharu Utatane also die violently?"

Jiraiya's heart nearly leapt into his throat.

Obviously, Konoha's information blockade worked quite well.

At the same time, this explained why Sarutobi was so enraged.

After all, they were comrades-in-arms from the same generation!

Just like himself—if Tsunade and Orochimaru were killed, he'd certainly seek revenge at any cost!

Although that guy Orochimaru probably won't die easily...

"What about now? Is Lord Third still in the village? When will the war begin? He summoned me back—surely not to make me the damned front-line general?"

Kakashi: "Hokage-sama secretly departed for Sunagakure two weeks ago seeking alliance."

"If the negotiations go smoothly..."

"The moment Hokage returns will be when the great battle begins."

Hearing that, Jiraiya downed half his cup of sake in one gulp, mood darkening visibly.

"Ah! Another war..."

"Wars only breed more blood feuds!"

Kakashi: "If we don't fight, hostile Hidden Villages will grow increasingly aggressive..."

Jiraiya, flushed and dazed, muttered a prayer:

"I know, I know."

"I just hope this time there'll be fewer casualties and it ends quickly."

In Jiraiya's book,

What good was war compared to peeping on gorgeous kunoichi bathing and getting divine inspiration for his novels?

Why couldn't the whole damn ninja world just lay down their weapons and read his literary genius instead?

It's not perversion—it's the Way of Love and Peace!

However, while both were chatting freely, slightly drunk,

An Anbu ninja rushed into the tavern and reported to Jiraiya:

"Jiraiya-sama!"

"Hokage-sama has returned and is summoning you immediately to Hokage Tower for an important discussion!"

Upon hearing this, Jiraiya and Kakashi were instantly startled, their drunkenness vanishing in an instant.

They exchanged glances, both understanding—

This great battle was likely about to begin right away.

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