Reborn in the Shinobi World with an Arceus Inside

After finally shooing the villagers away, Kaito gave Jiraiya a light kick.

"You little brat, you really know how to brag, don't you?" Jiraiya flipped to his feet, giving Yamabiko Yuto a huge fright.

"Don't be nervous. Jiraiya and I are partners now," Kaito explained simply, pushing open the door to the tower.

"So, you mean you didn't actually win, Lord Kaito?" Yuto was still a bit confused.

"I didn't win, but I didn't lose either."

"That's how it is," Jiraiya said, clapping him on the shoulder. "We heard what you said earlier. Very impressive."

"Er, thank you for the compliment."

Inside the tower, upon seeing Kaito, Konan immediately rushed forward happily. "Mommy wasn't lying! Big Brother Kaito really did come back!"

Shiori stood behind them, her face equally joyous. "Welcome back, sir."

"Mm," Kaito grunted in acknowledgment, simultaneously extending a finger to press against Konan's forehead, stopping her from pouncing on him. "My clothes are dirty. How about I give you a hug after I've had a bath and changed into a clean set?"

"Oh." Konan turned her head to look at Shiori and said in a sweet, childish voice, "Mommy, then you should hurry up and give Big Brother Kaito a bath."

"Konan, don't say such things," Shiori blushed, pulling her daughter aside. "Lord Kaito, shall I go draw you a bath?"

"Are there any leftovers from dinner? Bring some food up first, I'm starving. Oh, and if there is, bring it all up. We have a guest," Kaito said, pointing at Jiraiya, who had just walked in.

"Wow, what a great beauty!" Jiraiya's eyes lit up the moment he saw Shiori, a pervy grin spreading across his face.

"You're too kind, guest." Shiori smiled, covering her mouth. "There's still plenty of food. I'll go get it right away."

"Let me help you," Jiraiya said, about to follow her, but Kaito pulled him back.

"You're the guest. How could we let you lift a finger? Yuto, you go."

"Yes, sir!"

Dinner wasn't lavish, just some flatbreads with porridge. Jiraiya didn't complain, eating with great relish. "When I'm traveling, I often sleep in the wild. I've eaten insects, snakes, and rats. Compared to that, this is wonderful. I'm very satisfied."

"Insects?" Kaito, having finished his meal, wiped his mouth. "Insects are actually a very good food source. They're rich in protein. You take a bite, the white juices squirt out, it's crunchy, and it tastes like you're eating chicken when you chew..."

"Stop! Don't say any more! I'm getting a mental image!" Looking at the flatbread in his hand, Jiraiya suddenly felt as if there were wriggling insects hidden inside.

"Wasting food is a capital offense," Kaito reminded him, standing up. "Finish up. I'll go prepare you a hot bath."

"Oh, oh, no problem!" Jiraiya's discomfort vanished in a flash, his heart filling with anticipation.

Kaito waved a hand and led Shiori up to the second floor, instructing her, "In a little while, you'll do this, and this, and that... Understand?"

"Are you sure?" Shiori said, biting her lip. "That's not very appropriate."

"What's not appropriate about it? It's exactly what he likes!"

"Ah? Is that so?" She covered her mouth in surprise, but finally nodded. "Alright, I'll make the arrangements."

"I'm counting on you!" Kaito went back down to the first floor, filled the large wooden tub in the bathroom with cold water, then stuck his hand in and activated his Fire Release. In no time, the cold water turned into steaming hot water.

When he came out, Jiraiya had just finished eating. Kaito beckoned to him. "I've arranged everything. You go soak for a while. A beauty will be there to serve you shortly."

"Hehehe, good, good, good!" Jiraiya rubbed his hands together and walked into the bathroom, quickly stripped off his clothes, and jumped into the tub. As the scalding hot water enveloped his entire body, he let out a comfortable sigh. "Ahhh, this is the life."

He closed his eyes, enjoying the rare moment of relaxation in the midst of war, and couldn't help but lose himself in it. As his consciousness blurred, he heard the bathroom door open. Jiraiya chuckled. "Beauty, you've finally arrived."

"Yes, I've come to scrub your back for you, sir," a gentle voice said, sending a shiver down Jiraiya's spine. He eagerly agreed.

Soon, a pair of small hands holding a bath towel began to gently scrub his back. Feeling the occasional touch of skin, Jiraiya's face flushed a deep red.

'Have I, the great Toad Sage, finally reached this day?!'

He couldn't help but reach out and grab the delicate hand on his shoulder...

'Huh? Why does this hand feel... a bit thick? It must be my imagination.' A bad premonition rose in Jiraiya's heart. He slowly turned his head, and when he saw the face of the person behind him, his blood nearly stopped flowing.

This was no beauty. This was a heavy-duty summoning beast that was twice his size!

"I thought you said it was a beauty?!" Jiraiya yelled, his eyes wide.

"Oh, stop it. 'Beauty' is just my little nickname," the beast said, even winking at Jiraiya.

"I-I-I'm done bathing! I'm all clean!"

"That won't do. I promised Lord Kaito that I would serve you well."

As the massive shadow drew closer and closer, Jiraiya let out a bloodcurdling scream. "You, you stay away from me!"

Half an hour later, Jiraiya, looking as if his soul had left his body, was carried up to the second floor by Yamabiko Yuto.

Kaito shook his head and went into the bathroom. "Terrifying. Truly terrifying," he muttered to himself.

He emptied the little remaining water from the tub, refilled it with cold water, and heated it again. After stripping off his clothes, he had just stepped into the water when he heard the door click.

He whipped around and let out a sigh of relief. "Oh, it's you, Big Sis Shiori. I thought... wait, why did you come in?" He hurriedly covered himself.

"Hehe, what are you afraid of? It's not like I'm going to eat you." Shiori covered her mouth and giggled, crouching down. "Lord Kaito, turn around. I'll scrub your back for you."

"No need. I can just wash myself," Kaito refused. He wasn't one to show his 'spear' to just anyone.

"No!" Looking at the "delicate" Kaito, Shiori became uncharacteristically assertive. "I promised Konan I would help you get clean. Besides, you've done so much for us. I want to help you relax a little."

Sensing Shiori's determination, Kaito sighed and relented. "Just scrubbing my back, then."

"Tch! Just a little brat, what can he do?"

"???"

Taking a deep breath, Kaito tearfully endured the humiliation.

After what felt like an eternity of inner lamenting, the arduous bath finally came to an end. After shooing away the blushing Shiori, Kaito wrapped a towel around his waist and went up to the third floor, where he was surprised to find Jiraiya.

He was leaning against the windowsill, gazing down at the quiet village below, and sighed. "It's really nice. Like a paradise on earth."

"It's too late for compliments now!" Jiraiya pointed at Kaito, furious. "And here I thought we were kindred spirits, but you tricked me!"

"Actually, I knew you were just putting on an act from the beginning, so I was deliberately playing along," Kaito said with a perfectly straight face. "Your heart belongs only to Big Sis Tsunade. You wouldn't be interested in anyone else, right?"

"...Ah, yes, yes, that's right."