Naruto: Starting from Eating the Gold Fruit

Chapter 178 Himiko and Jiraiya's Promise

From the perspective of Yua and others in Konoha, Jiraiya's experience was something many men would envy.

However, for Jiraiya, that was truly a stroke of bad luck.

Some people are born with a love for freedom, and this is certainly true of them.

Jiraiya had absolutely no concept of women, in particular.

Jiraiya spent three years at the Ninja Academy with Tsunade, and after graduating, he studied ninjutsu under Hiruzen Sarutobi for two more years with Tsunade and Orochimaru. Tsunade was the woman Jiraiya knew the most about.

However, Tsunade would beat him up every day, and later she even dragged Orochimaru into beating him up too. Then, Tsunade started to have a crush on Jiraiya and was thinking about how to win over her older brother. Finally, she let Jiraiya go.

Jiraiya finally experienced what the joy of freedom truly meant.

It's bad enough that Tsunade, that damn tomboy, is always finding fault with me.

I went to the bathhouse to take a bath, why the hell are you looking at me like I'm trash?

Although I did sneak into the women's bathhouse later, there was nothing I could do about it; it was just too attractive. It wasn't my fault!

Tsunade later got what she wanted, but Jiraiya sighed because he felt that his older brother's life would not be easy.

Then he completely let loose, drinking and partying with beautiful women, with no one to stop him—that was the most comfortable thing ever, haha.

However, now...

You're telling me I have to fight this woman and marry her no matter what?!

My innate desire for freedom makes it impossible for me to bear such outrageous restrictions!

No!

I'm leaving today!

Jiraiya secretly slipped out of the guest room that the village elder had prepared for him.

Although almost every woman in this village knows some taijutsu and ninjutsu and is quite strong, Jiraiya's strength is now vastly different from what it used to be and he is quite powerful.

So he secretly left his residence and crept towards the outskirts of the village.

As he passed a house, he heard coughing coming from inside.

He didn't pay much attention at first, but then he heard a familiar voice: "Mother, are you alright?"

He recognized the voice; after all, the woman's owner hadn't hesitated at all earlier that day to say he could be her husband...

A weak female voice spoke softly from inside the room: "Himiko, thank you for taking care of me all these years, but you really didn't have to stay here..."

You weren't even from this village to begin with...

Cough cough cough, it's my fault for dragging you down..."

Jiraiya, who was feeling around the corner of the wall outside, paused slightly, then stopped and pressed his ear against the wall to listen quietly.

"What did you say...?"

If you hadn't picked me up from the snow, I would have frozen to death long ago.

Don't worry, I won't lose tomorrow. I'll stay in the village with him to take care of you.

"...Cough cough cough, silly child..."

"Alright, alright, please drink this medicine first. I bought it from Konoha Hospital at a high price. Didn't you feel much better after taking it for a week last time?"

"...But this medicine...is too expensive..."

"Hey, it's not expensive at all. Erniu married someone from Konoha and earns 100,000 taels a month, enough to buy this medicine for a year."

"...But ultimately, it wasn't our money that we paid..."

"Don't worry, I will pay Erniu."

"Come on, take your medicine first. I'll go check on my opponent tomorrow later."

Jiraiya, who was outside, was immediately startled and quickly scurried back to his residence.

Half an hour later, Himiko indeed came to knock on the door.

Jiraiya went over and opened the door, looking completely calm, as if he had never intended to slip away at all.

Himiko looked at Jiraiya and suddenly laughed.

Jiraiya looked completely bewildered.

Himiko smiled and said, "Sorry, did I scare you today? Our village actually has quite a few strange rules like this."

Jiraiya opened his mouth, but chose to remain silent.

"Interested... in taking a walk together? It's a little strange, but I want to get to know you as much as possible, since we'll be together all the time from now on..."

Jiraiya looked at Himiko, whose face showed no shyness, only naturalness, as if she were simply stating a fact.

Well, that's certainly true for Himiko.

Jiraiya thought about it for a moment, and finally nodded.

The two walked through the village of Nadeshiko at night, their shadows stretched long and intertwined under the village streetlights...

"Oh, right, I only remembered after I got back today, are you... from Konoha's inner city?"

Jiraiya was taken aback, then looked at Himiko with a puzzled expression and asked, "Why are you asking this?"

Himiko smiled and put her hands behind her back, saying, "The village chief only knows that Konoha is better than Nadeshiko, but she doesn't know that Konoha also has an inner and outer city."

Although... even the outer city of Konoha is far, far wealthier than Nadeshiko Village.

As she spoke, Himiko lowered her head, kicked a pebble on the ground, and said softly, "The Nadeshiko Village wasn't actually without men in the past."

However, in the last ten years, after news came from Konoha, the men of Fushiko Village all left Fushiko Village to settle in Konoha.

Actually, I've been to Konoha before...

"That village is wonderful... It has delicious snacks, beautiful clothes, smiling people everywhere, all kinds of shops, and you can even see people from other villages..."

Jiraiya fell silent.

Himiya sighed, "If only I were from Konoha. Then I could..."

Himiko suddenly remembered something and said softly to Jiraiya, "Sorry, I got carried away when I started talking..."

Jiraiya silently shook his head; of course he knew what Himiko meant.

Those with Konoha Inner City residency can have up to 80% of their medical expenses reimbursed.

Moreover, the more serious the illness, the more reimbursement you get, while minor surgeries like colds or double eyelid surgery don't have much reimbursement.

Few people in Konoha Village have experienced the effects of this policy.

But for many people from other villages, this was a policy that seemed like paradise.

Jiraiya didn't know what he was thinking, but he inexplicably looked at Himiko and said, "From the inner city."

Himiko looked at Jiraiya: "What?!"

Jiraiya spoke softly: "I am from the inner city of Konoha."

Moreover, there was a house of more than 200 square meters, but it was later taken back. Now there are two houses of more than 100 square meters each.

Every year I receive an end-of-year gift, personally delivered to my door by the Konoha Inner City Street Office. And I also have… and…

There's also an annual reimbursement limit of one million ryo from Konoha's First People's Hospital.

Himiko looked at Jiraiya in surprise and covered her mouth.

After a long while, Himiko regained her composure, then looked at Jiraiya and asked softly, "Do you... know something?"

Jiraiya was speechless.

Himiko took a deep breath, then looked at Jiraiya with a determined gaze and said, "I will not leave this village."

Even if... I could go to Konoha with you...

After saying that, Himiko ran towards her home.

Jiraiya remained silent...

……

The next day, Jiraiya did not leave. Meanwhile, on Himiko's side, the village chief of Nadeshiko Village was whispering to Himiko, "It's time to admit defeat. It would be good for you to come to Konoha with us. Nadeshiko Village... has indeed fallen far behind. Go to Konoha and live a good life."

Himiko knew that the village chief was doing it for her own good, and that the so-called battle of destiny had now become a mechanism for Nadeshiko Village to select a suitable partner.

Without a doubt, Jiraiya, who was a Jonin in Konoha, and also held a government position and a Konoha city residency, was the perfect eligible bachelor.

only……

Himiko did not agree, but instead walked into the arena with Jiraiya.

Then, with a command given, Himiko and Jiraiya clashed.

The two exchanged blows several times using taijutsu, kunai, shuriken, and other ninja tools. Then they used ninjutsu to counter each other's moves for more than a dozen rounds, fighting fiercely from morning until noon.

Seeing this, the village chief of Fushiko Village angrily slammed his cane into the ground.

That's enough!

You're not actually planning to beat them, are you?!

On the surface, it was indeed Himiko who held the advantage.

Nadeshiko Himiko and Jiraiya fought their way from the village all the way to the clear pond in the east.

Nadeshiko Hime looked at Jiraiya, who stood before her without batting an eye, panting heavily, and gave a bitter smile to her heart.

"Why... are you so amazing..." Nadeshiko Himiya sighed, then gently raised her hand. "I admit it..."

Jiraiya smiled slightly: "I've only cultivated for a few more years than you. Even if you cultivate for a few more years, you might not be able to catch up with me."

And I can't do anything about it, so... let's end this in a draw, okay?

Nadeshiko Himiko fell silent, and finally could only give a bitter smile before plopping down on the grass beside the clear pond.

Jiraiya grinned.

As long as it's a draw, then there's no problem, right?

"So you do know something, right?" Himiko asked Jiraiya, who had walked over and sat down beside her, with a certain tone.

Jiraiya shrugged: "Well, more or less, like someone's mother is seriously ill and can't be left unattended."

Himiko gritted her teeth: "It must have been Xiao Qi who told you! That little brat deserves a beating!"

Jiraiya looked puzzled, but after thinking about it, he decided not to argue.

"So now that we're even, does that mean this so-called battle of destiny is null and void?" Jiraiya finally asked Hisako.

Himiko looked at Jiraiya, then snorted coldly and turned her head away: "How could that be? If it's a draw, then we'll wait for the next fight. You don't think this battle of destiny is just a simple one-time affair, do you? It's a battle that will determine the fate of your entire life."

Jiraiya smacked his lips: "That won't do. I can't stay here forever. I still have a mission my older brother gave me."

Himiko asked in confusion, "Your older brother?"

"Ah, my older brother."

When the rest of the villagers from Fushiko rushed over, they heard a shocked scream before they even saw anyone:

"The Hokage of Konoha is your older brother?!?"

……

The next day, having eaten and drunk his fill, Jiraiya packed his bags and left Fushiko Village.

The village chief of Fushiko Village bit his handkerchief and wept.

What a perfect eligible bachelor, gone now...

Then she glared fiercely at Himiko, "I told you to just admit defeat! But you wouldn't! Now look what's happened! Your good days are over!"

Himiko didn't care about this at all.

What came to mind was their casual conversation by the clear pond yesterday...

"According to our village tradition, if you and I cannot determine a winner, there is another way."

"What method?"

"Let our apprentices take our place and face the battle of fate."

Jiraiya was shocked: "Isn't this setting my own apprentice up for failure?!"

Himiko smiled and said, "If it were you... I believe your disciple would also be an exceptionally talented person."

Oh, right, remember to take on a male apprentice, and also...

Don't forget to write to me...

……

Jiraiya shouldered his bag and walked along a country path, pondering his apprentice...

If I hadn't left Konoha, I'd probably be taking on three students by now, as is customary...

Hmm... But I'm not in Konoha right now, so where would I get a disciple?

Oh well, taking on apprentices is troublesome anyway.

Let her be.

With that thought in mind, Jiraiya wrote a letter and handed it to the ANBU who had been following him around.

He's gotten used to having ANBU ninjas following him now.

On this day, far away in the Land of Whirlpools, Nagato Uzumaki sneezed. His parents looked at him with concern: "Nagato, are you sick?"

Nagato rubbed her nose: "No, maybe someone is thinking about me."

Hearing her six-year-old son say such a thing, Nagato's mother immediately laughed: "Who would want to think about a silly little thing like you for no reason?"

Nagato blurted out in dissatisfaction, "Jiraiya-sensei! He's definitely thinking about me!"

Years later, Nagato will deeply understand what it means to be a hidden trap, the most deadly kind...

……

A few days later:

Yuya frowned as he finished reading the information about Jiraiya. After blurting out that the village chief of Nadeshiko Village had poor eyesight, he noticed that there was a letter tucked inside the scroll.

I hadn't noticed it until I scrolled to this point.

Then Yua discovered that the letter was written to him by Jiraiya.

As for the contents...

The gist is that his annual medical allowance of one million is just sitting idle, so he might as well give it to someone who needs it.

Yuya stroked his chin. This request...

It's not too much...

So, a week later, several Konoha ninjas arrived at the entrance of Nadeshiko Village.

The village chief of Fuzi Village led people to the village entrance to greet them, and then they saw a cart full of medicinal herbs.

The village chief of Nadeshiko Village was somewhat bewildered, while Himiko's heart began to pound...

Sure enough, the medicinal herbs and the medicines inside were all destined for Fuzi Village.

The total value is probably close to one million taels.

Himiko stared blankly at the cart of medicinal herbs, only one thought in her mind...

It turns out what he said was true...

The village chief of Fushiko Village nearly fainted from excitement upon seeing so many medicinal herbs. But before he did...

She had another very important question to ask:

"Several Konoha ninjas..."

"Have you two gotten married yet?"

She was met with a group of bewildered Konoha ninja: "Huh?"

……

In early May of the 38th year of Konoha, Yuya found the newly established review department utterly displeasing.

Akimichi Torifu and Sarutobi Hiruzen, those two bastards, have such an easy job!

"Damn it, didn't I loosen the filming restrictions? Doesn't Konoha have enough directors to give these two guys some serious training?!"

Seeing them resting is more painful than me working overtime!

After careful consideration, Yuya finally realized that the current cultural and entertainment background of Konoha Village had not developed to the level it had in his previous life.

This is not good news.

Because the cultural and entertainment industry is also an industry that can reach a scale of hundreds of billions.

Moreover, setting aside the profits, the entertainment industry also provides a great tool for consolidating village rule and increasing people's sense of happiness.

Although this may sound a bit too pragmatic, the fact is that a good movie can even influence the people of a country.

For example, the film "The Medicine God," though the policy had already been implemented before it came out, undoubtedly contributed to its promotion.

It may not have a significant impact, but it's important to understand that it involves a crucial decision affecting over a billion people!

Yuya currently faces a mere two million people in Konoha's inner and outer cities, so he often hesitates to implement policies directly. He has to test them out for a period of time before promoting them, let alone directly pushing them to the entire Land of Fire.

Of course, to be fair, Yuya sees himself as the village chief of Konoha, and he only cares about Konoha and the Land of Fire.

Let's talk about expanding into the Land of Fire when Konoha has a population of 100 million.

If there isn't enough population, everything else is nonsense.

In fact, the pressure on the people of Konoha Village is gradually increasing.

Especially those families with two, three, or even four children have gradually realized that their quality of life would be better if they didn't have so many children.

You Ya cannot allow society to continue under such immense pressure.

Therefore, the spiritual life of the people must be enriched, and it must be enriched in a high-quality way! The people of Konoha Village must be able to relax more.

and so……

Youya wrote a title on a blank sheet of paper:

[Draft regarding the effective implementation of the spiritual life construction for the people of Konoha Village]

(End of this chapter)