Lin Yu did not know when Jiraiya would return to Konoha. Although he desperately wanted to fly to the Land of Rain and bring Jiraiya back to complete the mission, doing so would be too conspicuous.
Jiraiya was not a fool. If Uzumaki Lin Yu suddenly appeared in the Land of Rain and, for some reason, made him return to Konoha, and then orchestrated a series of "accidents" to have him peek at Orochimaru bathing, anyone with eyes could tell it was Lin Yu's doing.
At that point, Lin Yu would have to face the combined wrath of Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
Lin Yu was gradually gaining experience in such matters. For people in their line of work, the key principle was one word: go with the flow!
Moreover, Lin Yu's objective was not merely to let Jiraiya "enjoy" a visual spectacle; his starting requirement was for them to have physical contact!
However, achieving this would be difficult! It required planning, time, and an opportunity!
Alas! If only his Mangekyo Sharingan was Kotoamatsukami, then none of this trouble would exist!
He wondered when Shisui would be born. If only he could seal his eye techniques into his own eyes with the Tsukuyomi.
As for the second mission… Hmm! Why was he fixated on when Shisui would be born? Whether it was Shisui, Obito, or Kakashi, or even Might Guy, they would all go to one place during their formative years – the Ninja Academy!
Lin Yu's eyes lit up. He had found a reason for them to interact with them without any defenses! The system was truly the system, possessing great insight!
As for the third mission… Let's go, invite Kushina for dinner!
…
Ichiraku Ramen shop.
"Brother Teuchi, long time no see!"
"Yo! It's Kushina, it's really been a while, I've missed you."
Lin Yu's hand, outstretched in the air, froze. Uh, I was the one who greeted you, wasn't I! Was it because I didn't eat your ramen the first time!? Do you have to remember it for so long!?
Kushina, holding Lin Yu's hand, smiled sweetly at Teuchi and said, "Heehee, hello Brother Teuchi, I want miso ramen today!"
"Coming right up!"
"Um, Brother Teuchi, I want ramen too… I want 10 bowls!"
Lin Yu pulled Kushina to sit in a seat on the left. He glanced around; there weren't many customers, and no familiar faces. He leaned forward and whispered to Teuchi.
"What! You want 10 bowls? Are you sure you're not joking with me?"
Teuchi's hands, which were making ramen, trembled. What was happening to Konoha? Yesterday, a fat guy with red hair ate 15 bowls, and his hands were shaking from making ramen all day. Today, another red-haired person shows up, and he wants 10 bowls! This is killing me!
Teuchi looked at his wrists with concern, then at the surrounding seats. He wondered: Should I make my shop smaller? How can I possibly keep up with this pace!
Future Hinata: … Please take care of me in the future!
Lin Yu nodded, "Yes, Brother Teuchi. I want 10 bowls!"
Seeing Lin Yu's serious expression, Teuchi reluctantly added two more portions of dough and kneaded them vigorously, as if he were venting his frustration on the dough as if it were a member of the red-haired clan!
Kushina, standing beside him, watched Lin Yu with sparkling eyes. The "stinky" Lin Yu who ate 10 bowls was even more handsome than the serious "stinky" Lin Yu!
Her judgment of him was indeed correct!
Good! She would put in some effort today too!
"Brother Teuchi, I want 10 bowls too! All miso!" Kushina patted her cheeks to encourage herself.
You want 10 bowls too? Teuchi felt this was pushing his limits! Just when he was about to close shop, two "gluttons" arrived. Was the red hair his lifelong nemesis!?
"Okay," Teuchi replied weakly. He hoped no more red-haired people would appear at his shop in the future; three was his limit!
A short while later, the Ichiraku ramen, exuding an irresistible aroma and flavor, was served. Lin Yu, who had been wrestling with his thoughts all day, was already eager to eat. Although he hadn't trained much today, he felt more exhausted than on any other day!
Slurp, slurp~
Slurp, slurp~
"Wow! It smells so good, and it's delicious!" Lin Yu and Kushina said in unison.
Teuchi: (ಥ_ಥ) Please finish eating and leave quickly!
…
Deep underground somewhere in the ninja world.
"Black Zetsu, what is the situation outside?"
An ancient but still imposing voice echoed in the darkness underground, its lingering resonance sending a chill down one's spine.
A ray of moonlight, as if piercing through the gaps in the trees, shone into the underground, bringing a trace of coolness to the dark environment.
In the afterglow of the moonlight, a head resembling a black and white pitcher plant emerged from the ground. It bowed to a figure integrated with the darkness and said, "Everything is proceeding according to plan, Lord Madara."
"How is Nagato?" the voice in the darkness asked again.
"As we predicted, he has companions now, and their bond is deepening… However, it seems he has become a disciple of one of the Sannin, Jiraiya?" Black Zetsu said.
"Sannin? What is that? A new generation of powerful individuals?"
Black Zetsu explained, "It seems to be ninjas recognized by the 'Demigod' Hanzo of the Salamander, and they are called the Legendary Sannin of Konoha."
"Hanzo? That kind of trash can bestow titles? This ninja world, without Hashirama, indeed… cough cough cough…"
Black Zetsu's expression changed slightly, "Lord Madara, are you alright? How much longer can you hold on? Should we implement the plan in advance?"
"Cough cough… enough nonsense, have you found the pawn I asked you to look for?"
"There's no suitable candidate yet, but I heard that the next clan head, Fugaku Uchiha, has decent talent. Should we…" Black Zetsu did not finish, but he knew Madara would understand.
"Continue to investigate. I need someone who can complete the plan with 100% certainty!"
"Yes!" Black Zetsu's figure slowly sank into the ground. The figure integrated with the darkness had not revealed itself from beginning to end, as if it were accustomed to blending into the darkness.
"Cough cough… Hashirama, without you, what difference is this ninja world from this darkness! Just wait, peace will be achieved by me… cough cough cough…"
…
On the moon, in the Hamura branch family of the Otsutsuki clan.
"Have you detected it? The fluctuations of the Tenseigan from a few days ago?"
"Replying to the elder, the target appeared for too short a time, and our Giant Tenseigan couldn't lock onto the fluctuations before they disappeared."
"Keep searching! The target appeared once, they will definitely appear a second, a third time! We must find this person!"
"Yes!"
…
Sand Village.
In an old house.
Under the dim, twilight-like lighting, a clean-cut young boy with red hair gently caressed a puppet. His youthful face showed no trace of emotion. After a long while, his thin lips moved, as if saying, "Soon, very soon."
Click!
The light went out, and the room returned to a state of calm, but this calm was somewhat eerie, as if countless eyes were staring intently at you from the darkness…