Jiraiya had delved into many ancient ruins in his past life and remained oblivious to the consequences.
Unbeknownst to him, the grand seals that he had unwittingly tampered with in his previous life had played a role in his regression to the past.
Each seal, a guardian of history, had been irrevocably altered, sending ripples through the fabric of time and subtly changing the course of events.
The cumulative effect of these alterations was a reality that diverged from the one Jiraiya had once known.
His knowledge of the future, a potent weapon of regressor, had been rendered unreliable and unpredictable.
The intricate woven wall hanging of cause and effect had been disrupted, leaving Jiraiya to grapple with a present that defied his expectations and a future that remained shrouded in uncertainty.
At the Shinobi Academy.
Tsunade and Jiraiya could be seen with their friends.
"What, you have a little brother now, Tsunade."
Nara Shikadai, his gaze lazily drifting across the expanse of the sky, posed a question that belied his seemingly idle nature.
His sharp intellect was a well-known fact, a stark contrast to his laid-back demeanor.
Shikadai was an unexpected addition to Tsunade's circle, a connection forged not by her own volition but through the whims of Jiraiya.
Had it not been for him, Tsunade might have remained oblivious to the existence of such a unique individual within the hidden village of Konoha.
"Can we go and play with you in your clan? I want to see your little brother,"
Yamanaka Inori asked with a hopeful glint in her eyes.
The young girl had quickly become close friends with Tsunade, their shared blonde hair acting as an initial bridge between them.
At first, Inori had been intimidated by Tsunade's strong personality and occasional outbursts.
But after witnessing Tsunade's playful interactions with Jiraiya and her softer moments, Inori realized that there was more to the Senju heiress than met the eye.
She found Tsunade's antics amusing and her company surprisingly enjoyable.
Inori gradually discarded her initial fear and apprehension, choosing instead to embrace Tsunade's friendship.
"You can always come to my clan Inori."
Tsunade's gaze shifted to Akimichi Chojuro, who was contentedly munching on his snacks.
A pang of longing hit her, and she couldn't resist asking,
"Can I have one?"
Her voice was laced with a hint of hope, but she knew the answer was likely a resounding no.
Akimichi snacks were legendary, renowned for their taste and the secrecy surrounding their recipes. They were a treasure exclusively reserved for members of the Akimichi clan, a closely guarded tradition passed down through generations.
Even the Senju, a clan with significant influence and power, only received a limited number of these coveted treats as a gesture of goodwill and alliance.
Tsunade swallowed nervously, anticipating Chojuro's response. His reaction was swift and fierce, as expected.
"Absolutely not!"
He exclaimed, his voice firm and unwavering.
Chojuro was fiercely protective of his snacks. Sharing was not in his vocabulary when it came to these delicacies.
Tsunade knew better than to push him further. He had a reputation for being possessive of his food, and his temper was as formidable as his size.
"Bleh, so petty,"
Tsunade muttered under her breath, feigning indifference. But inwardly, she knew not to anger him.
When provoked, Chojuro could expand his body to a monstrous size, towering over others at four to five meters tall.
And his rolling attack, a devastating technique where he transformed into a massive, unstoppable sphere, was nothing short of terrifying.
Tsunade had witnessed the destructive power of his anger firsthand and had no desire to experience it again.
So, she wisely chose to back down, suppressing her craving for the Akimichi snacks.
Jiraiya had watched Tsunade talking with friends that he introduced her to enough.
Jiraiya tried to locate his former comrade. His search for Orochimaru, however, was proving fruitless.
Frustration gnawed at him, and he couldn't help but mutter under his breath,
"Where are you, snake bastard?"
His keen eyes scanned the surroundings, hoping to catch a glimpse of the familiar figure.
Suddenly, a figure caught his attention. It was a young girl with strikingly pale skin and eyes that bore an uncanny resemblance to those of a serpent.
The resemblance to Orochimaru was undeniable, but Jiraiya quickly dismissed the thought.
"Orochimaru is a man," he reasoned, "This girl might be a relative. That snake bastard never spoke about his family."
Despite his initial dismissal, Jiraiya couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to this girl than met the eye.
Curiosity piqued, he decided to observe her from a distance, his instincts screaming that she was somehow connected to his elusive target.
...
Craze: 1/2