"Su Mu, should I publish the Pókémongo Ball storybook?"
On the way back, Jiraiya seemed hesitant.
He knew what this storybook represented.
The ability to easily capture tailed beasts and seal them in balls.
And to increase loyalty, making them do things they didn't want to.
For any nation, this would be explosive news.
It might cause trouble for Su Mu.
Su Mu waved his hand dismissively, "Do as you wish. I'm indifferent. As I've always said, I'm accustomed to a leisurely life and won't interfere in anything."
Jiraiya sighed helplessly. He knew that Tsunade was now Su Mu's subordinate.
Tsunade was also the Hokage of Konoha.
With Konoha having such a powerful backer, the other four great nations would surely be envious.
"Since we have nothing else to do on the way, how about I tell you a story?"
Su Mu suddenly spoke, breaking the awkward silence.
Jiraiya immediately smiled, "To hear a story just for me? I'm truly honored!"
And so it began.
Su Mu gently fanned himself, and began to narrate, "In this story, the protagonist was a ninja of very mediocre talent since childhood."
Jiraiya's interest piqued upon hearing "ninja," "Good, good. A story about ninjas, it's exactly to my taste."
"Then remember this story," Su Mu looked up at the sky and sighed softly, before continuing.
"Around the age of twelve, he and his two teammates were assigned to the same class."
"Back then, he fell in love at first sight with one of his female teammates. Unfortunately, he was impulsive and his skills were ordinary, completely overshadowed by his companions' brilliance."
"He was unwilling and decided to train hard. The feeling of being ignored by the one he loved ignited his hope for becoming stronger."
Jiraiya suddenly froze. He chuckled bitterly, "I have to say, the protagonist of your story seems a bit like me."
Recalling his past self, Jiraiya smiled awkwardly.
"Perhaps fate favored him. In an accident, he stumbled into a hidden paradise by chance."
"That place allowed him to grow stronger rapidly. He also learned many ninjutsu and discovered his mission."
"By the age of twenty, he and his two teammates had carved out a name for themselves, becoming renowned and earning their own titles."
"They experienced several battles together. Along the way, he took in three children who had lost their homes due to the fighting."
Su Mu paused suddenly and took a few gulps from the water bottle at his waist.
Jiraiya stroked his chin thoughtfully, "Is this story tailor-made for me? It really is quite similar to my life, haha."
Su Mu looked at Jiraiya with a hint of confusion, "Similar? Unfortunately, he died in the end..."
Jiraiya fell silent. The wind rustled through the forest, carrying fallen green leaves from the trees. He looked up at the sky, a smile unconsciously forming on his lips, "Is that so... it must have been tragic."
Su Mu nodded slightly, "Of his two teammates, one betrayed the organization and committed heinous acts in pursuit of endless life."
"The other, after losing the one he loved in battle, left the organization and disappeared from everyone's sight."
"From that day on, the three of them were completely fractured. Their titles and reputations had become nothing but smoke."
"By the age of thirty-five, he wandered the corners of the world, embarking on his journey of creation and inspiration. During this time, he took on another apprentice."
"Driven by his sense of mission, he poured all his attention into his apprentice, hoping to train him into a capable individual."
"Unexpectedly, years later, he heard the news of his apprentice's death."
At this point, Jiraiya was already in tears.
His deepest emotions stirred, his heart's most tender spot suddenly collapsed.
He felt as though the protagonist in Su Mu's story was experiencing the exact same events as him, moved by the narrative, his heart filled with profound sadness.
"Look at me, at my age, I can't help but shed tears at any sad story. It's truly embarrassing..."
Jiraiya wiped the tears from his cheeks and grinned heartily at Su Mu.
Su Mu also felt a pang in his heart. He was recounting Jiraiya's life story. As a transmigator, he naturally knew the ultimate fates of everyone in the ninja world.
This old man, over fifty years old, who had pursued the Child of Prophecy his entire life, would eventually, like a kite with a broken string, fall into the abyss and perish.
"Although his apprentice died, he left behind a child."
"Like him back then, this child seemed to have too many similarities. Equally mediocre talent, also called a failure, also having someone they liked but were always rejected."
"Perhaps seeing his own shadow in the child, he also took this child as his apprentice."
"The master and apprentice began a long period of training, and he taught his apprentice many abilities, allowing him to rapidly improve his strength."
"At the age of fifty-four, his life came to an end."
"Like his master, he died at the hands of his former apprentice."
"Do you remember the three apprentices I mentioned earlier?"
Su Mu stopped his story and asked Jiraiya.
Jiraiya blinked, then replied, "Were they the three homeless children the protagonist took in at twenty?"
Su Mu nodded heavily, "Precisely. The protagonist believed they had all died in a subsequent war."
"But he never expected that the death of a companion would completely alter the remaining two's initial good intentions."
"During the battle with his apprentice, he fought seven people alone. Later, he was ambushed and lost an arm. He could have escaped."
"But he gave up his life to protect his last conviction."
"He was so close to seeing his beloved disciple grow up, get married, and have children..."
"He was so close to having a chance to spend the rest of his life with the person he loved..."
"In the end, he sank into the deep sea with immense regret..."
The story ended here.
Jiraiya, usually the most cheerful, was now sobbing like a child.
Yet, he couldn't help but ask, "Why seven people?"
Looking at the Eight Treasures Glazed Pagoda that was now within sight, Su Mu smiled faintly and said, "Seize the day, let the wine cup never be empty."
"Shall I treat you to a drink?"
"That would be excellent."
They exchanged smiles and entered the tavern.
"What is this story called? You could publish it!"
"And! You didn't even tell me the protagonist's name?"
...
Su Mu suddenly stopped.
"The Wandering Dragon Returns to the Sea."