Civilians and shinobi alike were fully engaged in the rebuilding efforts. After just three months, Jiraiya could already feel the enormous changes taking shape.
Rows of neat houses had sprung up, and dusty dirt roads were gradually being replaced by wide, paved streets. Outside the five great shinobi villages, few smaller countries bothered to build shinobi academies.
Their populations were small, and their shinobi numbers even smaller, it just wasn't practical. But the Land of Grass was different.
Its young lord had resolutely decided to build a shinobi academy. Through subtle inquiries, Jiraiya learned that when the country was just starting to rebuild, Charlie had pushed to establish the academy right away, despite facing plenty of opposition.
For such a small nation, many thought it unnecessary. Yet Charlie stood firm against the critics, determined to create his own academy, and insisted it be done quickly and done well.
More importantly, he made a declaration that cut straight to the heart: "Children are the future of a country. No matter how poor we are, education cannot be sacrificed! To strengthen our nation, education must come first!"
Those words echoed the ideals of the First and Second Hokage, who had also emphasized the importance of valuing and protecting the new generation. The Third Hokage had spoken of the "WIll of Fire," where the elders become flames lighting the path for young shinobi.
Who would have expected such a broad-minded shinobi in this tiny Land of Grass? Even more impressively, Charlie welcomed the feared Uzumaki clan, renowned throughout the shinobi world, and the Chinoike clan, who had been exiled by the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning.
Truly, Charlie was an admirable shinobi. Just as Jiraiya had said back then, "you're a good man."
"What?" Charlie blinked in confusion. What was that supposed to mean?
Jiraiya had barely stepped inside before shifting between moments of deep thought and sudden melancholy, then out of nowhere, he said, "you're a good man!"
What was this guy talking about? If Charlie didn't know Jiraiya, he might have just shouted, "I'm not like that!"
Snapping back to reality, Charlie spoke seriously, "Its all for the peace of the shinobi world." Then, locking eyes with Jiraiya, he asked bluntly, "So, what do you want?"
Jiraiyas expression grew serious as he took a seat opposite Charlie. "Nagato..." he said quietly.
"Yes," Charlie replied without explanation. He already knew that Jiraiya had discovered Nagatos unique eyes.
A few days ago, when Charlie visited Nagato's home, the boy complained, "Jiraiya is such a pain, always going on about the Child of Destiny and the Rinnegan."
If Charlie hadn't known that Jiraiya was one of the legendary Sannin, he might have thought the man was some kind of con artist.
"No wonder you brought him back from the Land of Rain," Jiraiya said with a sigh. "Don't worry, I'll keep this between us."
Then, winking, he added, "I thought you were just after his eyes, but I see now you're not that kind of person."
'Yeah, right.' The real reason Charlie took in the three boys was simple: the Land of Grass had no new talent. Rolling his eyes, Charlie asked coolly, "Anything else?"
"Oh, yes! Besides checking on Nagato before I left, theres actually one more favor I'd like to ask," Jiraiya replied.
"Go on."
Jiraiya hesitated, looking a bit embarrassed before growing serious.
"I came to the Land of Grass hoping to find the great writer Mr.Inevitable, but for some reason, I cant find any news about him. Even the local bookstore manager doesnt know where Mr.Inevitable lives."
He sighed. "Ive stayed longer than I should and need to leave soon. Could you help me look for him?"
He pulled a letter from his pocket.
"If you find him, please deliver this letter and tell him: If he has time, I'll definitely visit myself. I'm a writer too, and one day, I will become the great literary figure of the shinobi world."
"Alright," Charlie said, his expression unreadable. After all this time, Jiraiya still hadnt given up.
Charlie twitched the corner of his mouth but quickly regained his composure, took the envelope, and nodded. "If I find him, I'll deliver it."
"Thank you so much!"
"If That's all..." Charlie began.
Before he could finish, Jiraiya fidgeted, scratched his head, and laughed nervously. "Actually, there's one more thing..."
"Speak."
"Due to a little mishap, I'm short on travel funds..."
Charlie silently pointed toward the door, but then quickly added, "Wait! Its a loan, right?"
Jiraiya hurriedly nodded. "Believe me! I'm Jiraiya, the Toad Sage! The dream of countless girls all across the shinobi world!
Trust me on this! Don't worry, Ive got something to guarantee my promise."
He bit his lip nervously and pulled out some familiar figurines, the three Great Sage Princesses, swimsuit edition! Looking a bit reluctant, he said, "I'll trade these with you! Don't worry, I always keep my word. Next time I come to the Land of Grass, I'll buy them back!"
His eyes shone with genuine emotion. "Please take good care of them!"
The others just stared blankly. 'What on earth was supposed to be done with these?'
In the end, Jiraiya left. With the money he earned from pawning his "waifu," he climbed onto his toad and set off, wandering like a true shinobi.
Charlie paused for a moment, then decided to send the three boys to see him off, promising to take good care of Jiraiyas "waifu."
The three boys didn't really understand why they were there to say goodbye to this famous Konoha Sannin, but since Charlie told them to, they quietly watched as the Toad Sage faded into the distance. As the four of them turned to leave, Nagato gazed out at the horizon, his eyes flickering with thought.
After hesitating, he finally spoke. "Ah-Charlie-sensei?"
"Hm?"
"Is there really such a thing as a Child of Destiny in this shinobi world?"
"Theres no such thing as a Child of Destiny in this world! The only one who can save you is yourself. If there were one…" Charlie looked thoughtfully into the distance.
A soft breeze rustled the grass around them. With his hands behind his back and a trace of melancholy in his eyes, he noticed the boys watching him closely.
After a moment, a gentle smile appeared on his lips. In a calm, quiet voice, as if sharing a simple truth, he said,
"Were all Children of Destiny in our own lives. Instead of handing your fate over to someone else, why not rely on yourself? Only by your own hands can you build the happiness that belongs to you."