Kakashi's question made Jiraiya freeze, his hand holding the sake cup in midair.
After a while, Jiraiya set the cup down. "I… thought I'd found him before."
The atmosphere grew heavy. Seiryu silently finished his drink and poured another.
"Let's not talk about this. Let's drink," Seiryu said, breaking the awkwardness. The three tacitly didn't mention the topic again.
After eating and drinking, Jiraiya stood up, straightened his clothes, and, a little drunk, said to Seiryu, "Thank you for your hospitality. I won't impose any longer. I should go greet the old man after being away so long."
He walked to the door, but as soon as he opened it, two Uchiha guards blocked his way.
"Clan Leader Seiryu, this…" Jiraiya looked back.
"According to village regulations, peeping is punishable by at least seven days of detention. If you just walk out, the Police Force can't explain itself to the villagers," Seiryu said calmly. "We respect your contributions, but could you please do us this small favor?"
"Uh, Clan Leader Seiryu, I just got back, and I need to report to the old man…" Jiraiya laughed awkwardly. He was at fault, and Seiryu had already treated him well, so he couldn't really argue.
"Please stay here for a few days. If you need anything, just ask. As long as you don't wander off, the Police Force can answer to the village."
Jiraiya looked at Kakashi for help, but Kakashi said expressionlessly, "Please understand, Lord Jiraiya. The rules have always been this way."
Jiraiya opened his mouth to protest but thought better of it. He still had some pride, and this was embarrassing enough already.
"Alright, I'll trouble you for a few days, Clan Leader Seiryu. I'll treat it as time for inspiration," Jiraiya said, pulling his hand back. "But please have someone inform the Third I'm back."
"Of course. Thank you for your cooperation, Lord Jiraiya," Seiryu said, then instructed the guards, "Take good care of Lord Jiraiya."
"Yes," the guards replied.
"Then, Lord Jiraiya, we'll take our leave. If I don't go back, Naruto will probably sneak more ramen," Kakashi said and left with Seiryu.
"Kakashi…" Jiraiya called out from behind as they left.
"Something else, Lord Jiraiya?" Seiryu asked.
"Never mind…" Jiraiya pulled his hand back, giving up on asking Kakashi to say hi to Naruto for him. He wasn't sure how to face Naruto just yet.
After they left, Jiraiya sighed and lay back on the big bed.
…
Not long after, Hiruzen Sarutobi also received news of Jiraiya's return, but when he heard Jiraiya had been caught peeping and was being held for seven days, his blood pressure soared.
"That idiot! Of all times, can't he restrain himself?"
"It's only seven days; nothing major should happen. Maybe it'll teach him a lesson," Hiruzen comforted himself. There was no way he, the Hokage, would go bail someone out for peeping, and he was already grateful Seiryu hadn't made a bigger deal of it.
While Hiruzen was fuming about his troublesome student, a dusty figure arrived at the village gates.
After going through the entry procedures, he made straight for the Uchiha compound.
It was Itachi, who had been sent by Fugaku to inspect the family's businesses in the Land of Fire. Having finished his task, he rushed back out of concern for the village and his younger brother.
Back in the village, while picking out a gift for his brother, Itachi keenly noticed something off in how villagers looked at him—almost everyone had a fearful look in their eyes when they saw him. After some probing, he realized this fear was directed at the Uchiha fan crest on his clothes.
Some villagers who had once been friendly now shrank away after seeing his clan crest. This made Itachi uneasy.
He tried asking a few villagers but was met with evasive responses.
Did something happen with the clan while I was gone? Why are the villagers acting like this?
With no other choice, Itachi found a secluded spot, used the Transformation Jutsu to disguise himself, and continued to gather information.
"Sir, has something happened in the village lately? Everyone seems a little tense," the disguised Itachi asked a shopkeeper while picking out some goods.
"Just arrived in the village?" The shopkeeper looked him over.
"Yes, I just moved here from the Capital yesterday."
Maybe because he was buying a lot, the shopkeeper leaned in and whispered, "If you're new in town, be careful of the Police Force. They're unreasonable and will even beat people."
"Beat people?" Itachi couldn't believe it.
"Yeah, just a few days ago, the Police Force rampaged through the streets beating people to protect a murderous maniac. Lots of folks got beaten badly. Some were taken away and haven't come back. Who knows what kind of torture they're suffering? So, don't mess with them," the shopkeeper warned.