Chapter 274. Addicted to the Internet...
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"Orochimaru?"
Jiraiya, after a long time, took a sip of milk tea and let out a satisfied sigh—bold and carefree. Then, looking at Yuto across from him, his expression turned serious.
"That bastard is too good at hiding. Every time I locate his base, it's like he already knows in advance. By the time I arrive, he's long gone without a trace."
Saying this, he let out a helpless sigh.
"At first, I thought that since Danzo had run away, I could convince Orochimaru to come back. But then, not long ago, I found a place with internet access and saw a video of Danzo's return?! So this time, I also came back to talk to the old man. I figure he must have already forgiven Orochimaru a long time ago."
After all—
So much time had passed since the incident, and Orochimaru hadn't done anything to Danzo.
Sigh… People's hearts do change eventually.
He had spent so many years with Orochimaru, yet he had never realized that guy was actually so obsessed with money.
Shaking his head, he set down his milk tea and looked at Yuto. "What do you want with Orochimaru?"
"I'm planning to do some business with him," Yuto said with emotion. "I never thought one of the Legendary Sannin would stoop to this. If he wants to make money, he should've just come to me! I could've made him a fortune!"
Then, Yuto changed the topic. "You still haven't said it yet. Why the sudden visit this time?"
"A while ago, I was checking my phone and saw that the Chunin Exams were starting again. Since I'd be passing by, I hesitated for a moment and then figured I might as well drop in." Jiraiya slurped loudly on his drink and continued, "Besides, isn't the Ninja Grand Prix happening in the Land of Lightning soon? It's a good opportunity for me to go and see it then."
"With that crappy van of yours?"
"Hey! The Gamabun is pretty strong, alright? It's been a lifesaver. It's not only got a bed but also a computer inside, so I don't need to sleep outside!"
Jiraiya boasted proudly but soon sighed in frustration. "The only problem is, your car's really not good. Sometimes, it's hard to drive in the wild. Sometimes, I even have to summon Gamabunta to carry it. Gamabunta is very dissatisfied with this."
"…"
Damn impressive!
Just then, Jiraiya suddenly remembered something and looked a bit embarrassed. He scratched his head, chuckled awkwardly, and said, "Actually, there's something else I need your help with. Didn't you release [Ninstagram]? You can upload photos, short videos, or even live broadcasts on it, and I… Haven't I been traveling outside? Sometimes, I take interesting videos and upload them, which have been appreciated by a lot of people!"
[T/N: You can consider [Ninstagram] a mixture of all kinds of social media and video-uploading platforms, like a blend of YouTube and Instagram.]
"Isn't it great? So what?" Yuto looked at Jiraiya with doubt. "Do you want me to arrange a homepage promotion for you? Or give you a permanent VIP?"
"That's not what I meant." Jiraiya suddenly became serious, shook his head, and said gravely, "It's just that I need to trouble you with a small matter!"
"What is it?"
"My account got banned!"
"…"
Yuto froze for a moment, then asked, "Why did you get banned?"
"I don't know either!" Jiraiya sighed. "You know, I had over four million followers!"
"What's your username?"
"Veteran Traveler Toad Sage!"
"Let me check."
A moment later—
Yuto looked up in surprise and stared at Jiraiya. "Huh? Who banned you? It doesn't look like I banned you."
Then—
"I banned it, Yuto~" Suzune suddenly smiled sweetly at Yuto. "Because a lot of parents complained that this streamer was showing content inappropriate for children, so I banned him!"
"…"
If you banned him, you banned him.
No need to smile at me like that!
Yuto forced a laugh, then turned to Jiraiya with a serious expression. "What exactly did you upload?"
"Nothing much, hehe~ Nothing much!" Jiraiya averted his eyes and laughed sheepishly. "Just some scenery from my travels and… the materials I collect for research."
"Research?"
The moment Yuto heard that, he knew what it was. His face darkened instantly.
Don't tell me…
Did you actually create a "Ninja Girls Reviewers" here?!
[T/N: A reference to the culture – Interspecies Reviewers.]
No wonder people complained! The fact that you weren't beaten to death is a miracle!
"Banned! Banned forever!"
"Got it! Yuto~"
"Wait, come on! It was just some scenic shots! Nothing inappropriate, really~" Jiraiya exaggeratedly protested. "Stop! Don't! Don't ban it! At most, I won't do it again in the future. Besides, Yuto, back when you graduated…"
"Ahem!" Yuto quickly fake-coughed twice, putting on a serious face. "That account is gone. But… you can create a new one. Just… don't do this again!"
"Well… fine~"
Under the piercing gazes of the three, Jiraiya reluctantly compromised. Then, he shot Yuto a look of disdain.
Hah. Men!
Just then—
"Welcome~"
A group walked in.
Kumo ninja and Iwa ninja…
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "Looks like it's been settled?"
"Settled what?" Yuto and the others were confused.
"The Kumo ninja and Iwa ninja~" Jiraiya shrugged. Just earlier, the ninja from these two villages had gotten into a fight… all over nothing but a parking space.
Jiraiya sighed deeply. "Konoha really needs more parking spaces!"
"…"
…
"We're late again!"
Roshi sighed helplessly as he looked at the dense traffic.
It almost felt like… there were more cars than people. Especially since there was a smooth, direct highway from the Land of Rain to Konoha. Because the Land of Rain bordered many countries, a lot of travelers heading to Konoha used this route. As a result… there was a traffic jam!
This was the first time he had experienced it in his life!
He kept maneuvering the steering wheel, weaving around. "If this doesn't work, we'll have to go to a paid parking lot."
At this, Biwa Juzo, who had been looking at his phone in the back, was momentarily stunned. "You have to pay to park this thing?"
"There are public parking lots and paid ones. If there's no space in the public lots, you have no choice but to use the paid ones."
"What a scam!" Biwa Juzo cursed. "I was only in prison for a few years, and Konoha has gotten this corrupt?!"
"It's the same everywhere. Normally, there's no free parking for outsiders. Even the Land of Rain is like that! The only reason there's a large free parking area this time is because of the Chunin Exams. It's actually not bad."
"Can't we just park outside?"
"Outside? In the forest?" Roshi frowned. "Sure, it's free, but there are lots of small animals that might damage or scratch the car!"
Even though his car was cheap, it was still his precious!
Bringing Juzo out this time wasn't just about getting him used to this era—it was also an opportunity to scout for new business opportunities.
Just then—
Knock! Knock!
Someone tapped on the car window.
Roshi rolled the window down, exchanged a few words with the person outside, then turned to Juzo, who was once again immersed in his phone. "There's a space open—under the hotel we booked. As long as we have a reservation, parking is free."
"Understood~"
"Stop staring at your phone all day." Roshi looked at Biwa Juzo, who didn't even raise his head, and shook his own. "You should take a good look around this period and get used to your new life."
Even at home—
If Roshi hadn't dragged him out, Juzo wouldn't have left the house at all. It was either the computer or his phone. And he even tried to justify it by calling it… "gathering intelligence!"
He was practically becoming a shut-in!
Maybe…
He shouldn't have bought Juzo a phone in the first place. He should've waited until the guy adjusted to his new life before giving him one.
Roshi… He was seriously worried about his old friend becoming addicted to the internet…
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