I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 69 The habit of saving money must be cultivated from a young age.

"Ichigo, you're here too?"

"Shuomao?"

Outside the barbecue restaurant, Hatake Sakumo greeted a black-haired ninja. This ninja was named Unno Ikkaku, a Konoha Jonin, though he wasn't particularly famous. However, his son was very well-known.

Ikkaku Umino's son is Iruka Umino, one of the fathers of Naruto Uzumaki, the savior in the original work. However, Ikkaku Umino is still single because he is following the policy of late marriage and late childbirth.

He was older than Tsunade. Jiraiya and Orochimaru were a few years older than him, and were classmates with Sakumo Hatake, so they were considered seniors to Tsunade and the others, and were naturally on Jiraiya's invitation list.

The two were chatting and laughing as they were about to enter the barbecue restaurant when they noticed two other people standing at the entrance, looking up and blocking their way.

Sakumo Hatake glanced at them, then asked, "Shinku, Kōtō, what are you doing here instead of going inside?"

Yuhi Shinku and Kime Kouta looked somewhat puzzled. Hearing Hatake Sakumo's words, Yuhi Shinku lowered her head, looked at Hatake Sakumo, and pointed upwards, saying:

"I remember the invitation; it said Jiraiya was taking on apprentices."

"Yes, what's wrong?"

Hatake Sakumo and Unno Ikkaku also looked up in confusion, and then they were both stunned. There was no problem with "Jiraiya's disciple-acceptance ceremony", but "Tsunade" and "Ji" were added in front of it.

"I only prepared one gift, now I'm in trouble."

Umino Ikkaku slapped his forehead and said, "You all only prepared one gift too?"

Yuhi Shinku and Kime Kouta nodded, while Hatake Sakumo took out the invitation and glanced at it again. It did indeed say that Jiraiya was accepting disciples. He then looked up at the banner before saying:

"Originally, only Jiraiya was supposed to take on disciples, but Tsunade was added later. You see, the handwriting and layout are obviously wrong. But Jiraiya and Tsunade are really something, not announcing any changes beforehand."

"Shall we go buy a second gift now?"

Mokumo asked, and Yuhi Shinku and Unno Ikkaku nodded. Unno Ikkaku said, "That's the only way. This time, when we're taking on disciples, the Hokage and a few advisors might come too."

If we don't prepare all the gifts, it will inevitably give others cause for criticism and make us seem like we lack social skills.

After saying that, he looked at Hatake Sakumo, who shook his head and said, "I won't go. I just ordered a new chakra sword, which will arrive in a few days. I'll just give you this old sword instead."

Even though it's old, it's very meaningful, isn't it?

As he spoke, Hatake Sakumo revealed a meaningful smile, while Yuhi Shinku pursed her lips and said, "After ordering the new sword, you don't have much money left, do you? I told you before that you need to save money."

Sakumo Hatake blushed slightly after being exposed by Kurenai Yuhi, then cleared his throat and said righteously, "My sword is made of chakra metal, far more valuable than your gifts!"

Umino Ikkaku waved his hand and said, "Alright, let's go buy gifts first. Sakumo, tell the people who are coming later, so they don't forget to bring gifts too."

"Okay, then hurry up."

Hatake Sakumo nodded, then stood at the entrance of BBQ Q without being told. He had been a Hokage's bodyguard for several years, and his stance was quite professional, much like the high-paid security captain hired by BBQ Q.

Inside the barbecue restaurant Q, in a very large private room, Jiraiya and Minato sat in the main seat and the second seat, respectively, both with some confusion on their faces.

Jiraiya, in particular, kept looking up at the clock in the private room. There were only a dozen minutes left until the time written on his invitation.

Logically speaking, guests should arrive half an hour or even earlier. While not everyone arrives early, surely not everyone should arrive this late?

"Could it be that my reputation is so bad that they don't want to attend my apprenticeship ceremony? No, surely Tsunade, Orochimaru, and my teacher wouldn't refuse to come?"

Jiraiya felt a little flustered. This was his first time taking on a disciple, and he really didn't know what to do in this situation.

He held the apprentice-acceptance ceremony not to collect gifts, but to bring his disciple, Minato Namikaze, into the view of higher-ups and expand Minato's network.

After all, Minato Namikaze came from a commoner background, and getting to know the village's leaders and elites beforehand would be beneficial for his future development.

Most importantly, Jiraiya knew he couldn't always teach Minato, and he also had many areas where he wasn't good at. At this time, if Minato had enough connections, he could go and learn from him.

But at this social gathering, not a single guest showed up. If things continue like this, not only will it not help Shuimen expand his network, but it might also make him a laughing stock in the village.

Jiraiya was anxious and thought of getting up to go out several times, but seeing Minato still sitting upright in his seat, he, as the teacher, could not appear more impetuous than his disciple, so he could only endure it.

Outside the door, Tsunade and her apprentice Tatsuma lurked around furtively, one listening inside and the other peering out. After a while, Tatsuma slipped up to Tsunade and whispered:

"Master, Lord Orochimaru has returned with Nawaki. Judging by the time, the others should also return within the next ten minutes."

Tsunade nodded upon hearing this, pointed to the door, and chuckled, saying, "That idiot Jiraiya probably hasn't realized something's wrong yet!"

"Shouldn't we go in about now?"

Tatsuma asked, and Tsunade nodded, straightened up, took a deep breath to suppress the smile on her face, and then pushed open the door and went in.

"Tsunade! You've finally arrived!"

Upon seeing someone enter, Jiraiya almost burst into tears, saying, "I thought no one would come to my apprenticeship ceremony, and I never expected you to be the first guest to arrive."

"Guests? What guests? I'm the main character of this apprenticeship ceremony!"

After Tsunade finished speaking domineeringly, she walked to Jiraiya's side, pushed him aside, and made room for herself to sit down. Tatsuma also sat down in the position opposite Minato.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Jiraiya was completely baffled. Before he could ask, Orochimaru walked in with Nawaki. Orochimaru said with some dissatisfaction, "Next time, if there are any changes to the arrangements, please let me know in advance."

After saying that, he threw out the two scrolls and said, "These are some of my insights into developing ninjutsu. I hope they will be of some help to you two."

Minato took the scroll somewhat blankly, not understanding what had happened. At that moment, someone else came in from outside—the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Upon seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi, the group was about to stand up when Hiruzen gestured for them not to. He then gave Tsunade and Tatsuma a strange look, pulled out two scrolls, and said:

"These are my research notes on compound ninjutsu, very suitable for beginners. I hope you will make good use of them. However, Tsunade and Jiraiya, you two are both teachers now, yet you are still so unreliable."

Since the apprenticeship ceremony has been changed to a joint event, this should have been explained in advance; otherwise, it will only cause inconvenience to other guests.

With just a few words, Hiruzen Sarutobi defined Tsunade's actions, leaving Jiraiya completely bewildered. He felt like an accomplice, even though he hadn't done anything wrong!

(End of this chapter)