It had been a long time since he had gone to the Land of Rice Patties. There had been a rumor that Orochimaru had made a 'nest' in the country. This, of course, was a dead end. It was always a dead end. Honestly, Jiraiya didn't expect to find anything. He'd never find something big until he could stomach going back to the Village.
So, boy was he surprised at what he found. The road trip there was unremarkable, nothing much happened. All he did was walk, rest, eat, sleep, and repeat the process. What WAS interesting was when he was in the Land of Rice Patties. The Land of Rice Patties was a very poor country. Most of its economy survived off of the sale of rice patties, hence the name. The country was probably the best place for crime in the entire world. So Jiraiya wasn't surprised when a robber ambushed him on the side of the road.
He had just been walking when he heard rustling in the bushes. Obviously, these guys weren't very sneaky. But he pretended not to notice. The rustling continued and got progressively louder. Again, Jiraiya pretended not to notice, but it was getting harder.
The rustling in the bushes got so loud, he couldn't take it! He turned around and yelled straight at the bushes," If you're going to ROB me, how about being QUIET as well!" The bushes were startled as if they didn't know he knew they were there. Quietly, a little boy exited the bushes he had been using to cover his tracks.
"WOW! A REAL NINJA!" the boy exclaimed in admiration.
"Look, kid. I don't really have time for autographs. I'm on a super important mission that requires 'stealth'. I don't think you too have ever met before,"
"Well, that's why I want you to teach me!" the boy yelled enthusiastically.
Jiraiya's eardrums were starting to hurt, "Listen, my days of teaching are over. Besides, why would a squirt like you want to be a ninja?"
The boy seemed to brighten a little, something Jiraiya thought was impossible since he was already so happy, "I wanna join the 'HOME'!"
"'HOME'?"
"Yeah! It's sorta like a Village but better and cooler and… more selective," the boy began, sounding just a tad sadder, "That way I can provide for my family!"
Jiraiya pondered the new information. As far as he knew, the Land of Rice Patties didn't have a Village. If they did, then he of all people would know about that. And the way the kid had used 'HOUSE' paralleled what the guy who was planning to attack a village had said. Had he actually discovered something?
"How are they selective?"
"Only the leader approves of who enters. You have to be a skilled ninja and you can't be over 15 years old," the boy recited proudly, "then you live there until you leave."
"Interesting. Why 15?" Jiraiya asked. He was going to milk out any information he could get from this kid.
"No idea. But I have to become a good enough ninja before I turn 15. Which is why I need YOU to train me!" the boy yelled impatiently.
15 was such an odd number. You'd think that they'd want some adults in the mix to keep the kids safe.
"Hold your horses! I still have a mission to do, but if you help me, maybe I can teach you a thing or two,"
"Really?! Ok!" the kid chirped happily.
"First, your name please,"
"Sekkachi!"
P.S. If anyone understands the joke at the end, comment and I'll give you a shout-out! By the way, you also need to explain the joke and only the first three that are correct get a shout-out. Got it? Good. Sorry if this one is a little short and it's been awhile since I updated a chapter.