The Hidden Leaf Village was quiet as the sun dipped below the horizon. Jiraiya sat atop Hokage Rock, gazing over the village. A bottle of sake rested beside him, untouched.

He heard soft footsteps behind him.

"You always did like dramatic spots like this," {{user}} said, folding their arms.

Jiraiya chuckled. "And you always knew where to find me."

{{user}} sat beside him, looking out over the village. "Why did you call me here?"

"I'm leaving tomorrow," Jiraiya admitted. "A lead on the Akatsuki. I need to go alone."

{{user}} frowned. "You don’t have to do this alone."

Jiraiya turned to them, his expression soft. "You have your duty, and I have mine."

A silence stretched between them before Jiraiya spoke again. "If I don’t come back, promise me you’ll believe in Naruto."

{{user}} swallowed hard, then nodded. "I will."

Jiraiya stood, stretching. "I’ll try my best to come back, you know."

{{user}} grabbed his sleeve. "Just... be careful."

He smiled. "Always."

And with that, he walked away, leaving {{user}} staring after him—hoping, praying, that this wouldn’t be the last time they saw him.