Small Town BBQ Joint
"How's your training coming along?" Jiraiya changed the subject. "If it's really not working, I still advise you to wait a few more years before trying again. Your chances of success will be much higher then."
"I've already succeeded, Jiraiya-sensei," Sakura said.
"Wha... so fast...?" This was the first time Jiraiya had felt truly shocked.
This wasn't some ordinary ninjutsu; it was a Kekkei Genkai. Jiraiya had estimated that it would take at least years to see any results. He had just been making routine small talk, checking in, but he hadn't expected to receive such an astonishing answer.
"It's all thanks to Jiraiya-sensei's guidance. I wouldn't have succeeded without you," Sakura flattered him.
"Haha, not at all, not at all. It's your own talent," Jiraiya praised her back.
And so, the small BBQ joint was filled with the cheerful atmosphere of mutual professional flattery.
"Tsunade-sama, is this really alright? Maybe Jiraiya-sama has urgent business," Shizune said with a worried expression in a sake bar, addressing the blonde woman beside her.
"Hmph, what urgent business could he have? It's probably some unimportant mission from the old man," Tsunade said, her eyes glazed with intoxication.
Besides gambling, Tsunade's other favorite pastime was drinking. Gambling was something she truly enjoyed, but drinking wasn't necessarily about enjoying the alcohol itself. Tsunade just wanted to use alcohol to numb herself and forget the past. Shizune understood this very well, so she never tried to stop her.
"But Jiraiya-sama has been looking for us for a long time. Maybe it really is something important," Shizune persisted.
Besides being Tsunade's apprentice, Shizune was also, in a way, Tsunade's life manager. Although Shizune appeared gentle and quiet on the surface, she would stand her ground on matters she believed were right. That's why Tsunade trusted Shizune so much.
"....." Tsunade didn't reply, just continued drinking.
"It seems something happened in Konoha a while ago. I heard that the Sand Village and Orochimaru invaded. Maybe that's why this time it's really important," Although Shizune and Tsunade were traveling abroad, and Tsunade didn't care about these things, Shizune couldn't help but be concerned.
"So what? I haven't heard anything about the village being in trouble," Tsunade poured herself another cup of sake.
"Maybe that's why Jiraiya-sama is looking for us. Tsunade-sama, whatever you decide, shouldn't you at least find out what happened?" Shizune saw that Tsunade's tone had softened slightly and quickly offered a suggestion.
"Hmph, last time it was your suggestion to meet him, and I ended up being forced to take on an apprentice. Who knows what the old man is up to this time," Tsunade shot Shizune a glare.
"Haha... But you ended up liking Sakura-chan in the end, didn't you...?" Shizune stuck out her tongue and said awkwardly. "Besides, it's been so long since you've seen Sakura-chan. Don't you miss her...?"
"Tch... What's there to miss? It hasn't even been a year," Tsunade scoffed. "Alright, alright, I know. I'll meet him."
Seeing Tsunade's tsundere-like behavior, Shizune smiled secretly to herself.
"But speaking of which, Shizune, your awareness has slipped. Didn't you notice that someone else is also looking for us?" Tsunade rested her chin on her hand and looked at Shizune.
"Huh? Who?!" Shizune asked, confused.
"I don't know. But could you tell me who you are?!" Tsunade's first half of the sentence was directed at Shizune, but in the second half, her expression changed, and she addressed the man in black at the next table.
".....As expected of one of Konoha's Legendary Sannin," The man in black at the next table stood up.
"Who are you? What do you want...?" Shizune quickly moved to stand in front of Tsunade, her eyes fixed on the man with caution.
"....I'm looking for Tsunade-hime to borrow something..." The man in black spoke slowly and deliberately.
"Oh~~~ Tell me, what do you want to borrow from me?" Tsunade looked at the man in black, a cold smile playing on her lips.
Tsunade had been through countless battles, big and small. She could sense a strong killing intent emanating from the man. Even though she hadn't been in a fight for years, her instincts were still sharp.
"I'd like to borrow Tsunade-hime's corpse," the man in black said, his words dripping with murderous intent, even though his tone remained calm.
"Hmph, we'll see if you have the ability!" Tsunade stood up, her chakra flaring. The surrounding tables and chairs were overturned by the force of her unleashed chakra.
"Tsunade-sama, let me handle him. There are still many civilians here," Shizune said urgently.
A ninja's battle could easily cause significant harm to civilians with a single move. There were many ordinary people nearby.
"Step aside. This person is strong," Tsunade said, sensing the other person's chakra.
"Follow me..." Tsunade said and walked outside.
"Finding a suitable place to meet your death, are you...?" The man in black didn't object and followed her.
The three of them walked out of the town, one after the other.
"Tsunade-sama... We should go inform Jiraiya-sama..." Shizune said, still worried.
The place they were staying was right next door to the town Jiraiya was in. Tsunade had been keeping track of Jiraiya's movements. She had actually been considering whether or not to meet with Jiraiya these past two days, so she had chosen a location that was close, but still maintained a distance.
"Shut up. I'm not so weak that I need him to rescue me," Tsunade glared at Shizune, annoyed.
"But..." Shizune started to say something, but Tsunade cut her off.
"I'll go see Jiraiya after I deal with him," Tsunade said impatiently.
Shizune finally stopped talking.
When Tsunade reached an open area, she was surprised to find a child there.
Shizune was the first to see the boy. She stepped forward, drawing a kunai and assuming a defensive stance. "Who are you?"
The surrounding rocks were covered in spiral-shaped markings. Seeing the blue chakra in the boy's hand, Shizune immediately knew he was a ninja. She didn't know which village he was from. Could he be an accomplice of the man in black...?
"Huh? Who are you guys?" The yellow-haired boy sensed someone approaching and, seeing the three unfamiliar figures, asked.
"Hm? A Konoha ninja?" Shizune saw that the boy's forehead protector had the Konoha symbol. She relaxed slightly, then suddenly realized something...
"Do you know Jiraiya-sama?" Shizune asked.
Encountering a Konoha ninja here, it was highly likely he was with Jiraiya. So, Shizune decided to test the waters.
"Who are you?" Naruto's guard instantly went up. Naruto might be a bit dense sometimes, but he wasn't a complete fool.
"I'm also a Konoha ninja. I know Jiraiya-sama has been searching for Tsunade-sama. That person over there is Tsunade-sama," Shizune said quickly, seeing Naruto's question and feeling more confident. "The situation is urgent. Hurry and go inform Jiraiya-sama. Tsunade-sama is in danger."
"Huh? That's Sakura-chan's teacher? Isn't she supposed to be the same age as Pervy Sage?" Naruto was puzzled, seeing Tsunade's youthful appearance.
"Don't worry about that, just hurry and go inform Jiraiya-sama," Shizune said.
Shizune knew very well what kind of life Tsunade had been living these past years. She was constantly avoiding battles. Shizune didn't know if Tsunade could handle this person who even Tsunade felt was strong.
"Hm? Is that guy in black the enemy?" Naruto asked, looking at the person standing opposite Tsunade.
"I said... hurry up and go!!!" Shizune's forehead vein throbbed from Naruto's dawdling. She smacked Naruto on the head.
"Ow, ow, ow... Another violent woman," Naruto muttered quietly.
"What did you say...?" Shizune clenched her fist.
"N-nothing, I'm going now." Seeing that this woman was about to lose her temper, Naruto quickly scurried off.
The man in black, seeing Naruto run away, immediately moved to block him.
"Trying to run?"
The man in black also knew about Jiraiya and his group. But because there was no reward, and Jiraiya wasn't easy to deal with, the man in black wouldn't go looking for trouble. But now, seeing that this boy was going to inform Jiraiya, he naturally wouldn't let Naruto get his way.
Although he wasn't afraid, the man in black didn't want to waste his energy on someone with no bounty.
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