The following morning, Jiraiya and Tsunade emerged from the clan compound, their footsteps carrying them towards the meeting spot where they'd arranged to rendezvous with their friends.
As they walked, Tsunade found herself stealing covert glances at Jiraiya, her heart still heavy with the lingering unease from the previous night.
Yet, there was nothing amiss. He seemed his usual self, and a sigh of relief escaped her lips.
"It's alright,"
She reassured herself silently.
"What I felt last night was wrong, after all."
Jiraiya had returned from his training the night before, his clothes disheveled as always.
He'd greeted her with his usual playful smile, and they'd shared dinner together, their conversation flowing effortlessly.
He'd even helped her with the dishes afterward, his actions devoid of any unusual behavior.
Despite this normalcy, however, a persistent niggling feeling continued to tug at Tsunade's subconscious, whispering that something was different.
She resolutely pushed these feelings aside, chiding herself for almost succumbing to such irrationality.
Jiraiya would undoubtedly find it laughable if he knew what she'd been thinking, and the thought of his amusement at her expense brought a flush to her cheeks.
"Over here!"
As they neared their destination, Inori's voice cut through the air, drawing their attention.
She stood with Shikadai and Chojuro, their closeness stemming from the close bond between their three families.
The trio had affectionately dubbed themselves "Ino-Shika-Cho,".
Jiraiya and Tsunade greeted them.
Jiraiya's eyes scanned the surroundings, his brow furrowing in puzzlement.
"Where is Orochimaru?"
It was unusual for her to be absent, especially given her penchant for theatrics and her tendency to appear first, always eager to engage in a verbal sparring match or to simply irritate him.
He had almost expected her to materialize out of thin air, a smirk playing on her lips and a challenge glinting in her eyes.
"She will be late today. She has to take care of her mother."
Jiraiya's brow furrowed,
"Huh, is her mother sick?"
The usually boisterous man was subdued, his future knowledge rendered useless, leaving him grasping at straws.
Inori's eyes widened,
"You don't know? Oh, I forgot that the two of you always fight. She didn't tell you, so it was understandable. And because the cost for seeing a healer is expensive... They didn't have enough money."
A hint of sadness tinged her voice as she spoke of her friend's predicament.
"She didn't tell me..."
Jiraiya mumbled.
Inori nodded, her expression softening,
"I tried to give her money, but she refused. She's proud, you know."
Jiraiya sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"I know,"
He admitted. He knew her more than anyone could guess.
"She's working extra shifts at the dango shop nearby,"
Inori added, her voice barely above a whisper.
"She's exhausted, but she won't let anyone help."
Jiraiya's heart sank.
He pictured his friend, her usual fiery spirit dampened by worry and fatigue, struggling to cope with the burden of her mother's illness and the financial strain it brought.
She wasn't the Orochimaru of his previous life. She was just a girl who experienced hardship.
"I need to do something,"
He declared, his voice firm.
Inori looked at him, a flicker of hope in her eyes.
"What are you going to do?"
Jiraiya's lips curved into a determined smile.
"I'm going to prank the living out of her,"
He announced, his voice borderline crazy.
"And I'm going to help her even if she doesn't want to. She can bite me if she wants Haha!!"
Inori shook her head.
Shikadai and Chojuro shrugged. They knew he would do that. He was Jiraiya after all.
"Hey there, Tsunade-san…"
The once lively atmosphere surrounding the group of friends was abruptly disrupted by the unexpected arrival of someone.
It was Kato Dan.
His presence cast an awkward pall over the gathering, his intentions clear to all present.
Inori, Shikadai, and Chojuro exchanged knowing glances, their eyes instinctively drawn towards Jiraiya.
They were well aware of Jiraiya's deep affection for Tsunade and anticipated a potential confrontation.
Bracing themselves, they were prepared to stand by their friend, ready to defend his claim on Tsunade's heart. However, Jiraiya's reaction took them by surprise.
Contrary to their expectations, Jiraiya displayed no outward signs of aggression or hostility towards Kato Dan.
There were no clenched fists, no narrowed eyes, no tense exchange of words.
Instead, he maintained a calm and composed demeanor, his expression unreadable.
'What happened?'
...
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