"That was all in the past now."
"Later on, the letters came more frequently each year."
"Every letter was full of complaints, practically accusing Makoto of refusing to help."
"The more pressure Makoto faced, the more she passed it on to me."
"But I can't just throw Konoha ninjas into a burning pit."
This was entirely Jiraiya's unilateral assumption.
If it really were a burning pit, there might be countless brave souls ready to leap in.
"Exactly."
As Tsunade listened to Jiraiya's words, a sense of relief washed over her—Konoha still held the highest place in his heart.
"Not long ago, another letter came. Makoto asked me to send someone to Nakano Village—like sending a spy."
"What kind of information could possibly be worth investigating in Nakano Village?"
"She's clearly trying to get me to abuse my authority, so I turned her down."
"In a fit of anger, she went back home."
Jiraiya finally explained everything clearly.
It wasn't what everyone assumed—an issue of conduct, or even a marital problem between the couple.
"This isn't really a solution either."
"You can't keep arguing and then making up every time."
Shinryu knew very well that constant back-and-forth like this wasn't healthy for a marriage; he and Kurenai's mother had barely ever argued in all their years together.
"Well, what else can I do?"
"I definitely can't just send people over there for Nakano Village to continue their bloodline."
Jiraiya propped his forehead up with one hand—he'd clearly been carrying this dilemma for a long time.
"Of course sending people won't work."
"Our Konoha ninjas are far too valuable."
"But that doesn't mean there's no solution."
A glimmer lit up Kawaki's eyes—he already had a plan.
"What plan?"
Jiraiya immediately perked up, fixing Kawaki with an even fiercer gaze than before.
"It looks like Orochimaru has a plan too."
"Let's hear what he has to say first."
Kawaki glanced at Orochimaru—the old fox—who also seemed to share the same thought.
Once Kawaki finished speaking, everyone turned their attention toward Orochimaru.
At this point, refusal wasn't even an option.
"This matter is actually quite simple."
"Just try thinking from a different angle."
"After all, it's Nakano Village that needs something from us."
"So why not have them send people here to Konoha instead?"
A faint smirk curled at the corner of Orochimaru's lips as he countered Jiraiya.
"I suggested that before. They wouldn't agree."
Jiraiya had hoped Orochimaru would bring something better, only to find it was nothing particularly new.
"Do they really have the right to choose whether or not to agree?"
"You must understand—it's them who feel the urgency, not us."
"Let's wait a few more years. We'll see who breaks down without any newborns."
Orochimaru ruthlessly seized Nakano Village's weakest point—his insight far clearer than Jiraiya's.
"They'll eventually agree to send people over."
"Find someone suitable. Win, and she comes back with you. Lose, and you stay behind as a Konoha husband."
"I'd love to see how many women from Nakano Village can actually walk away taking our Konoha ninja with them."
Kawaki picked up where Orochimaru left off—their thoughts perfectly aligned.
Still just as in sync as they were years ago.
"Exactly."
"Konoha is far more prosperous than Nakano Village—and undeniably stronger too."
"Once they set foot in Konoha, nine out of ten won't even think about leaving."
Jiraiya suddenly saw through it—it was a suicide strategy.
Even if Nakano Village sent people, they'd surely send only their strongest and most beautiful women.
And if those women chose to stay in Konoha, Nakano Village could actually face extinction.
The thought unsettled him—it was, after all, his wife's hometown.
"Do you really think Nakano Village's survival method is sustainable?"
"How much longer can this last?"
"What do you think will become of a village filled with women who lack combat strength when war breaks out across the ninja world?"
Tsunade noticed Jiraiya's hesitation and poured oil on the fire.
But everything she said was true—their survival method wasn't suited for the ninja world's brutal realities.
And since Jiraiya handled intelligence work, he already knew how turbulent the outwardly peaceful ninja world truly was.
The Second Shinobi World War had changed nothing—the next war was inevitable.
After hearing Tsunade's words, Jiraiya fell into thought.
"You make a valid point, Lord Tsunade."
"I, on behalf of the Uchiha Clan, warmly welcome the shinobi from Nakano Village."
Fugaku nodded in agreement with Tsunade, then threw in a joke.
"So you're hooked on arranged marriages now, huh?"
"The Snow Clan's practically yours already—how elegant."
Though Kawaki pointed a finger at Fugaku rather rudely, everyone knew it was just playful teasing.
"That's just how it is—who can blame us when Uchiha have such good looks?"
Fugaku didn't seem fazed in the least, even smugly stroking his chin.
"As for you, though? Forget it—you're the exception."
The official comeback was lethal—one sentence from Mikoto wiped the smirk right off Fugaku's otherwise expressionless face.
True, most Uchiha were stunning men and women—but Fugaku Uchiha himself was definitely no heartthrob.
"Hahahaha!"
Seeing Fugaku's awkward expression, everyone burst into laughter at once.
"Fugaku, any news on my chosen disciple yet?"
Speaking of the Snow Clan reminded Orochimaru of something he had mentioned years ago.
A disciple wielding both the Sharingan and Ice Release would be something truly thrilling.
"Not yet."
Fugaku shook his head with a bitter smile. The wish was beautiful, but reality remained cruel.
This chapter isn't over yet—the eldest child from the two clans' union is barely six years old.
Never mind awakening both bloodline limits at once—even triggering one was still a distant dream.
"Tsunade herself wasn't especially eager. After all, Konoha's strength couldn't rely solely on one or two geniuses."
"In that case, I'll wait a little longer."
"If worse comes to worst, I'm also willing to train your child in the future."
Orochimaru smiled slightly at Fugaku, which made Mikoto feel slightly embarrassed.
Given that his experiments needed live test subjects, Orochimaru and Fugaku had grown unusually close in recent years.
"Then it's settled—don't go back on your word when the time comes."
"Now that I think about it, my wedding to Mikoto is coming up soon."
"I've been going over the dates lately. This is just an early heads-up today."
After Fugaku finished speaking, he pulled Mikoto up, and the two stood together, raising their cups to toast the guests present.
He was also fully on board with the idea of their future child becoming Orochimaru's disciple.
After all, no one present could match Orochimaru's vast knowledge.
"Congratulations!"
"Another big day for Konoha."
...
Everyone stood to return the toast, each word spoken from the heart.
The Uchiha Clan, being the most powerful family in Konoha, would surely make their clan leader's wedding a grand occasion.
"I've thought it through too. Tsunade was right."
"Then we'll go ahead with it."
After rounds of congratulations, Jiraiya finally made his decision.
"Now you're talking."
"You'll deserve thanks from Makoto later."
Kawaki raised his cup and clinked it once more with Jiraiya's.
Once the sake had started flowing and the feast was well underway,
Kushina and Mikoto huddled together once more, two inseparable best friends chatting away nonstop.
Mikoto would occasionally glance at Fugaku, her face burning red.
Only Kushina—such a bold girl—knew what embarrassing things she'd whispered into Mikoto's ear.
When everyone finally exited the barbecue restaurant, it was nearly four in the afternoon.
After saying their reluctant goodbyes and heading their separate ways, their day was considered complete.
The adults staggered slightly on their feet, while the kids bounced around full of energy.
...
Please bookmark: Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade (m.