After Naruto left, Tsunade stood silently, the vial of Hashirama Cells glimmering faintly in her hand.
Naruto's words echoed in her mind—his promise to resurrect her grandfather, the Second Hokage, and even… Nawaki.
For the first time in many years, a flicker of hope sparked within her heart.
Even if it was a faint and fragile light, wasn't it worth reaching for?
Tsunade exhaled slowly, her expression unreadable. Though she wasn't like Orochimaru, who had long delved into forbidden research, she was the greatest medical ninja in the shinobi world.
Her understanding of human anatomy and cellular structure far surpassed his.
Compared to Orochimaru's crude experiments, Tsunade's foundation was pure science—and her emotions were deeply personal.
Her heart must have been conflicted beyond words. But if Tsunade's heart was in turmoil, there was someone else whose feelings were even more complicated.
At that moment, Jiraiya was lying in a hot spring, steam curling around him as he let out a long sigh.
His expression was equal parts helpless and worried.
What was supposed to be a simple mission—finding Tsunade—had somehow turned into a headache.
It should have been easy. After all, Tsunade was notorious across the Land of Fire as a gambler.
Even without meeting her, Jiraiya knew her reputation by heart—the legendary Sucker Princess who could empty a casino's coffers faster than a thief in the night.
Normally, it wasn't hard to find her; she left a trail of debt wherever she went.
But lately, she had vanished completely, as if the earth itself had swallowed her.
He'd even paid off some of her gambling debts in the past, though he'd never admit that out loud.
Sinking deeper into the hot water, Jiraiya almost let himself relax. Almost.
Because the moment he thought about returning to Konoha empty-handed, he imagined Tobirama's stern glare—and a mountain of paperwork waiting for him as punishment.
The mere thought made him shudder.
He had no interest in politics or the village's power games. His insight into human nature was sharp enough to recognize corruption when he saw it—and to stay far away from it.
Tsunade, though, was a different story. With her strength, status, and fiery temper, no schemer would dare cross her twice. Anyone foolish enough to test her patience would soon learn firsthand the devastating force of her fists.
As the granddaughter of both the First and Second Hokage, the Princess of the Senju Clan, and even a noble recognized by the Daimyō of the Land of Fire, Tsunade's claim to the Hokage title was unquestionable.
Under her leadership, Konoha could truly flourish again—and that thought alone was enough to make Jiraiya smile faintly.
After finishing his bath, Jiraiya paid the bill and stepped out into the bright afternoon light.
He looked up at the clear blue sky, a faint melancholy settling in his chest as he walked down the bustling street.
From the nearby casinos came the familiar sounds of dice clattering and gamblers shouting—noise that once would have led him straight to Tsunade.
But not this time. Not anymore.
"Tsunade… where on earth have you gone?" he muttered, a bitter smile tugging at his lips.
Then, his expression hardened. "Looks like there's only one option left."
He turned down a quiet path leading out of town, until the streets gave way to a forest thick with old trees.
Forming a quick series of hand signs, he slammed his palm to the ground.
A puff of smoke burst around him—and in the next instant, Jiraiya vanished.
When the smoke cleared, he was no longer in the Land of Fire.
Towering trees, enormous toads, and ancient stone buildings stretched across the landscape. Giant insects buzzed lazily, and the scent of moss hung in the air.
Mount Myōboku—the sacred land of the toads.
"Yo! If it isn't Jiraiya!"
A deep rumbling voice echoed. Jiraiya looked up and grinned. Standing before him was a towering blue-green toad with twin swords strapped to his back—Gamahiro.
"Long time no see," Jiraiya greeted. "I'm here to speak with Lord Fukasaku."
Gamahiro chuckled. "Still stirring up trouble, huh? Go on then, the old man's around."
Mount Myōboku's residents were always fond of Jiraiya. He had earned their respect long ago.
Jiraiya made his way deeper into the sacred mountain until he reached a small cottage surrounded by blooming mushrooms.
Two elderly toads awaited him—Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima, the wise elders who had guided him during his Sage Mode training.
"Little Jiraiya!" Sage Shima croaked cheerfully.
"You came at a good time! Would you like to try my new recipe?"
Jiraiya froze, a bead of sweat forming on his temple. He still remembered the last "meal" she served—fried beetles and roasted worms.
"Ah—no, thank you," he said quickly, forcing a grin.
"Actually, I came to ask Lord Fukasaku something important. I need to find a way to contact Shikkotsu Forest… I'm looking for Tsunade."
He explained the recent events in Konoha—Naruto's growth, the political tension, and the need to bring Tsunade back.
Both sages listened quietly, their expressions growing somber.
"Hmm… sounds like things are getting troublesome again," Fukasaku muttered.
"Little Jiraiya," he asked after a pause, "is it something urgent?"
Jiraiya scratched his head and gave a lopsided smile.
"You could say that. It's important—and also not that important. Depends on how you look at it."
Only Jiraiya would talk like that about something that could affect the entire village.
Sage Fukasaku sighed and nodded. "Alright then. Leave it to me. I'll see what I can do."
Sage Fukasaku spoke, and Jiraiya's face instantly lit up with joy. Sage Shima quickly waved him inside with a warm smile.
"Little Jiraiya, don't worry so much. Write your letter, and I'll make sure it reaches Sage Katsuyu," she said kindly.
"That's right," Shima added cheerfully, "no need to rush. Come, try my newest recipe!"
She set down a steaming plate of food made from some unidentifiable creature.
In truth, there was only one true creature in Shikkotsu Forest—Sage Katsuyu herself. The smaller slugs that Tsunade summoned were merely her clones. The mysteries of that forest ran deep.
Just like the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku, Sage Katsuyu was a being of immense power and wisdom. Her true form was said to be vast—terrifyingly so.
Jiraiya quickly finished writing his letter and handed it to Sage Fukasaku. Then, hesitantly, he turned toward the food.
The dish looked… unsettling. Still, after forcing himself to take a bite, Jiraiya was startled to find it surprisingly delicious—if only he ignored its appearance.
Meanwhile, in the Hidden Leaf, Tsunade sat slumped in her chair after a long day of research. Her body was tired, but her eyes shone with excitement.
She had discovered something astonishing—the Uchiha's genetic makeup shared similarities with that of the Senju. That meant what Naruto once said was true: the Senju and Uchiha clans truly came from a common ancestor!
As she pondered the implications, a faint ripple appeared beside her.
"Katsuyu? Why are you here?" Tsunade asked, startled.
The great slug materialized on her desk, gently extending a small envelope.
"A letter from Jiraiya-sama," Katsuyu said softly.
After delivering it, she vanished as quietly as she had appeared.
The three great Sage Lands—Mount Myōboku, Shikkotsu Forest, and Ryūchi Cave—each had their own ways of communication, though their relationships were complicated.
Katsuyu remained neutral, but held little fondness for Ryūchi Cave. Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave, however, were outright enemies.
Tsunade slowly unfolded the letter and began to read. Her brows furrowed several times as she went through Jiraiya's words, her expression shifting between surprise and irritation.
When she finally finished, she tossed the letter onto the table with a sharp motion.
"Make me Hokage? Are you kidding me? Hokage? Only an idiot would want that job!"
Her voice was filled with frustration. If someone else wanted the title, they were welcome to it. As for her—she wanted no part of it.
...
TN:
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