"Tsu-Tsunade…"
Staring at the woman he'd carried a torch for all these years, Jiraiya was uncharacteristically flustered, a faint blush on his cheeks.
His words came out in a stumble.
"So… you really are alive."
"Long time no see, Jiraiya," Tsunade said, her voice even. Her gaze flicked past him to Nagato, who was nearby.
"I'll let you two talk," Nagato said, understanding the situation, and turned to leave.
"So, you've joined the Land of Waves too?" Jiraiya asked, his expression complex as he took in Tsunade's attire.
"Head of the Medical Division. It's a pain," Tsunade nodded, leaning back against a nearby pillar. "Not only do I have to heal people, but I also have to teach medical ninjutsu. The monthly pay isn't great either—just enough to get by."
"But you don't seem to hate it," Jiraiya murmured.
"I don't hate it but I don't love it either " Tsunade shrugged nonchalantly. "It is what it is, working for my man."
"Hah, yeah, that makes sense…" Jiraiya laughed, scratching his head, before her words suddenly registered. "Wait, what did you just say? Your… your man?"
"Mhm," Tsunade confirmed, her face utterly serene. "Hayashi Yuto. You know of him."
"But… isn't he your student?"
"He's my student and he's also my man. Is there some conflict there I'm missing?"
"But—"
"Don't tell me you're about to lecture me on tradition? You're the last person who follows convention. Save it."
Jiraiya was dumbstruck, his gaze turning weird as he looked at Tsunade.
The woman he loved had found someone new… and it was her student. That was strange enough, but the kicker was, just how old was this kid anyway?
'And she could just state outright that he was her man? So this was Tsunade's type?'
How come he never noticed before?
Guess he really didn't know her as well as he thought!
"That look on your face… are you thinking something perverted?" Tsunade asked, crossing her arms and fixing him with a stare.
"No! Nothing! Just… impressed, is all," Jiraiya said, eyes darting away, his voice dripping with insincerity. "Hayashi Yuto is quite accomplished for his age. He'll be a good partner for you."
"You're thinking I am a 'cougar', aren't you?" Tsunade snorted. "Beating around the bush doesn't suit you."
Jiraiya's eye twitched. He fell silent again.
"Here are your release papers. Take them and go back to Konoha." Tsunade pulled a document from her pocket and handed it over.
Jiraiya took the papers, momentarily stunned. His voice grew low. "Aren't you worried Hayashi Yuto will…"
"I'm the one who applied for them with him," Tsunade shook her head, her expression frank. "You're a freelance ninja for Konoha. We wouldn't get much ransom for you anyway."
"I'm that cheap, huh?" Jiraiya sighed, then looked up at Tsunade. "But I was a spy for Konoha, you know. Aren't you afraid I'll expose everything about this place once I'm out?"
"I'm counting on it," Tsunade's face turned serious, her expression earnest. "Go back and tell the old man I'm alive. Tell him not to harbor too much hatred for the Land of Waves. He should disband the Allied Shinobi Forces. It would be best for his legacy."
"The Land of Waves is that strong?" Jiraiya inhaled sharply.
"Stronger than you can imagine. Now go." Tsunade waved a hand dismissively and turned to leave with finality.
Jiraiya stood there, staring at the release papers in his hand, a conflicted look crossing his face.
—
*Land of Earth, Allied Shinobi Forces War Room.*
BOOM!
The sound of splintering wood echoed as the dark-skinned Raikage smashed the table in front of him. "I don't give a damn about the Espada or whatever they're called! All I want is to see that bastard Hayashi Yuto DEAD!"
"Raikage-sama, please calm down. We are merely analyzing the situation," the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, urged patiently.
"Looks to me like you're thinking about surrendering!" the Fourth Raikage roared, his eyes bulging.
"If every one of these 'Espada' has power like Pakura's, how do we counter them?" Ōnoki frowned, deep in thought.
"The entire Land of Waves has a population of less than ten thousand! So what if they scrape together ten fighters like Pakura?" The Fourth Raikage glared at him, his voice full of fury. "We have a hundred thousand shinobi! How can they possibly prevail?!"
"We will fight, of course, but the strategy is the question," Hiruzen Sarutobi said calmly, blowing out a slow ring of smoke.
"Right now, we are blind. We don't know the Espada's specific identities or have any intelligence on their capabilities. Furthermore, how do we defend against their… elusive methods of appearing and disappearing?"
There was a heavy silence before Yagura spoke again.
"I propose we split our forces into four groups. A pincer attack from the left, center, and right. And a fourth, elite unit to flank by sea, striking from behind. Once we capture their central city, even Hayashi Yuto's power won't be enough to turn the tide!"
"Not a bad idea."
"I agree!"
"A naval flanking move! The Land of Waves would never expect such a brilliant strategy!"
Hiruzen and the others nodded in agreement, the worried looks on their faces finally clearing away.
"The Sand Village representative isn't here today. Should we inform them?" Yagura asked quietly.
"It doesn't matter," the Fourth Raikage waved his hand dismissively with a scornful laugh. "A bunch of weaklings and cripples. Whether they're here or not makes little difference."
"Words that harm our unity are best left unsaid, Raikage-sama," Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed lightly, offering a reminder. "We Five Great Shinobi Villages are united as one now!"
"Hah! And you've got the nerve to play that card!" The Fourth Raikage shot him a look of utter contempt. "Your Konoha has already scooped up most of the Wind Country's missions that used to go to the Sand. 'United as one' my ass!"
"That is only thanks to the graciousness of the Wind Daimyō," Hiruzen said, a flicker of awkwardness in his eyes, quickly replaced by a thick-skinned smile.
—
*Conference Hall, Land of Waves*
Watching the entire scene play out via their surveillance, the siblings Chiyo and Ebizō cursed loudly.
"Graciousness of the Daimyō?! You damn well strong-armed them!"
"That old fossil!"
"What a bastard!"
"You told the Wind Daimyō and nobles that the Sand Village was no longer fit to be their protectors, that they should subcontract to you instead! Is that something an ally does?!"
Monster! An absolute vile monster!
"So, what do you think of my proposal?" Hayashi Yuto asked with a smile.
Chiyo and Ebizō exchanged a glance, then nodded in unison.
"I find it acceptable!"
"The non-aggression pact and alliance treaty…we agree to sign."
"I knew you'd both choose the right side," Hayashi Yuto said, a faint smile curling his lips, his demeanor utterly calm.
'The right side?! We just have no other choice left, dammit!'
Chiyo and Ebizō sighed inwardly.
But if they really thought about it, which side was truly 'right' was hard to say.
They had assumed the alliance of the Five Great Villages was the dominant power, but now it seemed the Land of Waves was not to be underestimated either.
The most critical point was that the Allied Shinobi Forces were like fools with their pants down around their ankles. All their secrets, all their plans… were laid completely bare for the Land of Waves to see.
The intelligence of both sides was completely unequal, They never stood a chance!
_____
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