Jiraiya was heartbroken.
However, Uchiha Hayashi felt that this description wasn't entirely accurate. After all, how could someone who had never truly been in love be described as heartbroken?
At most, it could be called a failed attempt at courtship, undoubtedly crushed in a cesspool of embarrassment.
But Jiraiya insisted that he and Tsunade had been in love for an hour before parting ways amicably. According to eyewitness Nawaki, this story was exaggerated by at least sixty times.
"A man only becomes stronger after being rejected. A man who cannot laugh it off is simply lacking strength of character," Jiraiya declared as he stood gazing at the setting sun's golden hues, offering the most profound realization of his life.
"Furthermore, happiness is not something a man should chase."
His eyes brimmed with emotion, deep like the ocean, leaving Orochimaru, standing quietly beside him, momentarily stunned.
Then, in the next moment, Jiraiya burst out laughing.
"Ahaha, I've decided! I'm going to write this in my next novel."
Jiraiya, who had just sounded so philosophical, instantly became frivolous.
"Big Brother Jiraiya, are you really okay?" Nawaki asked guiltily. After all, he was the one who had encouraged Jiraiya to confess, only for the attempt to fail repeatedly.
"It's not your fault, it's all your sister's fault," Jiraiya said as he patted Nawaki on the head.
"I knew Tsunade was shameless, but I didn't expect her to be this shameless! She promised to be in a relationship with me, but barely an hour passed before she dumped me."
Jiraiya's voice trembled with resentment. In his excitement, he had not even managed to hold her hand before his first love ended abruptly.
"I was so foolish, truly. I could have done so much!"
Uchiha Hayashi wanted to tease Jiraiya, but under that fierce gaze, he obediently remained quiet.
"What's wrong, you stinky brat? Do you have something to say?" Jiraiya snapped, eyes narrowed as though he was moments from throwing a tag exploding seal at him.
Hayashi glanced at Orochimaru for support, but Orochimaru was suppressing a smile, evidently still delighted by Jiraiya's romantic misfortune. With no outside help, Hayashi could only bite the bullet.
"No, I was just thinking of a clever way to help you win back Teacher Tsunade," he explained.
"What … such a clever idea, why didn't you say so sooner?" Jiraiya's mood brightened as he snatched Hayashi's hand with excitement, as though he had not just been lamenting about men needing to be strong.
"You just take a cup and walk up to Teacher Tsunade and smash it on the ground. See if that intimidates her. If it does, then it's fixed and you two are back together."
"And if it doesn't?"
"Then kneel on the broken glass and it's done. She will definitely—"
Is he trying to trick me again? Jiraiya looked at Hayashi with suspicion. A memory surfaced: years ago this brat had tricked him into a situation where Tsunade had broken three of his ribs.
"In short, just listen to me, I'm right." Hayashi glanced at Minato and Nawaki.
"Look, everyone around you is single. What do they know? They blush just from talking to girls."
"That … does make sense," Jiraiya said as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "All right, I'll try it tomorrow!"
Having found his "method," Jiraiya sprinted off excitedly toward his tent.
Tonight, I'll sleep well …
When Uchiha Hayashi woke up at five in the morning, he stepped out of the carriage and patted Minato on the shoulder.
"Minato , go back to sleep. I'll wake you when the troops move."
Although there were thousands of ninja around them, the group was still exposed in the wilderness. Precautions were necessary. Fortunately, Hayashi's group had five people, so by taking turns standing watch, they could still rest reasonably.
"By the way, what are you doing?" Hayashi asked, noticing Minato preparing his ninja bag.
"Nothing much, just packing bandages for Teacher Jiraiya. I have a feeling he'll need them today."
Minato spoke with a hint of a jinx in his voice. Hayashi smiled and shook his head.
"Minato, do you have common sense? What good are bandages? What you need most is glue to make a memorial portrait stick properly."
"…" Minato just blinked.
"Hahahaha, all right, go back to sleep. We are almost crossing the border into the Land of Fire, so it will be busy today."
"There should be Konoha's escort waiting, so there should be no problems, right?" Minato asked.
"I'm not completely sure. Teacher Orochimaru hasn't told me anything specific, but be prepared for battle," Hayashi replied.
"Understood," Minato nodded and headed back toward the carriage. After a quick look around and seeing nothing unusual, Hayashi walked to the carriage where Mikoto and Himeji were sleeping.
Lifting the curtain gently, he saw both girls still asleep, but their jackets had been kicked off.
"They don't even sleep properly," he murmured, picking up the clothes to cover them.
Suddenly, Himeji, ever vigilant, opened her eyes.
"Don't misunderstand," Hayashi said awkwardly, raising his hands to indicate he had done nothing inappropriate.
Himeji didn't speak. She simply closed her eyes and went back to sleep. After a moment, hearing no further movement, she opened her eyes again.
Through the gap in the curtain, she could see the distant figure of the young man.
After looking at Mikoto and touching her slightly flushed face, Himeji lay down again. Whether she could fall asleep again… who could say?
At seven o'clock, the entire army began moving again. Everyone knew they would return to the Land of Fire today.
"There might be a small‑scale battle," Hayashi warned. "Stay alert. I may not be able to watch over you personally. Minato and Nawaki, the safety of the squad is in your hands."
"We are almost at the Land of Fire border, and there is still a possibility of battle?" Nawaki asked doubtfully.
"Yes, there is still one unresolved problem," Hayashi said.
Regarding the issue of the Third Kazekage, Hayashi had only been given hints by Orochimaru. He could not be sure of the details. Therefore, he could only give his teammates a heads‑up.
When this large ninja army, returning from the Land of Rivers battlefield, successfully crossed the border and entered the Land of Fire, the entire troop erupted with cheers.
However, Orochimaru, leading at the front, showed no joy. By this time, he had already received news from the reconnaissance ninja up ahead.
Konoha's escort team had arrived.
According to tradition, when a victorious army returned to the village, an escort was sent not because the army needed protection, but because these forces represented the authority of the Hokage, personally welcoming the returning warriors and honoring their achievements.
What stood out this time was the number and variety of ninja present. Aside from an ANBU contingent, a large portion of the escort was made up of ninja from the Uchiha Clan. Of course, they were not the only ones there, as several smaller clans eager for recognition had also mobilized.
"They arrived quickly," Orochimaru murmured with a hint of meaning in his voice.
These escorts were here to ensure the Third Kazekage's smooth return to the village. After all, bringing back the greatest prize of this war was a significant achievement.
"So many flies," he muttered.
Unlike Orochimaru, Jiraiya did not speak. He simply cast a complicated gaze over the surrounding escort ninja, his expression unreadable.