[Jiraiya and Tsunade locked eyes, frozen in a moment of stunned recognition.]
[After several seconds, Jiraiya suddenly pointed at her in excitement: "Tsunade!"]
[Shizune stood there confused, while Tsunade shot up, bracing her hands on the table.]
["Jiraiya! Why are you here?!"]
Konoha – Chūnin Exam Arena
Naruto stared blankly at the screen.
He was in the footage.
Walking with the Pervy Sage.
Inside a tavern.
He had NEVER experienced this—
meaning this was future footage.
"N-Naruto!"
Hinata blushed furiously as she whispered his name.
Sasuke squinted. "Naruto… what were you doing in a tavern?"
Naruto flailed. "HOW WOULD I KNOW?! I've never been to a place like that!"
Sakura crossed her arms. "Naruto, you learned bad habits!
Why were you with that weird uncle—and how did you meet Lady Tsunade?!"
Naruto wailed, "I SAID I DON'T KNOW!!"
Shikamaru sighed.
"This footage shows Tsunade's summoned-beast battle.
But since Jiraiya appears too… that means—"
Kiba: "MEANS WHAT?! Don't stop halfway, spit it out!"
Shikamaru pushed his ponytail lazily.
"It means Naruto is involved in the future battle that's about to happen…"
The entire Rookie Twelve turned to look at Naruto.
Most showed confusion, some curiosity—
Hinata…
Only worry.
"Naruto… is he going to be in that terrifying battle?
Will he… be okay…?"
Inside the Shinigami's stomach — Reaper Death Seal prison
"Dear! Dear! LOOK!
Look at that boy next to Jiraiya!
He looks just like you! And me!
Could… could he be… Naruto?!"
Kushina shook Minato's arm desperately.
"Don't panic, Kushina."
Minato smiled warmly.
"Trust your instincts. I believe that is our son—Naruto."
Kushina covered her mouth, eyes misting.
"We finally get to see him… our Naruto…"
The footage continued.
["Finally found you! I'm exhausted from chasing you all day!"]
[Jiraiya plopped down beside Tsunade.]
[Switch to Naruto's perspective.]
[Naruto stared at Tsunade in disbelief.
"This big sister is Tsunade?"]
[He studied her youthful face. "Is she REALLY fifty?"]
[Then he glanced at her enormous assets—
"That's totally cheating!!"]
Chūnin Exam Arena – Audience
When the video paused on that angle—
Bai Yan stared for two seconds too long.
His wife Ayame pinched his thigh.
"Enjoying the view, dear?"
"It's n— not as good as you, honey!"
Only then did she relent with a "hmph."
On the road to Konoha
Jiraiya chuckled.
"Good job, my student… that's the spirit."
Inside the Reaper's belly
Kushina wiped her tears.
"Our Naruto… has grown up so much…"
Minato held her close.
"Yes.
He's grown strong… and even healthier than we hoped."
Sage of Six Paths
"Haha! As expected of Asura's reincarnation—well said!"
He replayed Naruto's reaction several times in his mind.
Back to present Tsunade
"Damn that brat! Where was he looking?!"
She looked down—
Her towel had slipped.
Her eye twitched violently.
Footage continues.
[Naruto sat down at the table as well.
Shizune thought helplessly:
"Never expected I'd meet all three Sannin in one day…"]
[Tsunade downed another cup, cheeks flushed from alcohol.
"Looks like today is the day for meeting old friends."]
[Jiraiya poured her another drink.
"Seems you also ran into Orochimaru.
What happened?"]
[Tsunade waved it off. "Just said hello."]
[She reached into her cleavage and pulled out a deck of cards.]
Iwagakure
Ōnoki coughed violently.
"Even through the screen… I feel like that deck smells incredible…"
Kurotsuchi burst out:
"Grandpa!! WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!"
"Ahem! Nothing!"
Kumogakure
"I WANT THAT DECK."
A said seriously.
Mabui stared at him in horror.
"Why…?"
"Because if Tsunade kept it there, it must be powerful!"
He said it with total conviction.
Many ninjas across villages
They wanted the deck too.
Others speculated it might be a secret ninja tool with hidden power.
Kirigakure
Mei Terumi scoffed.
"Hmph! Dressing like that at her age… shameless!"
But in her mind:
Should I put something in my cleavage too?
Maybe a weapon?
Something to pull out dramatically when my ranking appears…
Back to present Tsunade
"I—Shizune.
From now on… YOU keep my cards."
She made this decision with visible pain.
Footage continues.
[Tsunade placed the deck on the table, and Jiraiya politely slid the dishes aside.]
["Alright, Jiraiya—why are you here?"]
[Instead of answering, Jiraiya picked up the deck and shuffled it himself.]
[Finally revealing—
the mysterious "item from Tsunade's chest" was…
just an ordinary deck of playing cards.]
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 3 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
Leave some comments or data to cheer the author on—your support makes the chapters come faster!
Thank you all for your support!