"Why didn't you go to Konoha?" Tsunade's expression turned somber as she sipped from her wine cup. When Jiraiya heard Konoha, his expression changed because he realized she was inquiring about the passing of his student Minato.
Shizune sensed the tension and grief in the air but didn't interject when Tsunade asked, "You didn't?" while giving him a serious look.
Looking at Jiraiya on the Shizune's lap, Ton reflected, 'I always felt that if Jiraiya had at least once gone to Konoha after a year, Naruto's life could have changed quite a lot.'
"I can't, because there's an important mission for me," Jiraiya's voice remained emotionless as he severed the mention of the once-deep bond he shared with his beloved student.
"You bastard!" Tsunade's voice exploded with anger as she slammed her hand onto the table, causing dishes and glasses to tremble. Yet, Jiraiya's expression remained unaltered in the face of her fury.
"Yet, you know that your student's child has become a Jinchuriki. If you don't go and bring him back, the life of that innocent child will be ruined by those old hags," Tsunade's words were laced with a mixture of frustration and concern. Jiraiya's eyes took on a hint of redness, a sign of the emotions stirring within him. The grief of his student's family being subjected to such a hardship touched him deeply.
"I know....but this mission is for everyone's safety, Tsunade because Orochimaru joined an organization with S-rank criminals and I am looking for their details," Jiraiya said as he drank the wine, Tsunade narrowed her eyes when she heard about her other teammate's name Orochimaru, who Konoha had listed as a wanted S-rank criminal.
"And with this dangerous mission, I can't even raise a child..." Jiraiya lamented, saying he couldn't even help his student's child.
"Whatever you idiot, but you're gonna blame yourself if you meet that child later," Tsunade stated, shaking her head in disdain.
"So tomorrow we will arrange a meeting and I think it will be good if the meeting place is in a forest, also did you inform the toads about the slugs," Tusnade remarked as if she didn't care about his feelings because she knew he was a mission freak who didn't care about anything.
"ok.." said Jiraiya while drinking the wine.
Tsunade and Shizune got up and left the restaurant room, leaving Jiraiya alone, who was in a sad mood. Shizune felt awful, but she couldn't raise her voice against her master because she knew Tsunade wouldn't listen to her words.
'Seems like Jiraiya-sama needs to be alone with sadness,' Shizune thought as she understood how it felt to lose someone beloved. she assumed her master would support him but who was she to judge because during Tsunade's unhappy days, no one came to visit but her as they had forgotten her master.
"Shizune tomorrow will be very busy, it's gonna be a new era for slugs as a new contractor you need to be well prepared also Kastuya liked you a lot after your suggestion," Tsunade remarked as she walked along the street.
"Okay master, I've already finished my preparations and master, you're wearing a new dress for tomorrow," Shizune stated with a faint smile as she looked at her master. Tsunade couldn't help but gaze down because her student had told her to wear feminine clothing to seem beautiful, but she had no desire in looking good.
"Shizune, I don't want to wear that kind of dress," Tsunade insisted with a pleading expression, hoping her student would drop the subject. However, Shizune remained persistent, and their back-and-forth discussion about the dress continued as they finally reached their inn.
.....
In the morning,
In the depths of the forest, a few kilometers away from Yugakure, Tsunade and Jiraiya found themselves facing each other. With a mutual understanding, they simultaneously bit their fingers, drawing forth a thin line of crimson on their palms. The next moment, their palms met the ground in unison.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
"Summoning Jutsu!"
"PUFF~PUFF~"
The air was abruptly engulfed in a thick cloud of pure white smoke that shaped and twisted into the shapes of giant beasts. Two huge figures emerged from the dissolving mist, each towering with the stature of a tailed beast.
"What a surprise to meet you, Lady Tsunade," a gruff voice rumbled from the rust-colored giant toad, accompanied by plumes of smoke billowing from a Kiseru pipe clenched between its massive jaws. This colossal toad, none other than Gamabunta, stood before them. Adorned in a large blue happi vest and carrying an imposing dosu blade, Gamabunta's presence was truly awe-inspiring.
"Likewise, Gamabunta. You know the reason we've gathered with my Katsuyu," Tsunade replied while positioned atop the massive slug summon, Katsuyu. Gamabunta's piercing yellow eyes focused on Tsunade, the scar over one of them adding a rugged air to his appearance.
"I received word from Kosuke. And do you converse with those reptiles, Katsuyu?" Gamabunta's gravelly voice inquired, his gaze shifting toward the colossal slug.
"I sent them a messenger and also got a reply from them, as long as we don't try to step on their territory, they don't care," Kastuya remarked as Gamabuntu sank into thinking because he couldn't believe those snake bastard words.
"OK...already Great toad sage Gamamaru agreed, and we toads from Mount Myoboku will not interfere in your new territory Kastuya," Gamabuntu remarked, as Katsuya was relieved by his words. As Gamabuntu prepared to return to his home, Kastuya announced, "Our newly formed territory name is Tsukimi Pond," as the rusty red toad nodded and departed with a puff of smoke.
"That's a great name for your territory, Katsuya," Shizune remarked as she approached the giant slug.
"I'm glad you like the name, Shizune-sama. Once our territory is fully established, I'd like to invite both you and Lady Tsunade to join us for a celebration. You've expressed interest in seeing the Shikkotsu Forest as well," Katsuya said. Tsunade leaped down in front of Jiraiya, who had remained silent throughout the entire conversation.
'Wow, they're enormous! I wonder how much they eat to grow to this size, or perhaps it's due to the natural energy they absorb that they've reached this size,' Ton thought to himself, his astonishment clear as he observed Jiraiya and Tsunade's summoned beasts. Although he had seen these creatures in the anime, witnessing them in person was an entirely new level of experience.
"Thank you, Katsuya. I'm looking forward to visiting your home," Shizune said while cradling Ton in her arms.
"Haha, you'll be in for quite a surprise when you visit Tsukimi Pond, Shizune-sama. I must be on my way now; there's a lot of pending work that requires my attention," Katsuya remarked, her gaze shifting toward Tsunade, who was engaged in conversation with Jiraiya.
"Of course, and remember, if you ever need any assistance in establishing your territory, don't hesitate to call us," Shizune added, just as Tsunade approached them with a noticeable frown. Shizune sensed the tension in the air.
"Well then, Tsunade-sama and Shizune-sama, I'll take my leave. Thank you, Shizune-sama, for your offer, I'll certainly keep it in mind," Katsuya concluded, and with a puff of white smoke, the massive slug vanished.
"Hm? Where is Jiraiya-sama, master?" asked Shizune, noticing Jiraiya's absence.
"Forget about that bastard, he is leaving the Land of Steam today. Shizune, I am going to train you, as well as Ton, during this week of vacation. You need to learn all the basic Jutsu," said Tsunade with a serious expression, her mood soured due to Jiraiya's disregard for her words and his sudden departure.
'That pervert...' Tsunade thought inwardly, her irritation was all over her face. However, her expression softened as Ton jumped into her embrace, his presence managing to soothe her thoughts.
"Yes! Ton will do it!" Ton exclaimed with enthusiasm, and Shizune breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that Ton's excitement had managed to ease the tension caused by Tsunade's annoyance.
"Yes master, I have been thinking about my fighting style because I need to stand against your enemy master and I don't want to be a burden to you," Shizune stated, her fist clenched and her gaze fixed on the ground. Tsunade felt immense happiness as she held her student while Tonne was sandwiched between their breasts when she heard Shizune's determination to assist her.
"Thank you, Shizune, but there's no need to put excessive pressure on yourself. There's a river near Yugakure that would be a good place for Ton to practice his waterwalking techniques. As for you, I'll personally train you. Be prepared, my dear student, as it won't be an easy journey," Tsunade reassured Shizune, affectionately patting her head.