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In a noisy corner of the shop, Jiraiya was talking incessantly to Tsunade.
Several bottles of alcohol were on the table in front of Tsunade, her cheeks slightly flushed—clearly, she'd been drinking quite a bit.
She glanced casually at the chatty Jiraiya, her voice slightly slurred from the alcohol as she chuckled lightly.
"I didn't expect you of all people to come and persuade me at a time like this."
"Do you really think this approach will work?"
Hearing her words, Jiraiya didn't seem bothered at all. With a playful smile, he burst out laughing.
"It has to have some effect, right? After all, you know that any promise I make to you, I'll definitely keep!"
"So, Tsunade, now that you think about it, have you reconsidered?"
Tsunade's lips curled into a small smile as she pointed a pale finger at Jiraiya, mumbling softly.
"If it weren't for being in this place, I'd definitely beat you into a fool." Despite her smile, her words seemed harsh.
Jiraiya, who had been so lively a moment ago, suddenly slumped, looking at her with a sorrowful gaze, feeling deeply wounded.
Tsunade, eyes half-closed, cast a drunken glance at him, then quietly took another drink.
Just as Jiraiya was about to suggest she drink less, she slowly pulled out an old, yellowed piece of paper from her bosom.
Seeing this, Jiraiya paused, his expression turning more serious as he gazed at the paper with a complex look.
Tsunade paid him no mind, focusing entirely on the paper as she softly murmured.
"Why give me hope only to take it away like this... Is this some kind of game to him?"
"Once, you brought me such warmth..."
On the old, worn paper were written these words:
"Forget your sorrow, smile. If the sun is hidden, everyone will be sad. Just smile and wait a little while. I'll be there, standing at the top."
The elegant handwriting had faded over time, but it still carried a lingering warmth.
Yet now, that warmth seemed like a distant dream, as the man who had once written those words now stood firmly on the opposite side.
Thinking this, Tsunade couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh, raising her cup and taking another big gulp.
Seeing her like this, Jiraiya's eyes dimmed, but he quickly snatched the cup from her hand, speaking in a low, firm voice.
"That's enough. If you hate all this so much, then why not change it?"
"You know that Sōsuke will get involved in this war. He's going to attack Konoha. Are you really going to let him?"
Tsunade glanced at him, her eyes vacant, a bitter smile on her lips as she softly responded.
"And what then? Do you think you can stop him?"
Hearing this, Jiraiya replied in a serious tone. "Even if I can't stop him, I'll give my life trying. I'll stand in his way, no matter what!"
Tsunade's body trembled slightly, pausing for a moment before she spoke, bitterness in her voice.
"Why go that far? Why pay such a price for this village, Jiraiya?"
Jiraiya's gaze was resolute as he replied.
"Because you once said you wanted to become the first female Hokage!"
"If this village is destroyed, how can your dream ever come true?"
Hearing these words, Tsunade's pupils widened slightly, and the hand holding her cup trembled.
As if in slow motion, the cup slipped from her hand, hit the ground, and bounced up, sending droplets of liquid scattering like silver flowers.
In that moment, the entire Ichiraku Ramen Shop seemed to freeze in time.
Tsunade's body shook as memories flooded her mind, bringing back a once-familiar voice.
"Sis, I've made up my mind. I'm going to be Hokage!"
"Why would you want that, Nawaki?"
"Because I want to be like Brother Sōsuke. One day, I'll reach his height. And I'll be Hokage and protect the villagers."
"As expected of you, Nawaki! Such a great dream!"
"Here, let me give you something as a gift. Come, put this on."
"It looks great! This is something our grandfather left behind, so you better take good care of it, Nawaki. Since you've decided, go on and become Hokage! I'm entrusting my dream to you, too."
"Yeah!"
As those memories echoed in her mind, Tsunade bowed her head, her expression unreadable.
Jiraiya looked at her with a heavy gaze, continuing.
"What do you really think? Do you truly believe he wants to be our enemy?"
His eyes glinted with a sharp light as he continued, speaking firmly.
"If that's the case, then why did he let us go that time? We were just about to be caught by the Iwa-nin, weren't we?"
Hearing this, Tsunade's body shook slightly as she lowered her head, her voice barely audible.
"What do you mean, Jiraiya?"
With a glint in his eye, Jiraiya responded in a deep voice.
"Exactly what I said. I've never believed that Sōsuke truly betrayed us!"
"But... why?"
"Why would Sōsuke choose to stand against Konoha rather than walk with us?"
Tsunade lowered her gaze, her voice filled with sorrow.
"But things have already reached this point. There's no going back now..."
"In the end, we can only accept reality and face him as enemies."
Just then.
A soft voice interrupted their conversation.
"Excuse me for interrupting, Master."
"Hello, Lady Tsunade."
Minato and Kushina had walked up to them, standing respectfully a little distance away.
Hearing the greeting, both Jiraiya and Tsunade were momentarily stunned before turning their heads.
Seeing Minato, Jiraiya's face lit up with a happy smile.
And when he saw the beautiful Kushina standing beside him, his grin grew even wider, a beaming smile spreading across his face.
He winked at Minato, the serious demeanor from before completely gone, as if praising him for his success.