"Damn it, Gamaken, don't shake when I'm trying to look cool."
Jiraiya yelled, lying on Gamaken's back.
"I'm not very good at this."
Gamaken, who was summoned by Jiraiya, said in a somewhat raspy voice. He held a weapon resembling a harpoon in one hand and a shield like a large disc in the other.
"Alright, now's not the time for this."
Jiraiya bit his finger, smeared the blood on his face, and clapped his hands together.
"I'm going into Sage Mode. I can't separate my hands, so I need you to buy me some time."
"So…"
"Yes, summon those two sages."
"Although I'm clumsy, I'll do my best."
At this moment, the Animal Path of Pain hid inside its Summoned Beast's mouth, and then the beast turned invisible, taking the Animal Path of Pain with it.
Meanwhile, in Konohagakure, in the Hokage's office, a small black toad suddenly appeared on Minato's desk.
"Minato-sama."
"What's wrong, Toad Shima?"
Upon seeing the toad, Minato's expression turned grave in an instant.
The toad, Gamakichi, known for relaying messages from Mount Myoboku, signified urgent news whenever he was summoned.
"Minato-sama, Gamaken has been summoned by Jiraiya."
Hearing this, Minato stood up abruptly.
"Could it be that Jiraiya-sensei has already engaged in battle with Pain?"
Minato muttered to himself.
Before Jiraiya left, Minato had already sent word to Mount Myoboku: should Jiraiya summon a toad for battle, they were to contact him immediately.
And the summoned Gamaken was one of the mightiest toads of Mount Myoboku, indicating that Jiraiya-sensei was facing a formidable enemy.
"When was Gamaken summoned?"
Namikaze Minato continued to ask.
"Just now, about a minute ago."
"A minute? It seems Jiraiya-sensei shouldn't be in danger yet. I wonder if he has uncovered the true identity of Pain."
Against any foe, even Uchiha Madara, Namikaze Minato believed Jiraiya-sensei could hold his ground for over five minutes.
If he were to go to Jiraiya's aid now, and Jiraiya had not yet ascertained Pain's identity, then Jiraiya-sensei's infiltration would have been in vain.
"I understand. Gamakichi, return to Mount Myoboku for now, and inform me immediately if there's any news."
"Yes, Minato-sama."
After forming a hand seal, Gamakichi vanished in a puff of smoke before Minato.
"Minato, is there news from Jiraiya?"
Just then, the door to the Hokage's office was flung open with such force that it could have flown off its hinges if not for its sturdiness.
Only Tsunade would barge into the Hokage's office with such urgency and concern for Jiraiya.
"Yes, if nothing unexpected has happened, Jiraiya-sensei is now battling with Pain."
Minato answered Tsunade truthfully.
"What? Then what are you still doing here? Hurry and go rescue Jiraiya, take me with you."
After speaking, Tsunade naturally placed her hand on Minato's shoulder, clearly aware of the nature of the Flying Thunder God Jutsu.
"Now is not the time."
Although Minato wished to be by Jiraiya's side at this very moment, he could not do so just yet.
"What are you saying? Are you going to just watch as Jiraiya falls into danger?"
Tsunade, gripping Minato's collar, spoke angrily.
"I'm sorry, Tsunade-sama."
"You bastard."
Having finished speaking, Tsunade swung a punch towards Minato's face, a blow filled with anger and power. If Minato didn't defend himself, that punch could seriously injure him.
Minato didn't make any move to dodge Tsunade's punch. It was unclear whether he was confident in himself, believed Tsunade wouldn't really hit him, or trusted that someone would save him at this moment.
Just as Tsunade's fist was about to connect with Minato's face, a pale hand suddenly appeared beside them, effortlessly catching Tsunade's furious punch.
"Tsunade-sama, it seems you care so much for Jiraiya-sama. If you two don't get married, it's going to be hard to settle things," A voice full of teasing resounded in Minato and Tsunade's ears
Turning their heads, they saw Hatake Satoru's smirking face.
Minato was visibly surprised by Hatake Satoru's sudden appearance to save him, something he hadn't anticipated. He had been ready to enter the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode to withstand Tsunade's punch.
"Satoru, what kind of cold joke is this?" Tsunade snapped, pulling her fist free from Hatake Satoru's grasp. She was inwardly shocked by Hatake Satoru's strength; she had held nothing back in her punch, yet he had caught it with ease.
"Tsunade-sama, you should have more faith in Jiraiya-sama's abilities, and you should trust Minato too. He would never let his teacher face mortal danger," Hatake Satoru glanced at Minato, signaling him to continue.
"That's right, I've given Jiraiya-sensei a Flying Thunder God Kunai. If the teacher is in danger, I can sense it and will instantly teleport to his side," Minato quickly caught on to Hatake Satoru's cue and spoke up.
Their back-and-forth seemed to cool Tsunade's anger somewhat.
"I'm sorry, I was impulsive just now," Tsunade admitted, realizing her mistake. After all, attacking the Hokage was almost akin to treason.
"It's okay, Tsunade-sama, I understand how you feel. I'm just as concerned about Jiraiya-sensei as you are," Minato didn't blame Tsunade, considering she might become his mother-in-law in the future.
"However, Tsunade-sama, please trust me. I swear on my position as Hokage that I won't let anything happen to Jiraiya-sensei."
As he said this, Minato's expression turned very serious.
(End of chapter)