"Monkey!"
Startled, Jiraiya lost his grip and fell backwards from the high bamboo fence, his head smacking directly onto the cobblestone ground. The world spun around him.
Either I've hit my head harder than I thought, or those hot springs are serving some potent sake...
After a few seconds, he recovered. He slowly sat up, rubbing the back of his head, the bump already forming beneath his fingers.
"Jiraiya."
As he wondered how the beautiful woman had suddenly turned into a monkey, he heard a voice behind him. His heart skipped a beat.
Turning around, he saw a pretty, voluptuous twin-tailed girl, exactly his type. But when Jiraiya recognized who she was, it was like seeing a demon.
"Tsunade!"
"Why is it you?"
Of all the hot springs in all the world, she had to walk into mine...
Jiraiya quickly backed up to the bamboo fence. His back pressed against the wooden slats, trying if he could somehow phase through them and escape.
His fear of her had a reason.
When he was younger, he had once been caught peeking into the women's bathhouse by Tsunade, who then broke six of his ribs, both his wrists, and left him with multiple internal injuries.
If Jiraiya hadn't been naturally tough, there wouldn't be any Toad Sage today.
"Tsunade, wait! I can explain! I was just... testing the structural integrity of the fence! You know, for safety!"
"Oh? And how many ribs are you willing to sacrifice for this noble cause?"
"I didn't see anything, I swear!"
"Please don't hit me."
As Tsunade approached, Jiraiya hurriedly begged for mercy. He closed his eyes, bracing for the impact that never came.
She simply patted him on the shoulder. "Get dressed. Let's go out for a drink."
He watched in surprise as she walked away, her hips swaying slightly with each step.
Is this a trap? Or have I actually died and gone to some bizarre afterlife? Jiraiya pinched himself, wincing slightly at the very real pain. Either she's planning something devious, or I've stumbled into an alternate dimension where Tsunade doesn't pulverize peeping toms... Did I gain some new ability after defeating the Dimensional Shamblers?
After leaving the bathhouse, Tsunade, Shizune, and Jiraiya found a small shop to chat.
"By the way, how did you find me?" Jiraiya asked after downing a cup of sake.
"It was easy. I asked the people at the publishing house. They said you were in Yu gathering material for a new book."
"But I didn't expect this kind of material."
"Any book you gather material for like this is bound to be terrible. I bet it's going to flop hard."
Tsunade swallowed another cup of sake, looking at Jiraiya with mocking eyes.
"You can't create art without thorough research! My readers deserve nothing but the most authentic experiences!"
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "And I'm sure your 'thorough research' has nothing to do with your personal interests, right?"
"Tsunade, were you the one who ruined my fun earlier?"
"No," Tsunade said, shaking her now flushed face slightly, but then she pulled Shizune close. "But I did tell her to warn the girls that there was a white-haired pervert nearby, so they should switch places."
"And she is?" Jiraiya looked Shizune up and down.
She wasn't bad-looking, but not his type.
"Jiraiya-sama, I'm Shizune, also a ninja from Konoha. Currently—"
She hurriedly stood up and bowed to him, but when she tried to explain her status, she hesitated.
Tsunade had mentioned earlier that she would be evaluating her and Anko for a month, but with Anko's current situation, Shizune didn't know if that evaluation still counted.
"Right now, Shizune is my apprentice. That's it."
Shizune looked at Tsunade in shock, but she ignored her, instead quietly downing another cup of sake.
Jiraiya noticed the complex emotions on their faces, he didn't inquire further. He simply raised his glass and drank with them.
"Tsunade, do you need something from me?" Jiraiya finally asked.
Ever since the three of them had gone their separate ways, they had hardly any contact between them.
Tsunade suddenly coming to find him made Jiraiya assume she had a request.
Her hand holding the sake cup paused for a moment before she smiled and patted Jiraiya's shoulder with her other hand.
"Can't I come find an old friend to catch up without any reason? Tell me about your travels over the years, won't you, Jiraiya-sama?"
The way her eyes seemed to glow with intoxication almost drew Jiraiya's soul out of his body. On top of that, she extended her finger, lightly tapping him on the lower lip.
This highly seductive gesture instantly shattered Jiraiya's mental defenses, and with the woman he'd loved all his life making such moves, he couldn't hold back.
Stay strong, Jiraiya! Remember the last time you fell for her charms? ...But maybe this time will be different! I am the Toad Sage after all!
"Let me tell you about the heroic deeds of Jiraiya-sama over the years."
Shizune, watching Tsunade act so flirtatiously, couldn't help but shiver.
She never imagined that Tsunade could act this way.
She had gone out of her way to wear a sleeveless, low-cut vest today and had even reverted her appearance to her younger, twenty-something self.
After spending so much time with her, Shizune knew that she could alter her appearance at will, showing herself at different ages.
It seemed that today, Tsunade had her sights set on Jiraiya.
"You go find an inn and rest. Jiraiya and I will be here for a while." She noticed how uncomfortable Shizune was.
Shizune gave the two of them a last glance before leaving.
When they were alone, Jiraiya began to recount what had happened after he left Konoha.
It's unclear how long he talked or how many cups of sake they drank, but Jiraiya and Tsunade, who were initially sitting on opposite sides of the table, were now side by side.
Tsunade clung tightly to Jiraiya's arm, demanding more stories like a child asking for bedtime tales from their parents.
"Tell another one! Tell another one!"
"Make it more exciting!"
Jiraiya slowly lifted his sake cup but couldn't help sneaking a glance at her open neckline as he did so.
What a view~
You've still got it! Time to turn on the Jiraiya charm!
"Alright then!"
"Let me tell you a truly shocking story."
"This happened not long ago, while I was looking for Orochimaru and passed through a small town called in the Land of Spice."
"A man-eating monster had appeared there..."
Jiraiya told in detail about his experiences in Lotus Hollow.
Tsunade pretended to be drunk and uninterested, but the story deeply shocked her.
Even though she was only listening, the tale of the Dimensional Shamblers was nearly as terrifying as her first encounter with the Mi-Go!
"Even though there were thousands of them, who do you think I am?"
"I summoned the toads from Mount Myōboku and fought the Dimensional Shamblers, buying time to activate Sage Mode."
"When the Sage Mode kicked in, I wiped out those creatures instantly!"
"Well, how was that story? Exciting enough?"
That'll impress her! Jiraiya the Gallant, savior of dimensions! He puffed out his chest, waiting for Tsunade's praise.
But she pursed her lips like a pouting child and said angrily, "You're lying. I don't believe it."
"It's true! I swear on my honor as a Sage!"
"I! Don't! Believe!"
"I don't believe it! I don't believe it at all!"
"Unless you can prove it."
"Show me, and I'll believe it."
"Otherwise, I won't."
Facing Tsunade's rare, playful expression, the slightly tipsy Jiraiya began to lower his guard.
It should be fine, right? It's Tsunade, after all.
"You're really a handful."
"Alright, I'll let you see it."
He pulled a scroll from inside his robe and unrolled it on the table. The parchment made a satisfying swoosh as it unfurled, drawing her gaze.
He let out a hiccup, then clumsily formed a hand seal, summoning something from within the scroll. What came out of the scroll was... another scroll.
Jiraiya placed this second scroll in front of Tsunade. "This scroll contains the mural the Dimensional Shamblers used to enter this world."
"I sealed it inside this scroll, then stored this scroll inside another scroll to make sure they couldn't escape."
"Do you believe me now?"
Tsunade's eyes narrowed slightly, analyzing every detail of the object before her.
Judging by how carefully Jiraiya preserved the scroll, it seemed to be real.
Moreover, both the timing and the unique nature of the scroll matched—it must be the one Orochimaru wanted.
But why would Orochimaru want this scroll? Is he trying to find the creature? No matter the reason, this scroll is the only hope to save Anko.
Having confirmed the item, she quickly changed her expression and smiled. "I believe you, Jiraiya-sama! You really are amazing!"
"Hahaha!"
Flattered by her, he burst out laughing. Seeing this, she quickly took advantage of his lack of attention and skillfully poured a packet of powdered medicine into the sake bottle. Then, she served it to him.
The medicine, colorless and tasteless, was so well-made that even a skilled ninja like Jiraiya couldn't detect it. Without hesitation, he drank the drugged sake in one gulp.
Tsunade watched closely as his throat moved, making sure he swallowed it. I'm sorry. But some things are worth any price.
After a while, Jiraiya fell into a deep sleep, leaving only Tsunade drinking and glancing at him, who was now slumped over the table.
Once she was sure the drug had taken effect, she quietly reached into his robe and easily retrieved the scroll he had shown her. Somehow, the weight of it in her hand felt heavier than it should.
But she wasted no time and went straight for the door.
Just as she was about to lift the curtain and step outside, she glanced back at the sleeping Jiraiya.
"I'm sorry."
---
Under the moonlight on the empty streets, Tsunade made her way through the night.
However, in front of her, a figure blocked her path. She looked carefully and saw it was her apprentice.
"Still awake at this hour, Shizune?"
Shizune glanced at Tsunade's hand. Seeing the scroll, she knew Tsunade had succeeded. She hesitated for a moment.
"It might be too late to say this now, but Tsunade-sama, are you sure this is the right thing to do?"
"Making a deal with an S-rank criminal from the village and stealing Jiraiya-sama's scroll—Konoha will definitely hold you accountable!"
"I'm sorry for Anko, but please don't rely on Orochimaru's power anymore!"
"As long as we don't give up, we'll eventually find another way to save her!"
But Tsunade didn't respond.
"Tsunade-sama, please! This isn't you. The woman who taught me would never stoop to theft and betrayal."
Although they had been traveling constantly, Tsunade hadn't stopped researching a way to heal Anko on her own. If she had found even the slightest lead, she would have ended her dealings with Orochimaru.
But, as the peak medical ninja, she had found no other solution. Other than using Orochimaru's power, she saw no other way to help Anko recover.
"Tsunade-sama!"
"Please answer me! Don't stay silent!"
Seeing her silence, Shizune yelled more desperately.
"As my mentor and as the woman my uncle once loved, I beg you not to go!"
Dan.
His image appeared in Tsunade's mind. But soon, a metallic cylinder containing a brain replaced it, with Anko's youthful, vibrant smile hovering above.
"Are you determined to stop me, Shizune?" Tsunade asked her with a chilling gaze.
Shizune had never heard Tsunade speak her name with such gravity. This was the power of one of the Legendary Sannin—just a few simple words carried an aura that could crush a mere chunin.
But before she could even lift her arm, Tsunade had already used the Body Flicker Technique to appear behind her. The movement was so fast it seemed as if she had teleported. Then, Tsunade struck the back of her neck with her palm.
Shizune immediately collapsed into her arms, unconscious. Holding her gently, Tsunade brushed aside her disheveled bangs.
"I'm sorry, Shizune. Some day, I hope you'll understand."
---
Shizune's eyelids twitched, and she woke from her deep sleep. The events of the night came rushing back. Let it be a bad dream.
As she scanned the room, she realized she was alone. She quickly rushed to the window and looked out. I am still in Yu.
She then rushed out of the inn, aimlessly searching the streets for any trace of Tsunade. But she was nowhere to be found.
Although she knew Tsunade had likely left with the scroll Orochimaru wanted, she still hoped to find some psychological comfort in her blind search. She looked around, scanning each face and praying she'd see her mentor somewhere in the crowd.
Then, a commotion on the street caught her attention.
"Hey! What's wrong with this guy?"
"Is he dead?"
"He just collapsed when I touched him! This has nothing to do with me!"
Shizune hurried over and saw it was Jiraiya. He was flat on the ground, his white hair all messed up and his clothes a wreck. A bunch of people had stopped to stare.
She checked his breathing and she sighed in relief when she found he was still alive.
"Jiraiya-sama? Can you hear me? Please wake up!" She gently shook his shoulder.
Jiraiya's eyes struggled to open. "Five more minutes, Ma. The toads can wait..."
"Jiraiya-sama, there are some beautiful girls in yukatas looking for you," she whispered as she leaned close to his ear.
"Where? Where are they?"
"Sorry, Jiraiya-sama. Something happened last night. It's about Tsunade-sama," Shizune said as she saw that he was awake.
She then explained everything to him.
"Tsunade! How could she do this?"
"The power sealed in that scroll isn't something ordinary. Giving it to someone like Orochimaru could have disastrous consequences."
"Shizune, you said Tsunade and Orochimaru were using Oyashiro as their middleman, right?"
"Then there's still time to stop them."