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Jiraiya followed Tsunade's gaze and fixed his eyes on a group of people.
From the ninja headbands they wore, it was clear they were from Sunagakure.
At the forefront was Maki, a jōnin from Sunagakure.
Jiraiya recognized him.
He had seen Maki during the Chūnin Exams when Orochimaru was attacking Konoha.
Behind Maki were three young boys.
One of them had painted his face, while another carried a fan on his back.
Of course.
The boy who caught Jiraiya's attention the most was the one at the end.
He was short.
His face was stern.
He wore a black ninja outfit.
The most distinctive feature was…
The boy wore a green hat with the character "Wind" written on it.
"This is…"
Jiraiya's face showed surprise. The boy's conical hat was unmistakably the Kazekage hat from the Wind Country's Sunagakure, symbolizing the Kazekage's status.
"Could this boy be the Fifth Kazekage?"
Jiraiya knew the Fourth Kazekage had been assassinated by Orochimaru, but he hadn't expected Sunagakure to appoint a Fifth Kazekage so quickly, especially not one who was just a boy participating in the Chūnin Exams.
As far as he remembered…
The boy had barely made it through the Chūnin Exams.
How did he become the Fifth Kazekage?
It seemed too hasty!
"What's the Fifth Kazekage doing in Konoha?"
Tsunade frowned slightly. She had lost interest in the village after the events of the past, and if not for her grandfather's return, she wouldn't have come back.
"I don't know."
Jiraiya shook his head, unable to make sense of the situation.
There didn't seem to be any major events recently.
Jiraiya had seen the First Hokage in Konoha, but he was unaware of the Five Kage Summit.
For a moment, a big question mark appeared in his mind.
"Let's not worry about them."
Tsunade turned and started walking toward Konoha. Regardless of why the Sunagakure ninjas were in the village, it was none of her concern.
"How strange…"
Jiraiya remained puzzled. It was hard to believe that such a short time had passed since the Chūnin Exams, and now these people were already back.
However.
Jiraiya chose not to inquire further.
Instead, he followed Tsunade towards the Hokage's office.
Their pace was neither too fast nor too slow.
They maintained a relatively steady rhythm.
Although neither spoke, they both clearly sensed that the Sunagakure ninjas were following them.
Their destination was the Hokage's office.
Minutes later.
At the Hokage's office.
Jiraiya and Tsunade arrived at the entrance.
Tsunade looked up at the familiar Hokage Monument, her gaze settling on the last face.
"Jiraiya, your disciple was the smartest child I've ever met. It's just a pity…"
A trace of nostalgia crossed Tsunade's mind. When she left, there were only three faces on the monument, and now there were four. But she could no longer see the fourth face in person.
"I didn't expect this either."
Jiraiya sighed. During the Nine-Tails' chaos, he was not in Konoha, and by the time he returned, it was too late.
"Let's go inside."
Jiraiya's gaze fell on Tsunade, focusing on her delicate features, which eased his mood somewhat.
Indeed, looking at beautiful women can relieve stress!
Jiraiya thought to himself.
If only he could gather some material from Tsunade…
Suddenly.
Jiraiya shuddered.
He remembered that time he was punched for peeping and instantly felt a chill, breaking out in goosebumps.
Forget it.
It's good to be alive!
Immediately.
Jiraiya walked into the Hokage's office. As he entered, he glanced at the nearby corridor and noticed that the Sunagakure team had also arrived.
He gave it no further thought.
He stepped inside.
Tsunade followed Jiraiya and walked in with him. Returning to this familiar place, she couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia.
The two made their way to the second floor with practiced ease.
Jiraiya knocked on the door, then pushed it open to find the Third Hokage seated behind his desk.
"You're back!"
The Third Hokage stood up immediately, first looking at Jiraiya, then at Tsunade. Both were his former students, though misunderstandings had arisen over time.
"Where's my grandfather?"
Tsunade asked directly, showing no interest in small talk. She had no intention of wasting time with the Third Hokage.
"I'll send someone to notify the First Hokage."
The Third Hokage clapped his hands, and immediately two figures appeared at the door.
These figures were Steel and Shinkuu.
The Third Hokage gave them a glance.
The two understood immediately, flashed out of sight, and disappeared.
"I saw the Sunagakure team outside. Why are they here again? And that boy from before has now become the Fifth Kazekage!"
Jiraiya voiced his confusion, having been unable to make sense of it all during the walk.
"The Kazekage has arrived!"
A smile appeared on the Third Hokage's face as he stood up and looked out the window. He saw the Sunagakure team approaching the office.
"Sunagakure has selected a new Kazekage so quickly. It seems they are quite serious!"
The Third Hokage remarked, turning to see Jiraiya looking completely bewildered.
Indeed.
Jiraiya was bewildered.
He stared at the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, his eyes filled with confusion, unable to understand what was going on.
What's happening?
It seems like you knew about this all along!
How could this be?
Jiraiya's mind was full of large, unanswered question marks.
"This isn't something that can be explained in a few words. To put it simply, the First Hokage has called the leaders of each village to prepare for a Five Kage Summit," the Third Hokage said.
"A Five Kage Summit?!"
Both Jiraiya and Tsunade exclaimed, looking at each other in astonishment.
So soon after returning, a Five Kage Summit is already taking place!
That's a bit overwhelming!
After a moment of surprise, they quickly regained their composure. With the First Hokage involved, it was less surprising.
Tap-tap-tap…
The sound of hurried footsteps approached the Hokage's office, followed by a knock on the door.
"Come in."
The Third Hokage's gaze was fixed on the door, and Jiraiya and Tsunade also turned their attention there.
Creeeak.
The door opened.
The first figure to enter was a short young boy wearing a green hat with the character "Wind" written on it.
The boy stepped in first, followed by the other three.
"Third Hokage, hello. I am the Fifth Kazekage, Gaara."
Gaara's expression was impassive, his voice devoid of emotional inflection. However, compared to his previous complete coldness, there was now a hint of emotion in his eyes.
"Greetings, Kazekage!" The Third Hokage nodded immediately.
"Did we arrive late?" Gaara asked in a deep, serious tone.
"You're the first to arrive," the Third Hokage replied.
"Good."
Gaara nodded, relieved. Maki, Temari, and Kankuro, who were with him, also visibly relaxed.
Sunagakure was well aware of the First Hokage's importance.
When they received the notice for the Five Kage Summit, they were the first to respond.
As long as they arrived on time, that was what mattered.
None of them could afford to incur the First Hokage's wrath.
Just as Gaara finished speaking, footsteps echoed outside the door. The sound was rhythmic, with each step evenly spaced in distance and time.
This rhythmic pattern of footsteps made it easy to discern that only one person was approaching.
Moments later, the figure appeared at the entrance of the Hokage's office.
Dressed in red battle armor.
With black hair flowing freely behind him.
It was none other than the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju!
"Haah!"
With Hashirama's arrival, everyone in the room took a deep breath, their nerves tensed to the utmost.
"Grandpa!"
Tsunade couldn't help but call out as she saw Hashirama. Her eyes trembled, a mist of emotion forming as memories long sealed within her mind surged forth, playing out like slides.
In her childhood.
Her grandfather had taken her gambling.
It was…
A huge loss!
There was no limit to how bad it could get!
But she had come a long way since then!
"Ahahaha, it's little Tsunade!"
Hashirama laughed heartily. Although he was not the true First Hokage, his current role as the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, felt quite natural. After playing the role for so long, it was like being in a long RPG game, and encountering his granddaughter naturally evoked a protective sentiment.
"Grandpa, you really came back!"
Tsunade took a step forward but then hesitated, feeling as if she were dreaming.
When dreams become touchable, it often means waking up is near.
So, let the dream linger a little longer.
"Hmm, this time I'll stay and spend more time with you. I won't be leaving for now."
Hashirama said with a smile, sensing Tsunade's complex emotions. He approached her directly.
Standing in front of Tsunade, Hashirama looked her up and down.
Nodded approvingly.
"It's been decades since we last met, and you've grown so much!"
Hashirama opened his arms wide in a gesture of embrace and said, "Come, let Grandpa feel how much my grown-up granddaughter has changed!"
"Hmm."
Tsunade was suddenly amused by Hashirama, but as she laughed, tears welled up in her eyes.
Moments later, Hashirama and Tsunade shared a heartfelt embrace.
"Yes, little Tsunade, you've indeed grown up!"
Hashirama nodded, his body in the reanimation state, lacking physical sensation.
But.
Even so.
The difference between large and small could still be discerned.
Besides, there were eyes to help with that!
"Little Tsunade, I'm holding the Five Kage Summit to review and settle the matters of these years. You should join me, as some of these issues also concern you."