Inside the Baccarat Tavern.
"I'm sorry, Tsunade-sama."
Naruto stood up and apologized sincerely, with a look of determination to reflect on his actions.
Surprisingly, Tsunade didn't get angry, at least not because Naruto lied. She just gave Naruto a long, deep look, which made him feel a little uneasy.
It was as if she had seen him before, and the look in her eyes was as complicated as an algebra problem.
With practiced ease, she poured clear liquor into a cup. After taking a sip, Tsunade didn't even put the cup down before speaking, "I already know about Sensei."
The atmosphere between Tsunade and Jiraiya was unusually heavy. Naruto silently ate his meal, and after finishing, he walked over to the counter, paid the bill, and headed out to wander around.
This matter wasn't something he could get involved in, and there was no point in staying and listening in.
Tsunade's gaze briefly flicked outside to Naruto, who wasn't wearing his forehead protector. Her eyes were complicated and no one knew what she was thinking.
"I'm done playing."
She tossed the cards onto the table, clearly irritated.
"It's been so long, and you're still so willful, Tsunade." Jiraiya glanced outside as well, not seeming particularly rushed, "It's fine if you don't want to play cards, but the village needs you to become the Godaime Hokage."
"If you refuse, then that kid will probably..."
"Jiraiya, don't play such childish tricks." Tsunade poured herself another drink, " Who would care about that Kyubi brat?"
"It's about Nawaki," Jiraiya said as he took a bite of food.
"Don't mention Nawaki." Tsunade's eyes flashed with anger, "I have nothing left to lose. Betting my life for the village is utterly foolish."
"I'm really surprised to hear you say that." Jiraiya said.
"It's human nature." Tsunade continued to drink, her voice lazy and her posture mature, "Orochimaru has gone crazy, Sensei is dead, and you're getting old."
"As for the fact that Sensei died at Orochimaru's hands, I'm not surprised at all. Orochimaru lost all his emotions, but Sensei still held onto some hope for him."
"After all, he was his most prized student." Jiraiya smiled self-deprecatingly.
"No one wants that position." Tsunade, slightly drunk, slapped her palm on the table before shifting the topic, "What's the deal with that kid you brought along?"
"The Yondaime's son." Jiraiya downed a cup of sake, "He looks a lot like Nawaki, doesn't he?"
"I told you not to bring up Nawaki again." Tsunade was visibly annoyed.
"Fine, I won't. Naruto was originally kept in the village under the supervision of Sensei and the Anbu. I just returned recently." Jiraiya's tone became serious.
"Kyubi was released by Naruto."
Tsunade's gaze froze for a moment, but she said nothing.
"This matter is somewhat related to Uchiha Itachi, but it's hard to say now because the situation is unclear." Jiraiya continued, "I originally thought that Naruto would grow up to be like the Yondaime, but now..."
"Tsunade, at our age, there's little left to lose. Some things can't be changed, but some things can be changed."
Tsunade, holding the sake pot, stared at Jiraiya for a long time.
Finally, she stood up and staggered out the door.
In the bustling streets of Tanzaku Town, Tsunade didn't need to do anything but stand there to draw everyone's attention.
Her light blue robe, slightly loose due to her drunken state, failed to diminish her beauty, which could rival that of a twenty-year-old girl. Her slim waist and impressive figure, combined with her mature and commanding aura, made her the center of attention.
Tsunade's eyes narrowed as if she was searching for something, and the naturally cute expression on her face created a stark contrast. Passersby were so mesmerized that one even walked straight into a utility pole, clutching his nose in pain.
Even though her high and mighty image was somewhat shattered, no one dared approach this tall, stunning woman with a bust of 106.
The night breeze blew gently.
Tsunade leaped onto the rooftop and saw Naruto practicing the Rasengan with one hand.
The Rasengan spun slowly but steadily, and Naruto was calm and composed, like he was playing with a new toy. He sat there quietly, watching the Rasengan spin without any expression.
"It's spinning too slowly, it doesn't have any destructive power."
Tsunade bluntly commented, her voice laced with drunkenness.
"Training requires patience." Naruto retorted with Jiraiya's usual rhetoric. When he looked up and saw it was Tsunade, he immediately adopted a respectful demeanor.
"That's the Ninjutsu Jiraiya taught you, right?" Tsunade shifted her gaze away from Naruto.
"More or less." Naruto stood up, bowing slightly to Tsunade, "Tsunade-sama, will you return to the village and become the Godaime Hokage?"
"Oh?" Tsunade didn't answer directly. Instead, she leaned in slightly, her face flushed with alcohol, wearing a teasing expression, "Do you really want me to be the Godaime Hokage?"
"Yes," Naruto replied honestly, "If you refused to become Hokage, Tsunade-sama, I'll probably end up locked away."
"Why should I help you?" Tsunade chuckled and patted Naruto's shoulder hard with one hand.
"Tsunade-sama, I am the Kyubi's Jinchuriki, but I haven't committed any crimes." Naruto said, "I didn't have a choice before, but now, I just want to be a normal person."
"And I haven't offended you, so there's no need for you to…"
"How do you know you haven't offended me before?"
Naruto: "…"
"What if I refuse?" She asked.
"Then I'll find a way myself." Naruto replied truthfully and sincerely, "No one wants to become a monster."
At this point, Naruto paused and a smile appeared on his face, "I don't care what the higher-ups think, but Konoha should be prepared to lose the Kyubi."
"The village has really failed if they've driven a Jinchuriki to this point." Tsunade withdrew her hand and grumbled, "Going back isn't out of the question, but I need a few days to think."
Naruto looked at Tsunade and simply said, "Okay."
"Thank you, Tsunade-sama."
From the moment they met, Naruto had maintained a respectful attitude toward Tsunade. He didn't expect her to acknowledge the Will of Fire, as he didn't believe in it himself.
Sincerity is the ultimate weapon, and everything he said was true.
Even if Tsunade doesn't take the position of Godaime Hokage, as long as Jiraiya was around, it won't be Danzo's turn to take the position. For Naruto, whether Tsunade takes the position of Godaime Hokage is only related to the Tail Releasing Method.
As for what Tsunade will choose, whether to confront Orochimaru alone or to return to the village swiftly, he can only deal it one step at a time.
Sometimes, preconceived notions can ruin things. Overthinking is useless, so Naruto decided to continue practicing the Rasengan.
…
The next day.
Naruto slept the entire day at the inn, and when he woke up, it was already dark. Jiraiya wasn't around, but Naruto didn't mind. After washing up, he went downstairs to find something to eat.
The 3,000 ryo earned by Jiraiya had not been spent yet, which was enough for him to eat sukiyaki, tempura, and ramen until he was full. After strolling around for a while, Naruto, who was about to return to the inn with snacks in his hand, was suddenly attracted by something.
It was a dark shadow, or more precisely, a dark shadow huddled behind the tall gate of Tanzaku Town, where a sign with the town's name hung. The shadow sat there, with a large green robe flapping in the night wind, looking oddly familiar.