---
"Oh ho ho, what a wonderful material!!!"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, I really didn't expect Konoha to have such breathtaking mountains and rivers—truly unforgettable!"
The sky was darkening, and the moon had risen above the treetops.
It was around six or seven o'clock in Konoha. The bustling commercial street was alive with people coming and going.
At the end of the street stood a well-known bathhouse. Outside the wall of the women's section, a certain white-haired sage was lurking.
Jiraiya crouched low, pressing his face against a small hole in the wall—his latest masterpiece, painstakingly carved out with a small drill. His eyes gleamed as he admired the scene inside.
The bathroom was enveloped in a thick mist, steam rising in gentle swirls. The sound of soft laughter and splashing water filled the air. Most of the kunoichi inside were wrapped in bath towels, their smooth skin glistening from the steam.
This bathhouse was particularly popular among younger women, meaning that everyone inside was in their prime—youthful, vibrant, and utterly captivating.
Occasionally, as they played around, some of the women's towels would slip. The heavy steam provided only a hazy view, teasing at what lay beneath. It was just enough to set Jiraiya's imagination running wild.
It was this tantalizing, half-concealed allure that sent his blood rushing, making him clutch his notebook even tighter.
The title of Pervy Sage was well-earned.
Wiping the drool from his chin, Jiraiya let out a wistful sigh.
"Truly exquisite… what a shame!"
"What's a shame?"
A voice rang out suddenly, shattering the tranquility of his voyeuristic bliss.
Jiraiya, too caught up in his 'research,' responded absentmindedly, "It's a shame that they're all unripe… Too young, too pure… lacking that certain—"
He paused, still deep in thought.
"Lacking what?" the voice inquired again.
Jiraiya stroked his chin, searching for the right words. "They don't have that mature charm… That elegance that comes with experience… That kind of—"
Then, as if inspiration struck, his eyes twinkled.
"They don't have Tsunade's… big and soft ones!" He let out a perverted laugh, his mind now completely detached from the situation at hand.
"Really? Let me take a look inside then."
Jiraiya, still grinning like an idiot, waved dismissively. "Go ahead, dig your own hole, but don't—"
Wait.
Something was off.
Why did that voice sound so damn familiar?
Jiraiya froze. Slowly, hesitantly, he turned around.
His heart nearly stopped.
Tsunade was standing behind him, smiling. A smile so sweet, so gentle…
It was the kind of smile that made men pray for death.
Jiraiya swallowed hard. A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead as he tried to force his legs to move.
"I-I was just… collecting novel material, hehe…" he stammered.
At that moment, Tsunade was bent forward slightly, allowing Jiraiya a rare glimpse of a view that even he—one of the legendary Sannin—rarely got to see.
But he had no time to appreciate it.
Because if he didn't start running now, he was a dead man.
For the first time in his life, Jiraiya regretted not learning Flying Thunder God from Minato.
Tsunade straightened up, cracking her knuckles. The sound of her joints tightening sent a chill down Jiraiya's spine.
If he didn't flee now, there would be no later.
"Excuse me!"
And with that, Jiraiya yanked up his pants and bolted.
Unfortunately for him, Tsunade was not one to let things slide.
Jiraiya was strong, but after his battle with Pain, his physical abilities had dropped significantly. His speed, endurance—everything had been weakened.
And Tsunade was still at full power.
Which meant one thing—
Jiraiya was going to get hammered.
---
Hokage's Office
"Jiraiya-sama, what happened to your face?"
Kakashi's voice was filled with concern as he eyed the battered and bruised Sannin sitting before him.
Jiraiya, his face swollen beyond recognition, let out a muffled groan. He stole a glance at Tsunade, who sat across from him, arms crossed, looking entirely unbothered.
After a long pause, he muttered, "Nothing… Konoha's streetlights aren't bright enough. I didn't see the road properly and tripped."
Kakashi glanced at Tsunade, then back at Jiraiya's bruised face.
He wasn't buying that story—not in a million years.
Jiraiya, one of the Three Legendary Sannin, reduced to this? From a simple fall?
Not a chance.
Shizune, suppressing a chuckle, stood up. "I'll go get some medicine for the swelling," she said before heading toward the infirmary.
Tsunade shifted her focus back to Kakashi. "Alright, enough about him. Let's talk about Sasuke."
Kakashi's expression turned serious. "Raikage sent in an official document today. You've read it. What's your take on this, Hokage-sama?"
Tsunade nodded, her expression solemn.
During her tenure as Hokage, she had never ordered ninjas to hunt down Sasuke.
Because Sasuke was the last surviving bloodline of the Uchiha Clan.
Konoha was built on the foundation of Senju and Uchiha. With Itachi's death, Sasuke was all that remained of that legacy.
His existence was a symbol—a crucial piece of Konoha's history.
If Sasuke died, the Uchiha would be wiped from existence.
Just like the Senju Clan had faded, leaving only Tsunade.
If she died, would that still be Konoha?
No.
For that reason alone, even beyond Naruto and Kakashi's emotional ties, Tsunade was determined to keep Sasuke alive.
Even if she had to lock him up inside the village, he had to survive.
"I understand," Tsunade sighed. "I'll do my best to negotiate with the Raikage. I'll be attending the meeting personally. In the meantime, Kakashi, you'll stay behind and handle things here."
Kakashi blinked. "I'm not going with you?"
Tsunade glanced at Jiraiya. "Originally, I planned to take you. But on second thought, I need someone reliable in the village. Jiraiya will come with me instead."
Jiraiya, still wincing from his injuries, stiffened. "Me?"
Tsunade arched an eyebrow. "Is there a problem?"
Jiraiya's mind flashed back to Tsunade's legendary fists.
"Nope. No problem at all," he replied quickly.
At that moment, Shizune returned, holding a small jar of ointment. "Jiraiya-sama, I'm here to treat your injuries."
Jiraiya forced a smile. "Thanks… much appreciated."
Tsunade turned back to Kakashi. "You're dismissed. While I'm gone, keep an eye on Danzo."
Kakashi gave a short nod and left.
Tsunade took the ointment from Shizune and began applying it herself. The moment it touched Jiraiya's bruised skin, he let out a sharp yelp.
"What? You have a problem?" Tsunade said dangerously.
Jiraiya shuddered. "N-No! No problem!"
Tsunade smirked. "So… is that really so fascinating?"
Jiraiya kept his eyes straight ahead, resisting the urge to glance down.
"Ahem… it's fine. I won't do it again," he mumbled.
Tsunade suddenly leaned in, her lips dangerously close to his ear.
"The materials you want," she murmured, her voice soft and teasing, "will only be collected for one minute."
Jiraiya's eyes widened in shock.
For once, Master Jiraiya—renowned author of Icha Icha—was at a complete loss for words.
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