"Jiraiya, have you finally gone senile? Who in their right mind would want to be Hokage?" Tsunade asked, her voice dripping with skepticism. She took a long swig of sake, her eyes narrowing. "And what about the Old Man? From what I know, that old fool would never willingly give up his title."
Jiraiya didn't reach for a drink. He didn't even lean back. He just stared at her "Sensei is dead," he said, the words falling like lead. "Orochimaru attacked the Leaf. The Old Man died protecting the village."
"I see..." Tsunade whispered, her grip tightening on her glass until her knuckles turned white. Images of her brother, Nawaki, and her lover, Dan, flashed through her mind, both lost to the "curse" of that title. She scoffed, trying to hide the tremor in her voice. "I still won't do it. Only an idiot would want a job that's basically a death sentence."
Naruto, who had been holding back his temper, finally snapped. He kicked his chair out, the screeching wood echoing in the quiet restaurant.
"Hey, you old hag! What the hell did you just say?!" Naruto yelled, pointing a trembling finger at her. "The Hokage is the greatest title in the world! It's about respect, honor, and protecting everyone! Look at me my name is Naruto Uzumaki, and I'm gonna be the Hokage someday, believe it!"
Tsunade froze. Looking at Naruto's defiant face, she saw in him the ghosts of the two people she loved most. Her hand reflexively went to the crystal necklace resting against her chest. Shizune looked at Tsunade and sighed, knowing all too well the weight of the memories that haunting her master.
"Hmph. Just another brat with a death wish," Tsunade spat, though her eyes softened for a fraction of a second. "Your dream is a joke, kid. Wake up. It's impossible for a talentless brat like you."
Kaito, watching from behind Jiraiya's eyes, analyzed the scene like a boardroom meeting. 'There it is. The emotional trigger. The plot is right on track. Now, the gamble begins: the Rasengan vs. her pride.'
To Kaito, this wasn't just a heartfelt moment; it was a closing move.
"Tsunade," Jiraiya's voice cut through the air, low and commanding. "If you're so sure his dream is a 'joke,' then prove it. Let's make this interesting. If this 'talentless brat' can master the Rasengan in one week, you come back to the village and become the Fifth Hokage."
Tsunade smirked, her competitive streak flaring up. "A week? Ha! The Rasengan... that jutsu took your own student three years to master. You really think this kid is going to pull it off in seven days? Don't make me laugh."
A rare, sharp smile crossed Jiraiya's face one that didn't reach his cold eyes. "We'll see about that, Tsunade."
Naruto let out a confident laugh, slamming his fist into his palm. "Hehe! Get ready, Granny! You're gonna be the fifth Hokage"
.
Tsunade looked at him, unimpressed. Let this brat wake up from his delusions on his own, she thought. She turned to her old teammate. "Fine, Jiraiya. It's been a while. Let's drink today, you're paying!"
Kaito Sato, in his previous life as a CEO, had endured countless corporate dinners where drinking was a necessity for closing deals. He didn't enjoy it, but he was a professional. He gave a curt nod. "Understood. Waiter, bring grilled meat and ten bottles of sake."
A young waitress arrived with the order. When she caught sight of Jiraiya face,his sharp jawline and sophisticated aura, her face turned bright red. As she reached to set the tray down, her hands trembled, and she stumbled.
Jiraiya's reflexes were fast. With one hand, he caught the girl by the waist; with the other, he balanced the tray before a single plate could slide. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice steady.
"... I'm fine! Thank you, sir!" she squeaked, fleeing back to the kitchen in a daze.
Watching her go, a flicker of memory hit Kaito, Himari used to be just as clumsy when they first married. He felt a brief, hollow pang in his chest. I hope that girl is doing well, he thought, A faint smile appeared on his lips. I hope she's doing well…
Tsunade noticed the smile and narrowed her eyes. "Hmph. You haven't changed at all."
But something bothered her. Why isn't he looking at mewith his usual lecherous grin like before? she thought. Did my charm disappear?
She glanced down at her chest.
Jiraiya said nothing. He simply poured himself a cup of sake.
Seeing his indifferent reaction, Tsunade's irritation grew. Tch… this old pervert. I'll tear that mask off you.
She subtly leaned forward, emphasizing her figure, a sly smile forming on her lips.
"Jiraiya, what happened to you? You seem… different. Tell me—I'll listen."
Jiraiya looked at her actions and immediately understood. In his previous life, Kaito had dealt with many women like this. But Still, something felt off.
Doesn't she still love her past lover Dan? Why is she acting like this? he wondered.
His gaze briefly flickered toward her chest. …I can understand why Jiraiya liked her.
But unlike the original Jiraiya, he showed no reaction.
The most important thing is completing the mission and moving on. Attachments and ties will only get in the way.
"Tsunade," he said calmly, "I've grown older. It's time to leave behind the foolishness of the past."
"Tch." Tsunade grabbed a bottle and drank it in one go. "You old pervert… you're not fooling me. What's with this act?"
Jiraiya ignored her and turned his attention to Naruto, who was eating eagerly, and Shizune, who was watching Tsunade with a slightly puzzled expression.
"Naruto, eat well. We begin training tomorrow."
"Got it, Pervy Sage!" Naruto replied with a grin.
Tsunade, slightly drunk now, refused to give up. She moved closer to Jiraiya and grabbed his arm.
"Hmph… old pervert, let's have a contest. Who can drink the most?"
Jiraiya stiffened slightly at the contact. "Tsunade, could you move a little?"
He gently pulled his arm away, his gaze turning cold.
"We're not young anymore. Don't make me misunderstand you."
Tsunade froze.
"Hmph." She turned her head away, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks.
Naruto and Shizune stared at her with wide eyes. But what shocked Naruto even more was Jiraiya's behavior. Normally, his master would have reacted with a perverted grin.
Jiraiya calmly picked up his chopsticks, eating and drinking with quiet elegance.
The atmosphere became awkward.
Finally, Tsunade broke the silence.
"What happened to you?" she asked, looking directly into his eyes.
She knew about his feelings for her. Could it be… Had he finally moved on?
Curiosity filled her gaze as she studied his face. A faint blush colored her cheeks.
"Tsunade," Jiraiya said quietly, "there are times when goals are more important than fleeting emotions and temporary pleasures."
He paused, then added softly, "I hope you'll understand. That's all I can say."
Tsunade stared at him for a long moment but said nothing more
After two hours, the four of them left the restaurant. Jiraiya was supporting Tsunade, holding her by the shoulders as she could barely walk.
Tsunade looked up at him. Jiraiya was staring straight ahead, not paying any attention to the contact between them.
"Hmph."
She pinched his side.
Jiraiya felt a slight sting of pain and sighed. What is wrong with this woman? She's been acting strange all day.
From what I know of the plot, their relationship should only be that of comrades. When Jiraiya confessed to her in their youth, he got a beating he never forgot. And when he saw her with Dan, his heart was shattered.
Jiraiya gently removed her hand and thought to himself that, in the future, he should keep his distance from her.