The evening was drawing near, and Tsunade strolled through the streets, contemplating where she could indulge in a small gamble.
In just a few days, her team would depart, and she would lead the medical unit to the front lines.
By then, even if a pair of dice were placed in front of her, she wouldn't dare to play.
At that moment, steady footsteps approached from behind, and someone walked up to her side, matching her pace.
The newcomer had smooth, silver-white hair with a bluish tint, wore a Konoha forehead protector, and exuded a dashing charm.
Turning her head slightly, Tsunade glanced at the warm and gentlemanly Dan Kato, and politely greeted him.
"Hello, Captain Kato."
Hearing this, Dan Kato responded with a gentle smile, nodding as he said:
"Hello, Tsunade... Princess.
By the way… I actually really agree with your earlier suggestion. Assigning a medical ninja to every team is an excellent idea.
Especially for reconnaissance squads operating in small units, this could significantly increase their survival rates, don't you think?"
Watching Dan Kato speak eloquently, Tsunade smiled politely.
"Thank you, Captain Kato."
At least there was someone with a discerning eye!
It's just that the old man (Third Hokage) is blind and can't see my visionary perspective!
As she grumbled internally, Tsunade suddenly wondered what Rinjin would have done if he had been at the meeting.
Would he have stood up to support her?
...
That didn't seem very likely!
If that guy had been at the meeting earlier, he'd probably be elbowing Jiraiya, the two of them laughing their heads off while trying to stifle their chuckles at her expense!
At this thought, a vein popped on Tsunade's forehead, and she began grinding her teeth furiously.
Given how well she knew him, Tsunade could already imagine what Rinjin would have said.
"Look! Little Tsunade, that idiot. Counting on Uncle Hiruzen for anything? Why not just kick the Third Hokage off his chair and take over as the Fourth Hokage yourself?"
That bastard would definitely say something like that!
Grinding her teeth aside, Tsunade wasn't actually angry.
After spending so much time with Rinjin, her competitive spirit had grown far stronger than in the original story—much, much stronger.
After all, Rinjin had been undercover in Kumogakure since he was eight years old, constantly teetering between life and death, yet he had never once uttered the word "fear."
His younger sister, Rii, who had been fostered in Tsunade's home, was similarly strong-willed despite her young age.
Except for math! She excelled at chakra attribute training, mastering various ninjutsu, and refining chakra.
She would stay up until two or three in the morning every day without a single complaint.
During their three years of training in the Land of Grass, Shizune was often brought to tears, and Fugaku Uchiha would pull at his hair in frustration, yet this little girl remained unbelievably resilient.
If not for this, she wouldn't have become the "big sister" figure to both Shizune and Fugaku.
Over the years, this girl had been thoroughly tempered.
Because of this, living alongside them day and night, Tsunade had shed much of her naive "princess" demeanor, gaining a unique resilience instead.
Beside her, Dan Kato observed Tsunade's ever-changing expressions with a puzzled look.
"Princess Tsunade, are you alright? Do you want me to escort you home?"
The concern in his voice rang out.
Hearing this, Tsunade snapped out of her thoughts, then smiled and shook her head.
"No need. I can go home on my own."
"It's no trouble. I happen to be heading this way too.
Back in the day, when I used to pick up my little sister, I'd always take this route. Now that I think about it, it's quite nostalgic~"
Hearing this, Tsunade nodded politely but was already cursing inwardly.
Damn it, is this guy dense? Isn't my refusal obvious enough?!
I want to gamble! You're blocking my way to the casino, you idiot!
Still, in front of outsiders, at least the princess of Konoha had to maintain her composure.
Remaining silent, Tsunade stepped slightly to the side, keeping a safe distance as she headed toward her home.
Up in a nearby tree, Jiraiya clung to a branch, craning his neck to watch the two of them disappear down the road, his heart shattering into pieces.
He didn't know how long he sat there until a somewhat familiar voice called out from below.
"Jiraiya, what are you doing up in the tree?!"
Hearing this, Jiraiya, red-eyed, looked down.
Another white-haired guy!
Damn it! Where did this white-haired person come from? I'm already furious at the sight of white hair!
Wait... I have white hair too!
Looking more closely, it turned out to be Sakumo Hatake, who had recently left the Anbu.
Thanks to Rinjin, Jiraiya and Sakumo were fairly well acquainted.
However, there was one incident where the two of them had run into each other at a bookstore, both holding copies of the Forbidden Love series. Since that day, they had become inseparable comrades-in-arms.
Without saying a word, Jiraiya leapt down from the tree, threw an arm around Sakumo's shoulder, and carefully examined his hair.
Hmm! White spiky hair! And a little ponytail!
Excellent! The breed is perfect; he's one of us.
Now I declare: white hair only looks good in spiky styles!
Smooth, silky white hair? That's an abomination that must be eradicated!
Lost in his nonsensical thoughts, Jiraiya dragged Sakumo into a nearby izakaya.
Tonight, Jiraiya-sama was going to drown his sorrows in alcohol!
After finding a cozy corner to sit in, Jiraiya wasted no time ordering ten bottles of sake, shouting for more if it wasn't enough.
Soon, the food and drinks arrived. But Jiraiya ignored the food, pouring drink after drink for Sakumo.
Before long, after downing three or five bottles, Jiraiya's face turned red.
Once he was properly drunk, his words began to flow.
Clutching a sake cup, Jiraiya wrapped an arm around Sakumo's neck and started slurring his words.
"Dog bro... Dog bro... Dog bro..."
Beside him, the still-sober Sakumo looked utterly exasperated.
What's with this guy? Why is he calling me "Dog bro" like that unlucky Rinjin always does?
I stopped wearing the dog mask ages ago!
At that moment, Jiraiya raised his cup, downed it in one gulp, and let out a drunken burp.
"Dog bro, let me tell you something! Hic... That Tsunade... She's so clueless!
Just now, she... she... she actually let that Dan Kato kid… walk her home.
That... that kid, what kind of person is he... don't I know?!
Hic...
He acts all proper, but he's full of dirty tricks... Hic... so many of them!"
As he spoke, the thoroughly drunk Jiraiya suddenly leaned close to Sakumo's ear, whispering conspiratorially:
"When we were kids... that guy was so... so... popular with girls. And he... hic...
He loved to talk about becoming Hokage... to get girls' attention...
But... heh~"
At this, Jiraiya broke into a mischievous laugh.
"That Rinjin, that troublemaker, came up with a whole... hehe... theory about pervy Hokages.
Since then... all those self-righteous guys who kept shouting about becoming Hokage... couldn't say a word!
Oh man, I laughed so hard I almost died!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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