"..."
"Teacher, I was just joking... besides, I'm just a genin now, isn't it a bit inappropriate to have a genin keep an eye on someone who's going to be the future Mizukage…"
"How about you let someone with a higher status follow her instead, or she might think we from Konoha are deliberately slighting her by sending a mere genin. Also…", Aoba gave a string of reasons; honestly, he didn't really want to take this mission.
He and Yugao had just started their relationship, how could he have a third wheel around?
"Hmph! What's so disrespectful about that? The upper echelon has already decided, you'll be the one to keep watch on her," Tsunade had a look of unquestionable authority on her face.
"Besides, she was captured by you, so it's only fitting for you to watch over her. If she dares to cause trouble, just tie her up and teach her a good lesson."
"This…"
'Is that kind of discipline even proper?'
Aoba saw that Tsunade had already made up her mind and knew there was no escaping it, "Then is this whole 'eating and living together' thing really necessary?"
Eating and living together? That would ruin so many fun plans he had with Yugao.
"No way! What if something unexpected happens when no one's watching her?", Tsunade flatly refused and gave him a sideways glance, her eyes carrying a deeper meaning.
"What? Is there something inconvenient about that for you?", She really wanted to see how the brat would answer this.
"…During this time, Sister Yugao is staying with me. I'm worried it might be inconvenient."
"What's so inconvenient about that? Unless you're planning to do things that would be awkward with a third person around?", Tsunade's eyes narrowed.
"No… no.", Aoba's expression looked a bit like he was trying to cover something up, 'Why does it feel like Sensei already knows about me and Yugao?'
He had to find a chance to discuss this with Sister Yugao.
"Then it's settled… hmm?", Just as Tsunade was speaking, the two of them noticed something and turned to look at the window.
Since it was summer, the window was open.
A white blur suddenly jumped in from outside the window.
"Long time no see! Tsunade!"
The veins on Tsunade's forehead immediately popped, and she clenched her fists.
"Jiraiya! I thought I warned you last time!"
"Ahaha! Sorry, it's been so long I kinda forgot," Jiraiya scratched the back of his head and laughed heartily.
"If you jump through the window again next time, just prepare to die!", Tsunade raised her fist.
Aoba nodded in agreement.
This kind of situation really needed to be stopped. What if one day Tsunade was punishing him in the office and someone walked in?
"Ahem! I'll definitely remember… Aoba, long time no see," Jiraiya coughed and immediately admitted defeat, shifting the topic by greeting Aoba.
"Long time no see, Uncle Jiraiya," Aoba also greeted him.
Jiraiya nodded, then turned to Tsunade with a goofy smile, "So, what's the reason you called me back this time?"
Tsunade nodded, "The Chunin Exams are about to begin."
"Chunin Exams?", Jiraiya looked confused, 'Why call me back just for a Chunin Exam?'
"This time, all five major hidden villages will be participating, and the location is Konoha," Tsunade casually dropped a major bombshell.
Jiraiya's eyes also widened, "All five major hidden villages participating?"
"Tsunade, if they all take this chance to attack Konoha, even if I'm here, I won't be able to stop them…"
But Tsunade looked completely confident, "Hah! If I dared to invite them, of course I have enough confidence. Calling you back is just to add to the show of strength."
"This…", Jiraiya was still hesitant; he didn't know what gave Tsunade such confidence.
"So what's this confidence based on?"
"You'll find out when the time comes," Tsunade kept it mysterious.
Jiraiya could only sigh silently.
He had originally planned to continue searching for the Child of Prophecy, but now he wasn't sure if he should leave so soon.
What if the next time he came back, Konoha had already become a pile of rubble?
"When will the Chunin Exams be held?"
"In a month."
'Still some time…', Jiraiya let out a breath of relief, 'It won't take too long.'
"Alright, then I'll wait until after the Chunin Exams before I leave."
"Mm, in the meantime, go train Naruto a bit. He's one of Konoha's trump cards for this Chunin Exam," Tsunade added.
Jiraiya thought for a moment. Since there was that much time, he could teach him that jutsu from Minato.
He agreed readily, "Alright."
The atmosphere fell silent for a moment.
Tsunade suddenly asked, "Jiraiya, are you really going to waste your life chasing that prophecy?"
"Great Toad Sage's prophecies have always been accurate," Jiraiya's expression was firm, "Besides, it's for the peace of the ninja world."
Tsunade shook her head and said, "Placing hopes for peace on someone else's prophecy is just a waste of time."
'Such vague and intangible prophecies has lower feasibility than this brat's 'Ninja World Harem Peace Plan'.'
Jiraiya also fell silent.
Tsunade waved her hand, "You can go now. Naruto should be at Might Guy's place."
"Haha, then I'll head out first… by the way, got time tonight? Wanna go out for a drink?", Jiraiya asked as he walked to the door and turned back.
"No time!", Tsunade refused without hesitation, "The Hokage's job isn't as easy as you think."
"Alright then," Jiraiya left the Hokage's office somewhat disappointed, 'Looks like I'll have to go gather research material tonight.'
"Teacher's not usually that busy, right?", Aoba was a bit surprised that she actually turned down a drinking invitation.
Tsunade paused, "I just prefer drinking alone. It's more freeing."
———
Not long after, Shizune brought Terumi Mei over.
"You planning to let me go home?", As soon as she entered, Terumi Mei looked at Tsun ade. She figured the two villages had probably already reached an agreement.
Tsunade shook her head, "It's not time yet. We're just letting you regain your freedom early, that's all."
"What do you mean?", Terumi Mei frowned.
"A month from now, at the Chunin Exams, if Kirigakure brings what we need, then you can return to the Mist. But until then, you're free to move around Konoha," Tsunade explained.
Terumi Mei was a bit surprised, "Aren't you afraid I'll steal intel or escape?"
"He'll be watching you," Tsunade pointed at Aoba.
Terumi Mei had noticed him when she came in, but didn't expect the reason he was here was this.
'Although he does look pretty much my type… he is an annoying brat,' Terumi Mei only complained about it internally.
"Alright, you two can leave now," Tsunade issued the dismissal, she was ready to go slack off.
"Can you tell me what our village agreed to?", Terumi Mei hesitated for a moment, then asked her question.
"No problem, but for things like that, just ask him," Tsunade waved her hand, not wanting to say more.
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