Ch 36: Die or die

At this moment, Jiraiya, his head covered in bandages, finally appeared at the classroom door.

Jiraiya looked at Tatsumi with a pitiful expression.

That resentful gaze made Tatsumi's scalp tingle. 'Okay, big brother, I was wrong, alright?'

"Um, Big Brother Jiraiya, you didn't really peep into the women's bathhouse and get beaten up, did you?" Nawaki was taken aback. Jiraiya looked rather terrifying in this state. Although he remembered his sister had beaten Jiraiya before, he wasn't at the scene of the violence. How could he know the injuries were so terrible?

"No. Well... um, this is the injury I sustained while performing a mission for the Third Hokage. Super S-rank mission, super S-rank. Orochimaru can testify."

Jiraiya quickly found an excuse for himself. Just kidding, in front of so many students, he, Jiraiya-sama, needed to save face.

If people knew he was beaten up like this by Tsunade, how would he still hang around in the ninja world in the future?

"Big Brother Jiraiya, did you also go to investigate that store with the short-skirted ladies?" Nawaki asked in a silly tone.

Huh? If anyone says Nawaki is an idiot in the future, Tatsumi will argue with them.

Nawaki was clearly a little scared of his sister Tsunade after seeing Jiraiya's miserable end.

So, he pretended to inadvertently leak the information to Jiraiya, wanting him to test the waters, and by the way, let him probe the edge of danger.

If Jiraiya was okay, he could justifiably go and investigate the enemy's situation.

As expected, ninjas aren't easy to fool.

"Ah, really? The other party might be a spy from an enemy village. For the sake of the village's safety, a comprehensive investigation must be carried out from one o'clock to three o'clock."

"....."

Worthy of being Nawaki's life mentor.

However, Jiraiya was obviously still in a rather vigilant state after the Tsunade incident.

"Nawaki, where did this information come from? Is it reliable?" Jiraiya glanced warily at Tatsumi.

After all, he had just been tricked.

"Um, I saw it when I passed by this store this morning," Nawaki replied hesitantly.

After all, Tatsumi had told Nawaki before that this important information couldn't be said to be from him.

The reason?

Of course, it was because of Mikoto. Tatsumi still wanted to live a few more days.

So now Nawaki has become the first discoverer of this information.

Nawaki was a little ashamed, after all, he had always claimed to be Konoha's number one intelligence officer.

Hearing that the information didn't come from Tatsumi, Jiraiya obviously relaxed his vigilance.

He revealed an ambiguous look.

"Very good, Nawaki. I'll go and verify it later. I think the Third Hokage will also be very interested."

"..."

It seems Jiraiya also wants to drag the Third Hokage into the water.

After they exchanged information, Tatsumi, Mikoto, and Minato were called out by Jiraiya.

Tatsumi very tactfully didn't ask Jiraiya why they were late. Obviously, Jiraiya has been wanting to find fault and teach this Uchiha kid a lesson.

The sun was a little hot, shining through the dense leaves onto the ground, presenting bursts of spots.

Only Orochimaru was standing under the shade of the tree.

Orochimaru was standing there wearing a Jonin vest.

But where's Tsunade?

"During this period of time, the three of us will guide you," Jiraiya said, pointing to Orochimaru beside him, and the non-existent Tsunade.

"This guidance will last for a week. Time is precious, so cherish it."

"So, Minato, you will be with me," Jiraiya originally wanted to personally guide Tatsumi, to let Tatsumi experience what is a loving offering in his hands.

However, he had already agreed with Minato before.

Moreover, Jiraiya also valued Minato very much. Minato, like him, was a commoner, so he liked Minato very much.

More importantly, he already knew that Tsunade was going to personally train Tatsumi.

"That's how it is. Mikoto, you will be with me," Orochimaru's hoarse voice came.

Uchiha Mikoto had no objection to Orochimaru's guidance.

After all, Mikoto didn't plan to learn medical ninjutsu. The Sharingan didn't have any advantages in medical ninjutsu.

Moreover, Mikoto wasn't a taijutsu-type ninja, she was a ninjutsu-type ninja. Tsunade wasn't suitable for her.

Tatsumi was an all-rounder ninja. For Tatsumi, anyone would do. Besides, Tatsumi's strongest skill now is taijutsu, so choosing Tsunade was just right.

Most importantly, they all knew that Tsunade had already booked Tatsumi.

That's right, it's booked.

Tatsumi was Tsunade's dish. Tsunade wanted to use her own methods to train Konoha's problem child.

"Um, what about me?" Tatsumi asked. Tsunade mysteriously disappeared.

Jiraiya glanced at Tatsumi with ill intentions. He patted Tatsumi on the shoulder with a smile.

"Kid, Tsunade is waiting for you at the Senju clan grounds. By the way, don't forget to bring your wallet. Without money, Tsunade can't cure illnesses."

This sentence has a lot of information. Tatsumi needs to slow down.

So, Tsunade wants to beat him half to death first, and then Tatsumi has to pay Tsunade to heal himself, and then Tsunade will cripple him again?

She can even think of this method!

"Um, can I give up this spot?"

Tatsumi swallowed.

"You can. But then you don't have to use your money to treat your illness—" Jiraiya looked at Tatsumi with a smile.

"That's great."

"—you can directly use the money to buy a cemetery with good luck."

"....."

"It's okay, Tatsumi. Apologize to Lady Tsunade properly, and she will forgive you."

If apologizing was useful, what would we need Tsunade for? Jiraiya thought, looking at the bandages on his body.

"Minato, let's go! I will teach you powerful ninjutsu, you must defeat Tatsumi and avenge me, understand?!" Seeing Tatsumi being comforted by a little girl, Jiraiya was a little angry.

"...Ah haha." Minato, with a wry smile, gave a comforting look and followed Jiraiya away.

"Then Tatsumi, I mentioned before the match that I think excellent students can come to me. After you finish training with Tsunade, you can come to me for advice. This promise is always valid," Orochimaru said to Tatsumi with narrowed eyes and a gentle tone.

Orochimaru was still a little regretful, but since his teammate Tsunade proposed to take Tatsumi, Orochimaru wouldn't refuse to give Tsunade face.

But there will be plenty of opportunities in the future, won't there?

Faced with this scientist who will wholeheartedly develop technology, traffic people, conscientiously respond to the call, and develop poor villages in the future, Tatsumi can only agree.

After all, after graduation, he might still become Orochimaru's disciple.

"Follow me first," Orochimaru's snake eyes glanced at Uchiha Mikoto, and then said in a slightly hoarse voice.

"Then, I'm leaving, Tatsumi." Mikoto followed Orochimaru and disappeared from sight.

Only Tatsumi was left standing alone.

Go or not go to Tsunade?

To be or not to be?

That is the question.

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