CHAPTER 20

"I actually gave him... a confession?"

Somewhere in the ninja world, Tsunade stared blankly at the analysis.

If she understood correctly, the space-time playback meant she had already become the Fifth Hokage. And during a moment of crisis, Jiraiya had gone on a mission—for her. She had made him a promise:

If he returned alive... she'd accept him.

Or maybe, just maybe... that promise was one she made in her own heart.

And then—

He died.

Two tears betrayed her strong facade, tracing clear, silent paths down her cheeks.

Everyone close to her eventually dies.

She looked up at the sky, her emotions tangled and wordless. She wanted to cry, just for a moment—but Shizune was standing right behind her.

That's the pain of adulthood.

Sometimes, you can't even cry when you want to.

"Lady Tsunade... is it true Jiraiya-sama missed his chance just to teach three kids?"

Shizune's voice was gentle. The memory of that ridiculous, warm-hearted fool laughing during their first mission surfaced in Tsunade's mind.

That guy. Just like he always said...

He only ever loved her.

"Shizune... who can say what really happened in the past?"

Tsunade's voice was quiet, distant. She didn't know what the answering space had shown them all.

But back then, when Jiraiya wanted to stay... she couldn't bear to let him.

So she persuaded him to go.

And when he returned... he was already gone.

If only—

"No."

"No!"

"Accept Jiraiya?! Impossible! That pervert mocked me since we were kids! Why else would I have developed the Strength of a Hundred Seal in the first place?!"

"Impossible!!"

She shook her head violently, almost childishly.

They were both too old. What, she was supposed to start having kids now? Even as the top medical-nin in the world—experience in delivering babies didn't mean she wanted one of her own.

Besides...

Even if Jiraiya wrote perverted novels and acted like a clown, he had always been clean.

Still a virgin, even now.

"I will not marry Jiraiya! Not now, not ever! I'll return to Konoha, accept the Hokage role, and fight idiots all day long—but him? Never!"

Shizune covered her smile with her sleeve, failing to suppress her amusement.

Tsunade glared at her and doubled down:

"Unless Jiraiya grows wings and flies... unless Orochimaru turns into a woman... unless the Akatsuki destroys Konoha... unless the moon falls from the sky—

—I, Senju Tsunade, will never have anything to do with him!"

"...Eh?"

Shizune sighed internally.

It was too difficult.

Despite Tsunade's denial, Shizune knew her better than anyone. She truly wanted Tsunade to find happiness. And if anyone could give her that, it was Jiraiya.

He was old. Rich. Handsome in his own way. And most importantly—

He worshipped the ground she walked on.

---

Meanwhile... in the Land of Iron

"Can someone explain what 'Sage Mode' is supposed to be?"

Mifune rubbed his temples, exasperated.

What in the world were those ninja up to now?

The Iron Country was neutral—no shinobi villages, only samurai. They didn't dabble in ninjutsu. And yet, they had managed to maintain their independence, largely because—

Their swordplay was faster than a genin or chunin's hand seals.

But once jonin-level techniques came into play, samurai were often outmatched.

Thank heavens there were few high-level ninja around.

And even fewer who could fight without hand seals.

So far, Mifune had enjoyed watching the broadcasts from the side—ninja dogs biting each other, as he called it, with a sense of samurai superiority.

But now?

Now this "Sage Mode" changed everything.

He muttered the words again.

"Sage Mode… Sage Mode..."

It didn't make sense.

"Prepare for departure. We go to Konoha in two days. Bring gifts. We're going to need answers."

"Yes, sir!"

---

Somewhere Else...

"Hahaha... so I really did die in your hands, huh?"

Jiraiya laughed lightly as he faced Nagato. There was no bitterness, just reflection.

The analysis confirmed it—he hadn't escaped, even after activating Sage Mode.

Because he needed to learn about the Rinnegan.

He knew he couldn't win.

But still, he fought.

Was he really that stubborn?

He scrolled through the segment involving Naruto Uzumaki.

The kid he had chosen.

Could he be the Child of Prophecy the Great Toad Sage foretold?

Fiery red hair, probably hot-headed. Raised by the Third Hokage. Maybe even fat.

Being the Fourth Hokage's orphan—and Kushina's son—Naruto would've had it tough.

Jiraiya just hoped Hiruzen didn't spoil the boy into an entitled brat.

That would make teaching him... annoying.

But no matter what, he'd train him well.

Because when it came to raising students—

He was second to none.

Jiraiya beamed with pride... until something else caught his eye.

"...Tsunade? She accepted me?!"

SLAP!

He smacked himself so hard his face swelled red.

"Tsunade… accepted me?!"

Joy burst from him like fireworks. He stomped his feet like an overgrown kid.

"Itachi! Tsunade said yes! We're having ramen next time I'm back in Konoha!"

"Orochimaru! Look up, dammit!"

Jiraiya forcibly grabbed Orochimaru's face and turned it toward the sky.

"See that?! She said yes!"

"You said if I got her to say yes, you'd take my name, right?"

"Well, get ready to be called Senju Orochimaru!"

"Pfft, not bad, huh?"

"Gun—"

---

Back in the Present

Tsunade watched Jiraiya's childish outburst with tears brimming in her eyes.

What kind of love lasts so long?

So foolish. So devoted.

But so, so real.

Her heart bloomed with warmth, like sunlight bursting through clouds.

"...Idiot."

She whispered it fondly.

And then panic struck.

Wait.

If Jiraiya's in the answering space... could he be near the Akatsuki?

No. That's too dangerous!

She bolted upright.

"Shizune! Pack up—we're going back to Konoha. Jiraiya's in danger!"

"Huh?!"

Shizune blinked. Weren't they just talking about rest?

Also… didn't she just say she hated Jiraiya?