Naturally, the others had no objection to Naruto's proposal.
After traveling together day and night searching for Tsunade, they'd all developed a bond with Jiraiya. Everyone supported his lifelong pursuit of happiness.
"No problem." Kakashi spoke lightly. For the past two days, he'd been doing... whatever Kakashi did when no one was watching.
Sasuke maintained his cool, aloof demeanor. He rarely refuted Naruto's proposals anyway. He was surprisingly considerwho ate beneath that cold exterior.
As for Shizune, her feelings toward her sensei were complex. Though she knew the love story between Tsunade and her late uncle Dan, he'd been dead for far too long. Shizune didn't want that tragedy to become a permanent knot in her sensei's heart. Jiraiya-senpai clearly liked Tsunade very much.
Sensei really needs someone to take care of her. She can't spend the rest of her life in casinos.
Shizune first looked at Naruto. In her opinion, Naruto was the best man in their group. Such a man possessed tremendous strength, held high position and authority, showed no airs despite his status, and treated everyone with kindness.
Such a perfect combination of qualities might be worthy of her sensei. After all, despite Tsunade's... considerable assets... unfortunately, Naruto was far too young.
Therefore, Shizune's gaze settled on Jiraiya. It seems I can only hope for sensei and Jiraiya-senpai to be together.
Seeing everyone supporting him so enthusiastically, Jiraiya felt genuinely happy. However, his weathered face showed a rare look of embarrassment. "Isn't it just a confession? Does it need to be this grand? It's just something that happens naturally between people."
Jiraiya wore a relaxed expression, habitually bragging to hide his nerves.
"No matter what, we all sincerely wish you well, Jiraiya-sensei. Don't be embarrassed." Naruto's tone left no room for argument. He walked directly in front of Jiraiya and opened his arms. "Come here. Give me a hug. Let everyone give you courage."
"Alright." Things had reached this point. Jiraiya couldn't refuse everyone's goodwill. He opened his arms and hugged Naruto tightly.
"Do your best." Naruto patted Jiraiya's back several times, then sighed slightly in his heart where no one could hear.
"You're Jiraiya-sensei! A small matter like Tsunade, you can handle easily." Naruto released him with an encouraging laugh. "When you have the wedding, this Hokage will give you a big red envelope."
While Jiraiya moved to hug Kakashi, Naruto walked up to Sakura. He asked in a low voice only she could hear, "Sakura, did you use the new cosmetics?"
"I used them. Why do you care about this?" Sakura looked at Naruto suspiciously.
In truth, Naruto didn't need to ask. His senses had sharpened tremendously through training. His sense of smell was particularly keen now. He could detect the new rouge and perfume on Sakura's body easily. However, he rarely used this ability carelessly. Sometimes enhanced smell detected more than just perfume—it could pick up other, more personal scents that were better left unacknowledged.
"I'm helping you." Naruto's thoughts shifted smoothly. "Do you want to know if Sasuke likes you or not?"
"Of course I want to know!" Sakura's eyes lit up immediately. Only topics about Sasuke could capture her complete attention so quickly.
Naruto spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear. "Get close to Sasuke later. Pretend to ask him what's different about you today. If Sasuke can notice that your scent has changed, it means he has you in his heart. It means he pays very close attention to you."
"Wow! Naruto is so clever!" Sakura praised him with genuine admiration. "You really are the one who won Hinata's heart. I'll try it later."
"Sakura, it's your turn. Bless me." Jiraiya finished his round of hugs and came to Sakura. He opened his arms with a warm smile.
During their journey these past few days, Sakura had been pushing his wheelchair. Jiraiya had grown quite fond of this junior. He no longer harbored any inappropriate thoughts about her. At this moment, the hug was purely platonic.
"Jiraiya-senpai, please do your best! You must succeed!" Sakura gave him a symbolic embrace.
Naruto watched this scene unfold. His internal voice whispered, I'm sorry, Jiraiya-sensei. In order to bring Tsunade back to Konoha, I can only do this.
Of course, Jiraiya had no idea what Naruto was thinking. After finishing his round of hugs, he couldn't wait to make his confession. He laughed confidently. "Everyone, when I come back, you'll see Tsunade holding my hand as we return together!"
After speaking, Jiraiya strode out with high spirits and headed straight for the casino.
Naruto and the others stood at the hotel entrance, watching Jiraiya depart like a general marching to war. Sakura suddenly asked, "Do you think Jiraiya-senpai will succeed?"
Naruto watched Jiraiya's back disappear from view. Then he sighed softly. "He should succeed... Didn't Jiraiya-sensei say Tsunade will come back holding his hand?"
"Will he succeed? Naruto, you just sighed, didn't you?" Sakura looked at Naruto with suspicion. She couldn't shake the feeling there was some ulterior purpose behind all this.
"Success or failure, we'll know if we follow him." Sasuke's practical suggestion cut through the speculation.
So the group trailed after Jiraiya's footsteps from a distance. They watched him enter the casino cheerfully. Then Naruto led Sasuke, Kakashi, Sakura, and Shizune through the back entrance. From a hidden corner, they observed as Jiraiya approached Tsunade step by step.
"You must succeed, Jiraiya-senpai." Sakura whispered earnestly.
Naruto smiled without speaking, watching Jiraiya walk toward Tsunade, who was shouting crazily at a slot machine.
At this moment, Tsunade was completely absorbed in gambling. She paid no attention to Jiraiya's arrival. She only cared about her remaining chips—her ten thousand ryō had dwindled to just a few thousand.
Jiraiya cleared his throat first. He called Tsunade's name in an affectionate tone.
Unfortunately, Tsunade didn't hear clearly at all. First, the casino was incredibly noisy. Second, Tsunade's complete focus remained locked on the slot machine.
Jiraiya wasn't discouraged. He poked Tsunade's exposed arm with his finger. His voice increased in volume, still affectionate. "Tsunade."
Tsunade finally registered the physical contact. When she turned around, she saw Jiraiya gazing at her with an affectionate expression and fiery eyes. She glanced at him, then turned her attention back to the slot machine. "Jiraiya? What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you that after being in a wheelchair so long and just recovering, you need to walk around more?"
Feeling the concern in Tsunade's words, Jiraiya smiled broadly. "I just followed the doctor's orders and walked to your side."
Regarding Jiraiya's cheesy pickup line, Tsunade's internal reaction was immediate revulsion. Goosebumps erupted across her skin. She muttered, "Crazy."
Fighting is love, scolding is love. Jiraiya didn't care about her harsh words. He'd gladly accept worse treatment from her... Thinking this, Jiraiya pressed forward. "Tsunade, I have some words I've been hiding in my heart for a very long time. I haven't had a chance to tell you."
"I really need to say these words to you."
At Jiraiya's heartfelt tone, Tsunade stopped manipulating the slot machine. A bad feeling suddenly bloomed in her chest. Today's Jiraiya is really strange. He doesn't mean he wants to confess to me, does he?
Considering this possibility, Tsunade's heart rippled with complex emotions. Part of her wanted to escape. Yet another part looked forward with nervous anticipation to Jiraiya's confession...
"You... what do you want to say?" For the first time, Tsunade's voice carried genuine nervousness.
When the enemy retreats, advance. Seeing Tsunade's instinct to flee, Jiraiya grabbed her soft hand and held it tightly. His body moved closer. Tsunade could even feel Jiraiya's breathing against her skin.
Jiraiya called Tsunade's name affectionately. His tone was impossibly gentle. His previous lecherous temperament had completely vanished.
"I escaped for too many years. In truth, I've always wanted to say something to you. I'm afraid if I don't say it now, I won't have another chance in the future."
"I... I like you, Tsunade."
"I have always liked you very much."
"You..." Tsunade's eyes widened as she stared at Jiraiya.
"Don't talk." Jiraiya's other hand gently blocked Tsunade's lips. Tsunade was so overwhelmed by Jiraiya's confession that she forgot to resist...
"Damn it! Can you confess your love somewhere besides the casino? Go away! I'm losing money here, and now I have to watch this..." The gamblers around Tsunade and Jiraiya began complaining loudly. They all moved away from the romantic scene.
This development naturally fell under Naruto's observation. Jiraiya's attack was fierce. Seeing Tsunade's confused, emotional eyes, it seemed she was being thoroughly affected by Jiraiya's confession.
"Jiraiya-senpai seems to be succeeding." Sakura's voice carried hope.
Regarding Sakura's assessment, Sasuke, Shizune, and Kakashi all nodded in agreement. Kakashi felt quite envious watching the scene.
When can I also have a girlfriend? Kakashi thought wistfully. Preferably someone attractive...
As for Naruto, he simply smiled and said nothing while watching the scene unfold. Who dares to say Tsunade has accepted Jiraiya before the final step is taken?
Jiraiya completely ignored the fact that his display was offending other gamblers. He gazed at Tsunade affectionately, his heart soaring with happiness.
Now he would launch an even more aggressive offensive.
"Tsunade, let's get married. Marry me. I want to have a family with you. Then I'll live peacefully and happily for the rest of my life."
"In Konoha, our family will live quietly together."
Tsunade's heart stirred turbulently. She was genuinely touched by Jiraiya's affectionate confession. Even though so many years had passed since Dan's death. Tsunade, as a woman, possessed delicate feelings. She could naturally sense that Jiraiya also loved her. But because of her heartbreak over Dan, Jiraiya had remained very restrained.
And because Tsunade carried that heartbreak, it had naturally been impossible for her to respond to Jiraiya's feelings.
However, over the past years, Tsunade had gradually let go of her grief. Though she still remembered her love for Dan, he had passed away. It was impossible for Tsunade to live in the past forever. She also had the right to find her own happiness.
If Jiraiya weren't so lustful, he would be a good choice. Most importantly, after so many years, Jiraiya's love for her hadn't changed. This persistence was rare! Tsunade felt deeply moved for a moment.
However, being moved was one thing. Before succumbing to emotion, Tsunade remained fundamentally a woman. A woman's brain worked in mysterious ways. While being genuinely touched by Jiraiya's heartfelt confession, she simultaneously grasped onto a loophole in his words. "Oh, so you're Naruto's lobbyist. You actually used a fake confession to trick me into returning to Konoha."
Hearing Tsunade's accusation, Jiraiya immediately changed his approach. "Absolutely not! If you don't like going back to Konoha, then we won't go back. Let's find a lake on the prairie and raise two fat babies together. Or wherever you want to go—I'll follow you."
Tsunade's expression calmed slightly. She looked at Jiraiya directly. "Are you serious?"
"Of course I'm serious! If I'm lying even half a sentence, let me be struck by lightning." Jiraiya began to swear dramatically, but Tsunade stopped him.
"Then will you still go to... those places... in the future?"
"No! Even without Naruto's supervision, I wouldn't go. With you, why would I go to that kind of place?" Jiraiya promised, patting his chest emphatically.
"Then..." Tsunade looked at Jiraiya, preparing to agree.
"Don't talk. Kiss me." Jiraiya interrupted Tsunade's words. He opened his arms, closed his eyes, leaned toward Tsunade's body, and moved his face close to hers.
Tsunade also closed her eyes. She allowed Jiraiya to embrace her.
Just as Jiraiya was about to kiss Tsunade, suddenly, Tsunade's eyelashes trembled. Her eyes snapped open wide. She stared at Jiraiya. All the emotion on her face transformed instantly into pure fury. "Rouge perfume smell?!"
"Tsunade, you—"
"Heavenly Kick!"
Before Jiraiya could speak, Tsunade's leg shot out viciously. Her kick connected with devastating force. Immediately, Jiraiya screamed and flew backward like a discarded rag doll.
"Hmph! You dare deceive me? You just went to a brothel—I can smell another woman's rouge perfume on you! And you have the audacity to come confess to me? You really think I'm stupid?" Tsunade's furious words rang through the casino.
After speaking, Tsunade felt a flash of relief. Fortunately, her nose was sharp enough to detect the perfume on Jiraiya's body. Otherwise, she would have shamefully fallen for his trick.
"Tsunade, listen to me! I didn't go to any brothel! As soon as you left, I talked with Naruto and the others, then came here immediately. I didn't have time to visit anywhere else!" Jiraiya shouted his innocence desperately.
"Hmph! You still dare to argue? What does that perfume smell mean then? It can only mean you're fast!" Tsunade's anger intensified. "Heavenly Kick!"
Another devastating kick landed. He dares to lie... The perfume scent on Jiraiya's body was one she'd never smelled before. Tsunade was intimately familiar with Shizune's perfume among their group. This was definitely different.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Jiraiya endured brutal punishment from Tsunade. Despair colored his expression. He'd never imagined he was only one step away from success. Why did it become like this?
Then realization struck. Naruto! It must be Naruto's scheming! He'd had no contact with any other women. The only thing was—when setting off, Naruto had asked him to hug everyone for encouragement.
And he'd hugged Sakura and Shizune.
After thinking this through, Jiraiya immediately explained, "Tsunade, listen to me! The perfume on my body is from Sakura or Shizune, not from any brothel girl!"
Hearing this explanation, Tsunade became even more furious. "Oh! So you actually made moves on my students? You want to have them all..."
This scene was witnessed by Naruto and the others from their hidden vantage point.
Sakura's mouth dropped open wide. She spoke with complete disbelief. "How did it turn out like this?"
"Jiraiya-senpai looks so pitiful!" Shizune covered her eyes, unable to watch.
I'll stay single. Women are terrifying. Kakashi's dead fish eye twitched as he thought this internally.
Naruto coughed lightly. "Let's return to the hotel and wait. If Jiraiya knows we witnessed his failure, he'll feel very ashamed. When someone is experiencing romantic frustration, we shouldn't add to Jiraiya-sensei's pain. Let's pretend we didn't see this scene."
After Naruto finished speaking, everyone looked at him with warm admiration. Naruto is truly good to his friends and teachers. He can be so considerate of other people's feelings... It's really fortunate to be friends with such a person.
Before leaving, Naruto glanced back at Jiraiya being beaten mercilessly by Tsunade. His internal voice whispered, Jiraiya-sensei, you've worked hard. Everything is for the greater good of Konoha!