"I didn't expect you to be here as well. It seems today's business won't be settled. I'll take my leave then."
Orochimaru had originally intended to try and take Kano by force. Jiraiya would have reservations, but Orochimaru wouldn't. Now that Tsunade was here, she certainly wouldn't help him.
With Jiraiya and Tsunade by her side, it was impossible to take her away. He could only try to drive a wedge between them.
"Don't think you can escape!"
Jiraiya quickly rushed forward to grab Orochimaru, but it was merely a snakeskin shed behind.
Orochimaru slipped away, pondering how to persuade Kano and thinking that Tsunade's presence might actually be a good thing... Jiraiya didn't pursue him; their goal for this trip was to bring Tsunade back.
"Jiraiya, what's the situation?"
"Come, let's find a shop and talk slowly."
The group didn't dwell on the Orochimaru incident and instead went to an izakaya. Jiraiya and Tsunade ordered a lot of sake, talked extensively, and drank to their heart's content.
Old friends meeting after many years naturally had much to say. Jiraiya also took the opportunity to describe the recent situation in the Village.
Kano, meanwhile, introduced herself to Naruto and Tsunade's attendant, Shizune, and they began to chat.
"Oh, you're an Idol? That's amazing!"
"Not at all. You too—being able to follow Lady Tsunade, you must be someone very capable."
"That, that! I'm also a very capable person!"
"Oh? What achievements do you have?"
"I am the man who will become Hokage in the future!"
"Uh..."
"He is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
"Oh! So it's the famous Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Nice to meet you."
The three of them didn't disturb Tsunade and Jiraiya's reminiscing, chatting casually as they gradually became more familiar with one another.
Kano then asked Shizune a question she had been asking frequently lately.
"I want to compose a song that makes people feel very happy when they hear it. I'd like to use your experience as a reference—under what circumstances do you feel happy?"
"As for me, being able to stay by Lady Tsunade's side right now makes me very happy. If I had a boyfriend who loved me, perhaps I'd be even happier."
A very ordinary answer. Just this level would be far from reaching an S-rank goal.
The melody was almost finished; all that was left was to construct a sense of happiness that people could immerse themselves in. Kano had asked many people during this time, but the answers she received fell far short of the effect she wanted.
If she built a Genjutsu based on this, the target would surely escape easily. It wouldn't achieve the effect of immersive, inescapable happiness. It wouldn't even last as long as a fear-based control of the same intensity.
"Kano-chan, you've asked so many people this question, why haven't you asked me?"
"What's there to ask you? Your happiest moment would be when you become Hokage, wouldn't it?"
Kano was somewhat dismissive. Did she even need to ask an idiot like Naruto? However, Naruto was indignant, pouting and shaking his head.
"That's not it. The happiest moment I can imagine is when I marry Kano-chan!"
The sudden directness made Kano blush with embarrassment instantly. She quickly raised her small fists to pummel Naruto.
"You sure have a wild imagination!"
Watching the two youngsters flirting, Shizune couldn't help but start gossiping.
"You two really are a good match. How long have you been together?"
Naruto blurted out first: "Almost a year!"
Kano gave him another punch: "If you keep talking nonsense, I really will beat you. Naruto and I are not dating; we are just good friends and teammates. By the way, I'm a lesbian."
Shizune, of course, didn't believe Kano's blunt explanation. That said, she was quite envious that Kano could find a boy who loved her so much at such a young age. When would Shizune's Prince Charming appear?
"fifth hokage? I'm not doing it. Why don't you do it?"
Next door, Tsunade and Jiraiya mentioned the matter of succeeding as the fifth hokage. Naruto's ears perked up instantly.
"The Sandaime Hokage was killed by Orochimaru, so the Village currently lacks a backbone. The position of fifth hokage must be yours."
"So I say, why don't you do it? Why make me do it? In terms of ability, you're not inferior to me."
"I am not suited for the seat of Hokage."
"I'm not suited either. I have so many debts that I need to hide everywhere. If I become Hokage, my creditors will find me in an instant."
"If neither of you wants to be Hokage, then let me do it!"
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