Long ago, Tsunade had proposed reforming Konoha's medical division.
The higher-ups, however, brushed it off with excuses like "insufficient funding."
During that meeting, Dan Katō voiced his support for Tsunade. That was how the two met—and eventually fell in love.
Sadly, not long after, the Second Shinobi World War erupted.
Dan Katō and Nawaki both became casualties of that war, and Tsunade developed hemophobia as a result.
For a medical ninja, fear of blood meant the end of one's career.
Disheartened and exhausted, Tsunade gradually lost all hope—and eventually left Konoha with Shizune.
Hearing the barbs in Tsunade's words, Jiraiya felt his head throb.
He had known persuading her wouldn't be easy.
He just hadn't expected to get shut down so brutally right from the start.
Jiraiya cleared his throat and grew serious.
"Danzō is dead."
"Root no longer exists."
"Konoha's been… unstable lately."
Tsunade still looked utterly indifferent.
What does Konoha's stability have to do with me?
Danzō dying isn't exactly tragic.
I never liked that bastard anyway.
Are those old vultures in the higher-ups finally collapsing?
When will it be the Third Hokage's turn?
Seeing how unconcerned she was, Jiraiya realized she might have misunderstood.
He quickly added,
"Danzō was killed by Uchiha Yusuke."
"He's now the Hokage's Assistant. The Uchiha situation could get troublesome."
"The old man wants you to go back and become the Fifth Hokage…"
After he finished, Tsunade's expression still didn't change.
But Shizune, sitting beside them, suddenly lit up.
"Uchiha Yusuke?"
"Are you sure it's that Uchiha Yusuke?"
"Yusuke-kun is already that amazing now?"
Jiraiya looked at her in surprise.
"You know Uchiha Yusuke too?"
Shizune nodded furiously like a pecking chick.
"Lord Jiraiya, you might not know this."
"Yusuke-kun and I were classmates!"
"All the girls in class were crazy about him back then!"
Jiraiya wiped his nose, a trace of envy flashing across his face.
So that brat was a heartthrob too, just like Orochimaru?
Why didn't I get that treatment when I was young?
Thinking back on his own disastrous love life, Jiraiya sighed deeply.
Just Tsunade alone had wrecked him over and over again.
If he compiled all his failures, he could publish a whole book.
Unfortunately, it wouldn't be anything like Icha Icha Paradise—
it'd be more like A Plum Blossom, bleak and desolate as winter.
After a long silence, Tsunade finally clicked her tongue and scoffed.
"Hokage is garbage."
"Only idiots want that job."
"Can't even handle some brat from the Uchiha clan."
"Hiruzen really is getting worse with age."
Jiraiya's eyes lit up.
"So… you'll go back then?"
Tsunade shot him an irritated glare.
I just said Hokage is garbage and only idiots want it.
Do I look like an idiot to you?
Jiraiya suddenly felt uneasy, worried she might punch him on the spot.
He knew full well how terrifying Tsunade's fists were.
One hit, and broken ribs would be the minimum.
He hurriedly waved his hands.
"Tsunade, listen to me."
"Konoha really needs you right now."
"What's so bad about being Fifth Hokage?"
"You used to admire the Hokage too, didn't you?"
A trace of nostalgia crossed Tsunade's face.
There was a time when being Hokage had been her dream.
But times changed. The passion had long since cooled.
She shook her head, her expression cold.
"Stop beating around the bush."
"If you want to go back, go yourself."
"I'm not becoming Fifth Hokage."
Shizune couldn't help but speak up.
"Lady Tsunade… are you really going to abandon your dream?"
She had always hoped Tsunade would return to Konoha.
After all, Tsunade was the granddaughter of two great Hokage.
With Shizune backing him up, Jiraiya pressed on earnestly.
"Yeah, Tsunade."
"Compared to a mess like me, you're far more reliable."
"The Fifth Hokage position belongs to you."
Shizune looked hopeful, but Tsunade frowned.
"Don't joke."
"That's impossible."
Jiraiya smiled faintly.
"That line really brings back memories."
"You rejected my confession the exact same way back then."
Negotiations failing, Jiraiya switched tactics and began reminiscing.
He talked about the Shinobi Wars, about fighting Hanzo of the Salamander together with Orochimaru.
He praised Tsunade's medical ninjutsu and her contributions to Konoha.
Gradually, the topic shifted to the Fourth Hokage and his wife.
Mentioning Minato and Kushina, Jiraiya's dissatisfaction with the Third Hokage burst out.
He complained tearfully—
about his genius student dying young,
about the Great Toad Sage's prophecy unfinished,
about Naruto being left unattended in Konoha…
A flood of grievances poured out.
Drunk Tsunade only felt more and more dizzy.
To fulfill the Third Hokage's request, Jiraiya had truly thrown away all dignity.
No matter how much he pleaded, Tsunade remained unmoved.
"Are you done yet?"
"If you're finished, leave."
"Don't ruin my mood for gambling tonight."
Her tone was icy, shutting him out completely.
Though rebuffed again, Jiraiya refused to give up.
After dinner, Tsunade returned to the inn with Shizune.
Jiraiya shamelessly followed along, waiting for another opening.
That night, the Toad Sage tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Tsunade had made up her mind.
He needed a new plan.
Didn't Tsunade love gambling?
That was the key.
Looks like I'll have to spend some money to avert disaster…
With that thought, Jiraiya slowly drifted to sleep.
He dreamed that Tsunade became the Fifth Hokage, that Orochimaru returned to Konoha.
Then the Child of Prophecy appeared.
The shinobi world was finally at peace.
The next morning.
At dawn, Tsunade donned her "gambling outfit" and prepared to wreak havoc.
Shizune trembled at the sight.
That was their last box of money.
Keep this up and they'd be drowning in debt.
Even knowing it was useless, Shizune still tried.
"Lady Tsunade, please reconsider!"
Tsunade waved her sleeve grandly.
"Stop nagging."
"Today, I'm changing my fate!"
She grabbed the case and headed straight for the casino.
Jiraiya followed quietly behind.
Having overheard everything, Jiraiya sensed opportunity.
So Tsunade is broke now…
Heaven truly favors me!
"Place your bets! Bets are closing!"
Inside the casino, shouts rang out nonstop.
The slaughter began—and Tsunade once again became everyone's walking ATM.
"My luck is awful! Damn it!"
"Again—again!"
Before long, Tsunade was fully tilted.
Watching from the sidelines, Jiraiya broke out in a cold sweat.
Terrible yet addicted.
The "Legendary Sucker" reputation really lived up to its name.
While Tsunade bet wildly, Jiraiya quietly placed reverse bets.
In no time, he'd won several hundred thousand ryō.
As one of the Legendary Sannin and the Senju clan's sole heir, Tsunade's wealth was massive.
But even mountains of gold couldn't withstand losing millions every day.
Even high-difficulty S-rank missions didn't always pay a million ryō.
With spending like this, Kakuzu would probably die of rage—five hearts and all.
After two more hours of gambling—before evening even arrived—Tsunade had lost everything.
The higher the high during gambling, the worse the crash afterward.
Leaving the casino, Tsunade's face was dark, her temper on the verge of exploding.
Jiraiya wanted to approach—
but remembering last time's consequences, he wisely chickened out.
Getting punched by Tsunade wasn't something you could "tank."
After bankrupting herself, Tsunade finally felt the full cruelty of reality.
She wanted to drown her sorrows in alcohol—
but Shizune tugged her sleeve.
Lady Tsunade… are you planning to dine and dash?
That question hit like a truck.
Tsunade ground her teeth, helpless.
No money meant no movement.
Even the famed Legendary Sannin weren't exceptions.
With nothing left, Tsunade finally remembered an old classmate.
Wasn't that idiot Jiraiya nearby?
Borrow some money from him—problem solved.
Her spirits instantly lifted.
"Jiraiya—get out here."
Hearing the call, Jiraiya hurriedly tidied himself and made a flashy entrance.
Hopping on one leg, he declaimed loudly:
"Toad Sage is my hidden title!"
"Why hide it?"
"Because I am the unrivaled Sannin of heaven and earth!"
"The white-haired toad youth, the handsome man who stops children from crying—"
Before he could finish, Tsunade slammed her foot down, cracking the ground.
"Enough nonsense!"
"Are you asking to be beaten?!"
Veins bulged on her forehead as killing intent leaked out.
Jiraiya snapped back to reality instantly.
He stammered in panic.
"T-Tsunade!"
"Please—mercy!"
Normally, Tsunade would've already beaten him half to death.
But since she needed something from him, she barely restrained herself.
An idea struck her.
"Pay me two million ryō as an apology, and I'll forgive you."
"Otherwise, get ready for the hospital."
Cold sweat rolled down Jiraiya's forehead.
Two million ryō… just like that?
Why not rob a bank?
Painful as it was, he obediently pulled out his passbook.
"I'll go withdraw it from the money exchange."
Seeing him submit, Tsunade beamed.
"Don't look so grim."
"Come on, let's eat."
"My treat—you pay."
The three of them headed to a tavern.
After eating and drinking, Jiraiya resumed his persuasion.
"Tsunade… are you really not going back?"
"The Hokage Assistant position has great benefits."
Tsunade ignored him and kept drinking.
Jiraiya continued smoothly,
"The old man specifically gave me thirty million ryō."
"If you agree to go back, it's all yours."
Tsunade's expression finally shifted—just a little.
Thirty million ryō?
That… actually sounded pretty good.
At that moment, Jiraiya felt like his heart was bleeding.
No mission reward, and he still had to fork out thirty million.
Who am I supposed to complain to?!
But there was no turning back now.
He pressed on desperately.
"Didn't you always want to reform the medical division?"
"The old man said if you return, the medical department is yours."
"When you become Hokage, all of Konoha answers to you."
"Change whatever you dislike—wouldn't that be perfect?"
Jiraiya painted vision after vision.
Tsunade knew it was bait—but still wavered.
Her grandfather, the First Hokage, ended chaos.
The Second Hokage built the system.
Both were legends.
Tsunade didn't want to return to Konoha—
but she did want to keep living extravagantly.
And for that, she needed money.
Worst case, I go back, get the cash, then quit if I'm unhappy.
Having decided, Tsunade spoke.
"Fine. I agree."
"Rest two days. Then we head back to Konoha."
Jiraiya finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The cost was heavy—but he'd fulfilled the Third Hokage's request.
After getting Tsunade's confirmation, Jiraiya immediately had the Mount Myōboku toads send word back to Konoha.
He'd spent thirty million ryō—he'd done more than enough.
As for the promises? That was the old man's problem.
Jiraiya would persuade—but he wouldn't cover for him.
Konoha.
Hokage's Office.
Receiving the message, the Third Hokage felt deeply relieved.
Tsunade was coming back.
Jiraiya really was reliable.
With Tsunade's help, what was there to fear from Uchiha Yusuke?
Thinking of his students returning, Hiruzen couldn't help but recall another favored disciple.
If only Orochimaru were still here…
With his talent and inheritance of the Will of Fire, he could've carried it to new heights.
Hiruzen had always held Orochimaru in high regard—
but Orochimaru had no interest in being Hokage.
Instead, he obsessed over forbidden techniques.
Worse still, he and Danzō had worked hand in hand.
That crossed Hiruzen's bottom line.
Danzō was meant to be the scapegoat.
You stick that close to him—what are you plotting?
Left with no choice, Hiruzen forced Orochimaru into defection.
But once Orochimaru was gone, Konoha truly suffered a generational gap.
His own sons had decent talent—but were nowhere near Hokage level.
And passing the title to his sons would spark terrible public opinion.
The Second Hokage ruled for the people—
was the Third going to turn it into a family inheritance?
If the Sarutobi clan wanted another Hokage, it should be the grandchildren's generation.
Two generations of transition—that would be acceptable.
As long as the political groundwork was laid, talent would naturally rise.
Uchiha Yusuke had pushed massive reforms for his clan—
but in terms of deep-rooted prestige, the Uchiha still couldn't match the Hokage faction.
A Hokage's brother became Hokage.
A Hokage's student became Hokage.
A Hokage's grand-student became Hokage.
From Hashirama onward, the Hokage lineage's prestige was overwhelming.
Calling it a monopoly wasn't an exaggeration.
The Uchiha were co-founders of Konoha—
but after Madara's fall, they were pushed to the sidelines.
Three or four generations passed without a single Hokage.
Trying to force their way back in now was far from easy.
After resting two days, Tsunade, Shizune, and Jiraiya set off for Konoha.
Tsunade wasn't in a hurry—she traveled leisurely, spending Jiraiya's thirty million with abandon.
Two more casinos.
Two more devastating losses.
Passing through the Land of Hot Water, she even dragged Shizune to soak in beauty hot springs for two full days.
At first, Jiraiya had refused…
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