A week had passed since Jiraiya and the others arrived in Konoha. Tsunade had spent almost all of her time at the hospital, treating Sasuke and Kakashi both of whom had fallen into comas after facing Itachi Uchiha's Tsukuyomi. This morning, they finally opened their eyes."Thank you, Tsunade-sama," Kakashi said gratefully, his lone eye fluttering open. He looked exhausted; the sheer mental tax of the Mangekyo Sharingan still weighed heavily on his body.Tsunade gave a curt nod, but her mind was elsewhere. She was thinking of Jiraiya, whom she hadn't seen for an entire week. That idiot hasn't visited me once, she thought bitterly. Maybe I should go to him... but what if I'm disturbing him? Her mind was a chaotic swirl of complicated thoughts.Sasuke, lying just a short distance from Kakashi, stared blankly with hollow eyes. His mind was still trapped in the moment of the reunion with Itachi Uchiha. Naruto, ever boisterous, beamed at them. "Hehe! Sasuke, Kakashi-sensei, It's good to see you guys are okay, "Sakura, looking at the legendary kunoichi with stars in her eyes, sat by Sasuke's bed peeling apples. Hearing Naruto's loud voice, she snapped at him, a vein throbbing on her temple. "You idiot! Can't you speak more quietly? Can't you see you're disturbing Sasuke-kun?""Haha, my bad, Sakura-chan! My bad!" Naruto chirped, rubbing the back of his head.Tsunade watched Naruto and Sakura with a complex expression; in them, she saw a reflection of herself and Jiraiya from years ago. Taking a deep breath, she finally resolved to visit him today.
Suddenly, Shizune rushed into the room. "Tsunade-sama! Rock Lee is ready for surgery!"Hearing Lee's name, Naruto's expression shifted to worry. Seeing his face, Tsunade reassured him, "Naruto, stay assured. I'm going to give everything I have to make sure that boy walks again."Naruto's face lit up with a grin. "Ok, Tsunade-obaachan... I believe in you."
Tsunade and Shizune headed to Lee's room. Looking into the boy's eyes, which glittered with hope and an iron will, she asked, "Kid, are you ready?"Lee clenched his fists. "Yes, Hokage-sama!"
.....
Three hours later,
"the surgery is a success." Shizune and the nurses exhaled in relief. Tsunade washed her hands, left a prescription for Lee, and headed to the Senju Compound. After a shower, she sifted through her wardrobe and chose her finest skirt. Looking in the mirror, she adjusted her top to subtly accentuate her bust. "That pervert bastard... I'm sure he'll make an idiot's face when he sees me. Hmph! I'll teach him a lesson today. How dare he ignore me?" Taking a deep breath, she set out to find Jiraiya.
.....
Meanwhile, Jiraiya was sitting on a park bench. Over the last few days, he had relaxed by visiting every entertainment spot in the village excluding the brothels. Without Tsunade to bother him, he felt a rare sense of peace.
Watching the children play, his mind drifted to a memory of his previous life. Early in his marriage to Himari, Kaito had forced her to go on a date to follow a plot event where she would encounter the protagonist for the first time as a married woman. Kaito had teased her "Himari, i hope in the future we will have a little girl."
Himari hadn't responded, but the disgust on her face was evident. Moments later, she saw Yuito with another girl; she stood frozen, paralyzed by the sight, before breaking down into tears. From a distance, Yuito saw her cry and immediately wanted to walk toward her, but seeing Kaito he sighed and stopped.
'I suppose Himari is married to Yuito by now. She's probably smiling more now.'
In two years, he had never seen her smile. Sometimes he wanted to let her go, but the System wouldn't allow it until the plot was finished. Jiraiya shook his head, pushing his thoughts aside, 'my mission is over, Himari's life has nothing to do with me anymore'.
A cute little girl dashed toward Jiraiya, flinging her arms wide with a beaming smile. "Onii-chan! Pick up Hana-chan!"
Jiraiya blinked, momentarily stunned by the sudden ambush. However, as he looked down into her bright, innocent eyes, his rough exterior melted. With a hearty laugh, he scooped her up and hoisted her onto his shoulders, letting her tiny hands tangle playfully in his mane of long white hair. A beautiful brunette woman, the girl's mother, approached, looking embarrassed. "I'm so sorry, sir! My daughter is far too spoiled."
Jiraiya looked at her and gave a polished smile. "Don't worry," He set the girl down and pulled a lollipop from his pocket. "Arigato, Onii-chan!" the girl chirped.
Seeing Jiraiya's smile, the mother turned bright red.
"... my name is Mio Satsugi. May I ask your name, sir?"
As he patted the girl's head, he replied, "My name is Jiraiya."
The woman's jaw dropped. He is the legendary sanin? She had heard that Lord Jiraiya was over fifty years old; looking at the handsome, sophisticated man before her, she couldn't believe it. Snapping back to reality, she bowed deeply. "Lord Jiraiya! It is an honor!"
Jiraiya waved her off. "There's no need for such formality."
Jiraiya took his hand off the girl's head, thinking it was time to head to the hospital because today is an important event in the story in which Sasuke and Naruto were meant to clash on the hospital roof. He needed to be there.
"Okay, little girl, I have to head out!" Jiraiya said, turning to leave.But the little girl grabbed his hand. "Onii-chan, please stay with Haru-chan a little more! Don't go!"Seeing her daughter so attached to Jiraiya-sama, Mio took a deep breath. "Jiraiya-sama, if you'd like, you are welcome to join us for lunch at our home."
Haru glanced at her mother before turning her attention back to Jiraiya.
"Please, Onii-chan!" Hana-chan looked up at him, hope shining in her wide eyes. Jiraiya looked into her eyes, which were already beginning to well up with tears. Taking a deep breath, he mentally asked the system: "System, how much time is left until the confrontation between Naruto and Sasuke?"
[ There are 2 hours and 7 minutes remaining.]
Jiraiya smiled in relief. "Alright, Mio-san, I'll be in your care then."
"Jiraiya-sama! Thank you for accepting my invitation, it is an honor. Lets go!" Mio said, taking Hana's hand.Hana turned back and reached out for Jiraiya. "Onii-chan, hold Hana-chan's hand too!"Both Jiraiya and Mio froze. Walking like this, they would look exactly like a family out for a stroll. Jiraiya glanced at Mio, but she quickly looked away, her face flushing a deep red. Unable to refuse the child, he took her hand.Nearby, other mothers in the park watched with envy, naturally assuming that the handsome man was Mio's husband. Meanwhile, hidden behind a tree, Tsunade stood trembling, her fists clenched
"So that is why he hasn't come to see me." Tsunade murmured, a sharp, sudden ache blooming in her chest.
She took a shaky breath, trying to steady her racing heart. Why can't I get him out of my head these days? It shouldn't matter to me who he spends his time with!
Tsunade looked at Jiraiya's back with a sad face, "Why does this situation feel so familiar?" She remembered walking through the village with Dan, the sun shining, her hand tucked firmly into his. They had crossed paths with Jiraiya, who offered his usual grin and a polite nod before walking past. At the time, she had noticed the hollow look in his eyes and the way his shoulders slumped just for a fraction, but she had pushed the feeling away, tightening her grip on Dan's hand and moving on without a second thought.