Jiraiya's posture made it clear—he wanted the Kumogakure ninja to know he was ready to fight them head-on anytime, causing them heavy losses.
"I've got several large summoning beasts just like this one."
He gazed toward Kakuzu and Sasori of the Red Sands on the opposite side, memories flashing through his mind.
"Is this Akatsuki Organization the same one created by Yahiko and others?"
Dodai stepped forward from among the Cloud ninja. "Talking is possible, but how we talk and where—we decide that."
Jiraiya glanced behind him briefly before Shikaku came forward.
Meanwhile, Tsunade was returning to the village after an intense gambling spree just as Jiraiya and his group, which included Danzo Shimura, arrived in Konoha.
Shikaku led another group of ninja and temporarily remained at the frontline.
Danzo was in a foul mood.
"I guarded this position for so long, endured countless criticisms, and lost tremendous reputation. And then your disciple shows up, and suddenly he gets all the credit for everything! Hiruzen, I must say—you truly know how to play this game."
Upon seeing Tsunade, Jiraiya's entire demeanor changed instantly—from a mighty, charismatic hero into an ostentatious middle-aged man.
Excitedly, he approached her.
"Tsunade, did you hear about *my* amazing exploits on the battlefield and come back just to see me? Ah, there's no need to play hard to get like that~"
Tsunade sighed and pushed away his increasingly closer smiling face.
Then, she smoothly inserted herself into the Hyuga Clan's ranks and entered their estate with them.
Witnessing this, both Jiraiya and Danzo stood momentarily stunned.
"Has Tsunade fallen for someone else?!"
Danzo started thinking too much, frowning deeply.
"Doesn't she understand what position she holds?"
"The Hyuga have been politically restless lately—how could she be getting so close to them?"
"Tsunade-sama, exactly what are your intentions?" Hiashi Hyuga asked helplessly while watching Tsunade wandering around the Hyuga compound.
If not for her high status, he would've shown her the door by now.
"Are you looking for someone or something?"
"For someone!" Tsunade replied without even turning her head.
Shizune held Tonton closely as she followed right behind, equally puzzled about Tsunade's true purpose.
"If you're looking for someone, just tell me directly."
"Has everyone from your clan returned?"
"Except those currently on missions, some are still stationed at the front lines—the rest will return once Kumogakure withdraws."
"What about boys under ten years old in your clan? Could I perhaps take a look at them?"
Hiashi silently suppressed growing frustration.
"Has the Hyuga Clan ever produced particularly outstanding female ninja?"
Tsunade kept asking questions, her almost interrogation-like tone finally exhausting Hiashi's patience. He cut the conversation short with a cold dismissal.
"Tsunade-sama, please excuse my rudeness—I must now visit our clan members returning from battle."
Understanding his meaning clearly, Tsunade left reluctantly.
Hinata watched her leave, while Kaguya's voice rang inside her head.
"Hinata, go defeat her!"
"That's impossible! Even the Old Man calls him 'Lord'!"
"Just kidding."
"..."
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, Danzo Shimura was once again badmouthing others in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
As usual, he started with accusing the Uchiha Clan of harboring secret ambitions and possessing rebellious tendencies by nature, difficult to control. Then he also threw in some dirt about the Hyuga Clan secretly scheming.
"The Hyuga are showing their true colors—they want power just as much."
Tsunade had been coming and going from the Hyuga Clan Compound daily, making the clan uneasy. Hiruzen couldn't stand it anymore either, so he sent someone to summon Tsunade.
"Tsunade, why are you always loitering around someone else's clan instead of staying at home?"
"You're an adult woman—shouldn't you at least care about your reputation?"
In truth, Hiruzen simply didn't want villagers to think that Tsunade was growing too close with the Hyugas.
As the last surviving member of the Senju Clan, Tsunade's status symbolized Konoha's very legitimacy.
She scoffed. "I go wherever I feel like going."
"Fine then. Why did you come back this time? Is it related to the Hyugas?" Hiruzen sighed helplessly.
"I have a private friendship with Lady Wen Hui, Hiashi's wife. I heard she was expecting again, so I came back to help ensure a safe pregnancy," Tsunade casually replied.
"Cough cough cough..."
Hiruzen coughed out a puff of smoke, nearly choking himself.
He offered a skeptical half-smile that barely concealed his disbelief.
What nonsense was she talking? How could they possibly be close? They weren't even from the same generation. Even if there were such a connection, there was no way he wouldn't know.
"Tsunade, if you'd come back sooner, maybe we could've avoided some tragedies."
Suddenly turning serious, Hiruzen wanted to steer the conversation toward politics again.
"Heh." Tsunade gave a self-deprecating laugh. "I can't help with anything anyway. And I don't want to get involved."
Waving off the topic change, she added, "Let's not talk about all that. Old man, do you know any notable female kunoichi from the Hyuga Clan?"
"You're so close with the Hyuga lady—shouldn't that be easy for you to find out?" Hiruzen smiled slyly in response.
"..." Tsunade had no immediate reply.
After a moment of thought, Hiruzen said, "Back during the Warring States period, there was a famously renowned warrior from the Hyuga family, respectfully called the 'Sky Ninja'. But that was a man. As for female warriors, the Hyuga Clan has never had one."
"Oh." Tsunade nodded lightly and turned to leave.
Just outside the Hokage Building, Jiraiya walked by, grinning as always.
"Tsunade, will you stay in Konoha forever?"
"Nope." She answered without hesitation.
"Then I won't either." Jiraiya muttered under his breath.
Tsunade halted mid-step, then glanced at him over her shoulder. "Jiraiya, I hope whatever decisions you make are truly your own. Don't end up regretting them later and blaming others for how things turned out..."
Not entirely sure what she meant, Jiraiya scratched his face and nodded.
In the Country of Frost,
Hidekazu Ueno continued wandering with Hiroki Hyuga and two other companions.
Hiroki Hyuga became increasingly convinced that this so-called mission to intercept Kumo reinforcements was likely unnecessary—an excuse for something else.
During this time, Hidekazu Ueno had never led them in a direct attack against the Kumogakure ninja.
Instead, as if trying to make up for things he'd neglected as a teacher, he took them everywhere to adventure, train, and refine their martial arts techniques.
More often than not, he would spar with them himself.
One day, Hidekazu Ueno said to them, "We can head back now."
"Back to camp?"
"No. We can return directly to the village. The matters at the front lines no longer concern us. The fighting shouldn't intensify again—the Hokage will send stronger shinobi to handle the rest."
So the group of four companions made their way toward Konoha.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>