"Jiraiya?!" Tsunade's expression flickered with emotion, her feet instinctively stepping back half a pace.
She hesitated—deep down, she couldn't bear it.
The chakra stopped flowing. The Wood Release retracted, the branches vanishing. Jiraiya's wounds constricted once more, splattering large patches of blood onto the ground, some even rising up his throat.
Blood seeped from the corners of his mouth, slowly dripping down, drop by drop, onto the floor. He slightly lowered his head, eyes cast downward, wearing a faint smile as he asked, "Tsunade, are we even now?"
Tsunade remained silent, unable to speak.
"After this, there's nothing left between us."
Those measured words froze Tsunade completely. A pang of gloom flashed through her heart. Her lips curved into a cold, hollow smile. In a detached tone, she replied, "Fine, fine. Jiraiya, you've finally come to your senses. You're finally awake."
"You should've done this earlier. Your childish daydreams always got under my skin."
"I'll never have to deal with that creepy guy's advances again."
"Or get dragged into endless rumors."
"At last, I'm free from all those burdens. Feels so relieving."
"Heh…" Jiraiya let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head slowly.
What pierced him wasn't just his body—but also his heart.
Then—with two popping sounds—Jiraiya and Naruto suddenly turned into smoke and disappeared before Tsunade's very eyes.
Tsunade remained silent. She didn't try figuring out how they vanished, simply standing there lost in thought.
Inside Kaguya's Palace, Hiroki Hyuga couldn't help but complain, "Reverse Summoning again? This timing's just too perfect! Not summoning earlier, not summoning later—it had to be right after Tsunade beat down Nine-Tails to bring them back…"
"Run, run away. Always running. Overestimated those two guys badly. They aren't even worthy of being my opponents…" A cold smirk curled on Kaguya's lips.
Hiroki stood up, pulling himself free from her embrace.
"Suddenly, I noticed this imprisonment feels weaker on me now."
"After facing death, your current spiritual power is stronger than before."
Hiroki silently nodded.
"I need to go back."
Kaguya opened her mouth but then stopped herself.
After saying goodbye once more to Kaguya, Hiroki returned his consciousness to his body.
The moment his eyes opened, he tilted his head and saw only the pale-faced boy with white hair and a red mark between his brows—a delicate face.
For a fleeting moment, he almost thought he hadn't actually left Kaguya's Palace.
Kimimaro crouched beside his bed. Seeing Hiroki open his eyes, his melancholic gaze widened slightly.
"Kimimaro, how long have I been lying here?"
His voice assured Kimimaro that what he'd seen wasn't just an illusion. Excitedly, he answered, "Almost six months."
"So a lot must've happened," Hiroki murmured to himself.
Back at the Palace of the Country of Hot Springs, Tsunade stood motionless, her mind wandering.
Eventually, someone cautiously approached to check what was happening.
"Tsunade-sama, has the battle ended?"
"Is the enemy dead, Tsunade-sama...?"
Tsunade gave no indication that she had heard at all. Without a word, she turned and walked away from the battlefield.
A few hours later, the palace had been washed clean by water.
The areas once stained with blood were now much cleaner.
Hidenaga White Zetsu strolled around the palace and found Tsunade sitting alone on the rooftop, lost in thought.
He looked up and asked, "Tsunade, aren't you supposed to keep training?"
"The Slug Sage once said you need to stay calm when practicing Sage Art. If you can't control natural energy, you'll turn into a monster," Tsunade replied coldly without turning her head.
"I see. Then whose blood was all over the ground earlier? Was it Jiraiya's?"
"...".
"You're really worked up, aren't you? If you were a member of the Uchiha Clan, wouldn't you have awakened your Mangekyou by now? Tsunade of the Uchiha, Sharingan Tsunade, or maybe even Susanoo Tsunade..." Hidenaga White Zetsu teased playfully.
Tsunade shot him a cold glare but remained silent.
She knew he was saying these things on purpose—to provoke her into losing her composure.
What a boring trick.
Seeing that Tsunade didn't react at all, Hidenaga White Zetsu grew uninterested and continued talking anyway, "Jiraiya has caused chaos in the palace and attempted to assassinate the Daimyo. I've already issued a wanted order for him..."
Of course, it wasn't just a wanted order—he had also gathered several small nation daimyos to write letters to the Fire Daimyo to "complain."
In the Land of Water, inside Kiri.
The moment he stepped out of the room, Yohi felt as though he'd entered a completely different life.
"Where is this...?"
"We're staying in Mei Terumi's residence," Kimimaro answered beside him.
As soon as they noticed his appearance, servants rushed off to report to Mei Terumi. Having finished her duties for Genshi, she hurried over right away.
"Hiroki Hyuga, you've finally woken up. All our efforts nursing you day and night were worth it."
From the start, she took full credit for the actions of her village's people.
"How is the Fourth Mizukage doing?"
"He's still alive but has stepped down. He now leaves all daily affairs to Elder Genshi."
Yohi raised an eyebrow slightly, "You're so thorough with your explanation. Don't tell me you still want to kill me?"
Mei Terumi couldn't help but laugh, "If I wanted you dead, I would've had plenty of chances. Why wait until now?"
After collecting her thoughts, Mei Terumi continued, "Hiroki Hyuga, during this time, we've already investigated information about you."
"A Branch House member of the Hyuga, a Konoha Chunin."
Her gaze locked onto Hiroki's eyes.
"I already know the secret hidden within those eyes of yours."
"My guess is, the reason you left Konoha was either to escape punishment from the Main House of the Hyuga, or perhaps to one day strike back against both the clan and Konoha itself?"
"Taking Kimimaro along might be part of forming your own forces..."
Yohi stared at her oddly.
After only a few months, had she already made up a whole novel in her mind?
*(Author's Note: The best audiobook app for listening to novels is Yeguo Reader. Download the latest version at .yeguoyuedu)*
"Just a few months, and you've already written an entire novel about me in your head?"
Since he didn't object, Terumi Mei went on, "If you're willing, you can stay in Kiri. We'll shield you from all the dangers and protect you from Konoha's retribution, allowing you to live a peaceful life."
Hiroki didn't answer right away, and Mei didn't press him for one.
"Think it over carefully. Your body still needs recovery. Besides, didn't you once say you'd help me become the Mizukage?"
Hearing this, Hiroki couldn't help but say, "Isn't the Mizukage Position already predetermined for you? What guidance do you need from me?"
"Who told you that?" Mei raised her eyebrows slightly.
"I want this entire world. If you grant it to me, I'll stay."
Mei was left speechless.
This guy sure has ambition. And what exactly am I to you that I should help you conquer the world?
"If I had that ability, why would I share it with someone else?"
"Well, maybe you're right," Hiroki shrugged.
It was just some banter with a few jokes thrown in; neither of them took it seriously.
In the courtyard, without any supervision, Kimimaro was training by himself.
Hiroki walked over and watched for a while, gradually frowning.
"Kimimaro, do your regular practice sessions always involve drawing out your bones?"
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