In the Hokage's office, Jiraiya leaned casually against Tsunade's desk, a gentle smile on his face.
"Don't worry about me. I'll be fully prepared for this mission."
Tsunade scoffed, folding her arms.
"Hmph. Who would worry about you?"
But after a moment, her expression softened.
"...Just don't die."
Jiraiya chuckled.
"I'm the Toad Sage. It's not my time yet."
He walked toward the window, gazing out at Konoha. A nostalgic look crossed his face.
"Even if it is my time... that's just how life goes. Isn't our duty to set an example for the next generation? To guide them? That's why we fight, why we risk our lives with a smile. That's the way of us old folks."
Tsunade clenched her fists.
"...It doesn't have to be this way."
Jiraiya turned to face her, his usual lightheartedness replaced by unwavering determination.
"Tsunade, you know it does."
She was silent for a long time before finally speaking.
"Akatsuki… we don't know how strong he really is. And this mission… you're walking into a trap."
Jiraiya didn't answer. He simply smiled, then walked to the door.
"It's time for me to go."
Tsunade gripped her hands tightly, lowering her head so he wouldn't see her face.
"Come back alive."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"If you die... I..."
Jiraiya let out a soft laugh.
"Wow, Tsunade… Are you saying you'd cry for me?"
She snapped her head up, glaring at him through the tears welling in her eyes.
"I won't! You idiot! No one will cry for you, so don't die! Just—don't die!"
Her voice cracked at the end.
Jiraiya grinned, taking in the moment.
"That's all I needed to hear."
With that, he turned and walked away—without looking back.
Tsunade sat at her desk, silent. She hadn't said goodbye to Jiraiya because she firmly believed he would come back.
Or at least, that's what she told herself.
Then, a thought struck her—something she had nearly overlooked.
That technique from a few days ago… more powerful than a Tailed Beast Bomb.
And the small, unassuming girl who used it.
Sakiya.
This little one had single-handedly defeated Pain.
And if Itachi's information was correct, Pain wasn't just any opponent—he was the leader of the Akatsuki. Aside from the masked man rumored to be Uchiha Madara, Pain was their strongest member.
Even Madara hadn't directly confronted him.
Pain was the one who kept the entire Akatsuki in check.
Then… logically speaking:
Sakiya > Pain
Pain > The rest of the Akatsuki
So…
Jiraiya + Sakiya = A guaranteed win against the Akatsuki!
Tsunade's eyes lit up.
This could work.
---
Jiraiya had just stepped beyond Konoha's gates. He paused, turning back for one last glance at the village. In his mind, he pictured Tsunade, standing at the end of Konoha's streets, lazily waving goodbye.
A gentle smile formed on his face. It was almost as if she were really there, her hand reaching toward him.
"Tsunade… for a ninja, it's not about how you live. It's about how you die."
His expression hardened with resolve.
"So, I have to do what must be done."
With that, he turned away and walked forward, not once looking back.
---
"WAIT!!! STOP RIGHT THERE!"
Jiraiya came to a sudden halt, startled.
So she really did come to say goodbye after all…?
A knowing smile crept onto his face. He turned around, ready to tease her—
Only for his smile to vanish in confusion.
Tsunade was sprinting toward him at full speed… carrying a completely bewildered girl in her arms.
Jiraiya blinked.
His moment of reflection, the emotions he'd been carefully suppressing—all of it shattered.
He watched in disbelief as Tsunade came to a skidding stop in front of him and shoved Sakiya into his arms like she was a package.
Sakiya, still in shock, just stared ahead blankly.
Jiraiya looked down at the girl. Then back at Tsunade.
Then back at the girl.
Then back at Tsunade.
"...Tsunade?"
Tsunade took a deep breath and spoke firmly.
"Take her with you."
Before Jiraiya could even respond, Sakiya blinked in confusion.
"...Huh?"
Jiraiya also stared at Tsunade, equally baffled.
"...Huh?"
Tsunade sighed, glancing between the two before pointing at Sakiya.
"Alright, listen up. This little one? She defeated Pain by herself. That massive chakra reaction a few days ago? The explosion that shook the entire area? That was her. If you take her with you, your safety is basically guaranteed. Not to mention, she has a genjutsu so powerful that even the Rinnegan couldn't see through it."
Jiraiya furrowed his brows, processing Tsunade's words. His eyes shifted to Sakiya.
A small girl, wearing a blindfold…
Wait. Wasn't she the one Naruto mentioned? That genius girl?
As Jiraiya studied her, Sakiya just stood there, still looking completely lost.
She turned to Tsunade.
"...Huh? So why did you bring me here?"
Tsunade grinned and, in an almost playful tone, patted her head.
"Alright, Sakiya~ Be a good girl and go on the mission with Uncle Jiraiya, okay?"
The moment those words left her mouth, Sakiya snapped.
Her head shot up, eyes burning with defiance as she glared at Tsunade.
"HEY! I am NOT a kid! Don't talk to me like that!"
But Tsunade, unfazed, calmly pulled out a piece of candy and held it up.
Sakiya's eyes immediately narrowed with suspicion—until she saw the wrapper.
Her favorite flavor.
In the blink of an eye, her hand shot out, snatching the candy. She carefully tucked it into her pocket, then turned away with an exaggerated huff, arms crossed.
"Hmph~ I'll let it slide this time."
Jiraiya watched the entire exchange, his mouth twitching.
...Wasn't this exactly how a kid would act?
Tsunade smirked, clearly pleased with herself. She had gotten this tip from Chihiro—Sakiya's one weakness.
Special lollipops.
Folding her arms, Tsunade continued, her tone turning serious again.
"As for this mission, aside from the bounty on your head, Kakashi is also responsible for watching over you for a month."
Sakiya immediately understood what that meant.
Sakiya immediately straightened up, her expression turning serious.
"I am the Eye of Death! I love missions more than anything!"
Tsunade smiled and nodded.
"Alright, it's settled!"
"Wait, what?!"
Jiraiya panicked. He had planned to gather intel alone—it was easier for him to move freely that way.
Bringing a kid along? That didn't sound like a good idea.
Sure, she seemed powerful, but still…
"Tsunade, this isn't a good idea! I work best alone. Bringing her along will slow me down—"
"That's because you don't know Sakiya well enough," Tsunade interrupted. "She can bypass the Rinnegan's vision with just one illusion technique."
Sakiya folded her arms and smirked confidently.
"Hmph~ Rinnegan? It's nothing but a low-level demon eye compared to mine! My Eye of Death surpasses everything across infinite dimensions!"
"...What?" Jiraiya blinked.
Tsunade patted his shoulder, then leaned in and whispered in his ear.
"Jiraiya, she's… a little imaginative sometimes. Just ignore the weird stuff she says. Her strength is the real deal, I promise."
Then, stepping back, she waved him off with a grin.
"Safe travels, Jiraiya. I won't see you off."
Jiraiya sighed, glancing at Sakiya and then back at Tsunade.
"...You really don't give me a choice, huh?"
Sakiya, on the other hand, looked thrilled. After all, this mission came with a generous reward.
"Yes! A grand adventure! My favorite!"
Then, she suddenly remembered something.
Wait… what was she doing before this?
Oh, right!
She was just at home with Nanako when Tsunade suddenly barged in, grabbed her, and dragged her off.
Right in front of Nanako and Kitahara.
All Tsunade said before vanishing with her was—
"I'm borrowing Sakiya for a bit."
Both Nanako and Kitahara had been left completely speechless.
Honestly, if Tsunade wasn't the Hokage, they might've thought she was a kidnapper.
And Sakiya herself? She had been too stunned to resist.
…
Thinking back on it now, Sakiya tilted her head.
"Hmm~ Oh well. Guess it wasn't that important. A grand adventure sounds more fun anyway~"
…
And so, under the golden light of the setting sun, the girl and the white-haired man set off—slowly disappearing from Konoha.
_________________
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