"Relax," Ryo said, looking seriously at Tsunade and Jiraiya. "Even if we use Naruto to lure them out, I swear I won't let him be in any real danger. I guarantee Naruto's safety."
After all, Naruto was the first major character Ryo had met when he arrived in this world.The early spread of Pokémon among the ninja world had relied heavily on Naruto too.There was no way he didn't have feelings of attachment toward him.Letting Naruto get hurt was absolutely not an option.
"Really?"Jiraiya's eyes were skeptical as he stared at Ryo.
"Really."Ryo nodded with mild exasperation."Seriously, if you don't trust me, can't you at least trust Dragonite and Hoopa?With them around, Naruto will be fine."
Hearing that, Jiraiya examined Ryo a little more carefully, then finally nodded."Alright. But you have to guarantee Naruto won't be harmed."
"I promise," Ryo said earnestly, although inside he was wondering why they were making such a big deal about it.
But just as things seemed settled, Tsunade frowned and said suspiciously,"Something's off with you, Ryo."
"What do you mean?"Ryo blinked in confusion.
Everyone else also looked curiously at Tsunade, waiting for her explanation.
Tsunade stepped closer, narrowing her eyes."This isn't like you.Normally, you wouldn't care about stuff like this.So why are you so proactive this time? It feels... suspicious."
Jiraiya, too, showed an expression of agreement.
They knew Ryo well enough by now.He wasn't the kind of person who got involved in things unless he had to.Yet here he was, volunteering to stick his neck out?They weren't buying it.
"What motive could I possibly have?"Ryo rolled his eyes.
"I just don't want Madara to actually bring the Ten-Tails into the world.It would completely mess up my plans to popularize Pokémon."
"Really?"Tsunade still looked unconvinced.
Ryo nodded firmly."Yes, really!What, do you all think I'm some kind of selfish jerk?Can't I help out once in a while for the good of the world?"
Tsunade stared at him blankly."You might want to listen to yourself when you say that."
She knew better.Ryo's usual attitude was ridiculously laid-back.If something didn't concern Pokémon, he wouldn't even bother lifting a finger.
"Eh... cough cough..."Ryo cleared his throat awkwardly."Anyway, let's not dwell on that. Let's focus on how to handle these guys instead."
Tsunade crossed her arms."Naruto can help you lure them out... but—"
"But what?"Ryo asked warily.
A sly smile tugged at Tsunade's lips."But you'll have to pay up: five attribute-enhancement items."
Ryo felt his scalp tingle.That smile...That was the smile of a demon!
"Five?!Are you robbing me?!"
He couldn't believe Tsunade had the audacity to demand that much.
"It's for Naruto's protection,"Tsunade said, adopting a serious expression that clearly said she was doing this 'for your own good.'"With the boost from those items, Naruto will be stronger and safer—and it'll make it easier to lure them out for you."
Ryo's mouth twitched."One would be enough.Why the hell do you need five?"
Tsunade smirked knowingly."I knew it.You do have an ulterior motive."
She leaned in closer."Otherwise, there's no way someone as stingy as you would agree to give out enhancement items."
Ryo coughed again, awkwardly."Come on, Tsunade... Is that really how you see me?I thought we were friends."
"Cut the nonsense,"Tsunade said bluntly."Tell me honestly.What's your real reason?Because I know for a fact you wouldn't give away even a candy without a reason, let alone enhancement items."
Ryo stared at her, speechless.Was that really how he looked in their eyes?
Apparently so.
"Oh? Ryo has another motive?"Jiraiya finally caught up with the conversation, looking over with genuine surprise.
Everyone else stared at Jiraiya like he was an idiot.
Had he been here the whole time or not?How was he just realizing this?
Tsunade pushed Jiraiya aside and pressed Ryo again."Speak.What are you really up to?"
Ryo sighed heavily."Fine."
He looked at Tsunade seriously and said,"Madara is gathering the Tailed Beasts partially to deal with me."
"Huh?"Tsunade and Jiraiya were both taken aback.
"But you said it was to conquer the world,"Jiraiya said, confused.
"And that's true,"Ryo replied easily."But getting rid of me is also part of it.If he collects all the Tailed Beasts, he can achieve both goals at once."
Everyone went silent for a moment as they digested that.
Tsunade slowly nodded."That actually makes sense.And that's probably why they haven't made a move on Naruto yet...They're afraid of you."
"Probably,"Ryo agreed."Of course, it could also be because of the opportunity—the major villages have a lot of shinobi gathered in Konoha right now."
"That's possible too," Tsunade said, "but I still think it's mostly fear."
"I get it now,"Jiraiya suddenly said, slapping his fist into his palm."Last time when you fought Nagato, Madara must have been nearby.He saw Hoopa's power firsthand—and that's why he's so cautious now."
Everyone turned to stare at Jiraiya.
"What?Why are you all looking at me like that?Did I say something wrong?"
Tsunade shoved him aside without mercy."Don't embarrass yourself.Of course that's what happened.If he hadn't seen Hoopa's power, why else would he back off from capturing Naruto?"
It was obvious.
Without that fear, Madara and his new subordinates would have swooped in already.
"Alright, so since they're targeting you too," Tsunade said, grinning again, "then if we're helping you deal with them by using Naruto as bait, you need to pay us some compensation."
Ryo almost choked.
"What do you mean 'helping me'?!They want to conquer the world too!It's not like they're only after me!"
But Tsunade simply smiled sweetly, as if butter wouldn't melt in her mouth.
Ryo sighed heavily.
Man, becoming Hokage really had thickened her skin.
One moment of talking, and she had completely shifted the burden onto him.
"Fine, fine,"Ryo muttered helplessly."I'll give you your damn reward.I'll give Naruto one attribute-enhancing item.That's enough, right?"
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