Thanks to Eliza's calming words, Tsunade didn't stay angry for long.Truthfully, she hadn't been furious to begin with—just a little sulky.
Pulling out a Dragon Fang she had just received, Tsunade turned to her Salamence with a serious expression."Salamence, this is for you.You need to train hard, break into the Kage level—or even Super Kage if you can.Otherwise, you'll have wasted all my effort getting this Dragon Fang."
Off to the side, Ryo, who had been watching the scene unfold, suddenly felt a pang in his heart.Effort?The one working hard is Naruto, isn't it?The poor kid probably still doesn't realize he's been sold off yet.
But Tsunade had no time to notice Ryo's inner turmoil.Right now, all her attention was focused on Salamence, proudly holding out the Dragon Fang.
Salamence eagerly approached her, tail swishing with excitement.
Tsunade patted its large head affectionately."Sigh... Even though you don't look as cute anymore, you're still my Pokémon."
As she said this, she handed over the Dragon Fang.
The moment Salamence took it, its expression darkened.Its eyes flashed with anger.
"Roooar—!"
It glared at Tsunade as if saying, 'You dare say that to my face?!'
"Man, you change faces faster than flipping a page,"Tsunade muttered through gritted teeth, clenching her fists.If she weren't holding back, she would've smacked Salamence with her bare hands right then and there.
"Ahem."Eliza quickly stepped in again."Alright, alright, that's enough you two," she said, laughing awkwardly."I seriously don't understand how you two have made it this far.You argue every few minutes!"
Their bizarre relationship left Eliza genuinely speechless.It was rare to see a Trainer and Pokémon bicker so naturally.
"So, Tsunade, did Salamence's strength improve?"Jiraiya asked as he leaned in curiously, eyeing Salamence.
Tsunade rolled her eyes."How would I know?It's not me getting stronger.Go ask Salamence yourself."
Nodding, Jiraiya turned to Salamence eagerly.But Salamence just ignored him and turned its head the other way.
Jiraiya's face twitched slightly, then he looked back helplessly at Tsunade.
"Fine, fine,"Tsunade said, sighing as she took out another Dragon Fang and tossed it to him."Here. You figure it out."
Jiraiya caught the item and immediately summoned his own partner: the Hydreigon.
However, unlike Salamence, Hydreigon didn't behave itself.
The moment it appeared, it darted around wildly, scanning its surroundings.Its eyes quickly landed on Konan and Eliza, and it rushed toward them excitedly.
The scene was almost like watching a Pokémon version of Jiraiya himself—shameless and reckless.
Konan and Eliza both noticed Hydreigon's movements.They frowned simultaneously.
In response, Konan began summoning paper sheets from thin air, while Eliza's fingers moved swiftly, preparing to weave a seal.
"Roar—"But before either of them could act, another figure suddenly leapt forward.
Garchomp, who had been standing quietly among the other Pokémon, reacted first.
In a blink, it stood in front of Eliza and Konan.With a deep, rumbling roar, it swung its claw fiercely.
"Wait, stop!"Jiraiya shouted, realizing what was about to happen.
But he was a second too late.
Bam!
Garchomp's claw smacked Hydreigon straight out of the air, sending it crashing into a wall nearby.
"Roooar—"Garchomp glared at the fallen Hydreigon, as if warning it to behave or else.
"Hydreigon, you okay?"Jiraiya ran over anxiously, crouching beside the collapsed dragon.
"Roar..."Hydreigon slowly shook its three heads and pushed itself up.It wasn't too badly hurt, thanks to Garchomp holding back its strength.
Otherwise, given Garchomp's Super Kage-level power, Hydreigon wouldn't have survived a direct hit.
Even with a casual swipe, Garchomp's strength was terrifying.
"You deserved it,"Tsunade commented bluntly.
"Every time you come out, you cause trouble.Maybe this will finally teach you a lesson."
She herself had faced similar headaches before when dealing with Hydreigon's antics.The only thing that had eventually tamed it was her own fists.
It was probably thanks to that history that Hydreigon hadn't dared to charge at Tsunade today.
Hydreigon looked pitiful, its three heads drooping sadly.
Not only did it look miserable, but it genuinely felt wronged.It was just trying to play a little prank…Why did it deserve getting swatted like a bug?
"Ahem—"Ryo cleared his throat and walked over.
He glared at Hydreigon and said,"Nice going.You and Jiraiya have gotten yourselves a reputation now."
Hydreigon blinked in confusion.
"You two are famous now,"Ryo continued coldly."They're calling you the 'Haunted Hot Spring Duo.'Every hot spring owner in the Land of Fire knows your names.Whenever they hear you're in town, they immediately shut down and go into hiding."
Hydreigon still looked proud, wagging its heads as if pleased with itself.
Jiraiya, on the other hand, turned beet red.
His mind raced.Is Ryo blaming me too?!
He was both embarrassed and angry.Come on! I was just trying to find some creative inspiration!Why did this turn into some ghost story legend?!
And now, thanks to a few rumors, they were treated like menaces wherever they went.
Even men, not just women, checked the hot springs now before entering, fearful of the 'Haunted Hot Spring Duo.'
"Jiraiya,"Tsunade said, smirking,"You really have an alias now?"
She looked at him with sparkling eyes, filled with curiosity and mischief.
Jiraiya coughed awkwardly."Cough, cough—Let's, uh, not talk about that anymore."
Desperately trying to change the topic, he turned back to Hydreigon and waved the Dragon Fang.
"Look, Hydreigon!I got you something!Check this out—this will help you!"
Hydreigon's three heads all turned at once, eyes widening as they spotted the Dragon Fang.
It didn't know exactly what it was, but something deep inside instinctively urged it to obtain that item.
Without hesitation, it floated forward, staring at the Dragon Fang with a burning gaze.
"You really want it that badly?"Jiraiya muttered in surprise.
"Alright then.Here you go."
He handed the Dragon Fang to Hydreigon, who eagerly accepted it.
The moment it touched the item, its body shuddered slightly, as if energy was flowing through it.
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