Jiraiya, alone in his seat, watched the group exit the dango shop, Tsunade amongst them.
Dan's words to her echoed in his mind, a spark of anger igniting within him.
The urge to retaliate, to physically express his displeasure, was strong.
Yet, he knew that such an action would be an admission of defeat, a tacit acknowledgment of Dan's superiority.
"Jealousy,"
He mused.
"A feeling I haven't experienced in ages. It's both refreshing and unsettling."
The emotion, suppressed for so long, was resurfacing with unexpected force.
He attempted to quell it, to regain his usual composure, but found the task surprisingly difficult.
"Without Senjutsu like in my past life, my emotions are running wild now that I've hit puberty again,"
He reasoned. The experience of adolescence, a distant memory from his previous existence, had been thrust upon him anew.
He shook his head, the strange sensation of reliving puberty a stark contrast to the an old man he was in his past life.
Orochimaru's piercing gaze remained fixed on Jiraiya, her expression a mask of seriousness.
"Why are you sitting here like a pathetic mutt?"
She demanded, her voice with frustration.
"Go and beat him."
Jiraiya, seemingly unfazed by her outburst, continued to savor his dango and tea.
He knew Orochimaru's words stemmed from her competitive nature and her inability to bear witnessing him in a passive state, especially against a rival.
"I won't,"
Jiraiya finally responded, his voice calm and measured.
"But you don't have to worry, Orochimaru. I haven't lost yet."
Orochimaru narrowed her eyes, studying Jiraiya's expression. She knew he wasn't prone to lying.
Despite his outward indifference, she sensed an underlying strategy at play.
"I will keep an eye on you, Jiraiya,"
She warned, her voice laced with a subtle threat.
"If you don't do anything, me and the others might take matters into our own hands. We don't appreciate someone intruding into our territory."
Jiraiya chuckled softly, acknowledging the unspoken alliance between Orochimaru and Ino-Shika-Cho.
He knew they wouldn't hesitate to intervene if they perceived Kato Dan as a genuine threat.
Kato Dan, with his inflated sense of self-importance and misguided belief in his irresistible charm, had unknowingly crossed a line.
His audacious attempts to woo Tsunade in front of Jiraiya, whom he foolishly considered an equal in terms of attractiveness, had not only offended Jiraiya but also ignited the protective instincts of both his friends.
"I am full now. I'll be taking my leave."
Jiraiya pushed back his chair, a subtle scraping sound against the wooden floor, and declared,
"And Orochimaru,"
He paused, his gaze meeting hers.
"You needn't work yourself to the bone anymore. I've already given your mother my medicine. She'll get better soon."
Anticipating her protest, he raised a hand, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"And before you even think of arguing,"
He chuckled.
"I haven't helped you out of good will. Rest assured, I fully intend to collect on this debt."
With that, Jiraiya straightened his posture and turned towards the door, ready to step out.
Orochimaru watched his retreating figure, a scoff escaping her lips. Had it been anyone else, her pride would have never allowed her to accept such assistance.
But Jiraiya was different. He was her equal, a force to be reckoned with, and pride held no sway against those who stood beside or above her.
In the face of such power, pride would only morph into arrogance, a dangerous trait that could lead to anyone's downfall.
She knew Jiraiya's words held truth. His secret medicine known only in their circle was potent, and her mother's health would undoubtedly improve.
As for the debt he spoke of, Orochimaru had no qualms about repaying it.
Outside the dango shop.
Tsunade's mood had noticeably soured after what happened.
The usually vibrant and confident blonde was now shrouded in a cloud of confusion and hurt.
Dan saw that opportunity and attempted to bridge the gap and offer comfort. However, his efforts were thwarted by an unexpected barrier - Chojuro.
The usually stoic and foodie, effectively cutting off Dan's access to Tsunade.
When Dan politely requested passage, Chojuro remained impassive, his attention seemingly focused on the snacks he was consuming.
A flicker of annoyance crossed Dan's face, but he maintained his composure.
Undeterred, he attempted to circumvent Chojuro, only to find his path blocked once again, this time by Shikadai.
The Nara heir met Dan's gaze with an unreadable expression, his posture mirroring Chojuro.
Dan blinked in surprise, a hint of frustration creeping into his demeanor.
With a resigned sigh, he attempted to walk around Shikadai, only to be intercepted by Inori.
The young girl's demeanor was a stark contrast to the guarded stances of Chojuro and Shikadai.
She greeted Dan with a bright, seemingly innocent smile, her voice laced with curiosity as she inquired about his hair care routine.
'What with these three. I just want to speak with Tsunade…'
Chojuro and Shikadai exchanged knowing glances, recognizing the thinly veiled ruse.
Inori's innocent facade did little to mask her true intent - to obstruct Dan's path and protect Tsunade from him.
While the trio intercept Dan. Someone used that chance to approach her.
They sighed in relief. Finally, he got back to his feet.
Tsunade's heart sank as she heard footsteps approaching.
She didn't need to see who it was; the rhythm of those footsteps was all too familiar.
"Hey, Tsunade,"
Jiraiya's voice broke through her somber thoughts.
She remained silent, her hurt and anger simmering beneath the surface. The sting of his betrayal was still fresh, the wound still raw.
She shed a little tear but she would never allow him to see it.
"I'm sorry,"
Jiraiya's voice was with remorse, a stark contrast to his usual nonchalance.
Tsunade's head snapped up, her eyes widening in disbelief.
"Huh, did you just say sorry to me?"
She was genuinely shocked.
Jiraiya was a master of excuses, always finding a way to deflect blame and avoid her wrath.
A genuine apology, without any justification or excuse, was unheard of. It was so unlike him that it caught her completely off guard.
Jiraiya's heart twisted at the sight of Tsunade's tears.
A wave of guilt washed over him, and he instinctively reached out to wipe them away.
To his surprise, she didn't pull back; she simply remained still, her shoulders trembling slightly as she choked back a sob.
After a moment, she finally spoke, her voice thick with emotion.
"Bastard,"
She spat out, though the venom in her tone was diluted by her tears.
"You make me cry again. Are you happy now? Humph!"
She punctuated her words with a sniffle, her anger clearly tinged with a deep hurt.
Jiraiya felt a pang of remorse.
He had always known that his actions had consequences and seeing Tsunade crying.
He opened his mouth to apologize, but words failed him.
What could he say that would truly make amends for the hurt he had caused?