Words struck deep into Ōnoki's soul.
In an instant, memories of his youth resurfaced—of the helplessness he and his master, the Second Tsuchikage, had felt when facing Uchiha Madara. That crushing sense of powerlessness surged back into his chest.
And this time, it felt even worse.
After all, the once-arrogant and rebellious Uchiha Madara had been defeated—publicly—by Uchiha Hikaru, right before the Five Kage.
The Uchiha Hikaru standing before him now felt even more terrifying.
In the current ninja world, there was no longer anyone like Hashirama Senju—that idealistic dreamer who believed peace could be achieved through goodwill alone—capable of stopping Uchiha Hikaru.
Ōnoki didn't know how long it took before he finally snapped out of the illusion.
When he looked around again, Uchiha Hikaru was already gone.
Yet those two sentences continued to echo in his ears like a curse.
"Damn Uchiha Hikaru…"
"Damn Uchiha!"
Ōnoki clenched his fists, veins bulging on his hands. His face twisted with resentment and fury. He hadn't dared to refute a single word while facing Uchiha Hikaru—only now, after confirming no one was nearby, did he dare to vent the rage suffocating his chest.
Not long after, Ōnoki returned to Iwagakure with the shinobi who had carried out the mission, his mood utterly dejected.
Many ninja were baffled.
Why was it that after such a decisive victory—after their Tsuchikage had personally led them to success—there was no joy on his face at all? Instead, he looked burdened, exhausted, and grim.
...
"Master, after inspection, all the rebel ninja and missing-nin in this area have been completely eliminated."
"But after more than a month of street fighting, many civilians were still caught in the crossfire."
"What should we do next?"
Nadeshiko Shizuka handed over the intelligence report and the civilian casualty list to her master, Tsubaki, her expression troubled.
Tsubaki quickly scanned the scroll, her eyes moving steadily over the figures. After a moment of thought, a plan formed in her mind.
"First, have Elder #1 lead the villagers back and begin preparations to relocate."
"Now that there are no missing-nin or rebels blocking the roads, they should be able to reach us quickly."
"With the villagers guiding them, the people here will slowly begin to believe that peace can truly be restored."
Shizuka nodded.
Her master was right. The civilians here had been oppressed for years. Although many had fled during the month-long conflict, a significant number remained.
As long as they were properly reassured, these people could still form the foundation of Shinfushiko Village. The population would be sufficient.
At that moment, Jiraiya stepped into the tent and overheard their conversation.
"As the saying goes—when men and women work together, even the hardest work doesn't feel tiring~"
"Tsubaki, that's a pretty solid plan."
As he spoke, Jiraiya casually handed over two large grilled fish.
"For over a month, I've been surviving on ration pills and compressed dry food. I need something decent to recharge."
"And you just had surgery not long ago. After everything you've been through, you really should take it easy."
Shizuka accepted the grilled fish, her expression dazed. She glanced between her master and Jiraiya, took a quiet bite, then turned and left the tent.
"Master, I'll go inform Elder #1 right away. You can talk with Jiraiya-sensei slowly~"
Watching her disciple accept the food without hesitation and immediately excuse herself, Tsubaki didn't comment. A faint blush crept onto her cheeks as she shot Jiraiya a sideways glance.
"So you're questioning Lady Tsunade and Shizune's medical ninjutsu now?"
"I recovered not long after the operation—otherwise, why would I personally lead this commission?"
"I'll be sure to tell Lady Tsunade later that you think her medical skills aren't good enough."
Jiraiya panicked instantly, waving his hands.
"No, no, no! I didn't mean it like that!"
"I'm just worried about your health. You're already… well… why are you still pushing yourself so hard? Actually—"
Before he could finish, Jiraiya suddenly felt a chill crawl up his spine, his nose itching violently.
He looked up subconsciously.
Crack.
The wooden skewer Tsubaki had been holding snapped cleanly in her grip. Her short, neat hair fluttered slightly as chakra pressure leaked out.
She paused—then spoke slowly, clearly.
"What did you say?"
Jiraiya instinctively took two steps back.
"Uh—nothing! I didn't mean anything!"
"What do you mean by 'you're already old'?"
"Am I really that old?!"
Jiraiya froze, his mouth moving before his brain could catch up.
"Well, strictly speaking, I practice Sage Techniques, so my body ages more slowly. What I meant was—"
He never finished that sentence.
The grilled fish in Tsubaki's hand abruptly filled his vision—then slammed straight into his face.
"Hot—hot—hot!!!"
"So now you dislike my age and my looks?!"
"Go to hell!"
"Eat it yourself!"
With that, Tsubaki stormed out of the tent, vanishing into the night.
Jiraiya stood there in a daze, wiping sauce off his face. He stared at the fish scattered across the ground, broken and ruined.
Her words echoed in his head.
Only then did he fully realize what he had done.
"I… I'm an idiot! Why would I say something like that?!"
"That's not what I meant at all…"
"Ugh..."
He squatted down helplessly, staring at the mess, completely at a loss.
Until Uchiha Hikaru arrived.
The moment Hikaru entered the tent, he saw Jiraiya squatting on the ground, grilled fish everywhere.
"What are you doing?"
"What happened here?"
Hearing Hikaru's voice, Jiraiya's eyes lit up like he'd just grabbed onto a lifeline. He jumped up and grabbed Hikaru's arm.
"Hikaru, you have to help me this time!"
Hikaru glanced around. Tsubaki was nowhere to be seen. He already had a rough idea of what had happened.
"Tell me exactly what stupid thing you did first."
...
"You're really something…"
"Ah~"
"How can you tell a woman she's old and ugly to her face?"
"You really…"
Hikaru pressed a hand to his forehead, completely speechless.
Jiraiya was always smooth and eloquent around daimyo's wives, nobles, princesses, even geisha—but the moment he faced someone he genuinely cared about, he turned into an absolute idiot.
"I don't know what to do anymore. That's why I'm asking you."
"Everything before was just part of missions. Acting. Tricks. I didn't mean any of it, okay?"
Hikaru gave him a look filled with skepticism.
"Are you sure?"
"You didn't enjoy it at all?"
Jiraiya stiffened.
"Ahem… maybe a little. Just a little! It's a man's instinct!"
Hikaru patted his shoulder.
"Alright, enough."
"It's already this late. Talking won't fix anything."
"You hurt her—badly."
"So go comfort her."
"Why are you still standing here?"
"Where did all your legendary charm go?"
"Love needs to be said out loud."
Jiraiya scratched his head, embarrassed.
"I don't know why… every time I want to say it, I freeze at the critical moment."
"I'm afraid of being rejected."
"Do you have any ideas?"
Hikaru raised an eyebrow.
Jiraiya—already well into middle age—had wandered through countless romantic encounters without ever committing. To some extent, he'd passed through a sea of flowers without touching a single leaf.
With a sigh, Hikaru pulled out a set of scrolls from his ninja pouch and handed them over solemnly.
"Since you've said that, I can't just ignore you."
"This is my essential outdoor barbecue kit."
"Catch some fish. Maybe a rabbit or wild boar."
"That's it."
Jiraiya stared at the scrolls, half-believing, half-doubting.
"Are you sure… this will work?"
Hikaru patted his shoulder seriously.
"Just trust me."
"It can't get any worse than it already is, right?"
In the end, Jiraiya nodded and set off with grim determination.
Watching his back, Hikaru muttered to himself.
Jiraiya… if even strong alcohol can't give you courage, I really can't help you anymore.
...
Using the barbecue equipment Hikaru provided, Jiraiya caught two rabbits with ninjutsu, then went to the river to fish.
That was when he saw her.
Under the setting sun, Tsubaki sat on a large rock by the stream, knees hugged to her chest, staring at the water. The faint wrinkles at the corners of her eyes only made her look more weary, her sorrow unmistakable.
"So… you really do think I'm too old…"
Just as she sank deeper into her thoughts—
Splash!
Water splashed up, soaking her clothes.
Her already tight combat uniform clung to her skin, outlining her figure like an ink painting.
When she turned her head, she saw Jiraiya standing in the water, pant legs rolled up.
"Hmph!" ╭(╯^╰)╮
She turned away instantly, refusing to look at him.
Jiraiya felt awkward—but when she turned, the sight of her slender waist and strong thighs made his blood rush. His nose nearly bled.
He snapped himself back to reality.
Remembering Hikaru's words, he silently went to work—skewering fish, setting up the grill, skinning the rabbit, brushing oil over the meat.
The crackling sound and rich aroma slowly filled the air.
Using food to tempt me at a time like this…
Scumbag.
Yet no matter how strong her resolve was, her body betrayed her.
"Gudu~"
Her stomach growled.
Jiraiya burst out laughing.
She flushed crimson and spun around.
"You! Stop laughing!"
He raised his hands immediately.
"Not smiling."
"…Eat something?"
"I won't!"
"Then… drink something?"
He glanced at the dark wine jar beside him.
After hesitating, Tsubaki poured herself a cup—and then one for him.
"Just a little."
Jiraiya's eyes lit up.
"You're not mad anymore?"
Her expression darkened instantly.
"Who said that?! I'm still angry!"
"Okay, okay—still angry~"
They bickered, drank, and grilled meat beneath the purple haze of sunset.
When the moon rose and stars filled the sky, the wine jar was nearly empty.
Drunk and unsteady, Tsubaki stared into Jiraiya's eyes.
"You old pervert… you didn't agree when I chased you back then. Do you regret it now?!"
Jiraiya froze, turning his head away.
"I…"
She slammed her cup down.
"You said you had someone in your heart back then!"
"What about now?!"
"Coward! Stupid toad!"
Guilt crushed his chest.
He did have someone in his heart now.
It was her.
But he didn't know if he was still worthy.
Tsubaki felt her heart constrict. She grabbed the wine jar again.
Jiraiya finally snapped. He seized it, stood up, and drank deeply.
Hikaru said alcohol makes cowards brave.
Even if I'm a coward… I won't be one this time.
He grabbed her shoulders.
"I'm timid! Lustful! Old!"
"But I'm afraid of being rejected!"
"Even so—I don't want to regret this for the rest of my life!"
"I love—"
Her hands grabbed his collar, pulling him down.
Under the moonlight and stars, the two figures embraced tightly, their shadows stretching long and silent across the riverbank…