The Land of Hot Springs was surrounded by mountains, with hot springs scattered everywhere. The air carried a constant faint scent of sulfur, making it a perfect place to relax the body and calm the mind.
Far from Konoha's troubles and heavy atmosphere, Ryo, Tsunade, Kushina, and Mikoto spent several days here in near indulgent comfort.
Clear, warm spring water washed away the dust of travel and temporarily eased the worries in their hearts.
Kushina and Mikoto, both clearly enjoying good food, relaxed fully under the company of Ryo and Tsunade, savoring rare moments of closeness and ease.
At the same time, having left behind the gloomy and damp Land of Rain, and having said goodbye to Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan after three years of teaching, Jiraiya did not immediately return to Konoha.
Instead, he also came to the Land of Hot Springs, intending to properly reward his exhausted body and mind.
Night fell.
A hot spring street in the Land of Hot Springs lit up with lanterns, the noise of taverns mixing with rising steam.
Following the lively sounds, Jiraiya casually pushed open the door to a bustling tavern.
The strong smell of alcohol and the noise inside instantly lifted his spirits.
As usual, his eyes swept across the crowded room, searching for an empty seat and suitable inspiration.
But when his gaze landed on a large table in the corner, his steps stopped abruptly.
His pupils widened. His mouth fell open. Even the skewers in his hand dropped to the floor.
He saw a figure he never expected to see.
Golden hair shimmered under the lantern light like flowing honey. Her refined face carried a lazy flush from drinking. The familiar heroic sharpness between her brows remained, yet it was now mixed with a striking maturity he had never seen before.
She leaned back casually in her chair, playing with a small sake cup. A faint smile lingered on her lips, her eyes half lidded as she looked at the person across from her.
It was Tsunade.
And sitting opposite her was Ryo.
Ryo remained calm as ever, occasionally lifting his cup for a sip.
Beside him sat Kushina, now bright and striking, her fiery red hair vivid under the lights, and Mikoto, quiet and gentle, her black hair flowing smoothly.
Both young women were clearly focused on Ryo. Kushina spoke animatedly, while Mikoto listened with a soft smile, nodding lightly from time to time.
The scene was harmonious and intimate, carrying a warmth that left little room for outsiders.
"Tsunade" Jiraiya shouted in shock, his voice rising sharply and cutting through the tavern noise.
The four at the table turned their heads at the same time.
The haze in Tsunade's eyes vanished, replaced first by surprise, then by clear annoyance and a familiar sense of trouble.
Ryo merely raised an eyebrow. Kushina and Mikoto looked curiously at the scruffy man who had suddenly appeared.
"Jiraiya" Tsunade put down her cup and rubbed her temple. "What are you doing here"
Jiraiya ignored her tone completely. His eyes were locked on her.
After years apart, Tsunade's changes made his heart race.
She was dazzling. That full, mature charm was far more dangerous than the fierce woman he remembered.
"It really is you" Jiraiya exclaimed and rushed over in a few long strides. Ignoring Ryo and the two girls, he squeezed into the empty seat beside Tsunade, almost pressing against her. His eyes shone brightly. "It's been years. You're even more beautiful now. This has to be fate"
As he spoke, his hand rose instinctively, moving in his usual inappropriate manner.
Before it could get close.
A dull impact sounded.
Jiraiya felt an overwhelming force slam into his face before he could react.
His body flew backward like a kicked ball, spinning through the air before crashing onto an empty table several meters away. Plates and cups shattered across the floor.
The tavern fell silent.
All eyes stared in shock.
Tsunade slowly withdrew her fist and blew on her knuckles with disdain. "Still the same punchable face. You never change"
She turned to Ryo. "I'll handle him. Take the girls back to the inn first"
Ryo nodded, stood up, and took Kushina and Mikoto by the hand. "Let's go"
Kushina covered her mouth, laughing quietly. Mikoto pressed her lips together, hiding a smile. The two followed Ryo out.
The tavern owner stared at the mess in disbelief.
Jiraiya groaned as he climbed up, rubbing his swollen face and aching bones. He sat across from Tsunade this time, much more obedient and keeping his distance.
"Damn, Tsunade. You're still rough with greetings" he complained weakly. Seeing her pour another drink, he quickly filled his own cup.
"Enough. Why are you in the Land of Hot Springs" Tsunade asked bluntly.
"I just left the Land of Rain. Taught three kids for three years. I'm exhausted, so I came to relax" Jiraiya took a deep drink, his face showing fatigue and reflection. "Those kids were special. By the way, how's Konoha. How's Minato"
At the mention of Konoha, Tsunade's irritation faded, replaced by a heavy weight.
She lifted her cup but did not drink.
"Minato is very talented. He has mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique" she said calmly.
"That brat really didn't disappoint me" Jiraiya grinned with pride, then asked cautiously. "What about the old man. Is the village alright"
Tsunade's fingers tightened around the cup.
She was silent for a few seconds, then spoke coldly.
"The White Fang is dead"
"What" Jiraiya nearly dropped his cup. "The White Fang. How did he die"
"Suicide" Tsunade replied flatly. "Driven to it by rumors and filthy schemes"
She looked straight at Jiraiya. "It happened not long ago. I attended his funeral"
Jiraiya froze. The blood drained from his face.
The man known as the White Fang, powerful and resolute, dead because of rumors.
"How could this happen" he murmured, unable to process it.
Tsunade watched his stunned expression, her voice sharp with disappointment and anger. "Ask our respected Hokage. Ask that thing hiding in the shadows called Root. For balance. For removing obstacles. They allowed it, even pushed it. This is what they did"
She drained her cup in one gulp. "The old man keeps saying it's for Konoha. And what happened. A top level combatant dead. The village in chaos. The Will of Fire turned into a joke. Kids arguing in class over mission first or comrades first. Is this the Konoha he wanted"
Jiraiya felt his head throb as he listened. Sweat formed on his forehead.
Politics and darkness at the top were exactly what he hated and avoided.
He shrank back slightly, eyes shifting, unable to meet Tsunade's furious gaze.
"Maybe there's some misunderstanding" he said weakly. "The old man. He wouldn't"
"Misunderstanding" Tsunade cut him off with a cold laugh. "He told me it was all for Konoha. Hypocrisy"
Seeing Jiraiya's avoidance, Tsunade's eyes showed understanding, then deeper disappointment.
He was hot blooded and loyal, but when it came time to face the darkness of the higher ups, his instinct was always to run.
She looked away, rubbing her temple tiredly, and drained the rest of her drink.
Disappointed, but not surprised.
Alcohol and the sudden mention of Konoha stirred Jiraiya's emotions.
He looked at Tsunade under the lantern light, beautiful, angry, and faintly fragile. Feelings buried for decades surged up.
"Tsunade" Jiraiya leaned forward, his voice low and unsteady with drink. "Actually, all these years, I've always"
Just as the words were about to leave his mouth.
The tavern door opened again.
Ryo stepped inside after settling Kushina and Mikoto, returning to pick up Tsunade.
He calmly took in the wrecked table and the disheveled Jiraiya.
Jiraiya's words died instantly, stuck in his throat. His face flushed red.
Ryo walked straight to Tsunade and naturally wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her into his chest.
The gesture was intimate and unmistakably possessive.
He looked at Jiraiya and spoke clearly.
"Jiraiya-sama. Tsunade is my woman. There's no need for confessions"
The words exploded in Jiraiya's mind.
He froze completely, eyes bulging, mouth wide open.
Tsunade, the woman he had admired for half his life, was leaning quietly against Ryo without resistance. Her face was flushed more deeply than from the alcohol, carrying a shy softness he had never seen.
His worldview shattered.
Teacher and student.
And Ryo was also with Kushina and Mikoto.
What in the world was going on.
"Tsunade. He. What he said" Jiraiya stammered, pointing back and forth. "This isn't right. He's your student. And Kushina and the others. Tsunade, you can't do this. You need to think clearly"
Tsunade rested against Ryo's solid chest, feeling the strength in his arm. The sense of protection steadied her.
She lifted her head, the blush still there, but her eyes sharp and calm.
"Jiraiya. I know what I'm doing. My life isn't your concern. You should worry about yourself"
She turned to Ryo and spoke softly. "Let's go back"
"Alright" Ryo replied.
He guided her toward the door, never sparing Jiraiya another glance.
The tavern door closed behind them, leaving Jiraiya standing there in shock.
Alone.
He stared at the empty doorway, then at the ruined table, his face pale.
A deep sense of loss and absurdity washed over him.
For three years, he thought he was shaping the future by teaching Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan.
Yet Minato had mastered Flying Thunder God without him present.
The woman he loved had chosen her own student, with a relationship so tangled he could barely understand it.
And he himself.
Felt like a complete failure.
The pain in his face reminded him of Tsunade's punch, but the bitterness in his heart burned stronger than the alcohol.
He slumped into a chair, grabbed the remaining bottle, and drank deeply.
The burning liquid scorched his throat.
He had missed too much.
And it seemed he had missed everything.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)