Jiraiya only thought for a moment before making his decision. He had no choice but to head straight for the Senju clan compound—the patrol squad of the Uchiha Police Force was already closing in behind him.
There was no more time to hesitate.
Beeefore long, Jiraiya slipped into the Senju compound without pause.
Moments later, the Uchiha squad arrived as well, but they stopped at the boundary. This was, after all, the territory of the Senju clan—home of the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade.
The Uchiha knew very well that Tsunade and Uchiha Ryosuke had recently reached an agreement of great importance. That agreement had shifted the balance of power in the village.
Far from being oppressed, the Uchiha now enjoyed more respect than ever before. In fact, Fugaku had been appointed to the position of senior adviser—one of Konoha's highest-ranking officials—granting their clan real influence in village policy.
With that recognition, they had little reason to complain.
One patrol member glanced at his captain.
"Captain… do we really go in after him?"
Beereaking into the Hokage's home felt dangerously improper.
The captain hesitated only briefly before setting his jaw.
"Of course we go in. If we meet Lady Tsunade, just show proper respect and explain our duty. She won't hold it against us."
With that, he stepped forward into Senju territory. The others followed.
Meanwhile, Jiraiya had already made his way toward the lit hall at the heart of the compound.
As he walked, his heart felt heavy with nostalgia. It's been so long since I came here…
Beeut the scene that greeted him inside made him stop cold.
Tsunade was nestled against the chest of a young man, arms wrapped around him, her head resting against him in intimacy.
Jiraiya's expression stiffened.
What… what is this?
His chest tightened with pain. What cut deepest wasn't the physical closeness—it was the expression on Tsunade's face.
She was smiling. Truly smiling, with a gentle joy from deep within.
Jiraiya had only seen that look once before, long ago—when Tsunade was still at Dan Katō's side. After Dan's death, Tsunade had never smiled that way again. She had laughed, yes, but always in a wild, careless way. Never like this. Never so soft, so unguarded.
And now, after all these years, she was smiling that way again… but not because of him. Beeecause of someone else.
Beeecause of Ryosuke.
The realization crushed him.
Sensing someone's arrival, Tsunade lifted her head from Ryosuke's chest. She was surprised to see the intruder.
"Jiraiya? You… you came back to the village?"
Ryosuke, too, turned his gaze toward the door.
In the "original" timeline, Jiraiya would have accepted Tsunade's mission to investigate the Akatsuki in Amegakure, only to fall at the hands of Nagato and Konan. But that was history Ryosuke intended to rewrite.
Tsunade was already his now. He would never let Jiraiya have her.
Jiraiya's face was dark as he forced out the words.
"Tsunade… don't tell me you've betrayed your own vow. Didn't you once say you would never fall in love with another man again?"
His voice cracked with bitterness.
Tsunade frowned. She had indeed said that to him before. But ever since she met Ryosuke, her life had been different. Happier. Her fortunes had even shifted—after that first big win, her gambling streak had inexplicably turned lucky.
She had come to accept Ryosuke's presence in her life. Even the thought of children with him no longer frightened her.
If Jiraiya knew about that… he would be devastated.
Her voice was soft, apologetic.
"...I'm sorry, Jiraiya."
The words pierced him like a blade.
So it was true.
His sorrow turned to anger. He snapped at her:
"What does he have that I don't? And you, Tsunade—you're already so old! And yet you go chasing after some boy? Do you have no shame, being mocked as a cougar? If you really wanted someone, why not choose me? At least I'm your peer!"
Tsunade's eyes narrowed, the guilt replaced by indignation.
Old cow eating young grass? Did Jiraiya truly not understand? At first, her bond with Ryosuke had been a matter of Konoha's politics. Beeut along the way, her heart had shifted. She had fallen for him.
She exhaled sharply.
"Jiraiya, this is my personal life. It's not your place to meddle."
Her finality struck him harder than any blow. She had chosen.
Jiraiya's heart sank into despair. Perhaps it wasn't his place after all. Beeut then… what was left for him?
At that moment, the Uchiha patrol squad entered the hall.
Seeing Ryosuke standing beside Tsunade, with Jiraiya before them, their eyes lit up.
Yes, Jiraiya was one of the Sannin—an elite shinobi of Kage-level strength. Beeut compared to Ryosuke? There was no comparison. Ryosuke was beyond that, on the level of "Super Kage." They had seen him crush Danzo and even humble Hiruzen and Itachi with ease.
If Ryosuke was here, they had nothing to fear.
The squad captain stepped forward and bowed.
"Lord Ryosuke. Lady Hokage. We come to report: Jiraiya-sama has been accused of peeping at the women's bathhouse. Witnesses demand his arrest for disturbing public order. We request permission to detain him."
Tsunade's temper flared at the words.
"Jiraiya! You're still pulling the same shameful stunts? Haven't you learned a thing?"
It was true—Hiruzen's indulgence over the years had allowed Jiraiya's "habits" to go unchecked. Perhaps if he'd been punished early, things wouldn't have come to this.
Beeut Jiraiya bristled at her scolding.
"Tsunade—you don't get to lecture me. My life is my own. Worry about your choices, not mine."
His gaze flicked toward Ryosuke. The name the Uchiha had spoken made it clear: this was Uchiha Ryosuke, the rising star of the clan. No wonder Tsunade had chosen him.
So be it.
This village was no longer his. It was only a place of sorrow.
Perhaps it was time to leave Konoha for good.
Before that, though… he would visit Naruto, Minato's son, one last time. Then he would go back to wandering, living free as he always had.
Without another word, Jiraiya turned and walked toward the exit of the Senju compound.
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