A large number of shinobi had gathered around the vibranium vein, but to Senju Haruto, not a single expression or whisper escaped his notice. He caught everything—every flicker of doubt, every murmured thought. That included Jiraiya and Tsunade's exchange.
As someone who had watched Naruto before crossing into this world, Haruto had always been fond of Jiraiya and Tsunade as a pair. They weren't lovers in the usual sense, but they were something deeper than just friends. Not quite ambiguous, not bound by romance, but tied by something stronger.
Haruto believed Jiraiya harbored feelings for Tsunade. And Tsunade, in her own way, wasn't without affection for him. But when Tsunade had needed support the most, someone to be by her side… Jiraiya hadn't been there. That absence left room for Dan's story with Tsunade to take root.
So maybe this was another case of childhood bonds losing to the sudden twist of fate.
Haruto's gaze lingered on the two now, and in his mind surfaced a line he had once heard: "In this world, there will always be someone who likes you in the simplest way—not with tricks, not with sweet words, but by thinking of you, remembering you, and wishing only for your happiness."
Jiraiya's feelings, Haruto thought, were probably that kind.
"I've never been much good at collecting intel," Tsunade said with a wave of her hand. Truthfully, her heart had wavered for a moment—she had almost agreed to Jiraiya's invitation. But the weight of their history, and Dan's death, stirred a complicated knot inside her.
"Between intelligence and information," she added lightly, "I think I'm far more interested in this world's gambling halls." She was about to use that excuse to bow out.
But before she could leave it at that, Haruto stepped closer.
"Haruto."
Both Jiraiya and Tsunade spoke his name at the same time.
Kakashi, Guy, Itachi, and the rest all turned their heads toward him as well.
"This world's casinos really are fascinating places," Haruto said with a faint smile.
Back when he had first crossed over, his strength had been limited, the world filled with powerful superheroes, and even the timeline was confusing. To avoid unnecessary trouble, he had sealed the Land of Fire with the Four Crimson Sun Formation.
But things were different now. He had already become the Sorcerer Supreme, placed General Ross under Kotoamatsukami, and even planted White Zetsu within S.H.I.E.L.D. On top of that, the rewards from his countless system sign-ins had made his power so overwhelming that even without the barrier, the Land of Fire was secure.
So why not let Jiraiya and Tsunade go explore, to loosen the burden on their shoulders?
"And besides," Haruto continued, "gathering information about this world isn't a bad idea."
Really, he was only giving Jiraiya and Tsunade a reason to travel together.
Jiraiya met Haruto's eyes. As one of the Sannin who had wandered across nations, he understood the implication behind Haruto's words immediately.
"Well, if even Haruto says so, then I, the great Toad Sage Jiraiya, have no choice but to go collect intel in this world."
"You brat," Tsunade huffed, clearly annoyed. "Are you trying to order me around? Strictly speaking, I'm the granddaughter of the First Hokage."
Since Haruto bore the Senju name, that naturally made him her junior. With her fiery personality, it was no surprise she bristled at his tone.
"You're not wrong," Haruto admitted with a small pause. Then his aura shifted, heavy and overwhelming. His chakra—vast beyond measure—pressed against Tsunade like a tidal wave. Even Kaguya in her full form couldn't compare to what Haruto now carried.
The pressure made Tsunade tense.
"But I'm not speaking to you as a member of the Senju clan," Haruto said firmly. His voice cut through the silence like a blade. "I'm speaking to you as Hokage, Princess Tsunade."
He put deliberate weight on the word princess.
This wasn't just about helping Jiraiya or pressuring Tsunade for fun. Haruto was no longer just a shinobi—he was also the Sorcerer Supreme, his spiritual strength already so immense that even a master like the Ancient One couldn't have resisted him. Reading Tsunade's heart was child's play.
And he knew. Deep down, she wanted to go. She wanted to see the world with Jiraiya. It was just that the shadow of her past held her back.
If she truly didn't want to go, no amount of authority could force her. Not even the Hokage had the right to bend Tsunade's will. This was about giving her a reason, a justification she could accept. The rest was up to her.
The air grew still. Tsunade and Haruto locked eyes, unyielding.
Jiraiya stayed quiet at her side. He understood Tsunade better than anyone. She wasn't the kind of woman who bowed her head, not even to a Hokage. In his heart, he braced himself for her rejection.
But then, to his utter astonishment…
Tsunade relented.
"Since it's the Hokage's order, I suppose I have no choice."
Her tone softened. She had yielded. And though she'd never admit it outright, a part of her was already curious about the journey ahead.
Jiraiya, meanwhile, was so overjoyed he couldn't find words.
"Quite the arrangement," Orochimaru's voice slithered in as he approached, clapping his hands slowly.
The three legendary Sannin stood together once more, though there was little warmth in their reunion. The fact remained: Orochimaru had been responsible for the Third Hokage's death. Tsunade's eyes especially gleamed with hostility.
But Orochimaru didn't care.
"Hokage-sama, why not entrust the research on vibranium to me?" he offered smoothly.
Every time Haruto returned from the outside world, he brought something that shook Orochimaru's scientific mind to its core. He wasn't about to let this chance slip through his fingers.
Haruto gave a short nod. "Fine."
Meanwhile, Uchiha Itachi dispelled his Susanoo and landed lightly on the ground. His expression remained unreadable, but the shock in his chest lingered. The sheer power of vibranium… it was staggering.
And yet, Itachi could see its flaws as well. It was, in the end, just a tool. Its upper and lower limits would always depend on the shinobi wielding it. Physical strikes and ninjutsu might be nullified, but genjutsu? Illusions? Vibranium had no answer to that.
Even so, he thought, this metal will reshape the balance of the shinobi world.
His eyes slid toward Haruto's profile. A deep curiosity welled inside him—about Haruto, about vibranium, about the world beyond.
Perhaps it was time he, too, took a step outside.