Night.
Jiraiya sat in the izakaya, drinking alone.
Originally, no matter what Hiruzen said, even if it meant becoming a member of the so-called Konoha Council Elders, he would have outright refused.
But this time, it was different. This command was issued in front of the entire village. Jiraiya felt he couldn't refute it, no matter what he said.
No, if it were his past self, he would have ignored it and left as he pleased.
However, Hiruzen's aged appearance today made Jiraiya feel that the old man was truly old.
"What? Drinking alone?" A voice sounded.
Tsunade sat opposite Jiraiya.
"Oh, Tsunade, come! Let's drink together." Jiraiya looked up, his eyes slightly hazy, and laughed.
"Tch—" Tsunade pouted.
She took a sake cup from beside Jiraiya, and poured herself a drink.
Neither of them spoke again, just drank in silence.
"Tsunade." After a long while, Jiraiya couldn't help but speak.
"Huh? I thought you wouldn't say anything." Tsunade raised an eyebrow, speaking quite impolitely.
Hearing this, Jiraiya was stunned, then burst into laughter, and after a good while, he said, "I understand my situation, but why did you agree to become an elder?"
This was what Jiraiya found most puzzling. He knew Tsunade's personality. Hiruzen couldn't do anything to her.
Otherwise, as the foremost Medical Ninjutsu user in Konoha, how could she have been wandering outside all this time?
Even if Tsunade suffered from hemophobia, that wouldn't have been an issue.
However, this time it was clear that Hiruzen had discussed it with Tsunade beforehand, or else she would have already erupted.
"Because of money." Tsunade put down her cup and replied casually.
Ha—?!
This statement stunned Jiraiya.
"The salary the old man offered isn't low, and it's only for a few years, so why should I refuse? And I don't even need to do anything." Tsunade said very easily.
The Council Elders had many benefits each month. She admitted she couldn't refuse.
Jiraiya, on the other hand, fell silent. Did he believe Tsunade's reason?
He'd be crazy to believe it. Money, for her, was something she could earn with a single mission.
"What, I can't even tell the truth to you?"
Jiraiya looked at Tsunade with exasperation. He was drunk but alcohol, for a ninja of his level, was not a problem if he consciously controlled it.
Unless—
He was drugged. Only if the person in front of him did it, could it succeed.
Or he genuinely wanted to drown his sorrows.
Hearing this, Tsunade's expression didn't change at all, as she pinched a peanut and threw it into her mouth.
"Does it matter if it is or isn't?"
"Are you stupid from drinking? The position the old man mentioned is only for a few years."
"Once that kid becomes Hokage, do you think he'll still keep us around?"
Tsunade slammed the table. This guy is still so stupid.
Jiraiya blinked, looking at Tsunade. It seemed he had walked into a dead end.
If it were normal times, he probably would have noticed it already.
So, the old man had this plan. Appointing him and Tsunade as Council Elders was so that after his retirement in a few years, Shinji could be perfectly pushed into the Hokage position by both of them.
After all, Jiraiya was the disciple of the Third Hokage and the teacher of the Fourth Hokage.
As for Tsunade, needless to say, no one in all of Konoha had a more legitimate status than her.
If it were ten years ago, it wouldn't have been so troublesome. Because back then, Hiruzen's influence was at its peak, and his disciples were the Sannin, practically the pillars of Konoha.
Now it was different. The Council Elders were cleaned out and Shinji had disciples from various prominent clans. But Hiruzen was, after all, old, and he had to consider the opinions of some Jonin.
However, he was actually so cautious.
Jiraiya was very displeased. Why should he, one of the famous Sannin, the Toad Sage, escort a mere kid?
"This old man is too biased." Jiraiya grumbled, very displeased.
Tsunade, sitting opposite him, rolled her eyes. "Why don't you take the position yourself? I heard from the old man that that kid doesn't even want to be Hokage, so it's perfect for you to take the position. I'll vouch for you."
"Heh heh. No, no."
Jiraiya immediately refused upon hearing this, he wasn't stupid. If he really wanted the position, he would have taken it ages ago.
Did he need to wait until now?
"Then drink your fill. I heard you have quite a bit of savings." Tsunade glanced at Jiraiya, and her eyes lit up when she mentioned this.
Jiraiya's lips twitched, but he still nodded resolutely.
"Drink! We're not going home until we're drunk today!"
—
"Phew—"
After a day of busyness, Shinji finally walked out of the Hokage Building.
After the meeting, Hiruzen had dragged him to deal with official duties. He called it "exercising his abilities."
Shisui had said that Hiruzen practically lived in the office. Apparently, from the start of the war until now, Hiruzen hadn't returned home once.
This made Shinji speechless, were Konoha's strategists just freeloading?
Even if Shikaku went to the front lines, was there no one else who could help handle things?
"This old man is so stubborn."
He looked back at the Hokage Office, where the lights were still on.
He had already helped handle all the documents, so now the old man simply wanted to rest.
Konohamaru probably wasn't asleep yet at this hour. He would be pestered again when he got home, so there was no way he could relax.
...
In the Hokage Office, Hiruzen rubbed his neck, looking at the completely cleared desk.
He couldn't help but laugh.
Young people were better, they solved things in a flash.
'Tsunade should have gone to Jiraiya by now, right?' Thinking of this, Hiruzen used the Telescope Jutsu.
But in the next instant, the two figures appearing on the crystal ball made Hiruzen's lips twitch.
"These two guys—"
Inside the izakaya, Jiraiya and Tsunade were acting wild with drink, both of them slinging their arms around each other's shoulders. They were currently singing loudly in unison, while the owner hid in the distance, not daring to approach.
"Shisui." Hiruzen shook his head and spoke.
"Yes, Hokage-sama." Shisui appeared before Hiruzen, kneeling on one knee as he responded.
"Take a few Anbu and bring Tsunade and Jiraiya separately—"
Hiruzen paused as he spoke, then changed his words, "Bring them both to Tsunade's residence. Tell Shizune not to disturb them, and also get some more sake from the izakaya owner to bring along."
Hearing this, Shisui was stunned, and unable to react, he looked up at Hiruzen.
"Hokage-sama?"
"Go on, do as I say."
Hiruzen waved his hand, simultaneously turning off the crystal ball.
"Yes." Shisui instantly vanished from the spot.
Hiruzen stood up and walked towards the office door.
"These two troublesome individuals, they might as well give me a grandchild to play with."