Sakura stared speechlessly at Jiraiya, who had made himself comfortable on her sofa.
"What do you really want?" At this point, it was impossible that Jiraiya didn't have a motive.
"Since I'm already here, I'll be direct," Jiraiya said, his expression suddenly serious.
So he is after something. Sakura put away the Yin Seal scroll and sat down across from him.
"What did the Third Hokage say to you before he died?" Jiraiya asked, his eyes locked on hers.
"Is that what you came here to ask?" Sakura countered faintly.
"Given our past relationship, I don't want to resort to underhanded methods to get information," Jiraiya said earnestly. "Tell me the truth, and I'll take care of the two elders for you."
"You'll take care of them?" Sakura was taken aback for a moment, then she smiled. "What have they done to me? I don't think I'm on their radar."
"Then who do you think put that ninja on your team..." Jiraiya shook his head as he spoke. It seemed he had overestimated her; she still didn't get it.
"Of course I know. But what does it matter?" Sakura asked, puzzled. "Why would I turn down free labor?"
"..." Jiraiya was speechless. So it wasn't that she didn't know, but that she simply didn't care.
His question about the Third Hokage had just been a gambit to open the conversation. After thinking it over, it was the only thing he could think of that connected him to this situation.
"But Lord Third did entrust me with something before he passed," Sakura said suddenly.
The Third Hokage had been dead for less than two days, and not only were the elders asking questions, but now Jiraiya was too. It seemed she wouldn't get any peace until she put this matter to rest.
After a moment of thought, Sakura said, "But I can't tell you. I promised Lord Third I wouldn't tell anyone, not even the current Hokage."
Hearing this, Jiraiya's instincts flared. He immediately assumed that what the Third had entrusted to her was the same thing he had come here to ask about today.
But Jiraiya wouldn't give up so easily. He tried a bluff. "Actually, I've heard a little something about what Lord Third entrusted to you."
"Oh, have you now?" Sakura was startled. Jiraiya knows? No, that's impossible. If he knew, he wouldn't be so calm. He must be trying to trick me.
"Oh, you know?" Sakura feigned nonchalance. "That matter is quite troublesome. I never expected Lord Third to give me such an important mission!"
"Yes, it is quite troublesome," Jiraiya agreed readily. "What do you plan to do next?"
"What's next..." Sakura said with a troubled expression. "Although Lord Third instructed me..."
Jiraiya instantly perked up. Here it comes, the important part. She's still too green.
"...to make sure you stop peeping on the women's bathhouse, I think that's a bit of a difficult task. Since you asked today, I might as well tell you," Sakura said with a dead-serious expression, though she was laughing hysterically on the inside.
"Gack..." Jiraiya's face turned beet red, like a duck being held by the neck.
Hold it in, hold it in. Sakura almost burst out laughing at the myriad of expressions flashing across Jiraiya's face. Trying to trick me? I come from a world of schemes, you know.
But despite the playful banter, Sakura sensed that Jiraiya was definitely after more than just the Third Hokage's last words.
While the Third's final moments were a concern for the two elders, there was no real need for Jiraiya, who was on Tsunade's side, to dig so deep. As long as he confirmed that Sakura hadn't killed the Third, that should have been enough.
Because Tsunade trusted Sakura. If the Third's last words were truly that important, Sakura would have surely discussed them with her.
That's why Sakura was so puzzled about what Jiraiya really wanted to ask. What was so important that it made him beat around the bush like this? What did she know that Jiraiya wanted to find out?
After thinking for a long time, Sakura still couldn't figure it out. Since Jiraiya was back in the village, Tsunade-sensei must have already told him about the events of the past few months.
"If you want to stay here, then stay. I'm going to ask my master for some advice," Sakura said, picking up the scroll that was taller than her.
She was busy right now; she didn't have time to play guessing games with him. Since she was stuck on the Yin Seal, she would go discuss it with Tsunade. A scolding was better than fumbling around in the dark.
"Wait," Jiraiya said, jumping to his feet.
But Sakura didn't give him a chance to speak. With a nimble flip, she vaulted out of the same window Jiraiya had entered through.
There was nothing valuable in her house anyway. Let him steal whatever he wanted. Sakura really didn't believe Jiraiya would sink so low as to steal from a little girl's house.
Carrying the large scroll, Sakura rushed toward the Hokage Tower. Just as she entered the building, she vaguely heard someone calling her name, but she pushed it aside. The Yin Seal was the most important thing right now.
When she opened the door to the Hokage's office, she found that there were already people inside.
"What is it, Sakura?" Tsunade was clearly annoyed that she had entered without knocking.
"Yo, you're all here. Shino, Kiba, Hinata," Sakura said by way of greeting.
The three of them were silent. Finally, Shino spoke. "Since you're here, we can just say it all at once."
"Hm? What's going on?" Sakura asked, confused by their serious expressions.
"Hey, hey, hey, you haven't forgotten what you promised us that day, have you?" Kiba couldn't help but jump in.
"Promised what?" Sakura thought for a moment, then it dawned on her. "Oh, you mean that. I'm really sorry, but I have something I need to ask the Fifth Hokage about right now, so I can't."
"Sakura..." Hinata started to say, but trailed off.
"Tch. Shino, I told you we couldn't count on her," Kiba muttered. He then turned to Tsunade. "Well then, Lady Fifth, please give us a mission."
Tsunade shook her head. "Don't be in such a hurry." She then looked at Sakura. "What did you want to see me about?"
"Master, I wanted to ask you something about the Yin Seal," Sakura said, holding up the scroll.
Tsunade had seen the scroll and thought Sakura was returning it. She hadn't expected her to have questions.
"What do you want to ask?" Tsunade inquired.
"Er, I don't have any questions anymore. You go ahead and finish your business, Master." Sakura decided it was best to slip away now. She hadn't known Shino and the others would be here. If she had, she wouldn't have come.
But Tsunade wasn't about to let her leave. "Since you don't have any questions, then you will act as the temporary captain for Team 8..."
"Wait, Master, doesn't Team 8 have Kurenai-sensei..." Sakura's words trailed off as she remembered. Kurenai was busy teaching Karin genjutsu.
Tsunade smiled sweetly at Sakura. "Since you have no objections, it's decided."
"Wait, Lady Fifth!" Kiba suddenly stepped forward. "Why is she the captain?"
"Quiet," Tsunade said, her eyes sharp. "This mission could be upgraded to an S-rank at any time. I wouldn't approve it for a group of just genin."
"Sakura, you might encounter Orochimaru on this mission. Protect them, understand?" Tsunade said, her expression serious.
"Is it just them?" Sakura asked, pointing at the three of them. "Aren't Team 10 and Team 3 participating?"
"Too many people. With you there, I can rest easy," Tsunade said, shaking her head. "I've had people searching for Sasuke's whereabouts, but we still have no leads. But since Shino brought up the Bikochu, with you joining them, it's worth a try."
"Sigh," Sakura sighed. "I understand."
She really didn't want to waste her time on this. Since Sasuke had gone to Orochimaru, ten bulls couldn't drag him back at this stage. But since she had promised, she might as well treat it as a training exercise.