News of Yuki Seisui's return to Konoha had reached the village even before the others had started heading back.
As reports of his feats spread, Konoha erupted in excitement.
The ninja world had already endured two great wars, each claiming countless lives.
Now, the Sunagakure was preparing to strike Konoha, and the Third Great Ninja War seemed imminent.
Yet Yuki Seisui had single-handedly stopped it.
How could the village not be ecstatic?
Most civilians in Konoha were connected to ninjas—relatives or friends who would have gone to the battlefield.
With the threat gone, the whole village rejoiced.
"This is incredible, Seisui-kun." Orochimaru watched the streets teeming with joy and couldn't help but comment.
Just a few days ago, he had been preparing to lead a team to the front lines—but then the news of the Sand ninjas' retreat arrived.
"Has the war really ended?" Orochimaru wondered aloud as he walked the streets.
His master had never advised letting down one's guard. The ninja forces weren't disbanded. Even without seeing all the intelligence, it was obvious that the war couldn't just be over.
The Iwa and Kumo ninja had stopped fighting for now. The Sunagakure had returned home. But from previous intelligence, more conflict could still come.
The Kirigakure was still stationed at the Land of Fire border, facing Konoha.
The current calm in the ninja world was merely the silence before the storm.
"Heh… stop one war, only to welcome an even fiercer one," Orochimaru muttered to himself, walking unknowingly toward the public bathhouse.
Glancing upward, he stepped aside—and as expected, there was Jiraiya, sprawled on one side.
"If you act like that, Tsunade will never like you," Orochimaru said, observing him lying on the ground.
The sudden voice startled Jiraiya. He sprang up, pressing his back against the wall, only relaxing when he saw Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru! What are you doing here?!"
"Could it be that you're—" Jiraiya said, giving a sly, teasing grin.
"Bored," Orochimaru replied without raising an eyebrow. "Acting like that, you'll never win Tsunade over. Try being serious once in a while, you fool."
"You damn Orochimaru!" Jiraiya stomped in frustration, as if Orochimaru had seen through his little schemes.
"I've always been serious!"
"And," Jiraiya added, studying Orochimaru, "you've never had a girlfriend, right?"
"How dare you say that to me, a wandering ladies' man?!" Jiraiya laughed, hands on his hips.
"Whatever makes you happy," Orochimaru said, turning to leave. But after a few steps, he paused, still not looking back.
"Not dating and being pursued are two different things," he said coolly, then left.
Jiraiya stood frozen, face turning crimson, shouting after him:
"You bastard! How come I've never been in love?!"
At that moment, a sudden wave of danger surged in his mind.
"Crap! I've been found out!"
Jiraiya's expression stiffened, and he leapt toward the roof.
At the same time, the bathhouse wall was smashed apart. Tsunade, clothes wet, hair dripping, appeared, her face dark with rage as she glared at Jiraiya's retreating figure.
"JIRAIYA!"
"DIE!"
With a leap, the ground beneath her shattered, and she pursued Jiraiya at lightning speed.
"Tch." Watching them chase and flee, Orochimaru shook his head on the street below.
"You reap what you sow."
He couldn't understand Jiraiya at all.
If he liked her, just pursue her. Stop being a pervert, show her your real self.
He could tell Tsunade had feelings for Jiraiya, but constant peeping, perverted books, and goofing off—how could the Land of Fire princess ever truly like him?
Even a small affection would be worn away.
=======
Two days later, at the Konoha hospital.
Yuki Seisui looked at the weak figure of Jiraiya on the bed, twitching his lips.
"Jiraiya-sensei… were you beaten half to death?"
Minato frowned beside him. "Who did this? I'll avenge you!"
"Sister Tsunade must've done it." Uchiha Haru glanced at the fist marks around Jiraiya's eyes and speculated.
Minato's anger immediately deflated. Feeling the silent threat from behind, he forced an awkward yet polite smile at Jiraiya.
"Impossible! Sister Tsunade is so beautiful, kind, and gentle—she couldn't have done this!"
"If she did, then Jiraiya-sensei must have done something utterly unforgivable. She had it coming!"
Jiraiya's eyes widened in disbelief. Is this still my polite, well-mannered student?
Glancing at Seisui, Jiraiya thought: That little brat must've corrupted Minato!
"Konoha, we've come to see you!" Konan entered carrying a basket of fruit.
"Sister Tsunade is here too," she added.
"Mm." Tsunade nodded, taking Jiraiya's basket and distributing the fruit among everyone except him.
"He can't eat these now—have at it."
"I can—" Jiraiya began, but seeing Tsunade's dangerous glare, he wisely stopped.
"Fine, I won't. You all eat."
"Good thing I didn't bring gifts, or it would've been a waste," Seisui smiled at Jiraiya's expression.
Damn brat! Jiraiya thought, silently cursing.
Of his six disciples, only Seisui ever stabbed him in the back. The other five were obedient.
Now it seemed Minato had been influenced by this brat, and Haru was on his side too.
Will my obedient students soon be reduced to only three?! Jiraiya groaned inwardly.
At that moment, Tsunade roughly lifted him up.
"Time to treat your wounds!"
"Behave yourself!"
"Fine," Jiraiya weakly nodded.
"Sister Tsunade, why not use healing jutsu?" Seisui asked curiously as she tended to Jiraiya.
"Healing jutsu?" Tsunade glanced at Jiraiya, then coldly said, "His injuries are too severe. Only conventional treatment will work."
"How unfortunate. I wonder who hit him so badly," she added, feigning a sigh.
"Uh," Seisui choked slightly, realizing how shameless he still was in comparison. He sympathized with Jiraiya.
"It can't be helped."
"This must be Jiraiya-sensei's fault for doing something outrageous, otherwise he wouldn't be injured like this."
"The one who hit him must have been utterly fed up!" Seisui said earnestly, then gave Minato a sly look.
Having spent time with him, Minato immediately understood Seisui's intent.
"There's Sister Tsunade here. Let's go!" Minato smiled at Seisui.
Haru tensed instantly, glaring at Minato.
"Can't do anything about you," Seisui said, adjusting his glasses. "Since you don't want to stay longer with our respected Jiraiya-sensei, we won't bother."
He stared at Seisui in disbelief, thinking How can he say something so heartless?
Seisui ignored him, meeting Haru's gaze. The two exchanged a look and prepared to leave.
"You stay with Haru. Everyone else, head back first."