Night.
Jiraiya sat alone in the izakaya, drinking his sorrows away.
Regardless of what Hiruzen Sarutobi said, even if it meant becoming a member of the so-called Konoha Council of Elders.
He would refuse outright.
But this time it's different.
This order was issued in front of the entire village.
No matter what he said, Jiraiya felt he couldn't refute it.
No, it's more accurate to say that if it were the old him, he would have simply ignored it and left.
However, Hiruzen Sarutobi's aged appearance today made Jiraiya feel...
The old man is truly getting old.
"What? Are you drinking alone, all by yourself?"
A voice rang out, Tsunade sat down directly opposite Jiraiya.
"Hey, Tsunade, come on! Let's drink together!"
Jiraiya looked up, a slightly hazy smile in his eyes.
"Cut--"
Tsunade, then grabbed the sake cup next to Jiraiya and poured herself a drink.
The two remained silent, simply drinking their beverages in quiet.
Tsunade.
After a long while, Jiraiya couldn't help but speak.
"Oh? I thought you couldn't speak."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow and said rather bluntly.
Jiraiya was taken aback upon hearing this, then burst into laughter, and after a long while, he said:
"I can accept that, but why did you agree to become an elder?"
This is what makes Jiraiya so strange.
After all, he knew Tsunade's personality.
Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't do anything to her; otherwise, as the number one Medical Ninjutsu in Konoha, how could he have been wandering outside all this time?
Even if Tsunade suffers from hemophobia, that's not a problem.
However, it was clear that Hiruzen Sarutobi this with Tsunade beforehand, otherwise they would have already exploded.
"Because of money."
Tsunade put down her cup and replied casually.
Ha--?!
These words stunned Jiraiya completely.
"The old man's offer isn't low, and it's only for a few years, why should I refuse?"
"I don't need to do anything~"
Tsunade said quite casually that the Council of Elders had so many benefits every month, she couldn't possibly refuse them.
Jiraiya, on the other hand, remained silent. Did he believe Tsunade's reasoning?
It would be a lie to believe that; for her, money is something she can earn in a single transaction.
"What, even I can't tell the truth anymore?"
Jiraiya looked at Tsunade speechlessly; she was drunk.
However, for a ninja of his caliber, alcohol is not a problem if he is willing to control it.
Unless—she's been drugged.
Only if this person in front of us intervenes will there be any chance of success.
Or perhaps he genuinely wanted to drown his sorrows in alcohol.
Upon hearing Tsunade's expression remained unchanged as she tossed a peanut into her mouth.
"Is it really that important whether it is or isn't?"
"Have you gone mad from drinking? The position the old man mentioned is only for a few years."
"Once that kid becomes Hokage, do you think we'll still be able to stay?"
Tsunade on the table. This guy—he's still so stupid!
Jiraiya looked at Tsunade and blinked involuntarily, as if he had indeed walked into a dead end.
Normally, I probably would have noticed it by now.
So that's what the old man was thinking.
He appointed himself and Tsunade as members of the Council of Elders so that after he stepped down a few years later, Hagoromo could be perfectly promoted to the position by him and Tsunade.
After all, he Jiraiya's disciple of the Third Hokage and his master of the Fourth Hokage.
As for Tsunade, needless to say, no one in the entire Konoha holds the most legitimate position.
Ten years ago, it would have been far less complicated.
At that time Hiruzen Sarutobi was at the height of his power, and his disciples were the legendary Sannin, making him practically the pillar of Konoha.
Things are different now. Even though the Council of Elders have been purged, Hagoromo name.
But Hiruzen Sarutobi is getting old, and the opinions of some Jonin still need to be considered.
But the old man was surprisingly cautious.
Jiraiya unhappy, yes.
Why should the renowned Sannin Toad Sage, one of the legendary Sannin, protect a mere kid?
"That old man is so biased."
Jiraiya muttered something unpleasantly.
Tsunade, sitting opposite her, rolled her eyes. "Why don't you just take over yourself? I heard it from the old man."
"That kid doesn't want the position yet, so it's perfect for you to take it. I'll vouch for you!"
"Heh... hehe... no, no."
Upon hearing this, Jiraiya immediately refused; he wasn't stupid.
If I really wanted to be one, I would have done it a long time ago.
Do we really have to wait until now?
"Then drink yours! I've heard you have quite a bit of savings."
Tsunade glanced at Jiraiya, her eyes lighting up as she spoke.
Jiraiya's lips twitched, but he still nodded defiantly.
"Drink! We're not leaving until we're drunk!"
--
"Call--"
After a busy day, Hagoromo finally walked out of the Hokage Building.
After the meeting, he was pulled away by Hiruzen Sarutobi to handle official business.
The fact that he named it "Mei" is a way of training his abilities.
According to Shisui, the old man now practically lives in the office all the time.
It seems that Hiruzen Sarutobi has not returned even once since the start of the war.
This left Hagoromo speechless. Were Konoha's think tank just sitting around doing nothing?
Even if Shikaku goes to the front lines, will there be no one to help with this?
"That old man is incredibly stubborn."
I glanced back at the Hokage's Office; the lights were still on.
However, Hagoromo had already taken care of all the documents, and now the old man just wanted to rest.
After all, Konohamaru probably hasn't gone to sleep yet at this hour.
When I get home, I'll be pestered again, and there won't be any time to relax.
In the Hokage's Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his neck, looking at the cleaned-up desk in front of him.
I couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Young people are so lucky; they solve things quickly and easily.
"Tsunade should have gone to find Jiraiya by now, right?"
With that in mind, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately used his Telescope Technique.
But the next instant, the two figures that appeared on the crystal ball made Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips twitch.
"Those two guys..."
Inside the izakaya, Jiraiya and Tsunade around each other's shoulders.
They were singing loudly at that moment, while the boss hid at a distance, too afraid to approach.
"Shisui."
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and spoke.
"Yes, Lord Hiruzen!"
Shisui appeared directly in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi, kneeling on one knee in response.
"Take a few Anbu and separate Tsunade and Jiraiya..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi paused, then changed the subject.
"Take them all to Tsunade's place, and tell Shizune not to disturb them. Also, get some more sake from the izakaya owner to take with you."
Upon hearing this, Shisui was stunned and looked up at Hiruzen Sarutobi without realizing it.
"Hiruzen generation sir?"
"Go, go, do as I say."
Hiruzen Sarutobi simply waved his hand and turned off the crystal ball.
"Yes!" Shisui vanished from his spot in a Body Flicker Technique.
Hiruzen Sarutobi got up and walked towards the office door.
"These two troublesome fellows are worse off than if they gave this old man a grandson to play with."