Jiraiya got up from the floor and rubbed his still-aching back.
The group walked over to the tatami and sat on either side of the low tea table.
Shizune skillfully poured hot tea for all five of them, not even forgetting Naruto's cup.
Tsunade picked up her teacup and slowly took small sips.
Naruto, meanwhile, sat beside Jiraiya with an angry look on his face, arms folded and head turned away, doing his best to keep Tsunade out of his sight.
Like Tsunade, Senya slowly savored the tea Shizune had prepared.
The room remained quiet for more than a minute before Jiraiya finally broke the silence and spoke first.
"Tsunade, the old man is preparing to step down. He hopes you'll return to the village and become the Fifth Hokage."
Tsunade set her teacup on the table and looked calmly at Jiraiya.
"I think I've already made myself clear. I'm not going back to become Hokage."
"Whoever wants the position can have it. Shizune and I are doing just fine outside the village, so why should we go back?"
Tsunade spoke calmly.
Jiraiya fell silent after hearing her words.
"Is it because of Dan and Nawaki...?"
Hearing Jiraiya bring up those people from the past once again stirred up the memories Tsunade most wanted to escape.
Impatience appeared on Tsunade's face, along with a trace of anger.
"Enough. Don't mention them again. No matter what, I won't return to that village that disappointed me."
Faced with Tsunade's firm refusal, Jiraiya had no idea what to do for a moment. Under the tea table, he poked Senya with his finger.
It seemed he really wasn't good at this sort of thing. Better leave it to Senya. This guy always came up with unexpected ideas.
Senya calmly set down his teacup.
Looking