Apprentice Tsunade? The Situation

The battlefield where Konoha and Kumogakure clashed fiercely was thick with the stench of dust and blood.

When Minamoto Takuya crossed the security line and entered Konoha's main camp, Jiraiya, who had been studying a map, spotted him at once. The deep furrow between his brows instantly smoothed out, and he strode over to greet him.

"Takuya, my boy!" Jiraiya's booming voice rang out as his large hand landed heavily on Minamoto Takuya's shoulder. "Good! Good! Good! Hahaha! I knew you couldn't stop worrying about this place and would rush back as fast as you could! So, how was your rest?"

Beneath his hearty laughter lay an indescribable sense of relief.

Minamoto Takuya nodded slightly. His reply was brief but clear. "Not bad. I took a trip to the Land of Hot Water. The hot springs there really were nice."

"The Land of Hot Water?!" Jiraiya's eyes widened, and intense envy immediately appeared on his face. He leaned closer, lowered his voice, and asked in a thoroughly teasing tone, "Well, well! The holy land of hot springs! Tell me, tell me—which kind of bathhouse did you visit?"

After a brief silence, Minamoto Takuya calmly uttered a single phrase. "...A private one."

"Wha—aat?!" Jiraiya reacted as though he had heard of some unspeakable atrocity. He jumped up dramatically, pointed at him, and cried out in anguish.

"Private?! My god! You fool! What a waste! Going to the Land of Hot Water without experiencing the beauty of mixed bathing—wouldn't that make the trip completely pointless?! Idiot! Moron! Complete idiot!" Spittle nearly flew onto Minamoto Takuya's face.

Minamoto Takuya remained expressionless. He had expected exactly this response, and his eyes held the helpless resignation of just as I thought.

He sighed softly, decisively ending the meaningless conversation. His tone remained ordinary, yet left