Wisdom Reaching Heaven and Earth

Naruto didn't care if Tsunade became Hokage.

To him, it was less important than whether Tsunade accepted Jiraiya.

Konohagakure was merely his starting point to the world, while Jiraiya was an important person.

Emotions were the most complex thing in the world. Anything could be conquered by force, except for emotions.

But Naruto's comprehension was astonishing. He could learn by analogy and came up with a method.

Use stronger emotional power to impact emotions!

For example, if someone hates their neighbor because they killed their pet, and you go and kill their entire family, they will definitely hate you even more!

If hate can do that, then conversely, love should be able to do the same.

"Can't let go of an old love"? That's because the impact of a new love isn't strong enough!

This was the core idea, and the course of action was formulated around it. Naruto's wisdom was boundless.

At this moment, Shizune, the sole bystander, almost had her Byakugan pop out. After all, she knew how terrifying Tsunade's temper was.

"Naruto, don't say that," Shizune said gently, trying to ease the tension. "Lady Tsunade isn't what you think."

"Shizune!" Tsunade smirked. "Let them think whatever they want. I'm not going back to be Hokage anyway."

With that, she stood up straight, tilted her head back, and took a swig from the wine bottle. The cleavage of her open-fronted dress rose and fell.

Naruto just felt that Tsunade's personality was truly terrible, even more exaggerated than Haruno Sakura's had been.

"Coincidentally, my disciples and I have grown tired of staying in Konoha and plan to travel. Let's go together."

Jiraiya crossed his arms and closed his eyes, nodding in agreement. "Legend says two of the Sannin protecting a Jinchuriki will greatly increase safety."

"Protect?" Tsunade's eyes were hazy. "Isn't my protection enough? Trying to stick by my side?"

Jiraiya: "It's not enough. The enemy is strong. Yes, I want to be with you."

"Do you have enough money!" Tsunade laughed. "Shizune! Open the box!"

Shizune placed the leather suitcase at her feet on the table, inserted the key, unlocked it, and lifted the lid.

Three rows of stacked IOUs filled the case.

"Enough," Jiraiya said confidently without even looking. "If it's not enough, I'll earn more."

Tsunade's face was flushed with alcohol, her eyes hazy. She stared intently at the tall, white-haired old man beside her for several seconds.

"Is being rich amazing?"

"I don't feel it's amazing," Jiraiya shook his head. "It can be amazing too."

Tsunade draped her fair left arm over Jiraiya's shoulder and chuckled, "You seem a little different."

"I, Jiraiya, have always been a renowned hero of the ninja world. I've always been like this, but I'm different towards you."

Tsunade stared for a long time, then jumped out of her seat. "No more drinking, Shizune! Let's go!"

Naruto quickly snapped the lid of the suitcase shut. "Sister Shizune, I'll help you carry it."

"Thank you."

Tsunade had already walked out of the shop.

Shizune hurried to follow, with Naruto close behind.

Jiraiya remained motionless. After everyone had left, he let out a long sigh and took several deep breaths. "Waiter! The bill!"

The four of them checked into the same inn, in rooms across from each other.

Jiraiya sprawled on the bed and asked, "How was my performance today?"

Naruto gave him a thumbs-up. "Excellent. I think Tsunade has fallen in love with you."

Jiraiya knew it was unrealistic, but he couldn't help but beam at Naruto's response.

Naruto: "By the way, who was monitoring us?"

"Monitoring?" Jiraiya sat cross-legged. "I didn't notice. I was just looking at Tsunade."

"Was she that good-looking? Just a woman."

"Yes."

Naruto found it hard to understand.

Not long after Naruto and the others entered the inn, a man and a woman entered.

Although Naruto didn't look at them from beginning to end, the cold touch that clearly clung to his skin confirmed that their target was them.

However, Jiraiya's behavior in Tanzaku Street was too arrogant, so it was normal for someone to be monitoring them.

The night sky was dark. Jiraiya leaped onto the windowsill. "From what I know of Tsunade, she'll definitely try to escape tonight to get rid of us. I'll go out and keep an eye on her first."

Naruto grunted and fell asleep.

At the same time, in the room opposite.

After stripping off her clothes and showering, Tsunade, her face devoid of any drunkenness, recalled what Naruto and Jiraiya had said earlier.

Indeed, Jiraiya had never wronged her.

She herself had a princess's temper.

Dan Katō was the perfect lover she desired most, and he had died on the battlefield.

His entrails were exposed, leaving only a bloody hole, and before he died, he said he couldn't die, that he had to keep fighting, begging Tsunade to save him.

But she was powerless to save him, and watched him die, consequently developing severe hemophobia, which was akin to a death sentence for a Medical Ninja.

Jiraiya was not her ideal lover; they were even polar opposites, which was why she kept refusing him, never giving him even a sliver of a chance.

But today, the way that child looked at her, it was like a painting in a different color. She didn't want to think about it, but she still did.

Tsunade emerged from her bath, examining her reflection in the mirror. "I'm truly beautiful. No wonder Jiraiya can't forget me."

After putting on her clothes and tying her hair, she walked out of the bathroom to find Shizune already had the luggage packed.

Tsunade walked to the balcony, the wind ruffling her long hair and caressing her freshly washed body, feeling exceptionally cool. "Let's go."

"Mhm."

The two moved with light steps, leaping across the rooftops under the moonlight. In just a few minutes, they had left Tanzaku Street and entered the desolate plains opposite the main road.

The plains were uneven, strewn with rocks, and filled with piles of large stones several meters high, covered in wild grass.

As Tsunade and Shizune entered, a figure in a black hooded robe leaped out from behind a pile of rocks, blocking their path.

"Lady Tsunade, please wait."

Shizune gripped a kunai, stepping in front of Tsunade like a bodyguard. "Who are you!"

The person in the black robe pulled down their hood, revealing Yakushi Kabuto.

"I am a subordinate of Lord Orochimaru. My lord is on the main road and will be here shortly. He wishes to see you."

Tsunade had just heard about Orochimaru killing his master, and coldly said, "There's nothing to see."

With that, she continued to walk forward. She didn't have the ability to kill Orochimaru, nor the mental fortitude.

Yakushi Kabuto didn't make a move and smiled gently. "My lord only wants your help with a small favor. As compensation, he will help you revive your boyfriend and your brother."

It was like thunder in her ears, and Tsunade's expression changed drastically.

At this moment, a sinister voice came from behind him.

"That's right, Tsunade, I can help you."

Tsunade turned around and saw two figures appear on a giant rock under the full moon.

One was a round-faced woman wearing a kimono with a shimenawa tied into a bow, and the other was a white-haired boy in similar attire, with red eyeshadow and two red dots between his eyebrows.

It was the woman who spoke, but Tsunade had heard the voice countless times before; it was Orochimaru's.

Tsunade knew Orochimaru craved eternal life and was constantly conducting human experiments. His appearance in this body to see her was a deliberate display of his research results.

Shizune's usually serene face showed a contrasting resolve, and she sternly shouted, "Lady Tsunade! Don't believe them! Let's go back and find Lord Jiraiya quickly!"

"Shizune, don't speak yet." Tsunade gritted her teeth, struggling. "Orochimaru... tell me first how you can save them, and what you want me to do."

Orochimaru smiled sinisterly, producing a glass vial with two fingers. "Danzo told me to kill you, but I don't want to. You are the last person I want to kill. I hope you will take the Sleeping Heart Pill and help me fake my death for a while."

Shizune shouted again, "Lady Tsunade! Don't believe..."

"Don't believe them! Tsunade!"

"You're a snake species on the brink of death!"

A Great Toad descended from the sky, carrying an old man and a young boy on its head, one wielding a sword and the other a fist, striking a pose under the moonlight.