Things Hurt Their Kind

Standing before the window, Shiraishi Yoshijo gazed out over Peach Country, a sense of accomplishment welling up within him.

Peach Country now had a population of over a hundred million. It was hard to imagine that this place had once been nothing more than a desolate island, and that it was all because of him... Forget it. No need to flatter himself.

Shiraishi Yoshijo gave a self-mocking laugh. Footsteps sounded behind him, and a pair of arms wrapped around his waist.

"Thank you."

"What's gotten into everyone today? Orochimaru thanked me first, and now you've come to thank me too. Jiraiya being alive is enough. I want him to live too."

Shiraishi Yoshijo sighed softly. "Our ideals may differ, but I still consider him a friend."

"You have changed somewhat over the years. You're not as extreme as before. But can't you change that nasty sense of humor of yours? Jiraiya probably hates you to the bone."

"Haha, he clearly couldn't control his lower half, yet he insists on blaming me. If it weren't for me, where would he find a delicate wife at least twenty years younger than him? I think he should be thanking me. Otherwise, he'd be doomed to die alone."

Tsunade laughed as well. "That's true. I really want to see Jiraiya with a headache. Oh, right, I saw Orochimaru earlier. Why did he come?"

"He thought Konoha's terms of protection were inadequate, so he came to trade benefits for freedom. That guy seems to have changed. He actually thanked me because of what happened to Jiraiya."

Shiraishi Yoshijo shook his head and said thoughtfully, "It's not like Orochimaru at all. I can't quite figure him out anymore."

"People always change."

"True."

Land of Grass.

In the forest, Sasuke sat beneath a tree to rest