Found Her

"Lady Tsunade is at least fifty years old. There's no way she could look this young."

Looking at the photo, Sakura made a reasonable deduction. "This must have been taken when Lady Tsunade was young."

"No, it was taken three years ago."

Jiraiya put the photo away. "Tsunade's a medical ninja, so she knows the human body inside and out. She developed a jutsu specifically for herself that lets her freely adjust her apparent age. Usually, she goes around looking like she does in the photo. When she's dodging creditors, she turns into an old woman or a little girl."

"There's a jutsu like that..."

Sakura muttered, then declared with determination, "I have to learn it!"

"That depends on whether Tsunade is willing to teach you."

Jiraiya's eyes briefly flicked over Sakura's flat chest. Remembering what Tsunade had been like in the past, he gave a mischievous grin. "Knowing Tsunade, if she's willing to return to the village, there's a good chance she'll take you on as her student."

"We'll do our best."

Kakashi said, "Once Lady Tsunade returns to the village, I hope Lord Jiraiya can put in a good word for Sakura to become her student."

Jiraiya nodded to Kakashi. "That's no problem."

Half a day later, the five of them arrived in a town near Tanzaku Town.

This was an ordinary town in the Land of Fire, and there weren't many ninja to be seen. Most of the people coming and going on the streets were ordinary civilians. Compared to hidden villages where ninja lived in concentrated numbers, ordinary towns had much larger populations and seemed far more prosperous.

"There are so many people here!"

Naruto said excitedly, "This is the first time I've ever been somewhere so lively!"

"It's a little too crowded. It'll make finding someone harder."

Sasuke furrowed his brow. "And if we're ambushed, it'll be harder to notice."

"You're right, but the same goes for our enemies, so there's no need to worry too much."

Jiraiya spoke from experience. "Besides, you and Kakashi both have powerful eye techniques, and Naruto's sensing ability is excellent. When it comes to reconnaissance, we have the advantage."

"Grandpa Jiraiya's right."

Naruto quickly scanned his surroundings. "I tried sensing the area when we came in. There aren't any ninja nearby who bear us ill will."

"Anyway, let's split up and search. I'm more used to gathering information on my own."

Jiraiya said, "Kakashi, I'll leave those three to you."

Kakashi said, "Understood, Lord Jiraiya. Please stay safe."

"Don't worry."

Jiraiya smiled confidently at Kakashi. "Who do you think I am?"

After watching Jiraiya disappear into the crowd, Kakashi turned to the three of them. "You've been on search missions before. You can decide for yourselves what to do next."

Naruto said, "Let's check the casinos first."

Sasuke said, "We should ask around at places where she might borrow money, too."

Sakura said, "Since Lady Tsunade is outside the village to relax, we could also look in places like taverns."

"You've thought of everything."

Kakashi gave an approving hum. "Let's go. We should find Lady Tsunade as soon as we can."

They soon found a casino and got some information from a cheerful-looking middle-aged man.

"That 'Legendary Sucker'? Yeah, she was here a couple of days ago. She made me a bundle." He laughed. "I don't know where she is now, but when she left, she headed toward Tanzaku Town."

After getting information about Tsunade without a hitch, Team 7 hurried to meet up with Jiraiya.

"Honestly, you could've taken your time a little more."

Jiraiya, reeking of alcohol and women's perfume, said regretfully, "I was this close to having a deeper conversation with that cute young lady..."

Naturally, he was met with scornful looks from Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura.

Kakashi laughed helplessly. "Lord Jiraiya, finding Lady Tsunade is more important."

"I know. That's why I'm hurrying along with you, isn't it?"

Jiraiya waved a hand. "Anyway, that Tsunade lost money again, huh?"

It took them only about an hour to reach Tanzaku Town.

Compared to the previous town, there were slightly fewer people here, and it wasn't quite as lively.

"Found her." ×2

Naruto and Sasuke said in unison, both pointing toward a certain tavern.

As soon as they entered, they spotted Tsunade. She looked much like she did in the photo Jiraiya had shown them, though her bearing was a little more mature.

"Hey!"

Jiraiya called out, "Tsunade!"

Tsunade's gaze settled on Jiraiya, and she clearly froze for a moment. "Jiraiya?!"

"Long time no see. Why are you drinking your troubles away here?"

Jiraiya said with a smile as he sat down across from Tsunade.

"I lost another bet today!"

Tsunade gulped down a mouthful of liquor, exhaled, and said irritably, "I know I'm unlucky, but losing all the time is just miserable!"

"Then stop gambling."

Naruto earnestly advised her, "If you don't gamble, you'll never lose again."

"Hm?"

Tsunade looked at Naruto. Once she got a good look at him, an intense sense of déjà vu washed over her. "Jiraiya, who's this brat?"

"My name is Uzumaki Naruto."

Naruto introduced himself. "This is your first time meeting me, right, Granny Tsunade?"

"You little brat! Who are you calling Granny?!"

Tsunade pointed to her youthful, radiant face. "Do I look like a granny to you?!"

"Um..."

Naruto rested his chin on his hand, looking troubled. "But Granny Tsunade, you're already over fifty, aren't you? If I called you 'Miss' or 'Auntie,' wouldn't that be rude to all the other young ladies and aunties?"

"Jiraiya..."

Tsunade gave Jiraiya a kindly smile. "You told them how old I am, didn't you?"

"No!"

Jiraiya replied instantly, his expression grave and his tone decisive. "I never told them your age. I only told them we used to be teammates."

"Tch..."

Without a good excuse to hit him, Tsunade had no choice but to put up with Naruto's way of addressing her for the time being. She asked Jiraiya, "You brought all these people to find me. I doubt it was just to reminisce. Is something wrong with the village, or with the old man?"

"Recently, the village held the Chunin Selection Exams, and Orochimaru and people from Sunagakure attacked it."

Jiraiya said, "The old man nearly died, but thanks to Naruto, he survived. The village didn't suffer much damage, either."

"That sounds like something he'd do."

Tsunade's expression turned serious. She held her cup without drinking, gently swirling the liquor inside. "So the old man couldn't handle it anymore and decided to retire for good, and that's why he sent you to find me?"

"That's right."

Jiraiya said solemnly, "Become the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade."

"..."

Tsunade fell silent for a moment, then downed the liquor in her cup. She lowered her head and said slowly, "No."

"I figured you'd say that."

Jiraiya wasn't surprised. "It's fine if you don't want to become Hokage. At least come back with me once. It's a mission the old man gave me. Also, the First wants to see you."

Tsunade abruptly raised her head and stared at Jiraiya. "Who did you say wants to see me?!"