At the inn, Amada and Shizune sat quietly to one side, watching Tsunade.
She was feasting with gusto, making the food on the table disappear at an astonishing rate.
Rice balls, grilled meat, and sake vanished as if into a bottomless pit.
Her laughter echoed through the room, full of hearty bravado and carefree abandon.
"I only did a little exercise, and now I'm starving. Honestly, it's been so long since I've had such an intense fight that my body's gotten a little sluggish."
As she spoke, Tsunade stuffed a rice ball into her mouth, a few grains of rice clinging to the corner of her lips.
Amada and Shizune exchanged a glance and shook their heads helplessly.
The next morning, Amada prepared to return to Konoha with the spy.
Before leaving, he walked up to Tsunade and asked:
"Lady Tsunade, are you really not planning to return to Konoha? The Third Hokage would surely be delighted to have you back."
Tsunade waved a hand. A complicated emotion flickered in her eyes, then she smiled faintly.
"Forget it. It's not time for me to return yet. When Konoha truly needs me, I'll go back."
Amada could tell.
It wasn't that Tsunade didn't want to return. She still had unresolved issues weighing on her, and perhaps she had her own reasons for staying away.
Then Tsunade turned toward Amada and smiled.
"Our debts are settled. I won quite a bit last night. Honestly, I'm a little reluctant to let you go."
She paused. "But I'm sure we'll meet again."
And so, Amada set off for Konoha.
Meanwhile, in Amegakure:
"Yahiko, you're back," Konan greeted him with a smile.
Nagato came over, too.
"How did it go?"
Yahiko smiled.
"Pretty well. At least we don't have to worry about money for a