After a thorough beating.
Jiraiya's already bruised face had gained several more swollen bumps.
His hair was a mess, both eyes were blackened, and he sat dazed on the edge of the veranda.
"Big sister, you didn't beat Big Brother Jiraiya stupid, did you...?"
Nawaki stood behind Tsunade, gently poking her as he asked in a whisper.
Tsunade shot him a glare, annoyed.
"You still call him Big Brother? Wasn't he the one who made you?"
At Tsunade's words, Nawaki scratched his head sheepishly and said,
"Actually, Big Brother Jiraiya's a pretty nice guy. I was just joking with you, Big Sister..."
Under Tsunade's angry glare, little Nawaki's voice grew quieter and quieter. At last, he simply clasped his hands behind his back, lowered his head, and fell silent.
"You're all such a handful."
Tsunade grumbled, then walked over to Jiraiya.
When he saw her approaching, Jiraiya—who had been sitting there in a daze, wondering why he was always the one getting beaten—shuddered. He stared at her with his two blackened eyes, raised both hands, and stammered,
"N-no more... Apart from that one time... I haven't bullied little Nawaki again..."
Tsunade shot him an exasperated glance and gently laid her palm against his swollen face. Green chakra slowly flowed from her hand.
Before long, the injuries on Jiraiya's face had completely healed.
"Nawaki told me everything. I was wrong to blame you, Jiraiya."
Tsunade spoke softly.
As soon as he heard her apologize, Jiraiya immediately looked like he was floating on air.
But then Tsunade's voice suddenly turned cold.
"Still, if I catch you showing Nawaki that sort of thing, you're dead, Jiraiya! Do you hear me?!"
Jiraiya tremulously wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and murmured,
"I-I hear you..."
But inwardly, he muttered,
*Little Nawaki... Whatever you do,