Seeing Jiraiya's suggestive expression, Minato couldn't help blushing, looking thoroughly embarrassed.
Kushina, standing beside Minato, was clever enough to guess what was going on. A dark vein popped on her forehead, and she looked rather angry.
She shot Minato an exasperated glare, then turned to glare at Jiraiya, cheeks puffed out. Their eyes met, and sparks seemed to fly between them.
Tsunade, her cheeks flushed from drinking, quietly watched Minato and Kushina arrive. She found the two youngsters' reactions quite amusing.
She studied Minato with a hint of scrutiny, then parted her reddened lips and asked softly,
"You're Jiraiya's student?"
Seeing the faint flush on Tsunade's face, Minato didn't dare look at her for long. He lowered his head and answered quietly,
"Hello, Lady Tsunade. I'm Minato Namikaze."
Tsunade glanced at Jiraiya, who was steadily losing ground under Kushina's sharp gaze, and said softly,
"Jiraiya praises you quite often. Even I've heard about you. You really do seem exceptional, though that man has never been particularly reliable."
At her words, Minato rubbed his nose and gave an awkward smile, unsure how to respond.
Just then, Tsunade looked away and asked in an even tone,
"Jiraiya told me that your opinion of Sosuke Aizen differs from that of the others in the village. Could you tell me why?"
Tsunade's sudden question left everyone present slightly taken aback.
Jiraiya stopped his playful exchange of glares with Kushina, and his grin gradually faded into a serious expression.
Kushina looked from Minato to Tsunade, whose lovely face was expressionless. Her little face tightened with uncertainty, and no one could tell what she was thinking.
Looking at Tsunade, Minato's expression grew a little more solemn. He answered seriously,
"Senior Sosuke was the reason I became a ninja. He's also the person I've always admired and