Arrangements

Since Jiraiya had only just returned, he still had a lot of things to take care of. After chatting with the Third Hokage for a little while longer, he took the initiative to say goodbye.

Tsunade and the others had come to welcome Jiraiya during a break from their mission. Now that the guest of honor was leaving, there was no point in them staying in the Hokage Office, so they left with him.

Jiraiya and Tsunade chatted as they walked, exchanging a few words here and there. Dan Katō occasionally joined in, while Orochimaru remained silent the whole time.

"I still have a few experiments to finish. That's all for today's welcome gathering. I'll be going on ahead."

At a crossroads, Orochimaru, who had been walking at the back, spoke casually to the others. Without waiting to see how they reacted, he turned down another road and went on his way.

"Hmph. Orochimaru's been acting so secretive these past few years. He's even more of a loner than before..."

Watching Orochimaru's retreating figure, Tsunade frowned and grumbled under her breath.

"Uh, has he? I always thought he'd been like that. Maybe he really does have something important to do."

Jiraiya could only laugh awkwardly in response to Tsunade's complaint.

"Either way, I feel like he's been acting strange lately..."

"A woman's intuition isn't always right. Orochimaru's been with us for so long—we can't spend all our time being suspicious of him!"

Tsunade was trying to find the words to describe Orochimaru's odd behavior, but Jiraiya cut her off before she could finish.

When she heard Jiraiya smugly bring up women's intuition, a vein began to throb on Tsunade's forehead. She secretly gathered strength in her hand, but when she heard the rest of what he said, she quietly relaxed her grip.

"Maybe I'm just being too sensitive..."

Tsunade bit her lip and replied, sounding a little dispirited.

"Jiraiya's right. We need to trust our comrades. Tsunade, you've probably been under a lot of pressure lately. Even with the Medical Corps to organize and train, you should still find a chance to relax."

Dan patted Tsunade on the shoulder and gently tried to comfort her.

"Mm." Tsunade met Dan's concerned gaze, and warmth stirred in her heart. She nodded obediently.

"Grrr..."

Watching the lovey-dovey couple openly flaunt their affection in the middle of the street, Yuehua Ai's mouth twitched. He immediately thought of his own teacher, but before he could offer his condolences to the single man, he heard the sound of grinding teeth beside him.

He turned his head and saw Jiraiya wearing an utterly hopeless expression.

The moment Dan had put his hand on Tsunade's shoulder, Jiraiya's face had stiffened like stone. Though he did his best to keep smiling, to Yuehua Ai, that horribly twisted smile looked worse than crying.

Though he was miserable inside and wanted to turn around and walk away right then, Jiraiya's reason kept his body firmly in check.

He was only Tsunade's comrade. Just a comrade. A comrade...

Jiraiya kept repeating the words in his mind, trying to hypnotize himself.

Though he fought back the bitterness in his heart and wanted nothing more than to get blind drunk, Dan's words had just reminded him of something important.

Tsunade was in charge of the Medical Corps, and Ai wanted to learn Medical Ninjutsu. So...

Though he didn't want to be a third wheel, Jiraiya was willing to put up with anything for his disciple.

After the two had spent a while exchanging sweet words, Jiraiya, whose face had turned green as he stood to the side, finally found a chance to speak.

"Tsunade, there's something I'd like to ask you..."

"Huh? What is it?" Tsunade asked, puzzled. Given their relationship, she couldn't imagine what Jiraiya could want that would make him so serious.

"It's about Ai." Jiraiya glanced down at Yuehua Ai, who happened to look up at him at the same moment.

The instant their eyes met, Yuehua Ai understood what Jiraiya was about to ask Tsunade. He couldn't help feeling moved.

"Ai?"

Tsunade looked at the child beside Jiraiya. She knew he was the boy she had met in Amegakure three years ago. To be honest, they had only met briefly back then, and she hadn't paid much attention to him. Her only impression was that he was a very pretty child.

If their previous meeting had been all she had to go on, Tsunade probably wouldn't have recognized Yuehua Ai even if she ran into him without Jiraiya. It was only after seeing him for the second time today that his appearance had truly made an impression on her.

"I want Ai to study Medical Ninjutsu under you!" Jiraiya stated his purpose outright, not giving Tsunade time to guess.

"Uh... hasn't he already taken you as his teacher? Why..." Tsunade was taken aback. She really hadn't expected this to be Jiraiya's request.

"Mm." Jiraiya nodded as he ruffled Yuehua Ai's hair. "It's precisely because I'm his teacher that I want him to study under you for a while."

Before Tsunade could ask anything else, Jiraiya continued on his own.

"I've been away from the village for a long time, so they'll probably assign me a mission soon. You can imagine how difficult the missions I take on will be. If I'm sent out, I won't have time to look after this kid. I know he's mature for his age and doesn't need much looking after, but he's from Amegakure, and the war has only just ended. You know how the village feels about Rain Ninja..."

"I really don't feel comfortable leaving him alone in Konoha, so I'd like you to keep an eye on him. Besides..."

"Although I'm Ai's teacher, our affinities for training are different, so I can't help him develop all of his talents and potential. I don't want him getting caught up in Konoha's political struggles, but I also want him to be able to study and grow in peace here."

"Ai has an extraordinary sensory talent unlike anything I've ever seen. Rather than leaving him in Teacher Sarutobi's or Orochimaru's care, I'd rather have you keep an eye on him. Besides, Ai is most interested in Medical Ninjutsu. He's set on becoming a medical ninja, so after thinking it over, you're the best person for him..."

"..."

Jiraiya's words left Tsunade silent. To be honest, she was a little conflicted. From what he'd said, she could tell that he wanted her to become Yuehua Ai's second teacher.

Tsunade didn't mind taking on a disciple, but the timing wasn't right. The medical reforms had her completely swamped, and she simply didn't have the time or energy to personally guide a child's training.

Tsunade frowned, unsure what to do. Just as she was at a loss, Dan, standing beside her, thought it over and spoke up.

"Tsunade, just agree to Jiraiya's request. You may not have time to teach him personally, but you're in charge of the Medical Corps now. You can have him study Medical Ninjutsu with the other children in the Medical Study Class. Jiraiya said Ai has a strong sensory talent, so the Medical Study Class is the perfect place for him!"

"That's true..." Tsunade realized that really was the best solution.

The Medical Study Class had good instructors. If Ai joined, he could learn Medical Ninjutsu even if she wasn't teaching him one-on-one. And as long as he was in the Medical Corps, she could give him some extra lessons whenever she went to teach.

Dan really does understand everything about me, Tsunade thought sweetly.

Convinced that Dan's suggestion would work, Tsunade asked Jiraiya:

"Jiraiya, what do you think about sending Ai to the Medical Study Class?"

"..."

The Medical Study Class, huh? That works too... Jiraiya thought silently.

It wasn't quite what he'd had in mind, but he understood Tsunade's predicament. Without giving it much more thought, he nodded in agreement.

Seeing Jiraiya agree, Tsunade breathed a sigh of relief, and Dan looked pleased as well.

"If Jiraiya is away on a mission and Tsunade is busy, then let me look after Ai!"

Dan volunteered. To be honest, he was happy to help lighten Tsunade's burden. Besides, he had a good impression of Yuehua Ai, such a cute, delicate-looking child.

Ai had such a quiet, well-behaved air about him. He really reminded Dan of his little niece...

Looking at Ai's little face, Dan couldn't help thinking of her. As he pictured the little figure in his mind, his gaze grew tender and affectionate.

After smiling warmly at Yuehua Ai, he bent down toward him and said with a smile:

"If Ai joins the study class, he'll get to meet my little niece..."

"By the way, my niece Shizune is a quiet little beauty, just as cute as Ai!"