In the pavilion.
Seeing how utterly lost Tsunade looked.
Jiraiya stood, took off his coat, and draped it over her shoulders.
Then, with a rueful smile, he turned and left the pavilion.
"Dan, in her heart, I still can't measure up to you..."
Jiraiya murmured.
When Tsunade had needed support and comfort most.
Dan Katō had shone into her heart like a ray of light.
Even though Dan Katō was gone.
Everyone else still paled in comparison to him.
When it came to love.
Attraction and support mattered far more than touching someone's heart and watching over them.
How many childhood sweethearts had ultimately lost to love at first sight...
[There were still more than ten years until Jiraiya's death in the original storyline.
So it was perfectly normal for Jiraiya to be rejected.
Some readers felt the romance was filler, so we'll skip it and get the main storyline moving!]
In the Hokage Office.
Minato looked at his student before him, feeling dazed.
He struggled to connect this imposing, dignified man, who commanded respect without even showing anger.
With the little boy who had always been late and even burst into tears.
"Obito, it looks like you've been through a lot these past few years," Minato said wistfully.
"Heh heh heh." Obito smiled without answering.
Minato smiled too, then laced his fingers together in front of his face and said.
"There's no need for formalities between us. Let's get straight to the point."
"The mercenary organization Night, which made its name throughout the shinobi world, is now developing into a ninja village."
"Were you aware of this, and have you... been involved?"
Obito smiled a little bashfully and nodded, looking sheepish.
"My little schemes really can't slip past you, Minato-sensei."
"That's right, the Night Organization is indeed connected