"Come on, drink up. Congratulations."
Jiraiya caught the fleeting blush on Tsunade's face. He put on a smile, poured himself a full cup of sake, and downed it in one gulp.
Bitterness welled up inside him, but his smile only grew brighter.
Tsunade, I wish you happiness.
"Something about this feels wrong. I'm afraid someone's targeting you." Orochimaru glanced at Jiraiya, shook his head, and spoke to Tsunade.
He took a small sip of sake as he spoke.
Orochimaru wasn't fond of drinking. Alcohol dulled the mind. As a Kage Level shinobi, he could expel it from his body whenever he wished, but he still disliked the sensation.
At a gathering of the Sannin, though, Orochimaru would naturally have a little.
Orochimaru didn't understand love. He couldn't understand it at all.
"I know. I just don't know who started it. Some higher-up in Konoha, probably, but I don't care." Tsunade waved a hand, her face lighting up with joy.
"I'm happy today. Let's drink together."
When Tsunade first heard the rumors, she had been terrified everyone would oppose them.
A woman in love could be vulnerable. Every woman wanted to receive blessings, not face rejection, barbs, and ridicule.
Tsunade never said it aloud and usually acted as though she didn't care. But she was so much older than Uchiha Yin, and she was his teacher. Deep down, she had been under tremendous pressure.
Now no one opposed their relationship. Everyone had even offered their blessings, and Tsunade couldn't stop smiling.
The last of her worries vanished, leaving her happier still.
Tsunade understood how Jiraiya felt, but all she could do was apologize.
Meanwhile, rumors were sweeping through Konoha. How could Uchiha Yin and the others not have heard?
Someone's trying to get at me?
That was Uchiha Yin's first thought.