Under the streetlamp.
Shinji held Tsunade's fist. Only when he felt the strength drain from it did he let go. "The truth is, I've never changed."
"When I was still weak, I had to pretend to be someone else. But my desire to change the Shinobi World has never changed, not from the beginning."
Tsunade's expression stiffened. She stared at Shinji's handsome face. "Pretend? So everything you did before was an act?"
"..."
Shinji froze. "It wasn't an act. It was... Huh? I think I worded that badly."
Tsunade watched him in silence.
After a long while, she sighed. "You really are dense. I know what you mean, but I can't change your mind. What you're planning will inevitably get a lot of people killed. Have you thought about that?"
"Of course I have."
Shinji looked up at the aurora and pointed. "But now I can keep the deaths within the limits I've calculated and bring the Shinobi World at least several hundred years of peace. Don't you think that's worth it?"
Tsunade looked up.
She watched the dazzling aurora slowly fade and dissolve into the distant sky.
She said nothing.
He's right.
If this kid wanted to, he could turn the entire Shinobi World into his plaything now...
Honestly...
Am I really getting old?
"...Forget it!"
After a long pause, Tsunade waved a hand, turned on her heel, and walked away. "Do whatever you want! What's it got to do with me? Why tell me?"
Shinji watched her retreating figure and smiled faintly.
Of course it has to do with you...
Then he shook his head and called out, "Lady Tsunade, I have good news. Lord Jiraiya is in the Land of Rain. He'll probably be back in Konoha in the next few days."
Tsunade's exasperated voice came back: