"Long time no see, Tsunade."
Jiraiya waved casually at the voluptuous blonde woman behind the counter downstairs. She had a commanding presence, and he greeted her with a beaming smile, as though they were old friends reuniting after years apart.
Tsunade folded her arms and gave him a sidelong glance, her eyes holding a mix of distaste and understanding. Clearly, the old lecher's arrival neither surprised her nor particularly pleased her.
Instead of responding to Jiraiya, she turned her head and murmured an instruction to Sakura Haruno beside her.
Sakura nodded, then turned and hurried into the kitchen.
A moment later, Sakura returned carrying a large, steaming platter that gave off a mouthwatering aroma. On it lay richly browned braised beef, its grain clearly visible, looking delicious enough to whet anyone's appetite.
Tsunade took the platter without so much as looking at it. With a flick of her arm, she sent it whistling straight toward Jiraiya on the second floor.
The movement was crisp, decisive, and packed with force.
"Ha! Beef? Now that's the good stuff!"
Jiraiya's eyes lit up, and he laughed. Without even standing, he extended his free hand, fingers slightly spread. Gentle chakra enveloped his palm as he caught the flying platter steadily, without so much as jostling the beef.
He eagerly grabbed a large piece of braised beef, stuffed it into his mouth, and chewed heartily, satisfaction spreading across his face.
"Mmm! Your beef still has the best flavor!"
Sasuke sat opposite him, silently watching the exchange.
Was that young-looking woman downstairs really Tsunade, who was the same age as Orochimaru and Jiraiya?
She was old enough to be an old woman, yet she still looked so young. Was it some powerful jutsu?
"All right, cut the act."
Tsunade dusted off her hands and looked up