After a week, Tsunade finally returned to Konoha. Looking at the village, at once familiar and strange, she stood lost in emotion for a long while.
"Lady Tsunade, Konoha has changed so much!" Shizune exclaimed as she looked around at the tall buildings that had replaced the low wooden houses, and the increasingly fashionable people.
"It looks like Minato made the right decision!" Tsunade said with a sigh. "Come on, let's go find him."
"Okay!" Shizune nodded excitedly.
"So this is Konoha now!" Hozuki Mangetsu gazed at the bustling traffic. Its prosperity already left Kirigakure far behind! It seems joining the Holy Church brings some astonishing benefits! he marveled inwardly.
"Lord Hokage, Lady Tsunade has returned!" A newly appointed ANBU knocked on the door and called out.
"What? Lady Tsunade is back?" Startled, Minato hurriedly opened the door and saw Tsunade and a little girl standing quietly behind the ANBU.
"Lady Tsunade, I never expected you to come back." Minato looked at her excitedly.
"Mm! You've done well these past few years, Minato!" Looking at the Yellow Flash, still as dazzling as ever, Tsunade crossed her arms and praised him with her usual easy confidence.
"Thank you for your approval, Lady Tsunade. Please, come in!" Minato hastily invited them inside.
As soon as she entered the Hokage's office, Tsunade asked, "By the way, where's Jiraiya? Why haven't I seen him?"
At her question about his teacher, a trace of embarrassment crossed Minato's face. "Master Jiraiya is away on a long trip," he lied.
"Are you sure he's away on a long trip?" Tsunade asked skeptically, noticing his strained expression.
"All right! Master Jiraiya got locked up!" Since everyone in the village knew about it, Minato decided there was no point hiding it.
"Locked up? Where?" Tsunade asked in confusion.
"In