When Ling met up with Jiraiya and Naruto, Jiraiya had just emerged from the casino looking somewhat frustrated. He had clearly lost quite a bit.
"Pervy Sage! Did you find any news about Granny Tsunade?" Naruto asked eagerly.
"Ah, I've got a few leads." Jiraiya rubbed his nose. "Apparently, a busty female ninja has been hanging around here. She loses every bet but has a massive gambling addiction, and she's up to her ears in debt. Sounds a lot like Tsunade."
"Busty?" Naruto's attention immediately veered off course.
Ling stayed out of the conversation. His senses swept the surroundings as he said quietly, "Lord Jiraiya, we may have drawn someone's attention. When I scouted earlier, I sensed several unfamiliar chakra signatures watching from a distance."
Jiraiya's expression turned serious. He glanced at Ling and nodded. "Right, understood. Looks like we're not the only ones looking for her. We'll have to move quickly." His estimation of Ling rose another notch. That keen awareness far surpassed an ordinary Genin's.
Using information from casinos and taverns, the three soon narrowed their search to a hot spring town near Tanzaku Town. Sure enough, outside a noisy casino, they spotted a young black-haired woman holding a piglet and gazing helplessly inside.
"Huh? Who's that?" Naruto asked curiously, pointing at the woman and the piglet in her arms.
"That's Shizune, Tsunade's apprentice and assistant," Jiraiya explained before walking over. "Shizune!"
Shizune jumped. When she turned and saw the three of them, especially Jiraiya, conflicting emotions crossed her face. "L-Lord Jiraiya? What are you..."
"Here to find that willful runaway princess, of course." Jiraiya planted his hands on his hips and looked into the casino. "She's in there losing every last coin again, isn't she?"
Shizune sighed and nodded.
Just then, the casino's entrance curtain was swept