Outside Konoha.
After a long journey, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Shizune arrived at Konoha.
Looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar faces carved into Kage Rock, Tsunade's eyes seemed to hold memories and melancholy. She said slowly, "The village is still the same, except for the extra face on Kage Rock."
At her words, Jiraiya's expression grew forlorn as well.
When Tsunade had left the village, Minato had not yet become Hokage. Now, however, it would be difficult for him to ever become Hokage again.
Seemingly sensing the change in their expressions, Shizune remained silent. Only the Pink Piglet in her arms raised his head to look at the village.
After their moment of reflection, the three entered the village. The chunin guards recognized Tsunade, promptly let them through, and notified Lord Hokage.
Before long, Jiraiya and Tsunade arrived at the Hokage Office.
Its occupant was still handling administrative affairs, though the lines between his brows had deepened with age. Upon seeing Tsunade, he immediately put aside his work.
"Tsunade, I'm glad you came back to help this old man. Still, if the village hadn't faced a crisis, you probably would have waited until I died to return."
Looking at his youthful, beautiful student, the Third was filled with emotion.
Tsunade said nothing. The Third had described exactly what she had intended. Had the village not faced a crisis, she would never have returned.
But no matter what, she could not sever her ties to Konoha, nor could she ignore the shinobi village her forebears had founded.
The silence lingered for a while before Jiraiya coughed a few times to break the awkwardness and brought up the Akatsuki member he had encountered when he found Tsunade.
After listening carefully to his report, the Third sighed softly. "I never imagined Hiruko would grow