"That organization is called the Akatsuki."
Jiraiya took a sip of sake and slowly began recounting what he knew about the Akatsuki.
Tsunade's expression gradually shifted from amusement to gravity. The Sage of Six Paths' eyes, the Masked Man, controlled Tailed Beasts, the Mizukage, the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails' Attack...
Tsunade realized something and interrupted Jiraiya.
"Why are you telling me all this? I'm just an ordinary wanderer now."
Something was wrong. More than wrong.
Was this information she was allowed to know?
Uh, apparently it was.
But this sort of thing sounded like trouble the moment she heard it.
This was a village-level-no, even a Shinobi World-level conspiracy.
By now, the alcohol had gone to Jiraiya's head too. His eyes were red as he gave a self-mocking smile.
"I just wanted someone to talk to. They were my students, after all."
The words Tsunade had been about to interrupt him with stopped at her lips. Looking at her old friend, whom she hadn't seen in so long, she fell silent.
Was he... crying?
Jiraiya, who hadn't cried even when she'd broken his ribs back then, was actually crying.
"The Old Man's getting old. There are more and more wrinkles on his face."
Jiraiya cleared his throat and began getting to the point.
"Yeah, the Old Man really is getting on in years. Still being Hokage at his age can't be easy."
Tsunade nodded in agreement. Even the Sannin were getting older. As their teacher, Sarutobi really should have retired long ago.
"If Minato hadn't died back then, the Old Man would probably be home looking after his grandson now, and that kid Ebisu wouldn't have to follow Konohamaru around every day."
Jiraiya sighed, then looked at Tsunade.
"Tsunade, could you come back?"
Jiraiya looked straight into her eyes and