"Huh?"
Tsunade froze, then gave a somewhat surprised sneer. "Heh... seems I've run into quite the big shot today."
Shizune stared at the Raikage and the other Kumogakure ninja in astonishment. Seeming to remember something, she said loudly:
"I remember you! Last night, in the woods outside Tanzaku Town, you flashed past near Lady Tsunade and me..."
"Oh?" At her words, the chill in Jiraiya's eyes deepened. "Raikage, how did you know Tsunade was here? Don't tell me you've been following her this whole time, you stalker..."
"..." The Raikage said nothing, standing where he was with an expressionless face.
The Kumogakure ninja beside him stepped forward and explained respectfully:
"Lord Jiraiya, you've misunderstood. We weren't following Lady Tsunade. We were carrying out an important mission at the time and just happened to pass by..."
"My name is Amayi. I'm a Jonin from Kumogakure. I've come to trouble you today only because I urgently need Lady Tsunade's help."
"Please, I beg you. Use your world-renowned Medical Ninjutsu to save my comrade. I would be forever grateful for your kindness!"
With that, Amayi dropped to his knees and bowed his head to the ground.
"...?"
Jiraiya and Tsunade were both stunned by this sudden gesture. They hadn't expected a usually proud and arrogant Kumogakure ninja to kneel before someone from another village.
Tsunade didn't agree right away. Instead, she asked, "I'm a good judge of people. You're a Medical Ninja too, aren't you..."
"Yes!"
"Hmph... if it's your comrade who's injured, rather than begging me, you should hurry back and treat them yourself."
"L-Lady Tsunade, with my abilities, there's truly nothing I can do. I remembered happening to see you on the road last night and thought you might be nearby, so I went door to door looking for you. Now