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After Jiraiya became the Fifth Hokage, his first order of business was dealing with Sunagakure.
The Suna ninja who had collaborated with Orochimaru were still detained in Konoha, but they couldn’t be held indefinitely.
Jiraiya summoned Baki, the elite Jonin from Sunagakure.
After some discussion, Baki claimed Sunagakure had been deceived by Orochimaru. He insisted Suna was also a victim; their Fourth Kazekage had been brutally murdered by Orochimaru.
Jiraiya scoffed at Baki’s claims of innocence.
If they hadn’t harbored ill intentions, Orochimaru couldn’t have deceived them.
However, prioritizing the bigger picture, Jiraiya ultimately released the Suna ninja and signed another alliance treaty with Sunagakure.
He had no choice. He couldn’t afford to go to war with Sunagakure. Having taken over Konoha, Jiraiya understood just how weak the village currently was. Since he couldn’t afford to break ties with Sunagakure, releasing them was the only option.
“Jonin Baki, I hope there won’t be a next time.” As Baki was leaving, Jiraiya reminded him. It was both a reminder and a warning.
“Rest assured, Lord Hokage. I guarantee there will be no next time. Sunagakure and Konoha will be the best of allies,” Baki assured him.
But everyone knew such verbal guarantees were worthless. If things went south, a treaty was just a piece of paper.
Baki then led the Suna ninja out of Konoha. For them, it was like surviving a disaster.
——
On the streets of Konoha, Shin and Tsunade walked side by side, though Tsunade looked weak and lethargic.
“Tsunade, how are you feeling? Want to rest for a bit? I told you not to push yourself so hard,” Shin said with concern.
“You have the nerve to ask?!”
Tsunade gritted her teeth and glared at Shin—If she hadn’t begged for mercy last night, she probably wouldn’t even be able to walk now.
“If I had any strength left right now, I’d throw you into a trash can if I didn’t take your last name.”
Tsunade was incredibly embarrassed and angry. She wanted to teach Shin a lesson, but she lacked the strength; her punches were weak.
“Heh heh, you’re my woman. You should be called Tsunade Uzumaki anyway.” Shin chuckled. To Tsunade, his smile was infuriatingly punchable.
“Don’t get cocky,” Tsunade said through gritted teeth, annoyed.
“Oh? And what will you do if I am cocky?” Shin’s smile didn’t diminish; in fact, it widened.
Tsunade snorted coldly and simply stopped talking. She realized now that the angrier she got, the more smug Shin, that jerk, became.
‘When we get back, I’m going to team up with Kushina and Mikoto and teach you a proper lesson,’ Tsunade thought fiercely.
“Tsunade, are you thinking about how to deal with me right now?”
Shin asked Tsunade.
It wasn’t that Shin was a mind reader; Tsunade’s expression betrayed her. A fleeting, smug smile had crossed her face. In this situation, what else could make her smile like that except thinking of a way to get back at him?
Tsunade glanced at Shin, then put on a cold, aloof expression and said nothing.
“When are we going back?” Shin asked Tsunade.
“Why? Are you missing Kushina and Mikoto?” Tsunade asked Shin faintly. Her tone seemed calm, but it was laced with a hint of sourness.
“Someone’s jealous…” Shin looked at Tsunade teasingly.
“I AM NOT JEALOUS!!” Tsunade threw a punch at Shin, but it was weak, more like a gentle pat on the back.
“Tsk tsk, I didn’t even name names, yet someone’s already fitting the bill. You say you’re not jealous? Who’d believe you?”
“Shin, come closer. I need to tell you something,” Tsunade said, suppressing her rising anger.
“Hehe, I can hear you perfectly well from here. No need to whisper. Really.” Shin deliberately distanced himself from Tsunade.
“So you’re afraid to come closer? What a coward,”
“Tsunade, that’s a low-level taunt, It has no effect on me.” Shin smiled at Tsunade. Such provocations were useless against him.
“Let’s not return to the Land of Whirlpools today,” Tsunade said to Shin.
“Why?” Shin asked Tsunade, puzzled.
Tsunade’s lips twitched. She wasn’t going to tell him.
The reason was simple: she didn’t want Kushina and the others to see her in her current… weakened state and laugh at her.
Tsunade could already imagine Kushina mocking her. So, for the sake of her pride, she absolutely couldn’t go back until she had recovered.
“No reason. Just not going back right now.” Tsunade certainly wouldn’t tell Shin the real reason.
“Fine. Whatever makes you happy.” Shin didn’t mind staying in Konoha for a few more days.
“By the way, Tsunade, Orochimaru’s arms were crippled before, right? So he might come looking for you for treatment,” Shin said to Tsunade.
“Looking for me for treatment?”
Tsunade scoffed. She wouldn’t even bother with Orochimaru, let alone treat him.
The Tsunade from the original story might not have been able to heal Orochimaru’s crippled hands—but the current Tsunade could.
However, Tsunade absolutely wouldn’t treat Orochimaru. Their past camaraderie had long since vanished without a trace.
“What do you want to eat today?” Shin asked Tsunade. Shin wasn’t a picky eater; it mainly depended on what Tsunade wanted.
“Let’s go eat Yakiniku. I need to replenish my strength,” Tsunade said.
“If you want Yakiniku, there’s a great place on Konoha’s main street.” Shin was clearly very familiar with Konoha’s food scene, having spent a long time in the village before.
Tsunade nodded, then leaned against Shin’s back.
“Carry me,” Tsunade whispered softly in Shin’s ear.
Shin’s expression faltered for a moment, then he readily agreed.
Carrying Tsunade? Shin was more than willing. If there was anyone Shin was most willing to carry, it was definitely Tsunade.
As for the reason… those who understood, understood…
Being carried by Shin, Tsunade felt much more comfortable.
Tsunade wasn’t the only one feeling comfortable; Shin also felt quite content. If possible, Shin would be willing to carry Tsunade forever.
Unfortunately, the Yakiniku restaurant wasn’t too far away. Upon arriving, Shin reluctantly put Tsunade down.
Actually, Tsunade felt the same way. She was a bit reluctant to get off Shin’s back.
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