"I didn't expect to see a woman walking away from you, Minato."

Minato turned away from the crowded street to address the voice behind him. He was instantly annoyed as Jiraiya stepped forth from the dark alley. The toad sage broke out in a grin as he saw Minato's bewildered expression.

"Sensei......you had a total creepy molestor-in-a-dark-alley vibe there."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"Well it wasn't meant to – "

"............."

".............."

"............................."

"......................................."

"Minato, that really hurt my feelings."

"I'm sorry, sensei."

"No....do not worry about it esteemed student! Let us mend this moment with a hug of the utmost manliness."

"..............OK, now you're just being creepy again."

"Do you two ever stop playing around!" Tsunade's voice broke in suddenly, causing both men to practically jump out of their skin. She landed nimbly in the alley between the two men, looking annoyed and angry.

"You've even resorted to watching me from the rooftops Tsunade? I didn't know you found me that attractive." Jiraiya said confidently, stroking his chin and smiling.

"Right....and the only reason I'm not beating the hell out of you right now is because I have to deliver orders to wonder boy over here." Tsunade said, cracking her knuckles in a threatening manner, causing Jiraiya to shrink into the corner with sobs of anguish.

"Wait a minute Tsunade...did you just call me wonder – "

"Shutup Minato. You've got new orders from Lord Hokage. He has gotten word of a possible invasion by our enemies. He wants you to lead the defense force. Jiraiya and I are needed elsewhere, or else we'd probably be assigned to it." Tsunade said, watching Minato to make sure he took all the information in.

"An invasion? When exactly does he think it'll be taking place?" Minato asked, scratching the back of his head and looking doubtful.

"In a few days, two at the least, three at the most. He wants you to be ready. He believes the attack force will mostly be made up of Rock ninja....and maybe some from the Mist, though I think we both know what's happened to their military forces lately." Tsunade said, looking amused as Minato smiled slyly.

"Will the Lord Hokage be amongst our defenses? It would be useful, seeing as how we could encounter Kage level shinobi." Minato asked.

"No. He believes you and the ANBU can handle any.....difficult opponents you may encounter. But we need you to be ready. This war is running us ragged. Look at these people," Tsunade said, beckoning to the crowded street and the busy people going on about their lives, "This could all disappear Minato...before we even know it. All these people's lives could be changed in a moment, and we may be powerless to stop that. We need you to be ready."

"I am always ready, Tsunade-sama." Minato said, determination set in stone in his features.

"I know. Jiraiya and I are here to help you, as well as the Sarutobi-sensei, if you need any assistance at all. We've got your back." Tsunade said, clapping Minato on the shoulder.

"May I add one thing?" Jiraiya said from, slipping up between them like a viper.

"What is it?" Minato and Tsunade said in unison.

"I was just thinking that now would be a great time to go eat something."

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AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Gotta love that Jiraiya huh? I know I do. That being said, I'll have plenty of KushinaxMinato moments coming up. Just stick with it. Gotta go through character development and all that jazz. Also, the chapters may start getting longer. Hopefully you guys don't stop reading because future chapters become three times this length or something.

Thank you, and please continue reviewing/favoriting this story. I love all of you!