Jiraiya laughed loudly as he was surrounded by charming women, but his mind was far away on the message ANBU delivered him.
A lone Uchiha that was wandering around, helping others. They were willing to help citizens with farming and bandits. They were also powerful enough to fight off other shinobi, but all those that fought him simply vanished. They were never heard from again.
They were most likely dead, Jiraiya thought grimly.
It felt like a story he's read countless times. A loner with a mysterious past who was powerful, but decided to turn from their ways to help others. They always ended up falling in love and fighting to save the world.
Jiraiya wanted to laugh at the thought. It was so cliché, it sounded like something he might've written if he added in more porn.
It might be good inspiration, actually…
Though Jiraiya put on a smile, the cynical part of him knew the bloody reality of shinobi. Maybe once upon a time, he wanted to be that great hero and help others and believed others could be the same, but that naive part of him died under the destruction of Konoha and the death of his student. Minato was perhaps the only reason he believed that the shinobi system could have changed for the better.
But even Minato killed thousands. He was kind, yes, but was also a genius and a calculating one at that. He only became Hokage because of the respect he commanded, despite his age.
Minato became Hokage because he was an excellent killer. A Hokage who couldn't protect the village was useless.
(Jiraiya hated the entire system. There are days he wanted to drink away and scream at the bloody world that kept taking and taking without hesitation)
Jiraiya wanted to believe this mysterious Uchiha actually wanted to spread peace instead of destruction, but he knew better than believing in false wishes. This shinobi was a potential threat to Konoha.
He would protect Konoha above all.
He was actually here to get into contact with his spy network. He heard that one of his lovely spies had some information about this mysterious Uchiha. Jiraiya was planning to retrace the Uchiha's steps and if he was lucky, put together this Uchiha's motives and past.
It put a bitter taste in his mouth that he would have to drop the lead on Orochimaru (it was his duty to find his former teammate and bring him to justice), but orders were orders. Jiraiya would be lying if he did not find this all very intriguing.
He was thinking of countless reasons why this Uchiha was helping civilians and their potential motives. Was it a way to try and gain trust of other Hidden Villages? Were they trying to gather information? Was this all part of a larger conspiracy or trying to incite another war?
One of the women in his arms giggled, while the second poured him another drink. They were all quite lovely and perfect for his cover. He would be lying if he said if he wasn't enjoying himself just a little bit, but he couldn't help but wish someone else was in his arms.
She would probably punch him for thinking such a thing though.
(He long accepted that she would never return his feelings. Even if she did, she was too broken to love again. He was just an… old friend and teammate to her. That would have to be enough. It had to)
"Figures I would find you here," a familiar voice rang in his ears as Jiraiya downed another cup.
He choked on his drink and sputtered.
The beautiful brunette lady in his arms winced, before caressing his arms. She had professionalism. He would give her that.
"Ts-Tsunade!?" Jiraiya yelped as he gaped at the same woman he was just thinking about.
She crossed her arms, looking quite unimpressed. Tsunade's apprentice was holding her pet pig and her eyes darted between Tsunade and Jiraiya nervously.
Jiraiya laughed loudly as if it could calm his heart. Tsunade looked even more lovely than ever. Despite his eyes purposefully focusing on her chest, he couldn't help but think about how beautiful her eyes were.
"At least you aren't too drunk. I need your help," Tsunade sighed, before motioning Jiraiya to follow her.
Tsunade… asking for his help? Jiraiya's brows shot up.
Tsunade purposefully avoided him. She definitely knew that Jiraiya and their sensei kept tabs on her, but she only left an information trail in her wake. She has been quite clever lately to make sure no one from Konoha came into contact with her.
It was almost as if Tsunade was running away. It was more than the usual fears of blood and loss. It felt like she was either running from something even more terrifying… or chasing after something.
It was hard to tell.
"Sorry! Thanks so much for your wonderful company. I'll make sure you guys are well compensated and I'll visit you guys later!" Jiraiya exclaimed with a wide grin. "This lovely lady needs my company as well."
The ladies giggled and waved their goodbyes at him.
He pretended to stumble out, but walked slightly faster than usual. He was worried. Was Tsunade okay? Was she in trouble? Was it because of debt collectors? Was it something related to Orochimaru?
Worries bounced around in his brain, but he kept a steady hand.
Dan's niece was waiting for him and guided him towards an inn. Tsunade was waiting outside a room and was clutching her necklace tightly.
She had a torn look on her face, before sighing loudly. She didn't look up when Jiraiya approached her. She simply turned to the door and knocked on the door. Each knock rang in the silence of the night.
"Tsunade, what is going on?" Jiraiya asked her seriously. He didn't like how shaken up Tsunade was acting.
"It's… complicated. He- I- Someone needs your help," Tsunade said, and her voice sounded tired.
Tsunade seemed to be struggling to explain herself. How deep of a mess did she get herself into?
Even though Tsunade was always trying to wrangle him when they were teammates, she got into just as much trouble as he did. Orochimaru often watched from the sidelines, sometimes egging them on. They drove their sensei and Konoha crazy back then.
(Those days were long gone. There was no point of reminiscing)
Jiraiya seemed relaxed, but he was prepared for a fight. He tensed up and his hand was twitching for a weapon.
What was inside that inn?
The door opened and Jiraiya had to stop his mouth from dropping.
It was an Uchiha. He was a young man with long hair, reminding Jiraiya of a certain traitorous Uchiha. A dark black and bright emerald green pair of eyes stared at him, looking unimpressed.
It reminded Jiraiya of how most people viewed him and the image he crafted to perfection. Jiraiya was already thinking of ways to fight this Uchiha and how he could be related to Tsunade.
(Could he possibly be…? Jiraiya wanted to believe it was unlikely. However, he didn't believe in coincidences, especially with Tsunade's poor luck)
The man stared at Jiraiya for a moment, before looking at Tsunade and nodding. He turned his back to Jiraiya.
Jiraiya thought the man was foolish. Perhaps Tsunade was there to help Konoha, but then he remembered that Tsunade said someone needed his help.
It couldn't be related to healing because Tsunade was the best.
Then Jiraiya remembered the look in that man's eyes. He looked unimpressed, but it felt powerful and it made something in Jiraiya feel wary.
It clicked for Jiraiya. It wasn't the same as some bandits or shinobi who didn't know any better that quickly disregarded him. It was unfamiliar because it hasn't been a look he received by someone powerful in years.
It was the look of someone who knew they were stronger and had the upper hand. They were unimpressed because they knew they would beat him. It was the same look he would give some upstart jounin who was strong against most people, sure, but ants compared to the other monsters out there.
It was the look of someone who has seen hell and was wiser beyond their years.
Jiraiya wanted to believe it was ignorance, but he knew better.
Jiraiya looked at Tsunade, but she walked straight into the room. Jiraiya immediately followed her.
The Uchiha gestured towards a young boy sitting on a bed with crimson hair that reminded him of blood. Perhaps that was the scent of the blood in the air instead.
Jiraiya knew who he was looking at. He was in charge of the spy network, after all. The resemblance also rang loud and clear.
Jiraiya spun around towards Tsunade, giving her a look. What was the Kazekage's son doing here!?