Title: Grocery Chaos

Writing prompt from: squeak-the-cat18

Theme: Humor/Comedy, Friendship

Rating: General

It's a bustling afternoon in Konoha. A much younger Jiraiya and Tsunade are tasked with a simple mission—picking up groceries for the team. The sun is high, and the village market is crowded with vendors shouting out their latest deals. Jiraiya, ever the carefree spirit, saunters along beside Tsunade, who's mentally preparing herself to not punch him before they finish the errand.

Jiraiya balances a watermelon on his head as they walk through the marketplace, grinning like a fool. Tsunade glances at him with a side-eye that could melt steel.

"Can't you take this seriously for five minutes, Jiraiya?" she huffs, carrying a large basket of vegetables in one arm as effortlessly as if it were a feather.

Jiraiya adjusts the watermelon, somehow managing not to drop it. "Relax, Tsunade-hime. This is serious! We need the perfect watermelon for dinner tonight. It's all about balance." He wobbles, nearly losing his balance in the process.

Tsunade groans. "If you drop that, I swear—"

Jiraiya cuts her off with a grin. "No faith in me, huh? That's harsh, even for you."

They stop at a vendor selling herbs. Tsunade inspects the selection, ignoring Jiraiya as he starts humming some ridiculous tune behind her. Finally, the vendor gives her a handful of mint leaves, and she places them in her basket.

As they continue walking, Jiraiya suddenly pipes up, "You know, Tsunade… there's something different about you today."

Tsunade raises an eyebrow. "Oh? And what's that?"

Jiraiya grins wider. "You're like a ray of sunshine, lighting up the whole village."

Tsunade freezes mid-step and turns to stare at him. "Wait… did you just call me a ray of sunshine?"

Jiraiya blinks, realizing what he's said and quickly backtracking. "No! No, no. What I meant was…" He scratches the back of his head, thinking fast. "You're more like a solar flare that caused the apocalypse."

Tsunade narrows her eyes, her free hand twitching as if it's ready to punch something—preferably his face. "So I'm destructive now?"

Jiraiya's grin falters as he tries to backpedal, waving his hands in front of him. "No, no, it's a compliment! A solar flare is powerful, you know? Unstoppable! Radiant!" He's clearly grasping at straws, and Tsunade isn't buying it for a second.

"Uh-huh," she mutters, turning away to continue walking. "So you're saying I'm a walking natural disaster."

Jiraiya chuckles nervously, jogging to catch up to her. "Exactly! But like, in a really cool, attractive way."

Tsunade lets out a long sigh, shaking her head. "It's amazing you haven't been punched more often."

Jiraiya pats his cheek. "Oh, I have. But it's always worth it to see that spark in your eyes, Tsunade-hime."

She stops suddenly and turns to face him, her fist raised just enough to make Jiraiya flinch. "Want to add another to your collection?"

"Hey, hey! Easy! We're on a mission! Think of the groceries!" Jiraiya laughs, holding the watermelon up defensively like a shield.

Tsunade eyes the watermelon for a second. "If you break that, I'm breaking you."

Jiraiya grins sheepishly. "Duly noted."

As they resume walking through the market, the villagers can't help but watch the two legendary shinobi in training bicker and banter, wondering how someone as serious as Tsunade can tolerate someone like Jiraiya.

But, as always, they make it work—somehow.

END