Konoha Village – At the Village Entrance
Tsunade stood at the gates of Konoha, her gaze sweeping over Jiraiya and Shizune as she said, "I'll leave things in your hands during my absence."
Kakashi, standing beside them, nodded solemnly. "Tsunade-sama, please don't worry. We'll handle everything here."
Shizune, however, looked hesitant. "Tsunade-sama, are you sure you don't need me to accompany you?"
For years, Shizune had never been far from Tsunade's side. Whenever Tsunade traveled, Shizune was always with her, making sure her daily affairs were in order. But now, Tsunade was leaving for the Five Kage Summit—without her. It unsettled her.
Tsunade smiled reassuringly. "It's fine. This time, you'll remain in the village and assist Kakashi."
Shizune hesitated for a moment before glancing at Jiraiya. Seeing his relaxed expression, she sighed and nodded. "Alright, if you say so."
Tsunade turned, her voice firm. "Then, let's get going."
Jiraiya, who had been lost in thought, suddenly snapped out of his daze when Tsunade walked past him and gave him a swift kick to the shin.
"Ah! Alright, alright, I'm coming."
Tsunade frowned at him. "What's with you? You've been absent-minded since morning. What are you thinking about?"
Jiraiya followed her, his face twitching slightly. The question triggered memories from last night—the moment in the Hokage's office. That scene had burned itself into his mind.
More specifically… that faint hint of cherry blossom red.
Jiraiya felt his heart pound as he recalled it.
He might be a legendary shinobi, the best-selling author of Icha Icha Paradise, and a self-proclaimed expert on romance, but even he was stunned by this revelation. If he saw that color… that meant…
Tsunade was still Virgin.
Jiraiya's lips curled into a silent laugh, a mix of pride and mischief welling up inside him.
For years, he had been hopelessly in love with her, chasing after her with little success. But this? This changed everything.
Tsunade, oblivious to his thoughts, noticed his goofy smile and scowled. "Why are you grinning like an idiot?"
Jiraiya scratched the back of his head, chuckling. "Just remembering something… pleasant from last night."
Tsunade's expression stiffened, her cheeks tinged pink. She turned abruptly, increasing her pace.
Seeing this reaction only fueled Jiraiya's amusement. He slung his bag over his shoulder and jogged after her, calling out dramatically, "Oi, why are you running off all of a sudden? Can't you at least wait for me? I'm carrying all our stuff here! Have some sympathy for the disabled, will you?"
She ignored him.
Jiraiya sighed. "Women are scary…"
---
Root Headquarters – Konoha
Deep beneath the village, inside a dimly lit chamber, three shinobi knelt in silence—Sai, Torune Aburame, and Fū Yamanaka.
Sitting before them was Danzo Shimura, his only visible eye shut, as if deep in thought. His gnarled fingers tightened around his cane.
"So," Danzo murmured, his voice low and cold. "Tsunade and Jiraiya have left the village."
Fū Yamanaka bowed his head. "Yes, Lord Danzo. Lord Hokage and Lord Jiraiya departed half an hour ago to attend the Five Kage Summit."
The mention of the Five Kage Summit made Danzo grip his cane even tighter. His knuckles whitened.
That should have been me.
Not Tsunade. Not her.
If not for that damn brat…
Danzo's jaw clenched. Uzumaki Naruto had ruined everything.
The boy had not only taken Shisui Uchiha's eye from him, but he had also severed his entire right arm. An arm that contained ten Sharingan—ten!
That was ten uses of Izanagi. Ten opportunities to rewrite death itself.
Now, they were gone. All of them.
Danzo's eye opened, flashing with controlled fury.
His gaze settled on Sai. "What about the matter I tasked you with? Have you found Naruto's whereabouts?"
Sai, his face expressionless as always, replied, "According to the intelligence gathered, Naruto left Konoha and is rumored to have joined the Akatsuki."
Danzo's lone eye narrowed. "Continue."
"There are also unconfirmed reports that Naruto has somehow become the new leader of Pain. He allegedly took control of the Six Paths and recently fought alongside Uchiha Sasuke against another rogue shinobi."
Danzo's brow furrowed slightly. He did not understand Naruto's intentions.
Taking his arm and eye? That made sense. The boy sought power.
But joining Akatsuki? Becoming Pain's successor? That was an entirely different matter.
Danzo pondered for a moment. "He seeks revenge against Konoha."
It was the only logical conclusion.
Naruto had suffered his entire childhood at the hands of the villagers—discriminated against, ostracized, feared. Perhaps now, he had finally snapped.
Danzo smirked slightly. It doesn't matter. If he seeks vengeance, he will come for me.
And Danzo did not intend to sit idly by and wait.
"Sai," Danzo ordered. "Continue monitoring Naruto's movements. Gather as much intelligence as possible."
"Yes, Lord Danzo." Sai bowed before departing.
Danzo turned to Fū and Torune. "You two, come with me."
The three disappeared into the shadows.
---
Konoha – Streets of the Village
Sai walked alone under the afternoon sun. The warmth of its rays did nothing to ease the weight in his chest.
He had never been one to feel much of anything. He was raised in Root, conditioned to be emotionless, trained to be a weapon.
But that had changed because of Naruto.
Naruto, with his unyielding determination and genuine kindness, had taught him what it meant to have emotions.
He had shown Sai what friendship was.
He had made Sai feel.
And yet now, the same person who had given him back his emotions had abandoned Konoha.
Sai clenched his fists.
"Why?" he whispered.
He had so many questions, and no answers.
Naruto had once spoken of his dream—to become Hokage, to bring Sasuke back. He had fought so hard for those goals.
So why… why had he defected?
Sai wanted to understand.
He wanted to see Naruto.
And most of all—
He wanted to ask him, face to face—
"What are you truly after?"
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