"I've missed you so much!"
At that moment, Tsunade didn't care what anyone around her thought.
She knew now just how much she had missed Aoyama Ryūun.
I missed you too!
Smelling his familiar scent, Qingshan Liuyun smiled faintly and replied.
It was clear that Aoyama Ryūun had missed Tsunade as well during all this time.
Though their conversation was interrupted, Nara Shikaku and the others didn't judge; instead, they smiled, offering their blessings.
Many present shared the same sentiment.
Tsunade, as the Princess of the Senju, held a high status.
Yet now, the title of Konoha Hero—the Golden Lion, Aoyama Ryūun—was equally prestigious.
"That's right!"
Tsunade suddenly noticed something and glanced at Kurenai Yuhi, who stood beside Aoyama Ryūun, with curiosity.
In the past, Kurenai would always tease her, a jealous tone in her voice.
But today, she said nothing.
This struck Tsunade as unusual and interesting.
"You're not going to say anything to me?"
Kurenai Yuhi understood and simply shrugged.
"It's been a long time, Tsunade-neechan!"
"…Well."
It was noteworthy that Kurenai had never called Tsunade "older sister" before.
After a brief pause, Tsunade's gaze shifted from the crimson sunset to the Green Hills and Flowing Clouds.
"Hey, hey!"
Tsunade's eyes met Aoyama Ryūun's. He didn't speak, only smiled.
Even before, he had no intention of hiding his feelings from her.
"…Tsunade isn't stupid," she thought. After all this, how could I not notice? This little girl is clearly with Qingshan Liuyun.
"You got off easy!"
Still, Tsunade merely rolled her eyes and said no more.
"Hahaha!"
Some were happy, some a little envious. Watching Aoyama Ryūun and Tsunade embrace, Jiraiya sighed quietly nearby.
My goddess… she really does belong to someone else.
Thankfully, Jiraiya had the resilience of a cockroach; otherwise, jealousy might have consumed him.
Even if he accepted it in his heart, he couldn't help turning toward Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru! I feel so awful!"
Orochimaru's response was simple, leaving Jiraiya speechless.
"You really are my best friend," he muttered.
Not only did Orochimaru offer no consolation, he practically told him to get lost.
Ignoring Jiraiya's frustrated glare, Orochimaru silently left.
Jiraiya shook his head, deciding to stop overthinking.
Then he noticed Minato Namikaze nearby, gazing longingly at Aoyama Ryūun and Tsunade.
Jiraiya's eyes widened.
"Hey kid, you don't happen to like Tsunade too, do you?!"
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Startled, Minato almost choked.
How could that be possible?
Tsunade was beautiful, yes, but she was the woman of Aoyama Ryūun, the Golden Lion.
"How could I possibly have designs on her?"
"Then why are you staring at her like that?"
"I'm looking at Lord Liuyun!"
Minato was exasperated. His master's imagination was running wild.
Hearing this, Jiraiya was even more surprised.
"You wouldn't have fallen for Qingshan Liuyun, would you?!"
Minato was speechless.
"Hahaha! Just kidding!"
Jiraiya knew Minato could never be interested in Aoyama Ryūun. But seeing his apprentice's sullen expression, he wanted to lighten the mood.
"Speaking of which, why are you looking at Liu Yun? Want to ask him for a test of strength? That's easy, I can handle it…"
Jiraiya knew Minato's power was far above Aoyama Ryūun's and thought he might ask him for guidance.
Although he was Minato's teacher, he was never one to hold grudges. On the contrary, he was willing to speak for both his apprentice and Qingshan Liuyun.
"No!"
Minato shook his head quickly.
"Actually, I just saw everyone cheering for Lord Liuyun, so I…"
Feeling a little lonely, he didn't continue, though everyone could see it in his eyes.
He wasn't jealous of the Green Hills and Flowing Clouds; Qingshan Liuyun's achievements were genuine.
Yet, ever since bearing the title of Konoha's sinner, Minato had always tried to atone through his valor.
Even though he had killed many enemies, the recognition hadn't fully come.
Thanks to Jiraiya's presence, however, no one openly criticized him.
"Lord Ryuun is Konoha's hero, and I am Konoha's sinner, Jiraiya-sensei."
"Oh! Minato."
Jiraiya wanted to give advice but was unsure how. In the end, he simply sighed and patted Minato on the shoulder.
"Don't worry. You're still young. You have time to make up for it. Keep trying."
"…Um."
The next day, led by Aoyama Ryūun, all the ninjas set off for Konoha.
It wasn't that Qingshan Liuyun was in a hurry.
Rather, his subordinates could no longer hold back.
The war was over. Safety was ensured. Naturally, these ninjas wanted to return home as soon as possible.
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