Chapter 69: The Return of the Toad Sage
As Akatsurugi had observed, Kato Dan and Tsunade had grown very close, their youthful hearts drawn to each other. Dan was genuinely handsome and gentle, and their daily training together had naturally fostered a deep affection. They had been secretly dating for some time.
Akatsurugi saw it all but said nothing. In his view, it was a natural development. Jiraiya, by contrast, had always been somewhat unlikable to Tsunade, constantly provoking her in the misguided belief that it would get her attention—much like a child pulling the pigtails of the girl he liked. Unfortunately, Tsunade was not charmed. She preferred Dan's gentle demeanor.
Over six months, Kato Dan's skills had grown rapidly. With his uniquely refined Mind Body Switch Technique, he was now effectively a Tokubetsu Jōnin.
Tsunade and Orochimaru's progress was equally impressive, both solidly at the Elite Chūnin level. The only reason they hadn't been promoted to Jōnin was the lack of mission completions. In peacetime, promotion required a long record of successful missions, unlike during war, where battlefield prowess could fast-track a shinobi. Tsunade's status as the Senju princess also restricted her from taking long-distance, high-risk assignments, keeping the whole team at their current rank.
"AHAHAHA! The Great Sage is back!" A wild laugh echoed just outside Konoha's main gate.
The Uchiha guards on duty frowned at the noisy arrival. "Jiraiya! Quiet down at the gate!" one of them barked.
Everyone knew Jiraiya—the lucky commoner who had been taken as a disciple by the Third Hokage, an object of envy for many.
"Oh, sorry, sorry! I was just too excited!" Jiraiya quickly apologized, his triumphant return deflating as he slunk into the village.
There was no helping it. The current Jiraiya was not the confident Sannin of the future. He lacked the stature to act arrogantly, especially toward the Uchiha. And, he had to admit, they weren't wrong.
Once inside, his first thought was to find his teammates, Tsunade in particular. He had spent three years training in Sage Art at Mount Myōboku. While his mastery was still shabby, he had learned something.
Fortunately, he still had enough sense to report to the Hokage first.
He entered the Hokage's office to find Sarutobi Hiruzen frowning over a mission scroll. Seeing Jiraiya, he set it down and managed a smile. "Jiraiya, you're back. Were you successful in your Sage training?"
Jiraiya scratched his head sheepishly. Should he admit he'd only learned a half-baked version? Would he get scolded?
Seeing his expression, Hiruzen's heart sank. Forget it, he thought, I won't ask. Otherwise, I'll just get angry. "Very well. Go and find Tsunade and Orochimaru. They are currently training under Akatsurugi," he said, waving a hand to dismiss the boy.
A little disappointed, Jiraiya left the office. After a moment's thought, he headed for Akatsurugi's house. However, when he arrived, only Akatsurugi was home.
"Lord Akatsurugi," Jiraiya greeted him.
Akatsurugi smiled. "You're back."
Jiraiya responded and then asked, "Ahem, Lord Akatsurugi, I was wondering... where are Tsunade and Orochimaru?"
"I believe they are at Training Ground Nine," Akatsurugi replied.
Hearing this, Jiraiya bowed quickly and sprinted toward the training ground, his heart soaring at the thought of reuniting with his friends.
But when he arrived, he found only Orochimaru. Jiraiya was stunned. "Where's Tsunade?"
Orochimaru was genuinely happy to see his old teammate, but Jiraiya was distracted. There was no helping it; the hormone-driven teenager was currently more interested in finding the girl.
Orochimaru noticed Jiraiya's absent-mindedness and sighed, patting him on the shoulder. He knew Jiraiya had a crush on Tsunade, but it was a case of unrequited love. Besides, Tsunade and Kato Dan were dating now. In fact, they were probably on a date at that very moment.
Jiraiya looked at Orochimaru's pitying expression, confused. "Orochimaru, what's with that look? What's wrong?"
Orochimaru thought for a moment. "Why don't you try the barbecue restaurant?"
After all, the couple was likely having a meal there. Jiraiya, not understanding the implication, simply nodded and headed for the restaurant.
When he arrived, the sight that greeted him turned him to stone. There was Tsunade, nestled comfortably in the arms of a handsome, blue-haired boy, acting coy and affectionate.
"Y-you... Pretty boy! Who are you?!" Jiraiya stammered, jumping in front of their table and pointing an accusing finger at Kato Dan.
"Jiraiya, you idiot! Put your hand down!" Tsunade immediately shot to her feet, hands on her hips, ready to scold him.
Kato Dan simply smiled. "You must be Tsunade's teammate, Jiraiya. Hello, my name is Kato Dan." He extended a hand in a friendly gesture.
To Jiraiya, that smile was blindingly offensive.
When Jiraiya refused to shake his hand, Tsunade's fist immediately connected with the top of his head. "You jerk! How rude can you be!"
Jiraiya clutched his head, squatting on the floor as tears welled in his eyes. He was the one being rude? Had she seen what she was doing?
Kato Dan scratched his head awkwardly and gently pulled Tsunade back. "Alright, alright, that's enough."
Instantly, Tsunade transformed back into a gentle, caring girl. She shot one last fierce glare at Jiraiya before pulling Kato Dan away, leaving a heartbroken Jiraiya behind.
His goddess had run off with some pretty boy. He'd been gone for three years, and how could everything have changed so much?
Jiraiya looked utterly devastated, as if all hope had drained from his life. At that moment, the restaurant server approached. "Sir, your bill. The gentleman and lady from earlier haven't paid yet."
Jiraiya stared in astonishment. They went on a date, and he had to pay? Did he look like he was made of money?
But then he noticed two large men from the Akimichi clan looking his way. Jiraiya forced an awkward smile, reached into his toad-shaped wallet, and settled the bill.
Back at Training Ground Nine, Jiraiya was the picture of dejection. "Brother," he moaned to Orochimaru, "who is that pretty boy? What happened?"
Orochimaru looked at him with sympathy and explained everything that had transpired over the past six months. When Jiraiya learned that Kato Dan had not only arrived but also won Tsunade's heart in just half a year, a fire ignited in his eyes. He would challenge Kato Dan to a duel. He had to.
When Tsunade and Kato Dan returned to the training ground, Jiraiya immediately jumped in front of them. "Kato Dan! I challenge you to a duel!"
"You've got some nerve!" Tsunade yelled, her fist already pulling back.
Kato Dan gently held her back. "It's fine," he said with a calm smile.
He understood that Jiraiya was a suitor, and if getting beaten up would help him get closure, Dan was willing to oblige. After all, Jiraiya was Tsunade's teammate, and they would have to work together in the future. A little sparring was a small price to pay for team harmony.