After Jiraiya signed a whole list of "no more peeking into bathhouses" agreements, Uchiha Ran finally let him off the hook.
Of course—if Ran ever caught him again in the future, then it would be strictly business.
As the Chūnin Exams drew closer, the Third Hokage's political and military instincts told him one thing very clearly:
War might not be far from Konoha.
Although no one knew where the spark would ignite, Hiruzen had already sent word to Tsunade and Jiraiya outside the village. So their sudden return to Konoha wasn't entirely on a whim.
—
That day.
The Three Sannin gathered—rarely—for drinks at an izakaya.
Orochimaru.
Tsunade.
Jiraiya.
And their three disciples:
Uchiha Ran, Shizune, and Namikaze Minato.
Six people sat around a charcoal grill.
And yet, the scene was… oddly unbalanced.
Uchiha Ran sat upright beside Orochimaru on a wide, cushioned chair, holding a delicate teacup. Inside it, gyokuro tea released a fresh, elegant fragrance.
The tea gently rippled in the cup like a clear pool of green jade.
Ran took a slow sip, closed his eyes slightly, and calmly enjoyed the refreshing taste.
The Sannin really were wealthy—and had excellent taste. The private room was quiet and warm, refined furniture giving off an old, dignified charm. Soft lighting fell across Ran's side profile, lending him an almost leisurely air.
In stark contrast, from the moment Tsunade and Jiraiya entered the room, the two of them had been staring at Ran drinking tea.
So much so that Shizune and Minato—who had come along with their teachers—were visibly uncomfortable, unsure where to sit or look.
In the end, Orochimaru was the one who broke the awkward silence.
"Long time no see," he said to Tsunade and Jiraiya, a faint, unreadable smile on his face—one that easily made people think of a venomous snake.
"That's true," Tsunade replied. "It's been a while, Orochimaru. I didn't expect you to take on a disciple."
She paused, then added pointedly,
"Though your disciple is rather rude. Not like you at all—more like Jiraiya."
"Oh, right, right," Jiraiya chimed in immediately. "Orochimaru, your Uchiha disciple is really disrespectful to his elders."
Ran glanced sideways at him and spoke evenly,
"Jiraiya-sensei, peeking into women's bathhouses isn't something a gentleman does."
Under normal circumstances, that line alone wouldn't have broken Jiraiya.
Unfortunately—
Tsunade was sitting right across from him.
Jiraiya's face instantly flushed red.
"What?! N-no way! Who would peek into women's bathhouses?! Don't spout nonsense!"
He forced out the denial, but his guilty expression was obvious—to Tsunade, to Orochimaru, and even to his own disciple.
"Sensei…" Minato called out weakly.
"Hm?" Jiraiya glanced at him.
"Let's… just drink tea," Minato said tactfully, smoothly changing the subject.
"Ah—oh! Yes! Let's drink tea, everyone! Hahaha…"
Jiraiya scratched his head and laughed awkwardly.
Don't mistake Jiraiya for a fool.
Some people pretend to be foolish to confuse others—
and some truly foolish people think everyone else is the fool.
"Wait—hold on. Something's not right."
Suddenly, Jiraiya realized something and turned to Tsunade.
"You just said Uchiha Ran was very rude? What did he do to you? Don't tell me the moment you met, the Senju and Uchiha bloodlines awakened and you fought each other?"
The instant those words landed—
Tsunade's face turned red.
Her mind involuntarily replayed the scene at the mountain pool—the two of them naked in the water, that unforgivable visual impact swaying in the breeze.
Her face flushed like a fully ripened apple.
Fortunately, she was Tsunade—one of the Sannin, a woman who had lived long enough to control herself.
She forcefully suppressed that hint of embarrassment.
Seeing her reaction, Jiraiya immediately sensed that things were definitely not that simple.
"Tell me!" he pressed eagerly. "What did that Uchiha brat do? I'll help you get revenge!"
"Jiraiya-sensei wants to know?" Ran said lightly. "I can tell you—"
He had actually planned to mention only that Tsunade couldn't beat him in a straight fight.
But clearly, Tsunade misunderstood his intent.
She shot Ran a vicious glare and cut in at once:
"Oh, it's nothing! This brat was disrespectful, so I taught him a lesson. Just didn't manage to deal with him quickly. Who knew Orochimaru's teaching was actually that good."
It was obvious—she had no intention of letting the "bathing incident" see the light of day.
And honestly, that was normal.
A mature, reliable older woman not only knew how to handle things—she also knew how to cover them up.
"I see!" Jiraiya nodded in sudden realization.
"I didn't expect Orochimaru's disciple to be this talented—he's not inferior to Minato at all!" Jiraiya was extremely satisfied with his own student, but now his curiosity about Ran's strength was clearly piqued.
"Ran-kun is very strong," Minato finally found his chance to speak and immediately added,
"At his age, I'm no match for him at all."
"Oh?" Jiraiya looked at Minato in surprise.
This was the first time he'd ever heard Minato say something like that—and Minato was reliable in every sense.
With Tsunade also tacitly agreeing, Jiraiya understood.
If Tsunade couldn't deal with him quickly either…
Then I really need to be careful in the future.
Absolutely cannot get caught peeking by an Uchiha.
Still… one thing bothered him.
Why had Tsunade blushed just now?
Strange.
"Keh keh keh~" Orochimaru let out a low laugh. "Ran-kun's strength today comes entirely from his own efforts. As a teacher, I didn't help much. If anything, he's particularly gifted in research."
The laugh was unpleasant—but hearing Orochimaru's affirmation, Ran thought calmly:
He's right. I got here through my own effort.
Without any system, all I have are the Sharingan… and my Zanpakutō.
Thinking of the Zanpakutō reminded him of that existence.
Just wait for me, Spirit King.
"Let's change the subject," Jiraiya said, raising his cup. "The Three Sannin don't get together often. We should have a proper drink."
"Just hearing that title annoys me," Tsunade snapped as the topic shifted to the origin of the name Three Sannin. She slammed her fist down on the table.
Bang!
The gyokuro tea Ran had just set down spilled immediately.
Everyone else was focused on Tsunade's story.
Only Tsunade—the culprit—arched a brow at Ran and smirked.
Yes.
I did it on purpose.
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