"Old man, did you call me here to ask for my help in rectifying Naruto's name? If not, I'll be on my way..."
Jiraiya's voice was sharp, bitter, and full of disappointment. His demeanor was stiff, his words laced with frustration. Over the past few days, his investigation had yielded more than he expected, and the more he learned, the deeper his disappointment grew.
His feelings toward the Third Hokage were a tangled mess. As Hokage, it was understandable that Hiruzen had to cover up some unsightly truths to protect the village. But Jiraiya couldn't forgive how Naruto had been treated—not just as a jinchūriki, but as the son of his own student, Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage.
Instead of receiving protection or even the bare minimum of care, Naruto had been neglected and left to suffer under Danzo's propaganda. He had been labeled a "fox demon," ostracized by villagers, and even denied goods in shops. All while being the child of the man who saved the village with his life.
Jiraiya's fists clenched. "Naruto is the son of a hero! My disciple's only child! You let him suffer like that... you didn't even tell me the truth."
"Jiraiya!" The Third Hokage's face darkened as he slammed his pipe onto the table. "Do you even realize what you're saying? I know you resent me, but there are things I couldn't help. The village is in turmoil. Would you rather watch Konoha collapse?"
Jiraiya turned his face slightly, voice quieter but still pained. "These days, I've been thinking about my failures. Orochimaru escaped, Minato died, and I didn't even return to check on Naruto. I... I'm not just blaming you, old man. I blame myself too. I haven't had the courage to face him... not until now."
The Third Hokage grew quiet. Guilt shadowed his features as he thought of Minato and Kushina, who gave their lives under the claws of the Nine Tails.
"Jiraiya," Hiruzen sighed, "things weren't so simple. Naruto is both the son of a Hokage and the Nine Tails jinchūriki. If the truth of his parentage were revealed, it wouldn't help him—it would endanger him. Danzo's branding of him as the 'fox demon' was... unnecessary, but not entirely unfounded in terms of strategic manipulation. The villagers believe what they've been taught. Erasing that image... without revealing his identity... is nearly impossible."
Jiraiya's jaw tightened. "But it's worth trying. Even if it doesn't fix everything, even if all we can do is ease his life a little, that's still something!"
"I understand," the Third Hokage finally nodded. "Alright, I'll try. I'll announce that Naruto is not a demon. You can stay with him if you like. But taking him out of the village is out of the question. He's still Konoha's jinchūriki."
That compromise was enough for Jiraiya. He had known it was impossible to take Naruto away—not with the political state of Konoha. He exhaled, content with the partial victory.
"So, old man, what's the real reason you called me here?"
The Hokage's face turned grim. "The situation with Danzo has seriously strained our relationship with the daimyo. I need you to find Tsunade and bring her back. Only she can repair this damage."
Jiraiya blinked. "Didn't we already smooth things over with the daimyo? He didn't retaliate, right?"
"That's just appearances," Hiruzen explained, tapping his pipe against the ashtray. "The funding from the daimyo's office was just approved—but it's half the usual amount. And we already spent 500 million ryo compensating the Uchiha. The village is running dry."
"Oh," Jiraiya grunted, rolling his eyes. "So that's it. The daimyo gave you a way out, but he's clearly still angry. Let me guess—you want Tsunade to patch things up with her name and medical background, right?"
"Yes," Hiruzen admitted. "Her return would show stability. And the daimyo still respects her lineage. You're the only one who can convince her."
"You know she's been avoiding the village," Jiraiya scratched his head. "Even if I find her, she might not agree to return."
"Tell her about the situation. She won't let Konoha decay."
"I'll try," Jiraiya said, turning to go. "But if she doesn't come back, that's on you. And maybe, just maybe, you should start thinking of trusting Uchiha Kamasu instead of fearing him. They're not the enemy anymore."
Jiraiya's parting words hung in the air like smoke.
Meanwhile, Andrew was already on his own mission to find Tsunade. Unlike Jiraiya's old-school methods of wandering blindly, Andrew relied on the Uchiha family's business network, now stretching across the Land of Fire. With enough money and reach, information wasn't hard to come by. Finding a person like Tsunade—who never truly left the country—was a matter of time.
"Andrew, remember that Master Tsunade has a gambling addiction like the First Hokage. She's racked up debts all over. Use that when you find her—convince her to come back. Please."
Uchiha Fugaku took Andrew's hand firmly. Though he rarely made personal requests, this was about his son's illness. He would've gone himself if clan duties didn't bind him.
"We have the money, Andrew. Whatever she owes, we'll pay it. Just get her back."
Andrew chuckled, "Got it, got it. But don't go bankrupt for this, Patriarch. It wasn't easy getting the Uchiha clan on track."
While Andrew relied on intelligence networks, Jiraiya took a different approach. He followed Tsunade's scent—not chakra, but her gambling legend. Wherever someone mentioned a "big-spending blonde" or a "famous loser," Jiraiya followed.
He soon arrived at a bustling casino—the Crown Casino, Uchiha's pride and a shining beacon of their new economic empire.
"Lady Tsunade, we can't keep gambling. We don't even have enough left for a room tonight!" Shizune sobbed.
"Shizune, trust me! I just hit top-top the last two spins! This one will be it!"
The blonde Sannin swiped the last coin pouch from Shizune's desperate grip.
"Uuuuu... Master Tsunade, nooooo!"
Just then, Jiraiya entered, only to stop short at the familiar sight.
Tsunade was seconds from making a bet. Shizune was tearfully pleading, and the casino staff looked like they were ready to faint.
Jiraiya froze. If she's already broke, will she rob me next...?
"Jiraiya-sama!" Shizune spotted him and waved desperately.
Jiraiya smiled nervously. "Ahaha... Tsunade, long time no see."
Tsunade, laser-focused on her dice, barely acknowledged him. "Jiraiya? Why are you... THREE! Three again! I lost?! DAMN IT!"
Her furious gaze snapped to him. "It's your fault! You jinxed it by showing up!"
"How the hell is that my fault?!" Jiraiya yelped.
Before he could explain, her fist smashed into him. A direct hit from a Sannin is no joke. Jiraiya flew backward, crashing through tables, chairs, and finally the wall of the Crown Casino.
The room went silent.
The gamblers fled.
"Don't talk to me about that place. I don't care anymore!" Tsunade growled, breathing heavily.
Outside, Andrew arrived just in time to see the casino wall collapse. Half the building crumbled like paper.
His face turned pale. "Damn it! My Crown Casino! She smashed it!"
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