Naruto : Gojo Satoru Reborn As Kakashi's Brother

"Jiraiya-sensei, if you're determined to go, then take this with you. Otherwise, no matter what you say, I won't let you leave."

Minato handed Jiraiya a Flying Thunder God Kunai. With it, even if Jiraiya encountered danger, Minato could use the Flying Thunder God Jutsu to instantly bring Jiraiya back to Konohagakure Village.

"Alright."

Jiraiya, understanding Minato's intentions, promptly stowed the Kunai in his Ninja Tools pouch.

"Then, Jiraiya-sensei, I'll be waiting in the village for your triumphant return."

"Don't worry, I'll definitely return."

Jiraiya said with a smile, then turned and waved goodbye as he left.

Minato slowly moved to the window, watching Jiraiya's figure recede into the distance.

"Jiraiya-sensei, please return safely."

Minato silently prayed for Jiraiya's safety.

As evening approached and midnight neared, the bustling Konohagakure Village gradually quieted down. A figure with white hair took advantage of the night's cover and slowly made his way out of the village.

"Jiraiya, you bastard, you're really going, aren't you?"

Just as the figure was about to step out of the gate, a voice suddenly called out from behind Jiraiya.

"I didn't expect to still find you here after all this time, Tsunade."

Jiraiya turned around, speaking in a resigned tone, as if he had known all along that Tsunade would be waiting for him.

"What about Shizune?"

"She's asleep. She shouldn't be involved in such dangerous matters."

"That's why, Tsunade, I can't take you with me either."

Upon hearing this, Tsunade seemed to realize something. A yellow blur suddenly appeared behind her, and a hand chop struck Tsunade's neck.

"Jiraiya, Minato, you two bastards."

Even though Tsunade realized what was happening, she couldn't react in time against Minato and was knocked out by his strike. These were her last words before losing consciousness.

"I'm sorry, Tsunade-sama."

Minato spoke with a tone full of regret, unsure if Tsunade could hear his apology, and knowing that even if she did, she wouldn't forgive him before waking up.

"Jiraiya-sensei, you've really put me in a difficult position."

Minato said helplessly.

"Minato, please take care of Tsunade."

Jiraiya spoke to Minato, but his gaze never left Tsunade.

"Don't worry, Jiraiya-sensei, I won't let Tsunade-sama leave the village during this time."

"Alright, I'll return as soon as I can."

Jiraiya's eyes betrayed a hint of reluctance, though it was unclear whether it was for leaving Konohagakure Village or for Tsunade.

As Jiraiya resolutely walked away, Minato's eyes misted over. The village's status as the strongest in the ninja world owed much to the efforts of people like Jiraiya.

After Jiraiya's departure, Kushina hurried out of the village. Seeing Minato supporting Tsunade, she rushed forward to cradle Tsunade in her arms.

"Kushina, please take care of Tsunade-sama tonight."

"Alright, you should get some rest too. It's already so late, and you'll need to think about how to face Tsunade-sama's wrath tomorrow."

Kushina's face showed a mischievous grin, while Minato could only offer a wry smile.

He knew that after what had happened today, Tsunade would not let it go easily upon waking.

"We'll just have to take it one step at a time," Minato said resignedly.

"I'll try to talk to Tsunade-sama in the morning, but I can't guarantee it will help."

"It's fine. From the moment I acted, I was prepared for the storm. Take Tsunade-sama and get some rest."

Minato told Kushina.

"Okay."

Kushina nodded, and then her body glowed with a golden light. The Nine-Tails chakra formed a giant hand that scooped up Tsunade, and she used the Body Flicker Jutsu to return home.

Minato didn't go home but rested briefly in the Hokage's office. The Akatsuki organization had him at his wit's end, with endless matters to attend to, and dawn was approaching. There wouldn't be much time to rest even if he went home.

The next afternoon, Tsunade, who had been knocked out by Minato, showed signs of awakening. She furrowed her brows tightly, rubbed her neck subconsciously, and slowly opened her eyes.

Confronted with unfamiliar surroundings, memories of the previous day gradually surfaced. She sat up abruptly and called out "Jiraiya," but there was no response.

"You're awake, Tsunade-sama."

At that moment, Kushina entered the room. Seeing Kushina, Tsunade immediately thought of Minato, who had ambushed her.

In Konohagakure Village, only a few could successfully ambush her: one was the infamous White Devil, Hatake Satoru, and the other was the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, known as the Yellow Flash.

The flash of yellow that had passed before her eyes yesterday was undoubtedly Minato.

"Where is that bastard Minato?"

Remembering the events of last night, Tsunade's face instantly contorted with rage as she angrily questioned Kushina.

She had never spoken to Kushina with such a tone before, but now she was so angry.

"Tsunade-sama, Minato is naturally busy with governmental affairs."

Upon hearing this, Tsunade immediately threw off the blanket covering her and headed for the door, only to be blocked by Kushina standing at the entrance.

"Step aside, Kushina."

Tsunade tried to push Kushina away, but to her surprise, she couldn't budge her.

"Please calm down, Tsunade-sama. Minato had no choice; it was also Jiraiya-sensei's command. Just as you don't want Shizune to be in danger, Jiraiya-sensei doesn't want you to be in danger either."

"Is it the same, though?"

Tsunade retorted. Shizune lacked strength, but Tsunade's power was on par with Jiraiya's.

"For Jiraiya-sensei, it is the same. Tsunade-sama, you should understand the feelings Jiraiya-sensei has for you."

(End of Chapter)