The news of Sasuke killing Orochimaru reached Konoha.
In the Hokage's Office, Tsunade sat behind stacks of documents, her expression grim as she drummed her fingers on the desk, deep in thought.
Shizune stood quietly nearby, methodically organizing intelligence reports.
"That Uchiha kid's potential is terrifying." Jiraiya, who was leaning against the wall, remarked. He had been staying in the village for some time now.
"Yeah." Tsunade's response was terse, her eyes fixed on the papers before her.
The report of Orochimaru's death felt like an obituary for an old comrade, even though their former teammate had long since turned against them. The three legendary Sannin had once stood together, and hearing of his end stirred complicated emotions.
"Destroyed on his own path to immortality..."
But there was no time to dwell on sentiment. Jiraiya walked over and flipped through the intelligence Shizune had compiled, "So, Tsunade, how do you plan to handle this?"
The ramifications of this event were far-reaching. Given the destructive power involved, Konoha couldn't afford to stand idle.
Tsunade rubbed her temples and said, "Sasuke's next target will be Uchiha Itachi."
"Obviously." Jiraiya mused, scanning the reports, "Hmm, sightings in the north, south... Seems like he's been spotted in multiple locations. By absorbing Orochimaru, he's effectively inherited his resources. Moving calmly between hidden bases... He must've gathered some allies."
"And now they're heading toward the northern regions of the Land of Fire..."
The Land of Fire, though vast and centrally located, was still largely rural. Beyond the capital, dense forests sprawled across the land, dotted with only sparse villages.
Just as Tsunade turned to instruct Shizune, the office door burst open.
It was Naruto, having rushed over upon hearing the news.
"Granny Tsunade! Sasuke took down Orochimaru? Let's go get him back right now!"
A few seconds later, Kakashi strolled in leisurely, with his nose buried in Icha-Icha Tactics, "Um, Hokage-sama... Oh, Jiraiya-sama's here too. For the record, I did try to stop him."
His words are concise and well-reasoned.
"Hahaha, looks like you've got your hands full with Naruto first." Jiraiya chuckled.
This wasn't an unusual scene. Naruto had been shouting about Sasuke and Logan nonstop. Behind Kakashi, Tsunade spotted Sakura peeking nervously through the door. She sighed.
…
The sky had cleared, but scattered clouds drifted lazily overhead. On this otherwise ordinary day, the Hokage's Office was unusually lively. The adults managed to calm the excitable young Ninja, but with events unfolding rapidly, preparations had to begin.
Sasuke's movements suggested he was hunting Itachi, which would inevitably bring him into conflict with Akatsuki.
Meanwhile, Naruto and the others aimed to retrieve Sasuke, but as the Kyubi's jinchūriki, Naruto was also Akatsuki's target. Intelligence indicated Akatsuki was already operating near the Land of Fire, hunting Biju... All these factors demanded a strategic response from Konoha.
A hasty deployment would be reckless, but preliminary decisions were already taking shape. Capturing Itachi alive to lure Sasuke, dispatching two teams…
Mai learned of these plans the following afternoon.
A mission targeting Akatsuki, and Logan was currently a member of that organization. The disappointment of being barred from joining Team 7 reignited in Mai's chest, burning stronger than before.
This was exactly what she had been preparing for. She had steeled her resolve, unwilling to merely sit and wait for news, good or bad, from afar.
The teams hadn't departed yet, but it would happen soon. She refused to miss this chance.
Though Sakura had promised to plead her case, Mai went alone that evening. Her troubles shouldn't burden her senior.
"Shizune-nee, please let me in..."
"No. The moment Tsunade-sama heard it was about joining the mission, she said there's nothing to discuss. You're to go home."
"I am a Ninja." At the entrance of a Tsunade's residence, Mai begged Shizune, who was dressed in a kimono, "A reasonable transfer request doesn't violate village regulations..."
Shizune looked at the sincere girl in front of her and shook her head, "Stubborn girl. Tsunade-sama is the Hokage. If she's made up her mind, no amount of logic will change it."
But Mai just stood at the door, refusing to budge.
Her stubbornness left Shizune at a loss. Over the years, she had watched Mai grow under Tsunade's tutelage, and she was fond of the girl. But this request was beyond her help.
"Tsunade-sama is doing this for your own good. A mission against Akatsuki is far more dangerous than you realize. Remember the black memorial stone we visited the other day..."
Shizune avoided mentioning the deceased directly and continued, "That was the result of a battle with Akatsuki. You've improved greatly, and even inherited Tsunade-sama's techniques, but..."
Mai had heard all this before. When she first made her request, Tsunade had reasoned with her the same way. But she couldn't accept it. She had trained relentlessly, overcome hardships and bottlenecks. Had she not missed the exam date, she might already be a Chunin.
She hadn't learned all those techniques, completed all those missions, just to remain stagnant. The Will of Fire wasn't about growing stronger for the sake of it… it was about acting when the time came!
If she stayed behind now, after all her efforts... how was she any different from that helpless little girl who could only cry in her hut when her brother was in danger?
"My skills are sufficient. Isn't Uzumaki Naruto also good enough? I think I'm stronger than him." Mai said seriously.
At the yakiniku restaurant, the loudmouthed blond had declared he'd bring his comrade back. That unwavering resolve had struck her, as their goals were the same.
"I know your academic performance sometimes surpasses even Sakura's..." Shizune sighed, torn between exasperation and amusement. But the answer remained no.
"Then I'll wait here until Tsunade-sensei agrees."
This was Mai's final stand.
"…"
Seeing persuasion was futile, Shizune relented, figuring Mai would give up eventually.
The door closed.
Mai waited. She waited until the evening smoke from village hearths dissipated, until firefly-like lanterns flickered to life along the streets.
Sakura arrived, entering the residence but emerging unsuccessful, Shizune led her out, explaining Tsunade had scolded her harshly.
Mai waited.
She stood solemnly and resolutely before the heavy wooden door as stars blinked overhead. Crowds passed by the intersection, some curious onlookers glancing her way, but most lost interest within minutes and drifted off
Night draped its veil over the village. Laughter and chatter still floated from the lively market districts, but Mai remained steadfast. Sakura stayed with her for a while but eventually had to leave… she needed to prepare for the upcoming mission.
Mai gritted her teeth, her posture unchanging. As the night deepened, only the crescent moon and fleeting clouds remained in the sky.
Shizune came out a few times, finally recognizing the extraordinary resolve in the girl. She stopped urging her to leave and simply closed the door quietly.
The real challenge came when the night grew still, and the rain began.
Drops pattered lightly at first, then quickly swelled into a downpour. Mai's clothes were soon drenched, the cold seeping into her skin. She shivered but pressed her lips together, her stubbornness unyielding.
The torrential rain drowned out all other sounds, leaving the streets empty. Water crashed against the ground in endless, fleeting blossoms.
The door remained shut. The rain never ceased, waxing and waning, drenching the lone figure before the residence. The dim glow of lanterns under the eaves illuminated only a small patch of darkness. Amid the relentless downpour, the girl stood as still as the stone lions guarding the entrance.
…
Tsunade had to admit that she had underestimated her student's determination.
The rustling rain kept her awake, stirring doubts, 'Had I been too rigid? Had I made the wrong call?'
There was no question that Tsunade adored this bright, talented, near-perfect disciple. She had cherished her like an unpolished gem, waiting until she was fully honed before letting her shine.
Creak…
Tsunade opened the door, half-hoping to find the street empty.
But it wasn't the case.
The rain had softened but still fell tirelessly. There, curled on the ground, drenched and trembling, was Mai. At the sound of the door, the girl lifted her head, her wet hair clinging to her forehead.
That look in her eyes, Tsunade would never forget it.
She opened an oil-paper umbrella and stepped forward, shielding Mai from the rain.
From this point of view, the girl really has grown up.
Tsunade thought that perhaps, she had been too focused on her own concerns, thinking she was making the right decision for Mai's sake, while disregarding the girl's own resolve.
The truth was, Mai wasn't wrong. She was strong enough to stand on her own. Tsunade knew her conviction was no weaker than Team 7's.
"You think this is some stage play? Waiting pitifully in the rain for your cruel old mentor?" Tsunade grumbled, "Stop reading so many tragic novels. And for the record, I'm not that old."
"Shisho..."
"Where's your brother?" Tsunade scanned the area, irritation creeping into her voice.
Mai hesitated, blinked in confusion, and answered honestly, "I… told him I was training and wouldn't be back..."
"Tch. You really planned this out, huh? Came here to 'train', did you?"
Tsunade took a deep breath and said, "Fine. Get inside first. Take a hot bath and change your clothes."
"After all, you can't very well go on a mission if you're sick."
Under the umbrella, the two figures, one tall one small, stood framed against the rainy night.
"You mean...?"
"Inside." Tsunade waved impatiently and turned away.
As for taking some risks…
Ninja were Ninja. Protecting what mattered, even at great cost, was woven into their history.
And Tsunade, as part of that history, long before she became one of the Legendary Sannin, had walked the same path.
So, if only to honor that legacy, she could hardly deny her stubborn student now.