Jiraiya only thought for a moment before deciding to head toward the Senju Clan estate. The Uchiha Clan Military Police Force behind him had already caught up, leaving him no time to hesitate. Before long, Jiraiya reached the Senju Clan territory and slipped inside without a second thought.
Soon after, the Uchiha patrol squad arrived at the same spot but came to a halt. This was the Senju Clan estate—the home of the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade. They were aware that Ryōsuke and Tsunade had reached a vital agreement that was extremely beneficial to their clan. The Uchiha Clan now received full respect in the village, and their status, rather than declining, had actually risen. Since Fugaku had taken the position of Consultant Elder, he was now part of the village high-level leadership and had a voice in all major affairs. They had nothing to be dissatisfied about.
One squad member asked, "Captain, should we go in and arrest Jiraiya?"
Entering the Senju Clan estate felt a bit disrespectful, especially since it was the home of the village's Fifth Hokage. This made the men hesitate.
The squad captain thought for a while before saying, "Go in. Of course we're going in. Just make sure your expressions are respectful when we see Lady Tsunade. If we explain the reason, Lady Tsunade shouldn't blame us."
With that, he stepped into the Senju Clan estate. The others followed suit.
Meanwhile, Jiraiya, who had been the first to enter, walked toward a building where the lights were on. He felt deeply moved; it had been a long time since he last visited the Senju Clan estate. As he strolled into the main hall, he saw Tsunade holding a young man, even burying her face in the youth's chest.
Jiraiya's expression instantly froze. 'How can this be?'
His heart began to ache. He even saw Tsunade wearing a smile that came from the depths of her soul. He wasn't happy; instead, he felt a chill. He had seen that smile before, more than ten years ago. Back when Tsunade was with Dan Katō, she had been genuinely happy like this. But after Dan Katō died, Tsunade never smiled that way again. Any smiles she had were wild and boisterous, never shy like they were now.
What did this signify? He didn't even need to think about it. Tsunade had actually found a new man. And that man wasn't him.
At that moment, Tsunade lifted her head from Ryōsuke's chest because she sensed someone coming. When she saw it was Jiraiya, she said in surprise, "Jiraiya? You've returned to the village too, you blockhead?"
Ryōsuke also noticed Jiraiya's arrival. In the original plot, Jiraiya accepted Tsunade's request to go to the Rain Village to scout the Akatsuki and was eventually killed by his former students, Konan and Nagato. That Deva Path Pain was actually just a puppet. Originally, Jiraiya could have refused the mission, but because he loved Tsunade, he didn't decline. However, Ryōsuke would never give up Tsunade; she was already his woman.
At this moment, Jiraiya asked with a dark expression, "Tsunade, have you really moved on? Didn't you say you would never love another man again?"
Jiraiya felt immense pain in his heart. Tsunade realized that since he had come here and seen her like this with Ryōsuke, he had naturally guessed their relationship. She felt a bit of a headache. She had indeed said those words to Jiraiya before. However, since meeting Ryōsuke, she felt much happier. Not only was she rejuvenated, but even her gambling luck had improved. Ever since she won that large sum of money, she rarely lost whenever she went to gamble.
One had to remember that before this, she lost every time she gambled. So now, she had already accepted Ryōsuke. She was even open to having children. If Jiraiya found out she wanted to have Ryōsuke's child, he would probably be even more furious. Although Jiraiya was usually frivolous, his feelings for her were sincere.
She said helplessly, "I'm sorry, Jiraiya."
Hearing Tsunade's words, Jiraiya felt heart-wrenching pain and dissatisfaction. This further confirmed their relationship. He shouted, "What part of me can't compare to this kid? And Tsunade, you're already so old, yet you're looking for someone so young. Aren't you afraid people will say you're robbing the cradle?"
Even if she wanted to find someone, it should at least be him. He and Tsunade were the same age.
Hearing Jiraiya's words, the guilt Tsunade felt vanished, replaced by anger. What did Jiraiya know? She hadn't thought about "robbing the cradle" at first; she had just wanted to protect Konoha. Besides, he was the one who had designs on her; she was just forced into it. It wasn't that she was willing from the start.
But then again, if she stayed with Ryōsuke, it really would give the impression of an older woman dating a much younger man. But she already loved this "young grass," so she wasn't afraid of what others said.
"Jiraiya, this is my personal business. You don't need to concern yourself with it."
Jiraiya felt even more lost and dejected upon hearing this. Since Tsunade spoke this way, it seemed she had made up her mind. He was disheartened. It was true that Tsunade's affairs were not his to manage. But what was he supposed to do now?
Just then, the Uchiha patrol squad also walked into the hall. When they saw Uchiha Ryōsuke, Lady Tsunade, and the peeping suspect Jiraiya all there, they were overjoyed. Although Jiraiya was one of the Sannin and extremely powerful, he couldn't be compared to the current Lord Ryōsuke. No matter how strong Jiraiya was, he was just a Kage-level figure, while Ryōsuke was at least beyond that.
Back when Danzō's transplanted Sharingan were exposed, Ryōsuke had made his move and taken Danzō down effortlessly. Even when the Third Hokage and Uchiha Itachi tried to control Ryōsuke together, they were both easily defeated by him. Of course, Tsunade was also present, and she shared the same teacher, the Third Hokage, as Jiraiya. She might stop the Uchiha Clan from enforcing the law, but the Uchiha would not be deterred by anyone, not even the Fifth Hokage.
Jiraiya was currently disheartened and completely indifferent to their arrival, still reeling from the emotional blow.
At this time, the squad captain stepped forward to report, "Lord Ryōsuke, Lady Fifth Hokage. As soon as Jiraiya returned to the village, he went to peep at the women's bathhouse. Witnesses have reported him, and he must be arrested. This has seriously disturbed the public order of Konoha. Please allow us to take him into custody."
Hearing their words, Tsunade became quite angry. This bastard Jiraiya really never changed. Peeping at the women's bathhouse the moment he returned—he was truly incorrigible.
She questioned him, "Jiraiya, you're already so old, why are you still doing such shameful things?"
In the past, because of the Old Man Third's indulgence, Jiraiya had turned out this way. If they had thrown him into prison a few times back then, would he still dare to peep?
Hearing Tsunade's reprimand, Jiraiya became dissatisfied and countered, "Tsunade, I won't interfere in your business, so you'd best stay out of mine as well."
Moreover, Jiraiya heard these Uchiha members mention the name Ryōsuke. Since there were only three people in the room, the other man was naturally Uchiha Ryōsuke. Wasn't that the top expert of the Uchiha Clan? No wonder Tsunade chose him.
However, none of that mattered to him anymore. Konoha was a place of heartbreak; he was prepared to leave the village. Before leaving, he would take one last look at the Fourth Hokage's son, Naruto. This village wasn't worth staying in. In any case, his life wandering outside was free and easy enough. He turned around, intending to leave the Senju Clan estate.