"Um, me?"
Konan looked at Saigoji Youmu, then at Tsunade, her expression showing clear embarrassment.
When the two had been talking earlier, she had quietly stayed by Saigoji Youmu's side, merely observing.
But now, suddenly becoming the topic of discussion, she couldn't sit still.
"Is she your sister?"
Tsunade's curiosity was piqued by this quiet girl who had been following Saigoji Youmu.
"No. I rescued her when I passed by a certain village a few days ago..."
Saigoji Youmu gave Tsunade a brief explanation of how he had saved Konan.
Tsunade listened, then gave him a long, scrutinizing look.
"You sure you didn't just take a liking to a pretty young girl?"
Her tone was teasing, but there was an edge of suspicion in her eyes.
"Brother Youmu is not that kind of person!"
Konan immediately snapped back, her voice filled with anger.
To her, aside from her deceased parents, Saigoji Youmu was the best person in her life.
She would not allow anyone to speak ill of him.
Tsunade sighed and rubbed her forehead with one hand.
"It's over."
She hadn't expected Konan to be the one to refute her—not Saigoji Youmu.
Clearly, this girl was already completely attached to him.
But this was a matter between them, and Tsunade had no interest in meddling.
Regaining her focus, she turned back to Saigoji Youmu.
"I need to discuss this with the old man."
This was too important of a decision for her to make alone.
"No problem, I have plenty of time."
Saigoji Youmu nodded in agreement.
After finalizing the time and place for their next meeting, the two went their separate ways.
In the Land of Rain – A Hidden Konoha Camp
Whoosh! Whoosh!
A figure flickered swiftly through the dense forest before stopping at the camp's entrance.
"Who goes there?!"
The guards at the gate instantly took a battle stance, ready for combat.
"It's me."
A moment later, Tsunade released her Transformation Jutsu, revealing her true identity.
"Lady Tsunade!"
The guards lowered their weapons and bowed respectfully.
"Mm."
Tsunade nodded politely before walking past the gates toward the heart of the camp.
Inside the Central Camp
"Sand Shinobi and Rock Shinobi..."
At that moment, Jiraiya and Orochimaru were deep in discussion about the war situation.
"Jiraiya, Orochimaru."
Both men turned at the sound of the familiar voice.
"Tsunade? You're back?"
Jiraiya's face lit up with relief as he looked her over.
Seeing that she wasn't injured, he exhaled in visible relief.
The three of them had been sent by the Third Hokage to assist in the war and end the battle in the Land of Rain as quickly as possible.
But the moment they had arrived, Tsunade had immediately run off on her own.
Neither Jiraiya nor Orochimaru had been able to stop her, so all they could do was hope she didn't get herself killed.
"Jiraiya, you underestimate me too much."
Tsunade pouted.
"With my strength, what could possibly happen?"
Orochimaru ignored their usual banter and spoke in his usual cold tone.
"We just received intelligence. Hanzō of the Salamander may be approaching this area soon."
Tsunade's playful expression immediately disappeared.
"What? That old guy is coming?"
Hanzō of the Salamander—the man known as the Demigod of the Ninja World.
Even Tsunade, as confident as she was, did not dare take him lightly.
"It's only a possibility, but we need to be prepared."
Orochimaru's tone was calm, but his meaning was clear.
They needed to start moving more carefully.
If any of them encountered Hanzō alone, their survival was far from guaranteed.
"Got it."
Tsunade nodded in understanding.
From now on, the three of them had to stick together.
Jiraiya crossed his arms and looked at Tsunade.
"So? Did you find anything while you were out?"
He had a suspicion that she had simply gone out to gamble and lose all her money again.
But gambling was a sensitive subject for Tsunade, so Jiraiya didn't mention it directly.
"Yes. And it's big."
A small smirk formed on Tsunade's lips.
"Oh?"
Orochimaru's cold eyes showed a hint of interest.
Jiraiya knew Tsunade well, and so did he.
Neither of them had expected her to actually find something useful.
"I met someone…"
Tsunade carefully recounted her encounter with Saigoji Youmu.
By the time she finished, both Jiraiya and Orochimaru had fallen completely silent.
"There's actually someone like that?"
Jiraiya and Orochimaru exchanged looks.
The incredulous expression in each other's eyes was unmistakable.
The shock they felt was no less than what Tsunade had experienced the night before.
"So, what do you two think about his conditions?"
Tsunade asked for their opinions.
After parting ways with Saigoji Youmu, she had rushed back as fast as possible.
Her priority was to resolve this matter quickly.