"Getting dumped always makes a man stronger, but then again, men aren't meant to pursue happiness..."
Said Jiraiya to Tsunade, they were both a little bit drunk from drinking sake and talking about serious matters pertaining to Akatsuki.
Jiraiya got information that their base should be in Amegakure. However, he couldn't know if the information was real or not.
Amegakure was very secretive. Their security was very tight so getting information from them was very hard.
Just knowing that the Akatsuki base might be there could be considered an achievement in itself.
Jiraiya decided that they needed information more than ever. So he had to go to Amegakure to gather information himself.
And he knew what was likely going to happen to him. So he was here talking to Tsunade for one last time.
She was his one and only love in this life.
Even though he was a pervert and always did something inappropriate to any beautiful woman.
He actually had never loved someone. It was all just an act to cope with his regret.
Tsunade didn't know what to say when Jiraiya said something like that. She felt like she was going to lose him forever.
She knew full well that Jiraiya might still have feelings for her. But she couldn't bring herself to accept his love.
'Even though it has been so long. He still won't give up…'
Because of her fear of losing someone she held dear. She rejected him without even saying any words.
And Jiraiya knew that and he had never crossed the boundary she had made. He was afraid that the relationship that they had would be ruined if he were to approach her.
"You should make a bet. If you bet on me dying. I might survive and come back."
Jiraiya made a joke when he saw that Tsunade was in a dilemma.
'In the end. She still couldn't accept me. I think it might be time to give up…'
Tsunade looked at him seriously.
"Alright, I will bet that you will die on this mission."
She said with conviction that it almost looked like she really wanted him to die. What a nice way to send someone off.
"Hahaha, you really hate me that much huh. What about the wager?"
Tsunade bit her lips.
She wanted to say something but the words just won't come out. In the end she said.
"You will know when you come back."
Jiraiya nodded slowly indicating that he might not have a chance to hear it.
He wasn't very sure if he could come back alive. Though, if it was just his cold corpse it might be possible.
He looked at the sun that was setting. It was beautiful.
"I have to go now. Hopefully, I have a chance to watch the sunset here again…"
Jiraiya had a lot of things to prepare. He looked at Tsunade for one last time and their eyes met.
Both of them didn't say anything or couldn't say anything.
They were burdened by responsibilities and their feelings weren't priorities now.
'I hope we can see each other again.'
…
Amegakure, the Village Hidden in the Rain, was shrouded in an unending downpour. The relentless rain mirrored the pervasive atmosphere of sorrow and despair that clung to the land.
Dark clouds hung heavy in the sky, casting an oppressive shadow over the village and its inhabitants. The once-vibrant streets were now slick with rainwater, reflecting the somber faces of those who dared to venture out.
The rhythmic patter of raindrops on rooftops and windows created a melancholic symphony that echoed through the empty alleyways.
The air was thick with humidity, carrying the scent of damp earth and wet stone. The constant drizzle had washed away any trace of color, leaving the village in a monochromatic palette of grays and blues.
The once-proud buildings seemed to sag under the weight of the unrelenting rain, their once-bright colors faded and chipped.
Even the lush greenery that surrounded the village appeared muted, its vibrant hues dulled by the ceaseless downpour.
The once-imposing structure now lay in ruins, its concrete bones shattered and strewn across the ravaged landscape.
Jagged shards of glass glittered ominously amidst the debris.
Dust and smoke hung heavy in the air, obscuring the few remaining patches of blue sky and casting an eerie pall over the scene.
The silence was broken only by the soft whisper of the wind as it whistled through the broken windows and the occasional creak of the unstable structure as it settled into its new, disfigured state.
The air was thick with the acrid stench of burnt metal and damp concrete, a grim reminder of the violence that had visited this place.
Amidst the wreckage, six figures stirred.
"Goodbye, Jiraiya Sensei…"
A tense silence filled the air as six menacing figures, Pain of the Akatsuki, stood ominously.
The silence was broken by a chillingly familiar voice - Yahiko, Jiraiya's former student, now a member of the Akatsuki.
Jiraiya's heart was heavy and sorrowful.
His corpse was controlled by someone.
Jiraiya knew that none of them was the real Pain. And the one who controlled them should be Nagato.
Konan was also there but she hadn't come to fight him but to send him off with flowers made of paper.
She became so strong. He was proud of her.
Jiraiya's eyes slowly closed as his body was sinking deep inside the water. He fought with Pain with everything he had. But in the end, he still lost.
His body was full of fatal wounds.
'So this is the end of my story… If I have a little more time I would have success in being a sage.'
Jiraiya was never a genius but he had the same trait as his student. He never gave up. But fate had other plans for him.
'I hope Naruto gets my message. You are the only hope… I am sorry for not being a good god father for you…'
Jiraiya felt guilty. He was too busy and hadn't had a chance to take care of him.
'If I can make it right again. I will never let Minato and Kushina die so Naruto will have a family and never be alone. I will not let Orochimaru go rogue and do crazy shit experiments. I will take good care of Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato… And I will confess my love to Tsunade even if it meant for me to be punched in the face… I will not live like a coward anymore…'
Jiraiya's consciousness slowly faded away. Death embraced him. It was surprisingly warm…
'Death is not that scary. I felt like I was in my mother's embrace. Even though I am an orphan.'
Jiraiya who thought he was dead already suddenly felt that someone was poking his mouth and he subconsciously opened it.
'Am I not dead? Why can I still feel something…'
A soft and spongy feeling hit him and then he felt something gushing inside his mouth.
It was sweet and tasty. He had never tasted anything like this before.
'Is this heaven? Why am I in heaven? I should go to hell for what I did in my entire life…'
Jiraiya opened his eyes and was shocked. He was sucking on someone's tit and it was very big!
"Haha, Drink more my little gremlin. Mama is going to feed you until you become very fat."
'Mama? Why does her voice sound so familiar…'
Jiraiya then started to process what happened to him. He didn't die but became a baby instead. And the big lady should be his mother.
He remembered that the matriarch of the orphanage said that his mother died protecting him from bandits. She had red hair and might be Uzumaki while his father had silver hair and might be from the Hatake clan.
That's why he had a vigor that could rival Uzumaki and the silver hair of Hatake.
His features were striking to his supposed lineage.
The vibrant energy that coursed through him, a seemingly inexhaustible source of vitality, was undeniably reminiscent of the Uzumaki clan.
Yet, it was his hair that truly captivated; a cascade of silver strands that shimmered like moonlight, an unmistakable echo of the Hatake bloodline.
This unique combination, the fiery spirit of the Uzumaki intertwined with the cool elegance of the Hatake, painted a portrait of a baby who was just born.
Jiraiya was supposed to be very handsome if he were to dress accordingly.
'Come to think of it. I have never tried a sword before… And I will have to change my style…'