Jiraiya, wrapped in gauze and bandages, finally appeared at the classroom door.
He looked pitifully at Uchiha Tatsumi.
Tatsumi felt a chill run down his spine under that accusing gaze. Brother, I was wrong, okay?
"Jiraiya-sensei, you didn't actually peek at the women's bathhouse again, did you? Is that why you got beaten up?" Rope Tree asked, startled. Jiraiya looked truly terrifying in this state. Although he had heard of Tsunade beating up Jiraiya before, he had never seen the aftermath himself. Now, witnessing the damage firsthand, it was... eye-opening.
"No! Uh... this was from a super S-rank mission! Yeah! That's it. The Third Hokage personally assigned it. Orochimaru can vouch for me!" Jiraiya said quickly, trying to save face. There was no way he'd admit—especially in front of so many students—that Tsunade was the one who'd roughed him up. How could he walk the streets of the ninja world with pride after that?
"Jiraiya-nii, did you go investigate that short-skirted shopkeeper girl too?" Rope Tree asked innocently.
Huh? Whoever said Rope Tree was an idiot clearly never saw him work. Uchiha Tatsumi nearly applauded.
Rope Tree clearly recognized Jiraiya's sorry state and, afraid of Tsunade's wrath himself, was now gently nudging Jiraiya into taking the bait—testing the waters, so to speak. If Jiraiya came back unharmed, Rope Tree could investigate the "suspicious shop" guilt-free.
As expected, shinobi are hard to fool.
"Oh, really? The person might be a spy from an enemy village. For the sake of Konoha's safety, a full-scale investigation is necessary. Top to bottom!" Jiraiya said with an overly serious face.
"…."
Truly, a worthy mentor to Rope Tree.
Still cautious from the Tsunade incident, Jiraiya's eyes narrowed. "Rope Tree, where did this information come from? Is it reliable?"
"I... I just happened to pass by the shop this morning," Rope Tree replied vaguely.
After all, Uchiha Tatsumi had told him not to reveal the true source of the tip—himself.
The reason?
Simple: Mikoto. Uchiha Tatsumi valued his life.
So now Rope Tree had become the supposed informant. Though slightly embarrassed, he, as the "top intelligence ninja of Konoha," could bear it.
Hearing that the intel didn't come from Tatsumi, Jiraiya relaxed noticeably. He even gave Rope Tree a knowing look.
"Very good, Rope Tree. I'll take a look later. I'm sure the Third Hokage will be very interested."
"…You're even dragging Hiruzen-sama into this now?"
After exchanging this info, Jiraiya summoned Tatsumi, Mikoto, and Minato.
Tatsumi wisely didn't question why they were late. He could feel it—Jiraiya was looking for an excuse to torment him for some unknown offense.
Sunlight filtered through the dense leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Only Orochimaru stood in the shade, his ninja vest immaculate and his expression unreadable.
Where was Tsunade?
"For the next week, the three of us will be your instructors," Jiraiya said, pointing to Orochimaru beside him—and to the empty space that should've held Tsunade.
"This guidance is valuable and time-limited, so make the most of it."
"Alright then, Minato—you'll train with me," Jiraiya continued.
Truth be told, he had originally wanted to guide Uchiha Tatsumi personally, to "temper" the brat a little. But he had spoken with Minato earlier, and his fondness for the boy ran deep. Minato was a fellow orphan and a humble, hardworking prodigy—just like Jiraiya saw himself once.
Also, Jiraiya had already heard that Tsunade had claimed Tatsumi as her student.
"That's fine. Mikoto, you'll be with me," Orochimaru said in his trademark low, hoarse voice.
Mikoto nodded without objection. She had no particular interest in medical ninjutsu, and as a Sharingan user with a high ninjutsu affinity, Orochimaru was a good fit.
Tatsumi was more of a jack-of-all-trades, which meant he could learn under any of the three. But it was clear to everyone that Tsunade had "reserved" him from the beginning.
Yes, reserved.
Uchiha Tatsumi was very much Tsunade's type of student—wild, talented, and in desperate need of discipline.
"Uh... so what do I do?" Tatsumi asked. Tsunade was suspiciously absent.
Jiraiya gave Tatsumi a sly look and patted his shoulder with exaggerated concern.
"Kid, Tsunade's waiting for you at the Senju compound. Oh, and bring your wallet. If you don't have money, she won't heal you after she breaks you."
That sentence contained far too much information.
So… Tsunade was going to beat him senseless, then demand payment to heal him, and then injure him again?
Who thinks of this stuff?!
"Can I pass on this training slot?" Tatsumi asked weakly.
"Of course. But then you won't have to worry about paying for treatment," Jiraiya said with a wide grin.
"That's great."
"—Because you'll need that money to buy a cemetery plot with good feng shui."
"…."
"Mikoto, comfort him, will you?" Jiraiya sighed.
Mikoto gave Tatsumi a small pat. "It'll be okay. Just apologize sincerely to Tsunade-sama."
If apologies worked on Tsunade, why would Jiraiya be in bandages right now? he thought.
"Minato! Let's go. I'll teach you a powerful jutsu so you can defeat Tatsumi and avenge me!" Jiraiya announced, puffing up proudly.
"…Ahaha," Minato gave a sheepish smile, following behind.
"Chen," Orochimaru called calmly. "I mentioned before the matches—I'm always open to guiding promising students. Even after your time with Tsunade, if you're interested, you're welcome to study with me."
Despite Tsunade claiming Tatsumi, Orochimaru still extended his offer. He wouldn't compete with a teammate now, but… there would be future opportunities.
For now, Tatsumi could only nod—one step closer to being recruited by Orochimaru after graduation, and one step deeper into human experimentation. All in the name of science.
"Come on, Mikoto," Orochimaru said with a glance, and the two walked off together.
Now only Uchiha Tatsumi remained.
To face Tsunade.
Survival… or death? That is the question.