stonecrandall Chapter 130 Old Friends Meet Again
Chapter 130 Old Friends Meet Again
Chapter 130 Old Friends Meet Again
In the afternoon, Gen Takuno was sitting quietly at the table, continuing to inscribe the sealing technique.
Sudden.
"Bang!!!"
A violent crash shattered the silence. The flimsy hotel room door was flung open and slammed against the wall, the entire door frame seemingly trembling.
The humid air, thick with the smell of alcohol, rushed in instantly, and Jiraiya's tall figure blocked the doorway.
He leaned against the doorframe, barely managing to steady his swaying body. The pungent smell of alcohol wafted out even before he was there.
His hair was disheveled, his face was flushed, and his eyes were hazy yet carried a drunken excitement.
He strained to open his somewhat unfocused eyes, his gaze searching the room before finally settling on Gen Takuya at the table. With his usual hoarse, drunken voice, he loudly proclaimed, "Heh heh! Takuya kid! Found it—heh heh heh—finally—I've found news of Tsunade!" As he spoke, the smell of alcohol wafted out, and he even let out a small burp.
He grinned, looking smug, as if he had accomplished something extraordinary and was just waiting to see Yuan Tuoye's delighted reaction.
However, Takuno didn't even seem to lift an eyelid. He simply placed the scroll back on the table, showing not only no ecstatic joy that Jiraiya had expected, but not even the slightest ripple of emotion.
Jiraiya looked at his expression, which showed absolutely no excitement, and his smugness froze instantly, replaced by deep bewilderment.
He tilted his head, his voice thick with the smell of alcohol and confusion, and asked, "Hey? What's wrong—you brat—aren't you happy?" He instinctively grabbed the door frame and stumbled forward half a step.
Gen Takuya then slowly stood up, his tone calm and even carrying a hint of barely perceptible sarcasm: "I'm glad, Jiraiya-sama. However, I also just recently received definite news about Tsunade-sama."
"Huh?" Jiraiya was taken aback for a moment, then let out an even louder laugh, which was mixed with the smell of alcohol: "Ahahaha—!"
*Cough cough—Interesting! Interesting! So that's how it is! You little rascal—you have your own unique way of handling intelligence, huh! Haha, hiccup—*
He laughed loudly, as if he had heard a wonderful joke, and pounded on the door frame while laughing.
"Then," Takuno ignored Jiraiya's laughter and casually inquired, "Lord Jiraiya, shall we set off immediately to track down Lady Tsunade? Or—"
He paused slightly, his gaze returning to Jiraiya's clearly unsteady legs. "After you're completely sober?"
"Now! Of course, immediately, set off right now!" Jiraiya shouted without hesitation, waving his hand. His tone suddenly became urgent. "Find—"
Finding news of that woman is no easy feat—it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! And—"
As he spoke, his tone suddenly became filled with strong dissatisfaction, as if his credibility had been questioned. He snorted heavily, put his hands on his hips and puffed out his chest. Although his body was still swaying slightly, he still tried his best to appear dignified.
"Hmph! I'm not drunk! Not at all! This little bit of wine—I could have ten more bottles!" he emphasized, seemingly trying to prove his sobriety, but his vacant eyes and mumbled pronunciation were hardly convincing.
Yuan Tuoye's gaze lingered on his face for less than a second before he didn't reply, his eyes practically overflowing with the meaning of "I don't believe you."
He shook his head slightly, picked up his pre-prepared bag without hesitation, turned around and walked past Jiraiya, who was still muttering "back in the day, how things were like this and that—", and walked out of the room first, his figure quickly disappearing into the dimly lit corridor.
"Hey! Hey!! Minamoto Takuya!" Jiraiya shouted hurriedly upon seeing this, trying to catch up, but his body staggered uncontrollably.
He steadied himself by holding onto the wall, yelling, "What kind of look is that! Wait for me!" as he stumbled and staggered down the stairs.
In the afternoon, the sun lazily shone on the cobblestone streets of a small town in the Land of Fire, a place with a pleasant climate and far from the flames of war.
The woman with light yellow long hair, Tsunade, was wearing a light sleeveless kimono with a tea-green cardigan with black trim casually draped over it. At this moment, she had none of the composure she once possessed as one of the Three Legendary Sannin.
She was half-bent over, like a thief afraid of being discovered, tightly holding the hand of a black-haired little girl named Shizune who was dressed in a plain black kimono, nimbly weaving and hiding among the narrow alleys and crowded stalls.
They had just narrowly escaped into a dark corner filled with empty wooden crates, holding their breath.
A commotion erupted outside. A group of furious men, clearly intoxicated, were looking around and shouting gruffly, "Don't let that fat sheep get away!" and "This time we'll make her pay back what she owes!"
The noisy footsteps and curses faded away outside the wall and eventually disappeared completely.
"Hmph, a bunch of fools," Tsunade straightened up, brushed off non-existent dust, and smiled, confirming that the crisis had passed.
A smug smile, like a child who has successfully pulled off a prank.
"Want to catch me? In your next life! I'm a ninja!" She said with a hint of disdain, as if mocking the mortals' overestimation of their abilities.
Standing next to her was Xiao Jingyin, who, despite her young age, already showed signs of weariness and helplessness beyond her years.
She gently tugged at the hem of Tsunade's coat and asked in a low voice, "Lady Tsunade, how much did you lose this time—?"
His tone was a mixture of worry and habitual resignation.
"Hmph, it's just a little bit, nothing at all!" Tsunade waved her hand vaguely, easily putting aside her worries about losing money. Her gaze was already fixed on the street tavern with lanterns hanging not far away, and she started walking in that direction.
For her, the next stop after retreating from the gambling table will inevitably be the drinking table.
Shizune was startled and quickly ran after her, using all her strength to hold onto Tsunade's arm.
"Lady Tsunade! Wait! We really, really don't have a single penny left! If we keep drinking, we'll go hungry tonight!" Her plea was filled with anxiety.
Unfortunately, her meager strength was like an ant trying to shake a tree in front of a Kage-level ninja with the title of "superhuman strength".
Tsunade felt almost no resistance, as if she were dragging a light, floating doll, her steps never stopping, and she dragged the staggering Shizune straight into the noisy tavern.
"Boss! Bring me a pot of the best wine! Hurry up!" Tsunade shouted as soon as she entered the room, taking up an empty table in a very casual manner, while Shizune sat at another table so as not to delay her from drinking.
Just as Tsunade poured herself a small cup of sake and was savoring it, a tall, imposing figure with white hair casually sat down on the bench next to her, bringing a sense of familiarity.
"It's you." Tsunade didn't even look up, her gaze lingering on the rim of her wine glass, her tone flat and devoid of any emotion.
She seemed to have anticipated Jiraiya's appearance and was not surprised at all, only a little lazy because her enjoyment of drinking alone was disturbed.
"Yeah, long time no see, Tsunade," Jiraiya replied cheerfully, waving to the shopkeeper, "Boss, give me a pot too!"
Although he had just recovered from being drunk on the way here and the smell of alcohol hadn't completely dissipated, he felt he had to have another drink with his old friend and former comrade-in-arms. The owner quickly brought over a wine jug and cups.
"Hmph," Tsunade snorted and downed the drink in one gulp. "They came all this way just to drink with me, didn't they?"
Is something the matter?
She got straight to the point, sounding somewhat impatient.
"Haha, look at what you're saying!" Jiraiya laughed as he filled his own glass, then clinked it against Tsunade's empty one. "Isn't it only natural for old friends to catch up?"
Tsunade let him fill her empty cup, and this time she did not immediately object, but silently picked up the newly filled cup.
Deep down, she was not unaware of Jiraiya's unspoken feelings that went beyond those of a comrade.
However, on the one hand, she always regarded him as a reliable comrade-in-arms who shared life and death with her; on the other hand, ever since her beloved Kato Dan tragically sacrificed himself on the battlefield, her heart had been frozen, and she had long lost any interest in any matters of love.
She glanced at Jiraiya with a cold look and said, "Isn't it unnecessary to bring a follower just for a simple reunion?"
She tilted her head slightly, scrutinizing Yuan Tuoye with a hint of examination. "What? Is this your new apprentice? He seems more mature than Minato was back then."
"Haha, as expected of Tsunade! Still so perceptive!" Jiraiya laughed, clinking glasses with Tsunade. "But you've guessed wrong this time. This Genjiro Takuno-kun," he deliberately drawled, revealing a mysterious smile, "is not my disciple!"
Meanwhile, at another small table a little further away, Xiao Jingyin watched her parents start another round of drinking and sighed heavily.
She was already starting to worry about how to get Tsunade, who might be completely drunk, back to her place tonight. Even worse, what if those ruthless debt collectors from the casino discovered their hiding place? Her small face was filled with a worry that didn't match her actual age.
Just as she was lost in her sorrow, another figure sat down on the stool next to her.
Shizune was startled, thinking that the people from the casino had chased her into the tavern. She tensed up instantly, like a frightened little animal.
She looked up abruptly, only to be met with an unfamiliar young face with a gentle expression. He was about twenty years old, with a calm and handsome air about him, unlike the vicious debt collector.
"Waiter, a glass of milk and a glass of fruit tea, please." After giving his orders to the waiter, the young man, Yuan Tuoye, turned to the nervous Jingyin.
"Who are you?!" Despite the other person's handsome appearance, Shizune remained highly vigilant, her small hands instinctively clenching.
"My name is Minamoto no Takuno, a Jonin of Konoha." Minamoto no Takuno answered clearly and calmly, and gestured with his eyes in the direction of Jiraiya and Tsunade.
"I'm here to accompany Jiraiya-sama to find Tsunade-sama. You should know the name of Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha, right?" His tone was reassuring.
"Ah, it's Jiraiya-sama!" Shizune knew the name of the Sannin, and her tense nerves finally relaxed slightly.
Since they are not debt collectors and were sent by Konoha, they should not be enemies.
"So—you've come here—to take Lady Tsunade back to the village?" she asked hesitantly, voicing her thoughts.
"Perhaps that's one of the purposes," Gen Takuno did not deny.
After all, if possible, Jiraiya probably still hopes that Tsunade can return to the village.
Upon hearing the reply, Shizune's innocent face revealed a maturity and sadness far beyond her years: "I see—but I think it will be difficult."
Lady Tsunade—she no longer wants to return to that place filled with memories.
Her voice lowered, carrying a pre-existing bitterness and helplessness.
Yuan Tuoye didn't say anything more, but just silently looked at Shizune and shook his head. She was clearly just a child, but she was forced to take on the responsibility of taking care of Tsunade, an irresponsible adult.
Honestly, if Kato Dan came back to life and saw how Tsunade was taking care of his niece, he would probably be a little angry, right?
At that moment, the waiter brought over milk and fruit tea. Yuan Tuoye naturally pushed the warm milk to the mute button, leaving the fruit tea for himself.
Even in a tavern filled with the rich aroma of alcohol, he remained completely teetotal.
The numbing effect of alcohol on the brain made him wary; it was like a key that could loosen the locks that reason had sealed in his heart.
Yuan Tuoye has always believed that the evil behavior that a person displays when drunk is not the fault of alcohol, but rather the evil thoughts that are inherent in that person's nature. When sober, they rely on self-control to suppress them, and alcohol is just the removal of that disguised chain.
Those who truly uphold principles will never cross the line, even when deeply intoxicated.
Whether in this life or the next, alcohol always seemed to be separated from him by an invisible wall, unable to ignite even the slightest enthusiasm in him.
In his previous life as Yuan Tuoye, he was not completely abstinent from alcohol. Due to the limitations of social occasions, he would raise a glass for necessary social events.
At that time, he was considered to have "excellent drinking manners." When drunk, he would simply become more talkative and say a few more words, but most of the time he would fall into a deep sleep and could not be woken up by any noise around him.
When that taste, which was revered as a divine elixir, slid down his throat, he had never experienced the legendary intoxicating pleasure.
Once the alcohol begins to affect your senses, what follows is a persistent, heavy headache and a churning stomach, leaving you feeling utterly miserable.
If it weren't for his duties, he wouldn't even bother touching the rim of his wine glass.
In this life, he stubbornly pursued the unimaginable mysteries of experiments and the research so precise it was like a game against fate. All of this required his mind to be like a fully drawn bowstring, in a state of absolute sharpness and concentration at its peak.
Alcohol? It would only be a stumbling block on this path of exploration; it would dilute his will, numb his mind, and be a source of interference that he would absolutely not tolerate.
While the two, one big and one small, were each drinking their own beverages...
"Tsunade, listen to me—!"
"Shut up, Jiraiya! Stop being so self-righteous!"
The argument suddenly escalated, the boisterous shouts fueled by alcohol violently shattering the previously harmonious atmosphere of the izakaya and drawing the attention of nearby diners. Both men were clearly agitated by their drinks.