Chapter 200: Chapter 200

“Tsunade, who is he?”

Jiraiya finally gathered himself, sprang to his feet, and strode toward her, curiosity written all over his face.

“His name is Kitazawa,” Tsunade said after a brief pause. “He’s… half my student.”

“You? A student?” Jiraiya’s eyes widened in surprise. Then his brows knitted. “And what do you mean, half a student?”

“My business is none of yours.” Tsunade’s tone turned sharp, her fist flexing in warning.

“Right, right—never asked,” Jiraiya backpedaled immediately, sensing danger.

“Kitazawa, this is Ji—”

“Wait! I’ll handle this myself!” Jiraiya interrupted with a grin, stepping back.

Balancing on one leg, he struck an exaggerated pose.

“I am the peerless White-Haired Toad Sage, a man beyond the four cardinal directions! Children stop crying at the sight of my—”

He didn’t even finish before a fist like a boulder cut him off. With a loud crack, Jiraiya shot through the air like a white comet, crashing meters away with a pitiful scream.

“His name is Jiraiya,” Tsunade said dryly, lowering her hand as though nothing happened. “Stay away from him if you can.”

“What do you mean stay away from me?!” Jiraiya reappeared in front of them almost instantly, indestructible as ever.

“You know why.” Tsunade glared, her voice edged with steel. “If I catch you peeking at the Konoha hot springs again, you’ll die in ways you can’t imagine.”

“It was a misunderstanding!” Cold sweat beaded on Jiraiya’s forehead. “I just came back to spend New Year’s with the Old Man… and with you.”

“Go spend it with the Old Man. I don’t need you.” Tsunade waved him off.

“Don’t need me?” Jiraiya’s gaze slid toward Kitazawa.

“Lady Tsunade, Shizune-senpai, Mrs. Rina, and I are celebrating together,” Kitazawa replied evenly.

“Rina? Who’s that?” Jiraiya scratched his head.

“You’ve been gone too long,” Tsunade snorted, clearly displeased.

Kitazawa held his tongue. Truthfully, Tsunade was no different from Jiraiya—if not for his creation of the Psychological Medical Ninja system, she’d likely still be wandering until Naruto dragged her back after graduation. But saying that out loud? That was a shortcut to Jiraiya’s fate.

“If you want answers, ask the Old Man,” Tsunade said flatly, shutting the door behind her.

Jiraiya rubbed his nose awkwardly, then, after a quick nod to Kitazawa, turned and headed for the Hokage’s office.

“Old Man, still peeping into that crystal ball? Why not lend it to me for a couple of days?”

The voice made Hiruzen stiffen. He quickly covered the crystal ball before relaxing with a sigh.

“The Hokage’s office hasn’t changed a bit,” Jiraiya said, vaulting through the window with ease.

“Can’t you use the door for once?” Hiruzen scolded, face dark. “Just like Tsunade—no respect!”

“Next time, promise,” Jiraiya grinned.

“Forget it. You never listen.” Hiruzen put the crystal ball away. “So… have you found your Child of Prophecy?”

“No.” Jiraiya shook his head.

The Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku had once prophesied that among Jiraiya’s students, one would emerge with the power to change the world—or destroy it. Jiraiya had been searching ever since.

“You’ve chased shadows for years. Maybe this Child of Prophecy doesn’t exist,” Hiruzen said gently. “Why not stay in Konoha now that you’re here?”

“Sorry, Old Man.” Jiraiya’s eyes hardened. “The Child of Prophecy does exist. I’ll find him.”

Hiruzen sighed. If Jiraiya had stayed, so much might have been different—the Nine-Tails Incident most of all.

“I just saw Tsunade. Who’s this Kitazawa? How’d he end up her half-student?”

“See for yourself.” Hiruzen slid a file across the desk.

Jiraiya opened it casually, but the more he read, the more his expression shifted from curiosity to shock.

From a mere academy teacher to an elite jonin skilled in medical ninjutsu, genjutsu, and water release—all in less than a year. The transformation was absurd.

It reminded Jiraiya of himself in the old days, before Mount Myōboku changed everything. But what was Kitazawa’s secret? A hidden mentor? A miraculous stroke of fate?

“No wonder Tsunade came back,” Jiraiya muttered, pausing at the section on the Psychological Medical Ninja system. “This could change everything.”

The more he thought, the more a realization struck him. “Old Man… can it treat Tsunade’s hemophobia?”

“Possibly.” Hiruzen nodded. “Kitazawa and the team are working on it. Success isn’t guaranteed.”

“If it works… that would be incredible.” Relief flickered across Jiraiya’s features. He more than anyone understood the burden Tsunade carried.

“Kitazawa has earned his place as her student,” Jiraiya said at last. He didn’t pry further—Kitazawa had the strength, position, and allies to keep his secrets.

“And he’s a remarkable teacher,” Hiruzen added proudly.

“A teacher is still just a teacher,” Jiraiya replied with a shrug. In his eyes, Academy instructors were barely above genin, their limit being the Three Basic Jutsu.

“Take a look at this.” Hiruzen handed him the Genius Class dossier.

Jiraiya flipped through, eyebrows rising. “…A good reform,” he admitted. “If we’d had something like this back then, maybe Hanzo wouldn’t have crushed us so badly.”

The memory of that battle burned fresh: the three of them slaughtered alongside their comrades, spared only as a mockery—Hanzo’s “Sannin.”

“And Rina?” Jiraiya asked again.

“Rina Uzumaki. A survivor from the Grass Village. Tsunade and Kitazawa brought her back.”

“There are still Uzumaki alive?” Jiraiya’s eyes widened.

“Thanks to Kitazawa,” Hiruzen said, voice tinged with relief.

“I see.” Jiraiya set the file down. “Then I’ll go see Naruto.”

“Fine. But don’t stir up trouble,” Hiruzen warned.

“When will you tell him the truth?” Jiraiya asked, frowning.

“He’s still too young. After graduation,” Hiruzen said firmly.

“Tonight’s New Year’s Eve. You’re not leaving him alone, are you?” Jiraiya’s gaze sharpened.

Hiruzen fell silent.

“Tsunade’s here. What are you afraid of?” Jiraiya pressed. “Old Man, you were once a hero. When did you become so indecisive?”

“…Bring Naruto to my house tonight.” After a long pause, Hiruzen relented.

“That’s more like it.” Jiraiya waved and leapt out the window. “See you tonight.”

Hiruzen watched him vanish into the distance, an old ache heavy in his chest. “It seems I really am getting old.”

Tsunade and Jiraiya had the courage to move forward, while he hesitated. And Jiraiya, for all his passion, was shackled by prophecy.

“Perhaps the future of Konoha lies with Tsunade after all,” he murmured.

As the New Year approached, Konoha was buzzing with life.

Shops lined both sides of the street, every one of them open and filled with customers. Temporary food stalls and snack carts crowded the lanes, their aromas mingling in the crisp winter air. But what filled the streets most of all were people—villagers shoulder to shoulder, laughter and chatter echoing everywhere.

“Your shop isn’t open today?”

Kurenai squeezed Kitazawa’s hand, her ruby eyes glinting with amusement. “You’ll lose a fortune.”

“No,” Kitazawa shook his head with a smile. “Spending the day with you is worth more. Besides, I’m not exactly short on money anymore.”

“That’s true,” Kurenai admitted, glancing around the bustling street. “You’re practically Konoha’s top medical ninja after Lady Tsunade. Earning money comes easy for you now.”

“Unless I fall into gambling,” Kitazawa quipped. “Then I’d end up penniless, just like Lady Tsunade.”

Kurenai laughed softly. “Careful, she is your teacher. She might just dump all her IOUs on you.”

“Don’t say terrifying things like that,” Kitazawa muttered, his mouth twitching.

Kurenai suddenly stopped, pointing ahead. “Look—it’s Asuma and Kakashi.”

Kitazawa followed her gaze. “You’re right.”

“Kitazawa!”

Gai’s booming voice cut through the crowd as he waved energetically.

Asuma’s eyes flicked toward them—and immediately froze when he noticed their hands interlocked. He felt his heart seize painfully.

“Asuma, when did you get back?” Kitazawa greeted warmly.

“Yesterday afternoon,” Asuma replied curtly.

“How did you all end up together?” Kurenai asked, curious.

“Just ran into each other.” Asuma grumbled, “Then the Old Man suddenly ordered me to buy groceries—said we had guests tonight.”

“Guests? On New Year’s Eve?” Kurenai frowned.

“I have no idea.” Asuma shook his head.

“I do.” Kitazawa’s eyes flickered knowingly. “I saw Jiraiya-sama this morning.”

“Jiraiya-sama?”

For the first time, Kakashi stirred. A glint of life flickered in his dead-fish eyes. He had already read Icha Icha Paradise dozens of times—was there a new volume?

“Yes,” Kitazawa chuckled. “He visited Lady Tsunade… and got punched through the street for his trouble.”

“As expected of Lady Tsunade,” Kurenai said in open admiration.

“So that’s it.” Realization dawned on Asuma. “If Jiraiya’s here, of course the Old Man’s preparing.”

“Speaking of guests,” Kurenai added with a smile, “Lady Tsunade’s coming to our house tonight.”

Their house?

Asuma felt his heart sink. He had lost far too thoroughly.

“You all enjoy yourselves. We’ll check out that supermarket,” he muttered, dragging Kakashi along.

“Wait for me!” Gai shouted, sprinting after them.

“Asuma,” Kakashi said after some thought, “I’ll head home with you later. I have something to discuss with Jiraiya-sama.”

“No problem.” Asuma managed a smile. “How about you spend New Year’s Eve at our place?”

“Me?” Kakashi blinked, surprised.

“Of course. You’re Jiraiya-sama’s student’s student—it’s only right. Besides, the Old Man will be happy to see you.”

By evening, snow was falling heavily.

Shizune and Rina arrived early at Kurenai’s home to help prepare the feast. Kitazawa tried to join in, but was quickly shooed away—the kitchen was already too cramped with three people inside.

In the living room, Karin sat cross-legged on the sofa, watching television with rapt attention. Kitazawa flopped down beside her, but after a few minutes of dull programs, he grew restless.

Then came a knock at the door.

“I’ll get it.”

Kitazawa opened it—and found himself face-to-face with Tsunade.

Despite the swirling snow, she wore her familiar tea-green jacket, the character Gamble boldly emblazoned on the back.

“Lady Tsunade, you’re late,” Kitazawa said, stepping aside to let her in.

“Stopped to buy sake.” Tsunade smirked. “Weather like this calls for it.”

As she bent to take off her shoes, Kitazawa’s eyes flickered down.

Without looking up, Tsunade spoke dryly, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll punch you through the wall?”

“No,” Kitazawa replied without hesitation. “I’ve done nothing wrong.” He brushed the snow gently from her shoulder.

Tsunade paused, then allowed a small smile. “I’ll let you off—for today.”

She padded into the living room. Kitazawa exhaled in relief. His auto-aim definitely needed more control.

“Lady Tsunade!” Karin greeted happily.

“How’s your training?” Tsunade asked, ruffling her hair.

“Good,” Karin said proudly. “Kitazawa-sensei says I can start learning sealing techniques next week.”

“As expected of the Uzumaki clan,” Tsunade nodded.

“Her talent really is impressive,” Kitazawa added with a grin.

“You’re teaching her sealing?” Tsunade’s eyes narrowed. “What about the three techniques I gave you?”

“I’ve mastered two.” Kitazawa admitted modestly. “But my sealing talent is… lacking.”

Tsunade rolled her eyes. “I ought to punch you out. Two techniques already? That’s not lacking, it’s monstrous.”

“You don’t need to punch me,” Kitazawa teased. “Just say the word and I’ll leave peacefully.”

He wasn’t really afraid of her anymore—he’d learned her boundaries. Tsunade might be tough, but she wasn’t unfair. Jiraiya, on the other hand, had far too many sins to atone for.

An hour later, dinner was ready.

Kitazawa, Tsunade, Kurenai, Shizune, Rina, and Karin sat around the table.

“Bring out the sake!” Tsunade declared, plopping down six bottles.

“Six?!” Shizune scolded. “Weren’t you supposed to buy two?”

“It’s New Year’s Eve. Two isn’t nearly enough,” Tsunade retorted.

“It’s fine,” Kurenai interjected smoothly. “I’ll drink with Lady Tsunade.”

“Then drink!” Tsunade lifted her glass.

“Wait.” Kitazawa stopped her hand. “The first drink of the year should be shared together.”

“True enough.” Tsunade nodded. “Everyone, raise your glasses!”

Except for Karin, everyone lifted theirs.

“Happy New Year!” they said in unison.

At the Sarutobi compound, the night was equally lively.

“Today is a good day,” Hiruzen said with a wide smile, looking at Jiraiya, Asuma, Kakashi, and Naruto gathered before him.

He couldn’t even remember the last time his home had been this warm, this full of laughter.

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