"Insight Eye, activate."
Without hesitation, Jiraiya focused his chakra into his eyes. A warm sensation surged through them, and in an instant, he could see past all obstacles ahead.
He froze, eyes locking onto a startling scene: Tsunade stood by the lake, utterly unadorned, her skin glowing. On the lake's surface, colorful, luminous insects fluttered gracefully, creating an enchanting view.
"So big... so white..."
Jiraiya felt his pulse race as his gaze lingered on Tsunade's flawless figure. Her captivating curves and alabaster skin radiated an irresistible allure.
His initial tension melted away. It turned out Tsunade's earlier exclamation wasn't out of danger but from awe at the natural beauty before her. Relieved, Jiraiya realized his concern for her safety had been unwarranted.
With a soft splash, Tsunade stepped into the lake, her long legs cutting gracefully through the water.
"I'm not peeping... not really," Jiraiya muttered, withdrawing his chakra and deactivating his technique. Still, the image of Tsunade's figure lingered in his mind, tempting him. He shook his head, forcing himself to refocus. As a proper ninja, he couldn't let himself be distracted like this. Time spent here was too precious to waste.
Their relationship was blossoming quickly, and Jiraiya knew better than to jeopardize it. He lay back on the grass, closing his eyes to rest. He had already scanned the area with his Insight Eye and confirmed no threats nearby.
"Jiraiya, this place is stunning. Promise me, you'll bring me here every year from now on."
Tsunade's voice broke the tranquility as she returned, now dressed and visibly delighted.
Jiraiya sat up, spitting out the grass stem he'd been chewing.
"Won't you get bored of it eventually? Even the most beautiful scenery loses its charm when you see it too often."
"And what about me?" Tsunade teased, a playful glint in her eyes. "Will you get tired of looking at me too?"
"Of course not," Jiraiya replied without hesitation. "You're far more captivating than any scenery. Flowers and grass stay the same, but you... you're endlessly fascinating."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, a mix of skepticism and amusement.
"Where do you come up with lines like that? How many other women have you used them on?"
"I'm just being honest," Jiraiya said smoothly. "Besides, you know my standards. Ordinary girls don't even catch my eye."
A small smile tugged at Tsunade's lips as she turned to head back toward their camp, clearly pleased despite herself.
Jiraiya followed, watching her from behind. His mind wandered briefly back to the lake.
Clothes really do hide her figure... She's even more stunning without them.
...
"You can cut down trees from the nearby forest to build a shelter," Sakumo Hatake called out as he emerged from a hut. "Or you can sleep outside if you'd prefer."
With that, he disappeared in a flash, heading toward the border for his daily patrol. As the only Jonin among them, Sakumo's heightened sensory abilities allowed him to detect threats that Chunin might miss.
"That guy is so annoying," Tsunade muttered, frowning.
"When this mission is over, I'm challenging him back at the village," Jiraiya said, watching Sakumo's retreating figure. As a fellow ninja, he couldn't resist the idea of testing his strength against someone as skilled as Sakumo.
"Make sure to hit him a few times for me," Tsunade quipped, though her tone lacked its usual sharpness. She had grown to respect Jiraiya's abilities during their time together.
Neither Jiraiya nor Tsunade bothered building a wooden shelter. As seasoned ninja, their sleeping bags were more than sufficient for a night under the stars.
"Patrolling is so boring," Tsunade grumbled. "I can't wait for this mission to be over."
"The herbs are almost all harvested," Jiraiya reassured her. "We'll be back in the village soon enough."
Their routine patrols had been uneventful for days, the monotony weighing on them. But suddenly, Jiraiya froze, his expression turning serious.
"Tsunade, go find Sakumo—now! A large group of Rain ninja is heading this way!"
Tsunade blinked, startled. "What? Are you sure?"
Jiraiya didn't answer immediately. Instead, he focused his Sage physique's heightened sensory abilities, detecting faint traces of chakra approaching from the Rain Country's direction. Activating his Insight Eye, he saw a group of over a dozen ninja moving swiftly toward their location.
Their chakra levels were alarming. Most were elite Chunin, and at least two were Jonin-level.
"They're coming for the herbs," Jiraiya muttered, his mind racing. This wasn't just a raid; it was an attempt to eliminate them entirely. With only ten Konoha ninja guarding the herbs—including three elite Chunin and one Jonin—they were vastly outnumbered.
"Tsunade, go!" Jiraiya urged. "I'm not joking. Their strength is no joke."
Tsunade hesitated, her brow furrowed. She hadn't seen Jiraiya use any jutsu, so his sudden urgency confused her. Unlike the Sharingan or Byakugan, the Insight Eye didn't require hand signs or visible changes.
"You're not coming with me?" she asked, her voice tense.
"I'll stay and monitor their movements," Jiraiya said firmly. "Don't worry about me—I can handle myself."
"Let's just leave together," Tsunade insisted, her concern evident.
Jiraiya shook his head. "No. I'll cover our retreat. Now go!"
Tsunade's heart clenched. Over the past few days, she had grown deeply fond of Jiraiya. Watching him volunteer to stay behind stirred a mix of fear and admiration.
Reluctantly, she turned and sprinted toward Sakumo's direction, her heart heavy with worry.
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