Seeing Tsunade's flushed face and shy demeanor filled Jiraiya with a sense of accomplishment.
In all of Konoha, he was the only one capable of making Tsunade show such an expression.
Back in their room, Jiraiya pulled Tsunade into his arms for another passionate kiss. Her softness was intoxicating—each time felt like a brand-new experience.
It wasn't until Tsunade went weak in his arms that Jiraiya finally pulled away.
"All right, let's eat," he said casually.
Tsunade, her gaze tender, responded softly, "You're always so bold..."
After a quick pause, Jiraiya mentioned, "Today, I'm officially joining the Anbu and will be leading a squad. Once you're back, you can share the news with Isamu."
As he spoke, Jiraiya grabbed a piece of bread and took a bite.
His appointment to the Anbu was undoubtedly great news for the Senju Clan. It meant he'd gain access to some of Konoha's authority, which could directly benefit the clan.
The Senju Clan had allowed him to pursue a relationship with Tsunade because they saw his tremendous potential. With this news, Tsunade's elders would likely be thrilled and might even increase their support for him. Perhaps they'd finally provide him with access to some of the clan's forbidden jutsu—a gesture they had held back on until now.
"They've been hesitant, still evaluating me," Jiraiya mused. "But once they see my value, they won't hold back for long."
"Sensei made you an Anbu squad captain?" Tsunade's voice betrayed her shock.
The Anbu was the Hokage's elite unit, comprising only the village's top shinobi. Becoming a squad captain was an even greater achievement, requiring the strength of a high-ranking jonin.
Jiraiya had just passed his jonin exam, and now he was already leading an Anbu squad. This clearly showed how much the Hokage valued him.
For the Senju Clan, this was monumental news. If Jiraiya's abilities grew further, it wasn't impossible to imagine him becoming the Anbu leader someday, elevating him to Konoha's top echelon. Such a development would vastly improve the Senju Clan's position in the village.
"Don't be so surprised," Jiraiya said, smirking as he took a sip of milk. "With my abilities, becoming an Anbu squad captain is just the beginning."
Tsunade smiled, her expression softening.
"The elders and my brother Isamu will definitely be overjoyed when they hear this."
Jiraiya set his cup down and leaned closer, lifting her chin with a playful grin.
"Since I'm an Anbu squad captain now, shouldn't I get a reward from you?"
"You're terrible!" Tsunade protested, her cheeks turning crimson. "Yesterday, you only told me you passed the jonin exam. You didn't mention becoming a squad captain!"
"Of course. If I told you everything at once, how could I ask for two rewards?" Jiraiya teased, his tone unabashed.
Tsunade's blush deepened as she looked down. "Fine, what kind of reward do you want this time?"
Jiraiya leaned in and whispered his request.
Tsunade's face went beet red, and she stammered, "You're shameless!"
"Don't worry about it. You can learn as we go. I've got stamina to spare, so you'll have plenty of time to get it right," Jiraiya said, utterly nonchalant. "I'll take your silence as agreement."
With that, he grabbed his Lightning Flame Blade and headed out the door, leaving Tsunade no chance to respond.
When Jiraiya arrived at the Hokage's office, he found Hiruzen Sarutobi surrounded by a thick cloud of smoke. The desk was piled high with paperwork, and even Hiruzen's shadow clone stood nearby, poring over documents.
"Sensei, burning the midnight oil again?" Jiraiya asked, raising an eyebrow. "At this rate, aren't you worried Lady Biwako will be furious with you?"
Hiruzen let out a weary sigh, setting down his pen.
"There's just too much to handle right now. Between the looming war, ninja deployments, resource allocations, and reviewing every clan's battle strategies, there's no end in sight. Even with a shadow clone, it's impossible to get through it all without overtime."
Pausing, Hiruzen added with a faint smile, "If you have the time, perhaps you could visit my house and chat with Biwako. She'd appreciate the company."
Jiraiya blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the suggestion.
"Well, if you insist, I'll make time to check in on her," Jiraiya said with a grin, though his tone wavered slightly.
"You're a fine young man, dedicated to the village. I'm sure Biwako will enjoy your visits," Hiruzen said warmly.
The conversation was taking a strange turn, and Jiraiya couldn't help but feel slightly awkward. He cleared his throat and quickly shifted the topic.
Hiruzen handed Jiraiya a scroll. With a puff of smoke, the scroll revealed an Anbu waist tag, a uniform, and a mask.
"This is your identification and your battle gear. From today onward, you're officially a member of the Anbu."
Jiraiya examined the items. The waist tag was simple, made of polished wood. One side bore the kanji for "Anbu," while the other had the kanji for "Command." Unlike regular Anbu tags, which only displayed "Anbu," squad captains had this second mark.
The color of the kanji indicated rank: the commander's tag bore crimson-gold lettering, while Jiraiya's tag had pale gold. Regular squad captains used dark red.
The uniform was crafted from a special material, durable enough to withstand standard weapons and offering resistance to high temperatures and ninjutsu, particularly fire-style techniques.
Finally, the mask stood out with its striking crimson streaks, resembling molten lava. It wasn't an animal motif like most Anbu masks, but its fierce design made it uniquely impressive.
With this new role, Jiraiya's status in Konoha had risen significantly. From now on, only the Hokage himself could issue orders to him—an honor few could claim.
Jiraiya grinned, slipping the mask into his pack.
'Looks like things are finally getting interesting.'
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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