Chapter 493: Don’t Think Too Much

In the end, Tsunade still couldn’t bring herself to be truly harsh on Jiraiya.

After all, Jiraiya was still a patient who had just recovered from severe injuries and needed rest; if she really hurt him, it would only cause her heartache and trouble.

However, this did not mean she would let this old pervert off the hook easily.

She had already kept a clear account of this in her mind, waiting for Jiraiya to recover enough so she could settle the score!

"You old pervert, you really never change!"

Tsunade gritted her teeth and scolded him in a low voice, tugging on Jiraiya’s ear with annoyance.

"You just woke up and you’re already thinking about such nonsense? I think you’re tired of living!"

"Ouch! Easy, easy! Tsunade, I was wrong! I really was! I was just joking! Just trying to liven up the atmosphere!"

Jiraiya begged for mercy while grimacing, carefully trying to rescue his ear from Tsunade’s "clutches."

He groaned inwardly; as expected, Tsunade’s monstrous strength and temper hadn’t changed a bit.

The Seventh Hokage Naruto watched from the side, feeling incredibly awkward. He scratched his head, wanting to intercede for his teacher, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he was glared back by a sharp look from Tsunade—a look that clearly said, "Dare to speak up for him and see what happens?"

The Seventh Hokage wisely shut his mouth immediately, focusing on his own nose and heart, pretending he hadn’t seen anything.

Even an honest official finds it hard to settle family disputes, and it was even more so for matters between his teacher and Lady Tsunade; it was better not to get involved.

Seeing the atmosphere about to fall into a deadlock of "unilateral suppression," the Seventh Hokage quickly changed the subject:

"Lady Tsunade, Master Jiraiya, it’s getting late. Why don’t you come back to eat with me?"

Jiraiya’s eyes lit up immediately upon hearing this.

Good student, I didn’t spoil you for nothing; you’re still so sharp.

He immediately climbed down the ladder provided, nodding repeatedly: "Sure, sure! I’m hungry anyway."

Seeing the Seventh Hokage offer a way out, Tsunade let go of Jiraiya’s ear but kept a straight face, instructing the Seventh Hokage:

"Just prepare some porridge for this old pervert, something light and easy to digest. His body hasn’t recovered yet, so that’s all he can eat."

"Uh... alright, Lady Tsunade."

The Seventh Hokage nodded in agreement, then added: "However, there are quite a few guests at home lately, so it might be a bit crowded. That’s why we’re going to eat at the Hyuga Compound."

"The Hyuga Compound?"

Tsunade raised an eyebrow, somewhat puzzled.

It was fine to go to Naruto’s father-in-law’s house for a meal, but what did "quite a few guests" mean?

Ever since she heard that Jiraiya had been rescued, Tsunade had returned to Konoha Hospital immediately, so she really hadn’t been aware of what was happening outside during this time.

The Seventh Hokage led the way, guiding the two out of the Hokage Office and down the stairs, while explaining:

"Another version of me, along with Hinata and Hanabi from that world, have come over. My house couldn’t accommodate them, so we are staying at my father-in-law’s place for a while."

"Another version of you, plus Hinata and Hanabi?"

Jiraiya rubbed his still-red ear and chimed in.

He had already heard some things from Orochimaru about the "Naruto from another world," knowing that the other person was a young man and that it was he who had traveled through time and space to save him from the brink of death.

"Come to think of it, I really need to thank that ’you from another world’."

Jiraiya’s tone became serious, "If it weren’t for him, I would probably be really sinking to the bottom of the sea in the Land of Rain, feeding the fish."

"I have already thanked him solemnly."

The Seventh Hokage nodded, but then changed the subject.

"However, saving you was part of a deal between us."

The three walked out of the Hokage Building, bathed in the twilight of the setting sun, and slowly headed towards the Hyuga Compound. The Seventh Hokage continued:

"He wants the advanced technical data currently held by Hidden Leaf Village, as well as all of Orochimaru’s research materials."

The Seventh Hokage’s voice was calm, but those familiar with him could detect a hint of gravity.

"In exchange, he also brought out quite a few things."

The Seventh Hokage paused and listed them: "Cultivation methods for Sage Mode that are more suitable for humans and carry lower risks; cultivation methods for several Kekkei Genkais and Dust Release; the complete cultivation system for Lightning Release Chakra Mode; and the research materials mastered by the Orochimaru of their world. Of course, there is also bringing Master Jiraiya back safely."

Tsunade listened, her brows slightly furrowed, but soon relaxed.

As the former Fifth Hokage, she naturally understood the meaning and weight behind these "deals" better than Jiraiya.

"Sounds... not bad."

Tsunade mused, "The other party is also a part of Hidden Leaf Village, even if it’s from another world, so this is indeed mutually beneficial. We obtained cultivation methods and research materials that can improve the Village’s overall strength, while the other party obtained the more advanced technology and Orochimaru’s research results from our world. As for saving you, this old pervert..."

She glanced at Jiraiya, "It counts as an extra, but it is a very important item for both of us."

Tsunade knew in her heart that the single point of "resurrecting Jiraiya" was enough to have a "critical hit" effect on the Seventh Hokage Naruto, making it very difficult for him to refuse any reasonable request from the other party.

Naruto values relationships and righteousness; for him, Jiraiya is a presence like a teacher and a father.

Being able to trade some technology and data for Jiraiya’s life, in Naruto’s view, was absolutely worth it, perhaps even a "huge profit."

However, the Seventh Hokage was not as optimistic as Tsunade. His brows slightly locked, and he said in a low tone:

"It’s not that simple, Lady Tsunade."

"The other party... is the Hokage of their world."

"Moreover, according to the information he revealed and our analysis, he not only unified the entire Ninja World but also personally killed at least two Otsutsuki and subdued another Otsutsuki."

The Seventh Hokage stopped, turned around, and looked at Jiraiya and Tsunade, his face showing unprecedented seriousness:

"A Hokage with such strength, such ambition, and a rather strong and direct style. What he wants is probably more than just the technology and materials on the surface. I always feel that he seems to be plotting something bigger. Moreover, his attitude towards our world, while currently friendly, is not as simple as it appears on the surface."

Jiraiya comforted him: "Don’t think too much; after all, he is you from another world, his core should be good-natured."

The streets were bustling with people, filled with the atmosphere of peaceful times.

But in the Seventh Hokage’s heart, because of that "self" from another world, a faint layer of uncertainty and hidden worry about the future was cast over him.

Unifying the Ninja World... killing Otsutsuki... subduing Otsutsuki...

Any one of these achievements, if placed in their world, would be a shocking event enough to shake the entire Ninja World.

And that young man had done it all.

What exactly are the ambitions of such a person?

The Seventh Hokage didn’t know the answer.

He could only hope that his worries were unnecessary.

But as the Hokage, he had to be prepared for the worst.

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