Naruto: We Agreed on a Simulation, But They Actually Came to Life?

Chapter 181: Chapter 181: The Bracelet

"Tsunade."

Jiraiya’s voice called out from behind.

Tsunade stopped in her tracks and turned around. Kitahara Kaede stopped beside her.

Jiraiya strode forward to catch up, glancing first at Tsunade and then sweeping his gaze over Kitahara Kaede. He wore the same familiar, easygoing smile he always had when meeting old friends.

"Long time no see. How have you been lately?"

Tsunade looked at him flatly. "I’m run off my feet at the hospital. What do you think?"

Jiraiya rubbed his nose. "Right, I get it. You’re blaming me for coming back to the village so late."

Tsunade didn’t deny it. She simply stood there, clutching her documents.

Seeing that she hadn’t turned around to walk away, Jiraiya relaxed slightly. Knowing Tsunade’s temper, if she truly didn’t want to deal with him, she wouldn’t have bothered with those two sentences.

His gaze finally settled on Kitahara Kaede. "Who’s this kid? He looks unfamiliar." Jiraiya arched an eyebrow. "Your new apprentice?"

Tsunade corrected him immediately. "He’s not an apprentice."

She glanced sideways at Kitahara Kaede, her tone becoming slightly more serious. "This is Kitahara Kaede, a Konoha Jonin. He’s earned a great deal of credit in recent battles."

The smile on Jiraiya’s face faltered for a moment. "A Jonin?" He looked Kaede over again. "A Jonin at such a young age? Impressive."

Kitahara Kaede gave a slight nod. "You flatter me, Lord Jiraiya."

Jiraiya wanted to tease him further, but his eyes caught on something on Kaede’s wrist. A blue-and-black woven bracelet was wrapped around his wrist, featuring a small fluorite bead in the center.

The color looked familiar.

Earlier in the meeting room, when his gaze had instinctively drifted toward Tsunade, he had caught a glimpse of a necklace peeking from beneath her collar. It was the same shade of blue.

At the time, he thought he had misseen. Tsunade usually wore the green crystal necklace left behind by the First Hokage.

Jiraiya looked at Kaede’s wrist, then back at Tsunade’s chest. Sensing his gaze, Tsunade raised her documents slightly to cover herself.

Jiraiya’s lips twitched, but he decided to ask casually. "Nice bracelet. Where’d you buy it?"

Kitahara Kaede hadn’t expected Jiraiya to ask about such a thing, but he didn’t hide it. "Lady Tsunade gave it to me."

Silence fell over the corridor for a moment.

The smile vanished from Jiraiya’s face. He stared at the bracelet again. The knots were tight and fine, and the fluorite bead was a clean, high-quality choice; it didn’t look like something bought randomly from a shop.

Tsunade would give someone a gift like this? And to a young Jonin, no less?

Jiraiya suppressed the sudden feeling of unease and kept his tone light. "Tsunade, I didn’t know you were so handy."

As he spoke, he watched her reaction closely.

Tsunade didn’t explain, nor did she deny it. She simply shot him a glare. "You’re far too nosy."

Jiraiya understood instantly. She really had made it.

He reached up and scratched the back of his head. "I’ve known you for all these years, and you’ve never given me anything."

Tsunade replied instantly, "Have you wondered whether you were worthy?"

Jiraiya was choked silent. He opened his mouth to respond, but in the end, he could only let out a dry laugh. "That’s cold. You’re not leaving me any dignity at all."

Tsunade ignored him. Kitahara Kaede stood by, momentarily unsure of what to say.

The atmosphere was incredibly awkward. However, Jiraiya quickly changed the subject.

"By the way, Tsunade, how is Orochimaru doing lately?"

Tsunade’s brow furrowed slightly. "I’m not entirely sure. He’s either on the front lines or locked away in his research lab."

The playfulness left Jiraiya’s face. "I picked up some intelligence regarding the Iwa front on my way back to the village."

Tsunade looked at him.

Jiraiya lowered his voice. "The situation on Orochimaru’s end is more troublesome than the reports the village received. They’re short on manpower, and supplies are tight."

Tsunade fell silent for a moment. "Is he injured?"

"Not for now," Jiraiya shook his head. "But it would be best if we headed over as soon as possible. I’m worried that if we delay any longer, he won’t be able to hold the line."

Tsunade nodded. Seeing her expression soften, Jiraiya seized the opportunity.

"Are you free tonight? Let’s find an izakaya and grab a drink, and we can discuss the departure."

Tsunade rejected him instantly. "I’m not."

Jiraiya opened his mouth to protest, but Tsunade shifted her documents upward.

"The hospital still has wounded soldiers. I have to rearrange the medical team rosters and verify the medication and surgical tables. If you want a drink, wait until we get back from the front."

Jiraiya paused, then finally nodded. "Fair enough."

Tsunade turned to Kitahara Kaede. "Let’s go."

Kitahara Kaede gave Jiraiya a slight nod. "Lord Jiraiya, please excuse us."

With that, he followed Tsunade. The two walked side by side toward the end of the corridor.

Jiraiya remained where he was, watching their retreating figures. Tsunade was flipping through her documents as she walked, as if giving instructions. Kitahara Kaede listened attentively, responding occasionally. She wasn’t impatient, nor did she have the aggressive drive she usually displayed around Jiraiya.

The smile on Jiraiya’s face slowly faded. Only after their figures vanished around the corner did he withdraw his gaze.

Jiraiya rubbed his face, forced his carefree expression back into place, and turned to walk in the opposite direction. Only this time, he didn’t walk as fast as he had arrived.

***

On the streets of Konoha, the evening sunlight bathed the road, and few pedestrians were about.

Tsunade walked briskly, already flipping to the next page of her documents. "The Iwa front will need at least ten more people, and two batches of backup medicine need to be packed in advance."

Kitahara Kaede walked beside her. "What about the medical equipment?"

"I’ll have Nonou inventory that once we’re back," Tsunade said, then frowned. "But we might not have enough hemostatic agents. I’ll need to get another list from the warehouse."

Kitahara Kaede nodded. "I’ll accompany you later."

Tsunade glanced at him. "You don’t need to go back and prepare?"

"I don’t have much to pack."

Tsunade said nothing more and continued toward the hospital.

Kitahara Kaede looked up at the distant Hokage Rock.

The Iwa front. Orochimaru.

Finally, an opportunity regarding Kabuto had appeared.

Tsunade walked a few steps and realized he had lagged behind. She looked back and urged him. "Kaede, keep up."

Kitahara Kaede quickened his pace and returned to her side. "Coming."