Chapter 298 The Playboy Uncle
"Drug maintenance... It seems they've further analyzed my previous research."
Noticing the confusion on Haruko's face, Tsunade explained to her.
"At the time, I abandoned this method because of the scarcity and insufficient supply of materials. However, since they are bringing it up now, it means that they must have found a way to solve this problem."
Haruko nodded thoughtfully, without telling Tsunade that they also had this problem.
"But this is really great." Tsunade stepped forward and hugged her, her tone filled with the weariness that followed extreme unease and relaxation.
Feeling the tenderness in her embrace, Haruko gently hugged her back.
"Did I come at the wrong time?"
A rough and spirited voice broke into the warm and cozy room.
Tsunade loosened her embrace and looked out the window, only to find that it was Jiraiya who had climbed in through the window.
"Jiraiya? Why aren't you using the main entrance again!"
Despite Tsunade's anger, Jiraiya chuckled and scratched his head.
His gaze swept over Tsunade, and when he saw the face of the black-haired girl who had broken free from Tsunade's embrace, his head-scratching motion froze.
The next second, as if nothing had happened, Jiraiya waved at her and flashed a bright smile.
"Hey Haruko, it's been a long time!"
Beneath her carefree exterior, however, flowed a deep, unspoken longing in her eyes.
Haruko, after a moment of surprise, smiled and said, "It's been a long time, Jiraiya."
Jiraiya came to Tsunade to discuss information about Akatsuki, while Haruko, who was thinking about visiting Sakura Haruno earlier that morning, left first.
"Akatsuki's operations are becoming more frequent. I estimate they will be looking for Kurama soon. I have already reported to the Hokage, and we will be on high alert for the next few days."
After several days of travel and exhaustion, Jiraiya sat down in Tsunade's special chair without any hesitation.
Although she disliked his arrogant attitude, Tsunade decided to turn a blind eye because he was still somewhat useful.
After realizing she still couldn't control her anger, Tsunade simply stopped looking at him.
She pursed her lips and muttered, "I don't know how Haruko can put up with you."
Jiraiya, with his legs crossed, spun around in his chair, then slowly answered, resting his hands on his head.
"Of course she couldn't stand me, otherwise why would she have said that she wanted me to get rid of this womanizing old man vibe?"
It was the first time she had heard him mention this, and Tsunade couldn't help but chuckle.
"That's absolutely right, they haven't been able to change after all these years!"
A whiff of Tsunade's laughter reached his ears, and Jiraiya unconsciously recalled the scene when Haruko said goodbye to him—
"Yo, Haruko!"
Jiraiya jumped down from the tree and landed gracefully in front of Haruko, striking a cool pose.
However, his thick, long white hair sticking out on the sides of his face, coupled with his burly and robust physique, always gave him a greasy look.
Even the understanding Haruko couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh.
"Jiraiya, that's not how you show off."
Realizing that the desired effect had not been achieved, Jiraiya quickly coughed and put on a serious expression.
"Nonsense, I'm a naturally handsome man!"
Seeing that Haruko was smiling even more happily, Jiraiya cheerfully walked over to her and squatted down.
Jiraiya truly proved what he said when he was a child. As an adult, he became the tallest among them, and even now, when he squats down, his line of sight is level with Haruko's.
Like a big white dog bigger than its owner, it squatted in place, sticking out its tongue in an adorable manner.
Jiraiya couldn't wait to tell her the news first, "Haruko, I'm taking that silly boy on a training trip!"
Haruko was taken aback and asked, "How long do you plan to stay?"
"Hmm..." Jiraiya pondered for a while, and finally answered, "I haven't decided yet. I'll probably come back when I feel ready."
"I see. Well then, I wish you a safe journey."
Haruko probably didn't expect that Jiraiya would say goodbye to her before she did.
Unaware of the fleeting sadness in her eyes, Jiraiya took a manuscript in a paper bag from his bag and handed it to her.
"This book is for you."
Haruko curiously took it, opened the paper bag, and pulled out the first piece of paper, on which were written several large characters that read "bold and unrestrained".
She pronounced each word slowly and deliberately: "Intimacy Paradise?"
Jiraiya, who was originally immersed in a smug mood, was startled and hurriedly took back the paper bag from her hand.
"No! I took the wrong one, I took the wrong one!"
I glanced at Jiraiya's hurried attempt to stuff the paper bag into his bag, and then at the embarrassed smile on Jiraiya's face.
Haruko seemed to suddenly understand something.
Who would have thought that the "Make-Out Paradise" that poisoned Kakashi was actually Jiraiya's masterpiece...
Haruko's lips twitched slightly.
"This is the one!"
Jiraiya took out another paper bag with similar packaging, carefully opened it to check the contents before handing it to her.
As she opened it, she proudly explained, "This is my autobiography, 'Jiraiya's Ninja Scrolls'!"
"Thank you, I will definitely finish reading it as soon as possible."
After thanking him, Haruko couldn't help but glance at his bag.
"However, rather than writing those kinds of books that are not suitable for children, I'd rather publish a sequel and tell my story. My story is definitely healthier than that, right?"
Meeting her all-knowing gaze, Jiraiya subtly reached out and pushed his bag behind him, as if trying to cover something up.
He awkwardly laughed and tried to excuse himself.
"No! It's not a book that's unsuitable for children, hahaha..."
Having truly lost face, Jiraiya could only be thankful that his dark skin concealed the blush on his face.
He stood up, waved to Haruko, and said he was leaving.
An inexplicable impulse compelled Haruko to call out to him, "Jiraiya! We'll have to wait a long time to see each other again."
Jiraiya blinked, grinned, and patted his chest.
"Don't worry! Haruko is always in my heart!"
Her initial感动 (feeling of being moved) instantly cooled down, even froze, and Haruko remained silent for a few seconds before letting out a sigh.
"Forget it, I think it's more practical to pray that you change your womanizing old man vibe."
"ha?!"
...
Remembering Haruko's final slander against him, Jiraiya snorted and abruptly stood up from his swivel chair.
He shook himself, straightened his clothes, and struck the same cool pose, "I'm the kind of handsome man who can shut up even a crying child!"
Ignoring Tsunade's disdainful look, Jiraiya muttered in dissatisfaction, "Haruko really doesn't care about me at all."
"Huh?" Tsunade's shock was palpable; she couldn't understand why he would think that.
Jiraiya, with the temperament of a child, shouted, "Isn't that right!"
It's rather ridiculous that a burly man who's 1.9 meters tall is so resentful about not getting any attention.
Tsunade shook her head and looked at him intently.
"Jiraiya, haven't you realized that you hold a special place in Haruko's heart?"
“When we were little, Haruko always liked to invite you to do things together. Even after we grew up, she often ate and chatted with you. After hearing that you stayed in Kirigakure, she went to find you all by herself.”
"Sometimes, we are quite envious of you. You really don't know how lucky you are."
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