Chapter 152 : Senju Hashirama, What a Disaster!!

Little Jiraiya shivered when he heard Tsunade's voice behind him. He immediately put on a flattering smile and turned to her, saying, 

"Tsunade, I'm not avoiding you! I've just been so busy these past few days."

Tsunade sneered.

She knew exactly whether Jiraiya was busy or not. 

She stepped forward, grabbed Jiraiya by the collar, and said sharply, "Do you not want to go on a date with me anymore? Have you already lost interest?"

At her words, everyone who had been about to leave the office stopped in their tracks and curiously watched the interaction between Jiraiya and Tsunade.

"Who in Konoha doesn't know that I, Jiraiya, love Tsunade the most? It's just that, recently, I've really been busy."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

Jiraiya was sweating nervously.

Ever since the last official check-up, Tsunade had started going on dates with him.

The first few dates were fine—Tsunade was somewhat restrained, only buying small things and not making him spend too much. 

This gave him the illusion that his time had finally come, that Tsunade had finally accepted him.

Unfortunately, this was just Jiraiya's illusion.

On subsequent dates, Tsunade's "appetite" grew bigger. Every time they went out, she would empty his wallet.

He had been trying really hard to do missions to earn money, but he still couldn't satisfy Tsunade's desire to spend.

It wouldn't have been so bad if it was just shopping, because those were tangible items that, in extreme cases, he could sell for cash.

The real problem was that Tsunade liked to gamble—she would lose every time, and Jiraiya had never seen her win.

After several rounds of this, Tsunade had not only emptied Jiraiya's wallet but had also successfully loaded him with a large amount of debt.

At this point, if he didn't avoid Tsunade for a while, he'd probably end up on the streets begging with a broken bowl in a few days. (laugh)

Actually, Tsunade's goal wasn't for Jiraiya to beg, she just didn't want him constantly bothering her.

Of course, it's fine for Jiraiya to come and bother her, but he should be ready for an empty wallet.

Tsunade: "Love me, are you scared?"

Jiraiya: "I'm scared, I'm scared."

o(╥﹏╥)o 

At the Mountain Graveyard, Uchiha Madara's hidden place.

It has been two or three months since Black Zetsu last went to Konoha.

During these two or three months, Uchiha Madara has been completely unaware of any information about Konoha.

It's not that Black Zetsu was ineffective, but that there were barriers set by Tobirama in key places of Konoha. In order not to expose himself, Black Zetsu could only search for information in the corners and edges.

Unfortunately, Tobirama had already prepared for this. He had told everyone watching the light screen that discussing anything about the light screen outside the office was strictly prohibited.

This led to Black Zetsu's investigation around Konoha, where he couldn't gather a single useful piece of information.

He only knew that every half month, at 8 PM, Tobirama and the others would gather in the Hokage office.

But Black Zetsu didn't dare to enter the Hokage office, and thus, the situation got awkward.

As for White Zetsu?

It was different from the Black Zetsu sent by the Third Hokage to spy on Konoha or the lower-ranked White Zetsu inhabiting various ninjas in Konoha.

At this time, Black Zetsu didn't have many White Zetsu under his command.

These White Zetsu were scattered across the ninja world, gathering information while also monitoring the entire ninja world.

It was because there were so few of them that Black Zetsu sent a few particularly unique White Zetsu to Konoha.

First, it was to keep these White Zetsu busy so they wouldn't bother him.

Second, even if these White Zetsu disappeared, he wouldn't mind losing them.

And sure enough, these White Zetsu went missing, forcing Black Zetsu, the mastermind, to personally come to Konoha to investigate the cause.

They didn't uncover anything.

"Black Zetsu, I always feel like something's off. Do you think I should return to Konoha for a while?" 

"It's up to Lord Madara's will, but I must remind you, Lord Madara, if you go to Konoha, you should go and return quickly. After all, your health…" 

The meaning behind Black Zetsu's words was clear. If Madara didn't return in time to reconnect the Gedo Statue tube, it would severely shorten his lifespan.

Back during his battle with Hashirama Senju, even though he used Izanagi to deceive the Senju brothers and successfully faked his death, Madara still took significant injuries. 

Moreover, the years spent cultivating the Rinnegan had constantly drained his chakra and energy.

As a result, without the Gedo Statue to extend his life, Madara could only live for another two to three years at most.

For the sake of his ideals, Madara would not allow himself to die so soon, and Black Zetsu would not allow it either.

However, as Madara's will on the surface, Black Zetsu wouldn't defy him. Instead, he could only advise him from the side.

"Don't worry. I'll be in good condition before I go to Konoha. It shouldn't take much time."

"As long as Lord Madara is careful, that's all that matters."

Tobirama had no idea that not long after, Madara would return to Konoha.

At this moment, he was looking at Hashirama with a headache.

That's right, Hashirama's two clones had matured. At the age of thirty, they were in their prime as ninjas.

The clones were now fully developed, so Tobirama didn't waste time. After sacrificing a death-row prisoner, he summoned Hashirama using the Reanimation Jutsu.

But this time, the Hashirama summoned was very angry.

"Tobirama, I remember telling you not to summon me unless it's absolutely necessary. Your affairs as living people should be handled by you, don't bother a dead man like me."

The last time Tobirama summoned Hashirama, it was because of the Third Raikage.

Since there were outsiders present, Hashirama had given Tobirama some face and didn't scold him publicly.

But this time, after Hashirama appeared and saw nothing but bottles and jars, he immediately understood that he was in some laboratory in the village.

With no external enemies around, Hashirama didn't need to show Tobirama any courtesy and began scolding him, reminding him that he was, after all, a dead man.

Tobirama listened without expression for a while. When he saw Hashirama stop talking, looking refreshed, he finally spoke, "The reason I summoned you this time is because I want to truly bring you back to life."

"What? Truly bring me back to life?"

Hashirama shook his head in disbelief when he heard this. Then, his expression turned serious as he looked at Tobirama. "Brother, have you been tricked by someone? But that can't be, you're so smart, who could trick you?"

"I haven't been tricked. It's a jutsu I developed with Orochimaru from forty years in the future that can bring someone back to life."

"Orochimaru from forty years in the future? What are you talking about?"

Senju Hashirama didn't believe a word of what his younger brother said. "I say, little brother, have you been under too much stress lately? Why are you talking nonsense?"

Tobirama knew that without presenting some evidence, there was no way to convince his big brother.

He took Hashirama out of the room and led him through a maze of corridors, eventually arriving at a room where Hashirama's clone bodies were kept.

"What is this?"

When Hashirama saw two large glass jars with people inside who looked exactly like him, he froze in shock.

"Are these... Father's illegitimate children? How could they look so much like me? Also, why does one of them have a mark on the right side of their chest like Madara's face?"

Hashirama was extremely shocked by this discovery. "Could it be that Father... and Madara's mother... what a disaster!"

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