83. Roast The Pig

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Everyone has been searching all night, but there are still no results. The two samurai insist on continuing the search, while Jiraiya takes the three kids to eat.

Jiraiya randomly chooses an izakaya, but as soon as Naruto enters, he notices Jiraiya and a blonde woman exchanging affectionate glances.

"The crowd searches for him thousands of times, and when they look back, the man is in the dim light."

This saying might not fit perfectly here, but the mood of the scene certainly does.

From her appearance, it's Tsunade, and the flustered woman beside her with a small pig must be Shizune.

"Jiraiya?" Tsunade asks, slightly dazed and blushing from drink, hiccuping.

"Tsunade?" Jiraiya looks equally surprised.

"Well, since you're here, have a couple of drinks with me."

Jiraiya introduces everyone, sits across from Tsunade, and starts reminiscing over drinks.

Naruto and Sasuke sit next to him, busy eating the side dishes, while Sakura sits beside Shizune.

Sakura is initially very excited. After all, even if her idol gambles, drinks heavily, and is deep in debt, Tsunade is still her idol.

As a fan, Sakura forgives her instantly and even wants to say, 'Lady Tsunade, you're just too beautiful!'

But when Sakura sits down, her mood dims as she glances at Tsunade's, ahem, *impressive assets*, and then at herself. She purses her lips, feeling rather disheartened

Sasuke seems oblivious to what's going on, while Naruto, glancing around, appears to understand but doesn't say anything.

"Poink poink!"

Naruto, focused on his food, is suddenly distracted by a strange pig's cry and glances at the small pig in Shizune's arms.

It has pink, shiny skin, and looks tender—probably not more than ten kilograms.

Naruto, after swallowing his mouthful of greens, turns to Shizune and asks, "Hey, Miss Shizune, this pig looks a little weak. Why don't we just…"

Naruto licks his lips, pats Sasuke's shoulder, and adds, "Sasuke's good with fire-release jutsu. He could probably roast it to perfection."

Shizune immediately protests, "No! Tonton isn't..."

"Hahaha, I've always wanted to try! Tonton does look delicious, doesn't she?" Drunken Tsunade interrupts, trying to reach out and grab the pig.

"Hey, hey!" Shizune's eyes widen in shock as she shields Tonton, "Lady Tsunade, you've had too much to drink!"

"Oink oink!" Tonton squeals in fear, burrowing into Shizune's arms.

"I'm not drunk! Kid, you've got a good eye." Tsunade turns to Naruto, her eyes suddenly softening. "...Nawaki…"

Naruto immediately understands. This is his passive ability kicking in—the *'I remind everyone of someone* technique.

People, especially those emotionally vulnerable or intoxicated, tend to see someone they care about in Naruto.

Tsunade sees her younger brother, Nawaki, in Naruto. Jiraiya and Kakashi see Minato in him.

Even the villain Zabuza, who attacked the village, saw the shadow of his student in Naruto.

Before Naruto can respond, Tsunade grabs him in a tight hug, knocking over the cups and dishes.

"Ugh, I can't breathe," Naruto gasps, finally managing to free himself, "Lady Tsunade, I—"

*Smack!* Tsunade flicks his forehead hard. "Call me *big sister*!"

Naruto's head spins. That flick hurts more than his mom's punches. He glances at Jiraiya for help.

But Jiraiya, being the rogue he is, simply stares off into space, his eyes occasionally wandering to... less appropriate places.

Sakura, who has just regained her composure, seems crushed once again, mechanically using her chopsticks to stir at nothing in her bowl.

Sasuke shoots Naruto a sympathetic glance. He's sure of one thing—he's going to avoid this type of woman at all costs in the future.

Naruto, unwilling to argue with a drunk, sighs and mutters, "Big sister Tsunade."

"Good," Tsunade smiles, leaning back and muttering in her sleep, "Shizune, roast the pig... my brother wants some…"

Jiraiya and Shizune both fall silent. They know how much losing Dan and her younger brother, Nawaki, has affected Tsunade. She's even developed a severe fear of blood.

Now, seeing her drunkenly mistaking Naruto for Nawaki, neither of them knows whether it's a good or bad thing.

Eventually, Shizune leads Tsunade away. Naruto can't help but throw Jiraiya a look of pure contempt—' No wonder you're still single.'

…

The next morning, Naruto and Sasuke leave their room, only to find Tsunade leaning against the doorframe, rubbing her forehead. Naruto politely greets her, "Good morning, big sister Tsunade."

"Huh? Who are you, kid?"

Naruto: "…"

She hugged him all night, calling him her dear brother, but now that she's sober, he's just a 'kid.'

'This woman is dumb,' Naruto thinks to himself.

Sakura, hearing the commotion, steps out and stands beside Naruto and Sasuke, watching their dishevelled idol recover from her hangover.

Naruto explains, "We came looking for you with Pervy Sage. We met at the izakaya yesterday."

"Pervy Sage?" Tsunade raises an eyebrow, though she instantly knows who Naruto means. "Where is he?"

"Hey, is someone missing my handsome self this early?" Jiraiya strolls out of the room across the way.

"You haven't changed a bit," Tsunade says. She doesn't recall much from the previous night. "So, why did you come looking for me? Are these your students?"

Jiraiya reintroduces Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura.

"So, Kushina's son is all grown up," Tsunade says, eyeing Naruto. She feels a strange sense of familiarity with the boy.

Naruto replies, "My mom asked me to bring you a message. She said she misses you and hopes you'll visit soon."

"I see." Tsunade waves her hand dismissively. Kushina is the closest person to the family Tsunade has left, and seeing her reminds Tsunade of her grandmother, Mito.

But Konoha holds too many painful memories for her to easily return.

Sensing the tension, Jiraiya changes the subject, "We can talk about this later. First, I think there's someone here who's been waiting for you."

"Who?"

Jiraiya knocks on the door of two samurai who have been looking for Tsunade.

The moment they see her tears well up in their eyes as they exclaim, "It's been three years! We've been searching for you all this time. Do you even know how we've managed to survive these past three years?!"

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