Chapter 123 : Find Tsunade, Even Riku Is Better Hokage than her
After entering Bamboo Street, the atmosphere immediately felt different from before. The commercial energy was intense, and the area was filled with intriguing shops and entertainment.
Even the fireworks and paper lanterns seemed more upscale than in the previous areas.
On Bamboo Street, Riku noticed a variety of establishments—including quite a few gambling houses.
Jiraiya walked leisurely down the street, clearly enjoying himself. When they passed by one of the more risqué entertainment venues, his eyes practically bulged out of his head.
"Man, these women are gorgeous," he muttered.
Naruto looked at him with visible disgust. Riku, having already gotten used to Jiraiya’s antics, wasn’t surprised in the slightest.
After all, among the Legendary Sannin, each of them had their own quirks—and Jiraiya’s was no secret.
After asking around for a while, Jiraiya finally got some useful intel and took Riku and Naruto toward the back mountain behind the town.
They’d heard from a few townsfolk that Tsunade had been spotted near a castle in that area.
Soon, the three of them arrived at the base of the back mountain and found the castle—but it was partially in ruins.
Looking at the devastated structure, Jiraiya’s brow furrowed.
"It’s her," he said grimly.
Naruto stared at the destroyed outer wall, frowning. "Did Orochimaru do this too?"
Jiraiya said nothing, but he knew—Tsunade definitely wasn’t here anymore.
Given everything they’d learned along the way, it was clear Orochimaru was searching for Tsunade as well. Judging by the destruction here, she’d fought someone... likely Orochimaru himself.
"She’s gone. Tsunade’s not here anymore," Jiraiya said.
Riku could have activated his sensory ability—his range extended up to twenty kilometers—but he didn’t want to. Not yet.
They spent a long time combing the back mountain, but there was no sign of her.
Meanwhile, the risk was growing. If Orochimaru found Tsunade first, she might actually agree to heal his arms. And if that happened... Orochimaru would return to attack Konoha again.
The village, still recovering from the last invasion, might not survive another.
Jiraiya would never let that happen.
But no matter how long they searched, they couldn’t find a trace of her.
Eventually, they returned to Bamboo Street and kept looking, but even after nightfall, there were no leads.
Naruto was so hungry he could barely walk straight. He and Jiraiya wandered the street aimlessly, frustration mounting.
Jiraiya finally turned to Riku. "Go search in another direction. We’ll cover here."
Riku nodded and split off.
Just as Jiraiya and Naruto were passing by an izakaya, Naruto’s stomach growled loudly.
"Pervy Sage, can we eat first? I’m starving," he whined.
Jiraiya sighed. He knew full well they wouldn’t find Tsunade so easily.
After a quick glance at the izakaya, he gave in and stepped inside.
What he didn’t expect... was to see the woman who had been on his mind this whole time.
"Tsunade?!" he blurted.
Tsunade, who had been sitting and silently weighing her options about Orochimaru’s offer, looked up in surprise.
"Jiraiya?" she said, standing halfway up from her seat.
Naruto, trailing behind Jiraiya, caught his first glimpse of Tsunade—and was completely dumbfounded.
"That gorgeous lady is Tsunade? No way... She’s really in her fifties?"
Jiraiya smiled, walking over and sitting down across from her.
Shizune, seated next to Tsunade, blinked in surprise. "Lord Jiraiya? I didn’t expect to see the other two Sannin in a single day."
She had a sinking feeling in her chest. Something was definitely happening.
Naruto followed and took a seat as well.
Tsunade sat down and resumed drinking, completely ignoring Jiraiya’s presence. She didn’t know why he was here, but it had to be related to Orochimaru and the attack on Konoha.
Jiraiya looked at her with a relaxed expression. "Found you at last."
Naruto leaned in and asked, "Pervy Sage, should we tell Riku?"
Jiraiya nodded. "I already did. Sent word through a communication toad the moment I saw her."
Naruto let out a small "oh" and leaned back.
Tsunade didn’t know who Riku was, but she figured he must be the one traveling with Jiraiya and Naruto. She didn’t ask, nor did she care—she just kept drinking.
Jiraiya didn’t speak, waiting for her to say something first. Naruto sat quietly, picking at some appetizers.
After a long silence, Tsunade finally muttered, "Today really is a day for old friends."
Jiraiya poured her another cup of sake and said casually, "You ran into Orochimaru."
Tsunade didn’t answer—but her expression confirmed it.
Jiraiya grew serious. "Orochimaru attacked Konoha. The Third Hokage... is dead."
Shizune’s eyes widened. She couldn’t believe it. She had heard the rumors, but she never imagined they were true.
To her, Hiruzen Sarutobi had always been a powerful and dependable Hokage.
Killed by his own student? The betrayal was staggering.
And the fact that Orochimaru had been able to retreat unscathed... that only meant he’d done massive damage to Konoha.
Tsunade, for her part, stayed quiet. She drank in silence, though her clenched hand gave her away.
She was furious that Orochimaru had wrecked the village—but she wasn’t about to show it openly.
Jiraiya finally spoke again. "There’s no Hokage in Konoha now. The village wants you to return and become the Fifth Hokage."
Naruto, who had just taken a bite of grilled fish, nearly choked.
After swallowing, he slammed the table. "Why the hell would this woman be Hokage? Didn’t we come here to get her to heal Kakashi-sensei and the others?"
Jiraiya didn’t expect Naruto to accept the idea easily. He himself had trouble with it.
"She doesn’t seem reliable at all," Naruto snapped. "I’d rather have Riku be Hokage than her! At least Riku’s strong and smart!"
Even though Naruto knew Riku becoming Hokage was unrealistic right now—he was still young—it still felt more acceptable than giving the title to Tsunade.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow at the boy’s outburst. "Who’s this loudmouth brat?"
Jiraiya frowned and pressed Naruto back into his seat. "Shut it, Naruto. Enough."
"But—!" Naruto started to protest.
Jiraiya cut him off sharply. "I said that’s enough."
The tone in his voice made Naruto fall silent. He crossed his arms and sulked in his seat.
Jiraiya turned to Tsunade. "He’s Naruto Uzumaki."
Tsunade’s eyes widened slightly. She studied the boy for a second.
"So... he’s the Nine-Tails’ Jinchūriki," she thought. "That explains the blond hair."
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