The Hokage's office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at the head of the table, his gaze stern.
Nadeshiko Mao, being a village leader, sat to Hiruzen Sarutobi's left, with Orochimaru on his right.
In the center of the spacious Hokage's office, Jiraiya sat alone on a small stool, occasionally casting pleading glances at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
As for Orochimaru...
Jiraiya just couldn't stand the sight of him right now.
Hiruzen Sarutobi offered Nadeshiko Mao a benevolent smile, then turned his stern face towards the silent Jiraiya and slammed his hand on the desk.
"Jiraiya, you have disappointed this old man greatly!"
Jiraiya flinched, his expression one of wounded innocence. Just as he was about to defend himself, Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand dismissively and declared, "I have always taught you that as a ninja, you must uphold your duties and suppress your desires."
"Endure what ordinary people cannot endure, that is the true meaning of a ninja!"
"But what about you?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi glared at Jiraiya with disappointment, exchanging a look with Orochimaru, who was enjoying the spectacle. Orochimaru subtly gave a thumbs-up, silently praising the Hokage's acting skills.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's fighting spirit was ignited. Indulging in Orochimaru's antics once in a while made him feel much younger!
"But what about you?"
"I have taught you for ten years, and yet you still haven't kicked your voyeuristic habit."
"You even used the excuse of going out to train to sneak into Nadeshiko Village and commit such a disgraceful act!"
"Tell me, how am I supposed to explain this to young Mao?"
Jiraiya stared at the righteous-looking Hiruzen Sarutobi, half-suspecting his teacher was actually Sakumo Hatake in disguise.
"Teacher Sarutobi, I..."
"Didn't you go with me back then..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's old face flushed, and he slammed the desk again, cutting off Jiraiya's attempt to implicate his mentor.
"Silence!"
A rebellious disciple!
Utterly disrespectful!
He almost exposed my past! If I don't teach you a lesson, you'll think you can get away with anything!
"If I don't cure your penchant for peeping today, then I am no 'Shinobi Hero'!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's imposing aura erupted as he sternly reprimanded Jiraiya. Then, his stern expression softened, and he looked apologetically at Nadeshiko Mao.
"My dear child, rest assured, I will provide you with a satisfactory resolution to this matter!"
"Jiraiya lost his parents at a young age, and as his elder, I have taken the liberty of approving his marriage!"
"If he dares to refuse, I'll show him what happens!"
Nadeshiko Mao's heart filled with joy, and she nodded shyly. She rose and offered a junior's bow to Hiruzen Sarutobi, then looked at Jiraiya with a tender gaze.
Jiraiya felt as if his world had ended, inwardly lamenting.
"My freedom, my research material hobby..."
Orochimaru, creeped out by the gaze, rubbed his arms and unceremoniously interrupted the romantic moment between the "lovers."
"Indeed!"
"Jiraiya, as a Hokage's disciple, his status is unquestionable. Mao is also a village leader, and the Nadeshiko Village's inherited swordsmanship is quite unique."
"You two are well-matched in status and strength. Regarding this marriage, as fellow disciples, Orochimaru and I share the same opinion."
"However..."
Orochimaru paused and glanced at Nadeshiko Mao.
"Nadeshiko Village has a custom of men marrying into the village, and Konoha has a strict rule that ninjas cannot leave the village without permission!"
"There is an inherent conflict between the regulations of the two villages. Without resolving this matter, your marriage may not proceed!"
Nadeshiko Mao, unaccustomed to someone like Orochimaru who went straight for the jugular in negotiations, found herself in a difficult position.
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at his disciple, who was brewing up more mischief, and chuckled, casting aside any thought of actively participating. He leaned back contentedly in his chair, enjoying the show.
Seeing that no one else was speaking, Orochimaru inwardly rejoiced. He cleared his throat.
"Mao, may I address you by your name?"
Nadeshiko Mao nodded gently.
"As Lord Orochimaru is Jiraiya-kun's fellow disciple, such an address is perfectly acceptable."
Orochimaru nodded slightly.
"Very well!"
"Since Mao cannot make this decision immediately, I have some suggestions that you and Teacher Sarutobi might consider. If they are agreeable, your marriage can be settled!"
Nadeshiko Mao's eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly. Hiruzen Sarutobi also hummed in agreement, appearing interested.
"Nadeshiko Village is located in the Land of Rivers. Although the environment is better than that of the Land of Wind, it is still considerably inferior to Konoha, wouldn't you agree?"
Nadeshiko Mao nodded gently at Orochimaru's question.
"Indeed, in terms of strength, scale, and environment, Nadeshiko Village is far from comparable to Konoha."
Orochimaru's confidence grew. He continued, "So, besides the rule of men marrying into the village, does Nadeshiko Village have any other regulations that prohibit them from relocating from their ancestral lands?"
Nadeshiko Mao's eyes brightened, and she shook her head vigorously.
"No!"
Orochimaru's lips curved into a subtle smile as he discreetly glanced at Jiraiya, whose expression grew increasingly desperate.
"Then it will be easy!"
"I believe that as the leader of Nadeshiko Village, it should not be difficult for you to sign a mutual assistance pact with Konoha and move your entire village into the Land of Fire. This way, the elderly and infirm of your village can receive the protection of the strongest ninja village in the ninja world!"
Nadeshiko Mao's hands clenched with excitement. She looked nervously at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was smiling with narrowed eyes.
"Lord Hokage, is this truly possible?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with a smile.
"Of course!"
"Konoha welcomes any force that wishes to contribute to maintaining peace in the ninja world, such as the Nekomata clan, who are in the unoccupied zones."
"Although they have not officially joined Konoha, since their relocation into the Land of Fire, they have maintained frequent contact with Konoha's Uchiha clan and have developed a harmonious relationship. Given Nadeshiko Village's unique advantages, I believe it will be easier for them to be accepted by the people of Konoha than other factions!"
"In fact, Konoha would be getting the better end of the deal!"
"With such a large population, it is a great fortune for Konoha's excellent ninjas to have the opportunity to find suitable partners!"
Nadeshiko Mao's heart soared with joy.
This was wonderful. Not only had her own marital problems been solved, but it also provided a solution for the marriage prospects of the many marriageable women in her village.
Being the leader of a village composed entirely of female ninjas was incredibly difficult. Fortunately, Konoha was a highly inclusive and welcoming community.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage. I will return to the Land of Rivers immediately to discuss the relocation with my villagers."
Hiruzen Sarutobi gently shook his head.
"No need to rush!"
"Since this is your first time in Konoha, let Jiraiya take you on a tour to familiarize yourself with the environment. This will also give you time to select a suitable location for your village and begin constructing basic housing."
"This will make it easier for everyone when they arrive."
Nadeshiko Mao was deeply touched by the elder's thoughtful arrangements. She bowed deeply to Hiruzen Sarutobi, expressing her gratitude. Without looking, she signed the alliance agreement, which Hiruzen Sarutobi had immediately drafted, effectively signing away her entire village.
"Jiraiya-kun, please take care of me from now on!"
Nadeshiko Mao reverently tucked the contract into her embrace and extended her small hand to Jiraiya, her eyes burning with affection as she looked at him.
With the matter settled, Jiraiya resigned himself to the situation and took Mao's small hand, shaking it gently.
"I will take good care of you!"
Hey, she actually had a soft hand.