Chapter 9: Mischief
Chen decided it was best not to get involved and started to walk away. However, Jiraiya, eager to deflect Tsunade's fiery temper, shouted, "Tsunade, that kid making fun of you is getting away!"
Chen stopped in his tracks, incredulous at Jiraiya's audacity. Turning around slowly, he said with a calm, cold voice, "Uncle, when have I ever mocked your beautiful friend? I was just wondering how such a beautiful person could be accompanied by someone so... peculiar as yourself."
Jiraiya, stunned, stood frozen, unable to believe he had been so blatantly insulted by a young child.
A smile crept onto Tsunade's face. She walked over to Chen and knelt down to his level, admiring his angelically beautiful face.
"Kid, you better not be lying. Do you know who you're messing with?" Tsunade asked, peering into his lavender eyes.
Chen, feeling uneasy but determined to keep his composure, replied tenderly, his voice convincing for a four-year-old, "I am telling the truth. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."
Visibly flattered, Tsunade's smile broadened. "I like you, kid!" she exclaimed joyfully. No one had ever praised her beauty so sincerely since her childhood.
Jiraiya, coming out of his shock, intervened sadly, "Tsunade, don't be fooled. This kid is full of lies. He's not honest at all."
Chen, seeing Jiraiya's vulnerability, decided to push further, "Oh uncle, so you think your friend isn't pretty?"
Tsunade's previously happy face instantly turned cold as she shot Jiraiya a disdainful look.
Jiraiya, feeling Tsunade's icy stare and Chen's triumphant gaze, sighed. He hadn't expected to be caught in such a trap.
Orochimaru, who had remained silent, fixed his gaze on Chen and muttered coldly, "Idiot."
Normally, Jiraiya would have vehemently refuted Orochimaru's insult, but this time he remained silent, feeling defeated.
"Tsunade, don't wander off topic and answer me. What did you mean by that just now?" Tsunade demanded, her hair bristling with threatening energy.
Jiraiya, swallowing hard, tried to remain calm, "I have a mission tomorrow. Could you not hit me too hard?" he asked with a bitter smile.
Tsunade looked at him disdainfully. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Chen, adding more fuel to the fire, intervened with an innocent smile, "Sister, you don't have to be so harsh on him. He doesn't seem like he means to be an idiot."
Jiraiya, hearing this, showed a look of gratitude towards Chen. 'Maybe this kid isn't so bad after all,' he thought.
However, Chen continued, "I think he really is stupid. He doesn't mean to be; he just needs someone to fix that for him."
Tsunade couldn't hold back genuine laughter and reached out to pat Chen's head, but he quickly dodged her hand.
'He's quick!' thought Tsunade, taken aback.
Chen was annoyed. Although he was pretending to be sweet and cute, his mentality was that of an adult, and being treated like a child irritated him.
Orochimaru, watching with interest, thought, 'As I suspected, he really is special.' Tsunade's movement had been simple, but for a four-year-old, it would have been impossible to dodge.
Chen felt Orochimaru's intense gaze scrutinizing his eyes. He sighed internally. 'This is annoying. That's why I didn't want to get involved with these three.'
But he wasn't overly concerned. The current Orochimaru was no match for him.
With tears of frustration, Jiraiya was drawing circles on the ground.
"He used to be ugly, but now he's turned into a toad," said Chen, looking at Jiraiya with disdain.
"Enough! You rude brat, let's fight now!" Jiraiya stood up, enraged.
Chen laughed mockingly and looked at him superiorly.
"Are you going to fight a child, Jiraiya? You really are shameless," Tsunade intervened, her gaze icy.
Jiraiya came to his senses, realizing the absurdity of his challenge. Winning would make him look like a bully. Losing would make him a laughingstock. Worst of all, it would disgrace his master, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Orochimaru, enjoying the spectacle, murmured: "Idiot."
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