Naruto: The Crimson Error

24

Chapter 24: The Search for Tsunade

The sun had barely peeked over the horizon when Naruto, Sasuke, and Sora found themselves trudging behind Jiraiya, the self-proclaimed "great sage" who seemed more interested in the local taverns than their supposed mission. As they entered yet another bustling town, the air thick with the scent of street food and the sound of laughter, Naruto couldn't help but wonder if they were actually making any progress in their search for the elusive Tsunade.

"Hey, Pervy Sage!" Naruto called out, his voice carrying a mix of excitement and irritation. "Are we gonna do some actual training today, or are you just gonna drag us to a festival?"

Jiraiya turned, his long white hair swaying dramatically as he fixed Naruto with a look of mock offence. "Festival? Who said anything about a festival?" He paused, sniffing the air theatrically. "Although... now that you mention it, I do smell something delicious. And is that the sound of music I hear?"

Sora, walking alongside Naruto, rolled his eyes. "Great. Another distraction. At this rate, we'll find Tsunade when we're all old and grey."

Sasuke, ever the stoic one, merely grunted in agreement. His dark eyes scanned the crowded streets, always alert, always watching.

As they rounded a corner, they were met with an explosion of colour and sound. The entire street had been transformed into a vibrant festival ground, with lanterns strung overhead and various stalls lining the sides.

Jiraiya's eyes lit up like a child in a candy store. "Well, would you look at that! It seems the universe is smiling upon us, boys. A perfect opportunity to... gather information!"

"You mean ogle women and stuff your face," Naruto muttered under his breath.

But before any of them could protest further, Jiraiya had already darted off towards a group of giggling women near a dango stand.

"And there he goes," Sora sighed, shaking his head. "So much for increasing our skill level."

Naruto's shoulders slumped in disappointment. He had been hoping for some serious training, especially after their recent encounter with the Akatsuki. The memory of Itachi and Kisame still sent a chill down his spine.

Sasuke, noticing Naruto's dejected expression, spoke up. "We could train on our own, you know. We don't need that old fool to supervise us every second."

Sora's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "That's not a bad idea, Sasuke. We could use this time to work on our techniques."

Naruto perked up, his trademark grin returning to his face. "Yeah! And after that, we can check out the festival. I bet they have some awesome ramen stands around here!"

As the trio made their way through the crowded streets, they couldn't help but be swept up in the festive atmosphere. The air was filled with the delicious aroma of grilled meats, sweet dango, and other mouthwatering treats. Colourful banners fluttered in the breeze and the sound of traditional music mixed with the excited chatter of the festival-goers.

"Look at that!" Naruto exclaimed, pointing at a game stall where people were trying to catch goldfish with paper nets. "I bet I could catch more fish than both of you combined!"

Sasuke scoffed. "Please. You'd probably fall into the tank before you caught a single fish."

"Oh yeah? Wanna bet, Mr. I'm-So-Cool?" Naruto challenged, and his competitive spirit ignited.

Sora, ever the peacemaker (or perhaps just wanting to join in on the fun), stepped between them. "Why don't we all give it a try? The loser buys dango for the winners."