Inside Shang & Koharu’s wooden house...

Jiraiya: Elder, are you sure you want to live a life like this? With your taijutsu, you can easily make a name for yourself in the war.

Jiraiya persuades Shang while sitting across from each other and his two team members, Orochimaru and Tsunade, are sitting by the sides.

Jiraiya himself doesn’t want to do it as he personally knows Shang’s lazy personality during their taijutsu training but it is a request from both his teacher, Hiruzen.

Hiruzen has initially asked Koharu to persuade Shang in helping with the Second Shinobi War but she herself instead was persuaded by Shang through unsaid means to reject Hiruzen. Realising it is hopeless to rely on husband-entrapped Koharu, Hiruzen turns to Jiraiya and Tsunade whose taijutsu teacher is Shang.

Tsunade knows that she is not good at persuading people, so she passes the job to Jiraiya instead.

Shang: Reputation and fame doesn’t matter to me anymore and one war is enough for me.

Jiraiya: What if you are paid to fight? There will be ryo given for every head of the enemy ninja.

Jiraiya throws out another bait which was given by Hiruzen. Shang is known in the classified information that he will not work unless he sees the ryo.

Shang: Rejected. I have enough wealth to last me and Koharu for a lifetime.

Shang says after sipping his tea and putting the cup on the table.

Jiraiya: Then what about Koharu-sama?

Shang: What about her?

Jiraiya: Whenever there is a war, there will be casualties, and we will be lacking in personnel. Koharu-sama might be sent to the battlefield if needed. Are you not worry about her?

Shang: Hmm… I will be worried if Koharu is sent to the battlefield…

Jiraiya: And…

Shang cuts off Jiraiya’s words by saying what he wanted to say.

Shang: And the only way I can protect her is by stepping into the battlefield. Is that right, Jiraiya?

Jiraiya:...That’s right, Elder. So…

Shang: So I rejected again. Even if I don’t step in, Koharu can fend for herself.

Shang’s thoughts: I know you guys will say something like that. That is the reason why I did not just spend time touring different countries with Koharu during our honeymoon period. I trained her both day and night if possible, making her strong enough to fight a group of Jounins.

Jiraiya:....

Jiraiya’s thoughts: Mission failed. I have done my best, old geezer.

Orochimaru:...

Orochimaru’s thoughts: Even Jiraiya failed to persuade Elder… I don’t think Danzou’s request will work too...

Orochimaru was asked by Danzou instead to persuade Shang into stepping in, giving terms and baits different from Hiruzen.

Seeing that Jiraiya was the first in line to persuade, Orochimaru decided to stay quiet and see whether if he can find another way in the conversation between Shang and Jiraiya.

After seeing that Jiraiya has tried his best, Orochimaru has concluded that the Elder totally has no interesting in fighting in this second war and no matter what benefits are given, Shang will not move a single inch from his house.

????: I’m home!

An adult female can be heard from the entrance of the house.

Shang’s thoughts: Waifu! Your timing is the best.

Shang: Looks like my wife is back. It’s time for you guys have to leave.

Shang points to the doors for exit.

Jiraiya nods and the three of them stands up.

Before they leave, they hear Shang say something.

Shang: You three will be facing your trials in this war. Hope you guys can overcome them.

Jiraiya: Trial? What do you mean?

Shang: Did I say something?

Shang pretends that he did not remember what he say just now.

Jiraiya:...Nothing.

After the trio left the room, Shang closes his eyes and ponders to himself.

Shang's thoughts: Trials that will change your lives...