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In Konoha.

Jiraiya, sitting by Sarutobi Asuma's window, received the reply, and his face darkened.

"Jiraiya-sama, what's wrong?" Kakashi, also waiting in the hospital, noticed the change in Jiraiya's expression. The mental blow Sasuke had suffered was far more severe than that of Asuma and the others; he still hadn't woken up. Seeing Jiraiya's expression change, Kakashi felt a sinking feeling.

Jiraiya's voice was heavy: "Naruto has already encountered them."

His emotions were tangled and chaotic, like a ball of twine knotted together.

He had just promised Naruto that he wouldn't be "late."

But, only a few days after saying those words, the information he sent had already been delayed.

By the time it reached him, Naruto had already faced them. This made the intelligence practically useless.

Only information that arrives ahead of time is good information.

Kakashi was momentarily stunned.

He quickly realized it was Jiraiya's expression that had caused his initial misjudgment.

Since Naruto was able to send a reply, it meant he was still in decent condition.

"Did Naruto escape?" Kakashi cautiously asked.

Jiraiya shook his head. "Naruto did much better than we expected."

"He didn't just escape."

"He confronted those two head-on and even managed to cut off Hoshigaki Kisame's arm."

Kakashi's mouth fell open.

He had faced Uchiha Itachi in direct combat before.

The pressure that man exerted was no less than that of Orochimaru, perhaps even stronger.

But to face such strength, with Hoshigaki Kisame added into the mix, and for Naruto to fight them both and accomplish this...

"Naruto has grown much stronger," Kakashi exhaled deeply.

From being weaker than him to becoming more powerful.

Thinking carefully, Naruto had only taken a little over four months.

He hadn't even paused at the "as strong as me" stage.

His teacher's son had surpassed him.

And he was still clinging to his twelve-year-old achievements, standing still.

"I'm leaving now," Jiraiya said softly, standing up. "I originally thought I could use this as an excuse to get closer to Naruto."

"It seems that's not necessary."

"He's already doing very well."

"So now I should worry about other things."

Kakashi stood up with him. "Are you going to find Tsunade-sama?"

Jiraiya nodded. "Konoha needs a Hokage now."

"Kakashi, if—"

"If Tsunade doesn't want to return, the position of Hokage will need to be taken by someone reliable."

He didn't make his meaning too explicit, but everyone in the room understood.

There were few in Konoha qualified to take on the role of Hokage.

Aside from the "Three Legendary Sannin"—Jiraiya, Tsunade—the next most suitable candidates were "Nara Shikaku" and "Kakashi," with the latter being more appropriate, given his youth and strength.

As for the person who had been temporarily stripped of his position as a high-level advisor and who kept loudly proclaiming himself as the only one qualified to be Hokage, he was actually the "most unqualified" person in theory.

Neither Jiraiya, the Jonin Group, nor the top advisors wanted to see a situation where, after this person became Hokage, the blonde jinchuriki would return to Konoha and launch another "Orochimaru's Konoha Crush Plan."

Kakashi responded, "Yes, I understand."

He turned his head to look out the window; it was already summer, and the trees were lush, their green leaves almost blindingly bright.

On the Land of Whirlpools.

Naruto and Karin were enjoying their days excavating information at the ruins of Whirlpool Village.

The progress was just a bit slow.

In the mornings, they searched for inscriptions, and in the afternoons, they deciphered them. Working together, the two of them could only decode four or five inscriptions a day.

Meanwhile,

Jiraiya embarked on his journey to find Tsunade.

The "Tsunade-hime," one of the legendary Sannin, wasn't easy to locate.

But when looking for the "legendary big spender," it was much easier.

In less than half a month, Jiraiya found her in a relatively prosperous town with a developed gambling scene.

In the tavern.

The two sat across from each other.

A young woman with short hair, holding a small pig, sat beside Tsunade.

"Is she Dan's niece?" Jiraiya asked, making small talk as he looked at the young woman. "She's grown up so much already."

"I think her name is…"

"Shizune, right?"

"Jiraiya, don't waste time with small talk. It seems like you've been deliberately searching for me." Tsunade waved her hand impatiently, getting straight to the point. "What's the matter?"

Jiraiya spoke softly, "Then I won't beat around the bush."

"The village wants you to become the Fifth Hokage."

"That old man Sarutobi can't handle it anymore and wants to retire?" Tsunade scoffed. "He's been Hokage for almost thirty years. Can't he hang on a little longer?"

Jiraiya's expression was heavy: "Don't you know about the Third Hokage?"

"He was killed by Orochimaru not long ago."

Tsunade was taken aback.

For a moment, the news left her in a daze.

"Is that so?" She lowered her head and took a sip of her drink.

Jiraiya extended his hand: "So, will you do it?"

Tsunade did not answer immediately.

Shizune turned her head and silently looked at her.

Memories swirled in Tsunade's mind, with several faces flashing before her eyes.

One was a face somewhat similar to hers, but young and small—it was her younger brother, Nawaki. He died young, perishing on the battlefield just after graduating from the ninja academy, ultimately killed by an explosive tag.

Another was a grown man with long silver hair—her former lover, Dan Katō. He died in front of her during a mission in the war.

Other faces also appeared, people she knew during her time as a ninja, but who had all since died.

"I refuse." Tsunade shook her head and uttered the words.

Jiraiya felt a jolt in his heart.

He scratched his head and forced a cheerful smile: "This reminds me of before, when I confessed to you and you also rejected me like this."

"But becoming Hokage is different from my confession."

"Can I ask why?"

Tsunade turned her head and looked out the window: "Whether it's Sarutobi-sensei or my two grandfathers."

"Even the most talented Fourth Hokage."

"They all gave so much to the village, but did it bring any change?"

"So..."

"Being Hokage is meaningless, only a fool would want to be one."

Jiraiya opened his mouth to speak.

It was clearly still the same face from over thirty years ago, the one he had once admired.

But at this moment, it felt somewhat unfamiliar.

"It's different now," he said slowly, "Danzo is no longer an advisor."

Tsunade was surprised: "Did Orochimaru kill him too?"

"No," Jiraiya shook his head, "it's because of a rather interesting kid."

"He has talent on par with Minato, perhaps even greater."

"He has the potential to change the village."

"Danzo's position as a high-ranking advisor was revoked, partly because of his influence."

"You see, the saplings of Konoha are still growing."

Talent on par with Minato, even greater?

And he could influence Danzo?

Tsunade looked at Jiraiya.

But the man opposite her was evasive, not daring to meet her gaze.

Was he lying?

Which part?

"You and I both know that being a high-ranking advisor means almost nothing to Danzo." Tsunade continued, following her own reasoning, "Does that... Anbu training department he controls still exist?"

Jiraiya didn't answer, and his silence provided the answer.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow.

So, he wasn't lying about that part.

"Where is this kid you mentioned, the one who could rival the Fourth Hokage?" Tsunade placed her cup on the table. "If there really is such a person, you'd bring him to meet me, wouldn't you?"

"Just like you did with Minato back then."

Jiraiya lowered his head and averted his gaze.

Tsunade squinted her eyes.

So, he lied about that part.

"So, there's no such kid, is there?" Tsunade said softly.

Jiraiya shook his head, his tone firm: "No, Naruto is real."

"It's just that he's not in the village right now; he's traveling."

Tsunade sneered: "Traveling?"

The word came out of her mouth with particular disdain.

"He couldn't stand the village, so he left, right?" She expanded on those words.

Jiraiya remained silent, which was the best confirmation.

"Even the 'sapling' you mentioned couldn't bear to stay in the village." Tsunade laughed, a mocking laugh, "So why would I have any reason to go back?"

Jiraiya's voice was firm: "Naruto left the village to search for the legendary Pure Land."

Tsunade's laughter stopped.

"He has some unique talents." Jiraiya continued, "You've heard of the forbidden jutsu of the Uzumaki Clan, right?"

Tsunade nodded.

Her grandmother was from the Uzumaki Clan, and she had heard about it when she was young.

Jiraiya said, "Naruto hasn't made a contract with the Shinigami, but he can see the Shinigami."

"He wants to find the Pure Land, to find his parents."

"He is Minato and Kushina's child."

"Right now... it's just an unexpected situation."

"I'll definitely bring him back to Konoha in the future."

The mention of the Pure Land made those two faces in Tsunade's mind even clearer.

"What a fool, searching for something that doesn't exist in legend." Tsunade sneered, but her voice had softened somewhat.

Jiraiya seized the opportunity to reach out his hand: "So come back to Konoha."

"While he's still young, and we still have the ability, let's protect his ideals."

Tsunade shook her head, more decisively than before: "I refuse."

"Bring that kid searching for the Pure Land back to Konoha, and then I'll consider returning."

She was resolute.

Jiraiya sighed, slumping in his chair, his back suddenly hunched: "Is that your final answer?"

Tsunade nodded.

Her stance was firm.

For the next few days, Jiraiya stayed by her side, continuing to persuade her.

But... it had no effect at all.