Others expressing dissatisfaction with the Third Hokage was something Tsunade could understand.
Over the years, for various reasons, the Third Hokage had lost his former ambition. He had gradually changed from a decisive "shinobi" into something more like a hesitant old administrator.
But no matter how much things changed, Jiraiya had always stood firmly on the Hokage's side—everything he did was for the village.
So hearing him say this now… was shocking.
Facing Tsunade's doubts, Jiraiya sighed softly and said,
"Tsunade… a lot has happened in the village since you left."
He then went on to explain everything that had happened in recent years.
As Tsunade listened, her expression slowly shifted—from serious… to stunned… to completely dumbfounded.
Finally, she looked at Jiraiya like she didn't even know who the hell he was anymore.
"It's one thing for the Third to compromise with Kumogakure—that can be justified for the sake of peace."
"And the Uchiha massacre… fine. You could argue it was to prevent civil war."
"But what the hell is this?"
"The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki defects with the Uchiha, builds a ninja village in the Land of Whirlpools, takes over the Land of Waves, and is now fighting the Akatsuki?"
She rubbed her temples.
"Are you messing with me, or did the entire ninja world just go insane while I was gone?"
Even Tsunade didn't know how to evaluate the Third Hokage anymore.
After a moment of silence, she spoke again about Danzo:
"What you and Kakashi did to deal with Danzo… wasn't exactly right."
"The Third Hokage would never allow you to remove him. Danzo is his blade."
"Take away that blade, and the old man loses his authority."
Jiraiya sighed again.
"I know…"
"I wanted to give him a chance—to deal with Danzo himself."
"But… he doesn't have the courage anymore."
"When people get old, they start worrying too much about their legacy. They hesitate… and in the end, they do nothing."
Tsunade chuckled faintly, then looked at Jiraiya.
"But still… for you to make up your mind to go against the old man…"
"That Nine-Tails Jinchūriki must have had quite an impact on you."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Don't tell me… he's the Child of Prophecy you've been searching for?"
Jiraiya nodded helplessly.
"Yes… but unfortunately, the Child of Prophecy has already left the village."
"And honestly… whether it's strength or mindset, he doesn't need my guidance anymore."
"I've seen Uzushiogakure with my own eyes."
"Naruto was able to suppress the Uchiha and unify them. The village is stable, the ninja are united, and there's no internal scheming."
"They're even applying ninjutsu to improve civilian life…"
He paused, his expression turning nostalgic.
"It reminded me of the First Hokage."
"Grandpa?" Tsunade frowned.
"Is he really worthy of that comparison?"
In her eyes, no one could match Senju Hashirama—the God of Shinobi who ended the Warring States Era and created the One Village Per Country system.
But at the same time…
Naruto's reforms made her feel a faint sense of crisis.
If what Jiraiya said was true, then the ninja world was changing.
And if Konoha failed to keep up…
It might not even be able to hold onto its title as the number one ninja village.
For the first time in years, Tsunade seriously considered returning to the village.
At that moment, a group of Kusagakure ninja suddenly appeared in the distance.
They aggressively surrounded Jiraiya and Tsunade, drawing kunai as if preparing to subdue them.
Unfortunately for them…
Sending a bunch of chunin to deal with two Sannin was basically asking to get their asses handed to them.
Jiraiya didn't even bother getting serious—he casually knocked them all down.
After interrogating them, they learned the reason.
The Kusagakure ninja were searching for a missing "traitor" named Uzumaki Karin.
Hearing the name "Uzumaki," Jiraiya and Tsunade exchanged a glance.
Then they continued questioning the captured ninja.
When Tsunade heard that Kusagakure had been treating Uzumaki as living medical tools, her eyes immediately filled with anger.
"Uzushiogakure may be gone… but it was still Konoha's ally."
Jiraiya, however, thought a bit further.
If they could rescue Uzumaki Karin…
It might help ease relations with Naruto.
After all, he really didn't want to become enemies with Minato's son.
With a silent exchange of understanding, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Shizune immediately headed toward Kusagakure.
…
Inside Kusagakure.
After the jōnin meeting ended, the elders of the pro-war faction found Jōnin Wuwei, the man in charge of Hōzuki Castle (the prison known as Demon Lantern Castle), and spoke in a low voice:
"Wuwei, the mercenaries from Akatsuki will arrive soon. Is the Box of Bliss ready?"
Wuwei glanced at the elder—who was wearing an animal mask—and replied cautiously:
"The Box of Bliss has been prepared for a long time… but Elder, are you really planning to open it to launch a coup?"
"In the absence of Tailed Beast chakra, we'll make up for quality with quantity."
Wuwei fell silent for a moment.
As a confidant of the pro-war faction, he knew the truth.
The so-called deployment of Iwagakure forces at the border was nothing more than a bluff.
In reality, the elder had secretly contacted Iwagakure.
His plan was simple—and insane.
Use the threat of Iwagakure to unify Kusagakure internally… then use the Box of Bliss to summon the so-called "angel" that once helped the Land of Grass dominate much of the ninja world.
The elder glanced at Wuwei impatiently.
"Isn't Hōzuki Castle full of prisoners?"
"Those useless ninja who violated the rules—rather than rotting away in prison, they might as well contribute to Kusagakure's rise to power."
Wuwei frowned.
"If we do that… every major ninja village will treat us as enemies."
"I know what you're worried about," the elder waved dismissively.
"We didn't hire Akatsuki for nothing."
"If possible, we'll use them as sacrifices first."
"No need to waste our own prisoners."
Wuwei hesitated, clearly uneasy.
"But—"
"There's no 'but'!"
The elder's voice turned cold and domineering.
"Kusagakure will rise under my leadership."
"I will become the ruler of Kusagakure in the new era!"
Hearing this, Wuwei had no choice but to nod in reluctant agreement.
However…
As soon as he left the elder's sight, a faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on his lips.
On the surface, he opposed using sacrifices to open the Box of Bliss.
But in reality—
He was the one who wanted it opened the most.
Years ago, he had lost his young son due to his own experiments.
Since then, his only goal had been to bring him back to life.
And the Box of Bliss…
Could grant a wish.
As for the cost?
He didn't care.
Even if it meant countless people dying—it didn't matter.
As long as his son returned.
What Wuwei didn't notice was that a White Zetsu hidden underground had overheard everything.
Sniffing the air like a creep, it silently slipped deeper into the earth.
In front of White Zetsu's spying abilities…
Kusagakure's so-called "secrets" were nothing but a fucking joke.
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