Jiraiya's Decision

After "comforting" Shizune and the other two and silently watching them leave, another figure emerged from the shadows in the Hokage's office, wearing wooden clogs. He had long white hair that reached his waist and wore a headband with the character "oil" written on it, seemingly indicating that he was a greasy middle-aged man.

"Is it really okay to comfort them like this? When that man named Roy obtains the power of Sage Mode and reappears in the Shinobi World, they will feel even more guilty!" Jiraiya said softly.

"I didn't deceive them. As you know, Sage Mode is extremely difficult to cultivate. Even with Orochimaru's talent and ability, he still wouldn't dare to take the risk of cultivating Sage Mode." When Orochimaru was mentioned, Tsunade's tone clearly paused for a moment. A bond of more than ten years is not so easy to sever.

"The most important thing in cultivating Sage Techniques is control. You need to precisely and perfectly integrate spiritual energy, physical energy, and Natural Energy into one. Such precise control is unattainable for most people, which is why very few people in the Shinobi World can successfully cultivate Sage Techniques," Jiraiya said solemnly.

"But that person is different. That man named Roy is clearly a master of Body Technique, and his control over his body is undoubtedly precise and meticulous. Moreover, according to Kakashi and the others, the enemy's powerful spirit is not only immune to genjutsu, but can even influence reality with his aura, just like the First Hokage. Thinking about it this way, controlling spiritual energy should not be difficult for him either."

"In addition, Kakashi mentioned that the enemy could avoid his attacks in advance, and Shizune and the others also mentioned that the black-clad man who controlled Space-Time Ninjutsu also failed in his sneak attack. This is enough to show that Roy's perception ability is exceptionally strong, almost able to blend into the surrounding nature. In this light, the most difficult hurdle in mastering Sage Mode is not a problem for him at all."

"Although there is a suspicion of exaggerating the enemy, in my opinion, the possibility that person failed in cultivating immortal techniques is less than one in a thousand!" Jiraiya said solemnly.

"With Roy's strength, there are very few in the Shinobi World who can suppress him. Once he successfully masters Sage Mode, the title of demigod in the Shinobi World may find its rightful owner again!"

"I know all that you're saying!" Tsunade and said in a desolate tone, "However, the enemy has already obtained the Sage Mode training method of Ryuchi Cave from Orochimaru. The Sage Mode training scrolls of Shikkotsu Forest are just icing on the cake for him. It's already very worthwhile to exchange them for Shizune and the other two."

"I don't mean to blame you, I'm just reminding you so that you don't end up believing the lie yourself," Jiraiya an embarrassed smile.

"Idiot, do you think I'm like you!" Tsunade twitched, but she quickly regained her composure and said, "However, there's something that I find very strange. Since Roy intends to use threats to obtain the Sage Mode training method from us, why is he excluding you? If he had kidnapped Naruto as well last time, he might already have the Sage Mode training method from Mount Myoboku by now."

"I have a general idea about this, and that's the main reason I came back to talk to you!"

Seeing Jiraiya's unusually solemn expression, Tsunade listened attentively.

"If I'm not mistaken, that man has already obtained the cultivation scroll of the Sage Mode of Mount Myoboku, and this... is perhaps his main purpose in joining the Akatsuki!"

"You mean... someone in the Akatsuki possesses the Sage Mode training methods from Mount Myoboku? How is that possible?" Tsunade asked incredulously.

"Because I was the one who voluntarily taught them the methods for cultivating immortal techniques!" Jiraiya of laughter and tears.

"Teach..." Tsunade pondered the meaning of the word.

"You've already guessed it, haven't you? It was that time in Hidden Rain Village more than ten years ago."

"Hmm, I remember you stayed there for three years, only returning to the village after those three children were able to protect themselves. But... didn't those three die during the Third Ninja World War?"

"That was indeed the message I received at the time, but now it seems there might be more to it than meets the eye, because I discovered Konan's whereabouts within the Akatsuki."

"That little girl from back then?" Tsunade asked softly.

"Yes, that's the female ninja Kakashi and the others encountered in Waterfall Village last time. I never imagined that the gentle and considerate Konan from back then would become like this. It's hard to imagine what they've been through in the past ten years!"

"But that's no excuse for them to hurt others and disrupt peace. Wait..." Tsunade suddenly became alert and looked at Jiraiya, asking, "I remember you once mentioned that one of those three children possessed the legendary Rinnegan, the Eyes of God passed down from the Sage of Rinnegan Sage of Six Paths. He was the prophesied child on whom you placed great hopes. Could that person be the leader hidden behind the Akatsuki?"

"I don't know either. All I know is that Konan is a member of the Akatsuki, and she holds a fairly high position within it. As for Nagato and Yahiko, there doesn't seem to be any news about them. And the Akatsuki leader, who is shrouded in darkness, is equally mysterious. Perhaps there is indeed some connection between them!"

"So the purpose of you coming back to tell me all this..." Tsunade already had a vague guess in her mind, but she still didn't want Jiraiya to say the answer.

"I will infiltrate the Akatsuki to find out the true face of their leader and their real purpose in collecting the Tailed Beasts!"

"No one in Akatsuki is easy to mess with. The person who can become their leader must be incredibly strong. Even if, as you guessed, that boy with the Rinnegan became the leader of Akatsuki, what can you change? Do you think he's still the clueless boy he was a decade or so ago?"

"I know, but... isn't guiding a lost disciple back to the right path what a teacher should do!" Jiraiya smiled confidently. "Don't worry, there won't be any problems. After all, I am one of the legendary Three Sannin, the invincible white-haired toad messenger, the handsome man who silences even crying children..."

"Idiot!" Upon hearing Jiraiya's boast, Tsunade couldn't help but punch him in the face.

Jiraiya calmly and skillfully wiped away the blood from his nose, then said seriously, "Actually, there's something else. I suspect that the black-clad man who controls Space-Time Ninjutsu that Sakura and the others mentioned is very likely related to the Nine-Tails Attack seventeen years ago!"

"How could that be? The Nine-Tails is a natural disaster formed from the evil thoughts of humans. Besides, who could summon it..."

"You probably already guessed it, right? The founder of the Uchiha Clan, the legendary ninja who pacified the chaotic world alongside the First Hokage, Uchiha Madara!"

"Impossible, absolutely impossible! Even my grandfather, who was the victor in the final battle at the Valley of the End, has been dead for so many years. How could Uchiha Madara still be alive!"

"That's exactly what I've been wondering about. Oh well, maybe I'm just overthinking it." Jiraiya shook his head, looked at Tsunade, and made a bold statement. "If I come back alive this time..."

"Hmm?" Tsunade's face flushed slightly.

"... Haha, just kidding, just kidding, anyway, thank you!"