Inside the Hokage's office.
"Tsunade, I think it's necessary for me to take some people to Kumogakure."
At that moment, Tsunade was holding the letter from Jiraiya that Senya had read. Senya stood beside her with a grave expression.
After reading its contents, Tsunade crumpled it into a ball and tossed it into the nearby candleholder, where the flames reduced it to ashes.
"It is necessary. Naruto has hit a bottleneck. Other than Jiraiya, I'm afraid only you can help him untie this knot in his heart."
"While you're there, investigate whether that bastard Jiraiya has..."
She did not say the last few words, but both Shizune and Senya understood what Tsunade meant.
Even if Jiraiya really was with people from Kumogakure, it would not matter. What they feared was that he had falsified the accounts, gone drinking with hostesses, or been swayed by Kumogakure's bargaining chips.
Although they all knew Jiraiya was not that kind of person, and no one else had noticed the slight flaw in the letter, Tsunade had chosen to destroy it immediately.
Still, as one of Konoha's Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya held considerable influence in Konoha. Not to mention his status as a bestselling author.
If anything truly went wrong, it would become a scandal among Konoha's upper ranks.
Senya nodded.
"I understand. This time, I'll bring Ibiki with me. His temperament is better suited to opening up the market in Kumogakure."
"Let Kabuto handle the Intelligence Department for now. Kimimaro has been doing well in Root lately and has taken quite a few tasks off Kabuto's hands."
Tsunade considered it for a moment. Kumogakure revered strength, and most people there responded better to toughness than softness. Ibiki truly was a good choice.
"Then it's settled."
"As for Naruto, if necessary, we can summon Kushina. If