Konoha.
Jiraiya had no way to investigate whether "Number One" was Minato.
Because that man named "Ikeda Shingo" had taken Team 7 out on a mission.
Jiraiya's series of probing plans had fallen through.
He could only put the matter aside for later.
However, after rescuing Nagato and Konan, he suddenly found inspiration.
He planned to start a new book while waiting for news from Nagato and for Ikeda Shingo to return.
But news from Nagato never came.
Instead, he learned all about the Hokage election process.
And Jiraiya had not uncovered this intelligence himself.
It was people from Orochimaru's side who had "unconsciously" let a few details slip.
Only then had Jiraiya gone out to investigate.
Once he learned the full story, Jiraiya was completely stunned.
Jiraiya was no child. Even if the Third Hokage had used his authority for personal gain, Jiraiya would have considered it normal.
But he had never expected the Third Hokage to go this far.
Jiraiya vaguely wondered whether the reason everyone had hidden things from him before was because of the Third Hokage.
Jiraiya could no longer sit still, and he stopped writing as well.
He needed more intelligence.
But just then.
Uchiha Shamu invoked his authority as Konoha's Honorary Elder and demanded a high-level Konoha meeting.
Jiraiya was required to attend as well.
Hokage Tower.
Conference room.
Numerous elders had gathered together, all speculating about what Uchiha Shamu intended to do.
The election had already been over for some time.
Last time, Uchiha's methods had been forcefully suppressed by Orochimaru's countermeasures.
Judging by Orochimaru's methods, he would be a far more hardline Hokage than the Third Hokage.
Although the Third Hokage had not kept his hands clean, and there had been some minor flaws in Orochimaru's vote of confidence.
Tsunade had not