A month passed in the blink of an eye, and as time went on, Konoha also learned the general news that the Four-Tails Five-Tails had been captured.
Similarly, the other ninja villages also learned about what happened in Kirigakure.
Some shared the same plight, some were filled with anxiety, and of course, most were gloating.
At the same time, the Akatsuki also came into the sights of the major ninja villages, who paid close attention to the organization.
They became even more vigilant after learning that their target was Jinchuriki.
Among them, the villages with Jinchuriki, such as the Northern Lands, Konoha, Hidden Cloud Village, are in a state of high alert.
In this situation, Konoha was the first to become restless.
That evening, Jiraiya summoned Tsunade to the training ground in Konoha, and the two sat down on a bench in the training ground.
"What's wrong? Is there something you can't say in the office?"
Tsunade said with a puzzled look, she couldn't understand when Jiraiya had such leisure time to discuss business in a place like this.
Upon hearing this, Jiraiya did not answer her question immediately, but instead looked at the training ground in front of him.
"How long has it been since we came here together? I still clearly remember the first time we came here, back then there was that jealous guy..."
As he spoke, a hint of reminiscence appeared in Jiraiya's eyes.
This training ground is where they learned Ninjutsu when they were young, and it hasn't changed much over the years.
Upon hearing Jiraiya's account, Tsunade couldn't help but reminisce as well.
"Yes! Forty or fifty years have passed in the blink of an eye. It's truly something to reminisce about!"
Everything that seems so familiar feels like it happened just yesterday, but who would have thought it was such a long, long time ago?
The guy that Jiraiya was Jiraiya to, the one that everyone envied, was none other than Orochimaru.
Third Hokage mastered the Ninjutsu taught to them by the Third Orochimaru in one go, Tsunade was next, Jiraiya was simply the worst student in the class, not to mention him.
"Things have changed, people have changed, and everything is over. It reminds me of running in the sunset, which is my lost youth!"
When he got carried away with his emotions, Jiraiya even started using classical Chinese, which made Tsunade's teeth ache.
"I guess only someone with your melancholic and sentimental attitude would be interested in writing those boring novels!"
Jiraiya didn't feel embarrassed by Tsunade's slightly sarcastic words; instead, he burst into laughter.
When I was a child, I wanted to change the world. When I grew up, I realized that I couldn't change anything, but I was changed a lot by the world.
He poured all his emotions into his novels, expressing his helplessness in the face of fate and his desire to change the status quo of the Ninja World.
They are all written using various narrative techniques, but few people can understand them, and even fewer can grasp their true meaning.
I always thought you were a very optimistic person!
Based on his usual behavior, Jiraiya is mostly unserious and gives people the impression of being carefree.
Even if they are unhappy, they rarely show it on their face. At worst, they will go out for a drink at night to relieve their boredom.
Unlike Tsunade, who remained in a daze for over a decade, he mostly channeled his emotions into novels.
"Yes, I now understand what that means: 'Having accomplished nothing, yet still foolishly laughing!'"
Jiraiya remained nonchalant when he said this, though there was a hint of melancholy in his voice.
A novel is just a novel, and what he wrote was a vulgar novel, which cannot rise to the level of literature, let alone change people's views.
How many things in life can we truly do as we please?
Tsunade, ever the understanding one, offered some words of comfort, since Jiraiya rarely showed such emotions.
The setting sun cast its light on their faces, making the scene very heartwarming.
"The sun sets in the west, but it will always rise again. Why keep unhappy things in your heart?"
Upon hearing this, Tsunade's face visibly darkened.
She knew that Jiraiya was referring to the matter of Kato Dan. More than a decade later, the fact that someone brought it up again was like reopening her wounds, and she still couldn't let it go!
The last person to bring this up was Orochimaru, while Jiraiya rarely mentioned it to her.
But that doesn't mean he doesn't care about Tsunade. He just feels that with Orochimaru's comfort, Tsunade will eventually get over it on her own.
However, even after all these years, the situation remains unchanged. Kato Dan has always been a thorn in Tsunade's side, so Jiraiya has no choice but to mention him.
She wasn't as angry or evasive as before; after all these years, Tsunade had long since learned to face things.
This was thanks to Orochimaru's guidance and companionship. He did a lot of things, which helped her gradually let go of the past.
"Clouds may disperse and dreams may fade, but memories will never disappear; we live in this world pursuing hope, but all we gain are memories!"
Upon hearing her answer, Jiraiya did not speak further, but simply watched the fiery clouds on the horizon.
Tsunade felt that if there were alcohol right now, she would definitely chug a whole glass. She really wanted to have another good drink! This damn mood was so annoying!
The two sat quietly in the sunset, each lost in their own thoughts.
"Speaking of which, you called me over today, don't tell me it's just to reminisce about the past? I'm very busy right now!"
After a long silence, Teuchi the silence, her voice clearly showing impatience, though it was unclear whether she was deliberately displaying it.
Jiraiya acting strangely today, and she felt a vague unease in her heart.
"Hehe... There is indeed something I need to tell you!"
Seeing that the other party had gotten to the point, Jiraiya stopped beating around the bush.
The reason he talked about such sentimental topics with Tsunade was that he felt this might be the last time the two of them met, the last time they chatted, and the last time they would watch the sunset together.
The Where Dreams Begins will probably also be the place where it ends.
The sunset is infinitely beautiful, but it's nearing dusk!
Tsunade and looked at him quietly. She felt that Jiraiya was about to say was no small matter, and that unease grew stronger and stronger.
"I plan to... personally go to Amegakure to gather intelligence on the Akatsuki!"
Like a stone thrown into still water, these words struck Tsunade like a bolt from the Tsunade, leaving her momentarily blank.
The look in Jiraiya's eyes went from confusion to blankness, then to surprise and solemnity!
"No! I disagree!"
Tsunade's words were resolute and left no room for doubt, clearly indicating her firm opposition to the matter.
Based on the intelligence she had gathered these past few days, she knew how dangerous the Akatsuki was. Now, Jiraiya going to their stronghold, which was tantamount to suicide.
No wonder she felt that Jiraiya strangely. This time, he said he wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with her, but it felt more like a farewell!
"I've made my decision, and I'm going no matter what, even if you forbid it! For Konoha, for Naruto, I have to do it!"
Jiraiya completely ignored Tsunade standing in front of him, and simply stated his decision quietly.
If he wanted to leave, Tsunade couldn't stop him, and he was doing this for Konoha's sake.
Although Orochimaru was extreme, he did do a lot for Konoha, or rather, for Tsunade. Jiraiya wasn't qualified to do much for Tsunade, but he could Jiraiya pave a path and a future for Konoha and Naruto!
The greatest heroes are those who serve their country and its people! Perhaps this describes someone like Jiraiya, who knowingly does the impossible, something even Orochimaru short of.
Just as the two were locked in a stalemate and the atmosphere gradually became tense, an Anbu Ninja flashed into the vicinity of the training ground.
"Lord Hokage! Lord Jiraiya! An urgent secret message from the Northern Lands!"
The sudden news immediately caught their attention...