Jiraiya's departure let many people breathe a sigh of relief.
That included Naruto, Leader of Uzushio, Shisui, the Uchiha clan head, and the many Uchiha ninja who had recognized Jiraiya's identity.
Just as Shisui had said, a ninja of Jiraiya's caliber was an undeniable threat even if he did nothing but stand in the village.
Only after Jiraiya left could everything return to normal.
After leaving Uzushio Village, Jiraiya summoned a Mount Myōboku toad, climbed into its stomach, and slipped into the sea.
His trip to Uzushio Village had yielded quite a lot. Besides finding Naruto and the Uchiha, he had also encountered Orochimaru and the Third Kazekage Human Puppet controlled by the mysterious Puppet Master.
This intelligence had to be brought back to the village as soon as possible for the old man to decide on.
Watching the toad vanish into the deep sea, Orochimaru and Sasori removed their disguises and stood on the soft beach.
After Naruto had played them, they had not immediately left the Land of Whirlpools. Instead, they had gone into hiding and waited for another chance to act. After all, Jiraiya and the Uchiha in the Land of Whirlpools had irreconcilable conflicts.
Yet Jiraiya had now left the Land of Whirlpools completely unscathed, which was beyond their expectations.
After exchanging a glance, Orochimaru said sinisterly, "What a pity the Uchiha and Jiraiya didn't fight. It seems your revenge plan has failed completely."
Sasori said coldly, "I wonder who was frightened by that attack resembling a Tailed Beast Bomb and fled without even wanting his own skin. What a disgrace to the Konoha Sannin."
"Didn't you retreat at the first opportunity too..."
After a pause, Orochimaru recalled the Spiraling Ring he had seen earlier and let out a faint sigh.
"I never expected the Leader