Jiraiya Sees Daylight Again

While Pakura's decisive act of abandoning the benefits aligned with Chiyo's strategic plan, wasn't it a bit too hasty of you to do so?

When a new Kazekage) takes office, doesn't he usually do something to enhance his prestige and, incidentally, improve his popularity among the villagers?

Why are you so skilled at selling villages?

"The most urgent task is to initiate negotiations with Konoha. That way, we might be able to reclaim our interests in Country of Roran..."

Chiyo glanced at Ebizo with some displeasure.

Didn't you say this guy was a radical hawk, and that you told me to stop their actions at all costs?

Listen to what they're saying! This isn't some kind of hawk, it's Chick Hawk Faction!

Ebizo was also puzzled. How did Pakura become like this after being betrayed once?

"Advisor Chiyo, you don't need to say anything more. As the Fourth Kazekage personally appointed by the Daimyo, I would never engage in any form of negotiation with Konoha, which has insulted us. This is also the Daimyo's Mansion's intention."

After finishing speaking, Pakura left the room without looking back.

Wait, why are you the one leaving? This is the Kazekage's Office; we should be the ones leaving!

Chiyo and Ebizo didn't realize what had happened until Pakura had walked away.

"What should we do next, sister?"

Ebizo was at a loss. This new Kazekage was like a madman, spouting slogans that sounded like those of a hawk, but his actions showed he was compromising with Iwagakure...

"Forget about the Kazekage. We'll contact Konoha as advisors. Since Rasa is dead and large amounts of Gold Dust can't be mined efficiently, we'll use that to gain Konoha's support."

Chiyo's face was grim. Although she often insulted Konoha, she knew very well that Ōnoki was a greater threat.

After all, Konoha doesn't really like to expand proactively, while Iwagakure does.

She feared that if Pakura continued to compromise, the interests of Sunagakure would be handed over to others.

Damn it, can't this old lady even enjoy her retirement?!

After discussing Konoha's plans with Shikaku, including how to compensate the surrounding residents during expansion, Kazashiro stretched and casually accepted the documents Itachi handed him.

"What's this?"

As Kazashiro skillfully signed the document and handed it to Itachi, he casually asked a question.

He glanced at it casually when he took it; it seemed to be a list, and Jiraiya's name was on it.

Does he own a house in the area slated for demolition?

Kazashiro subconsciously assumed that the list was a demolition compensation list.

"This is the execution list for this quarter."

"Oh, Jiraiya's luck is pretty good then—hmm?"

Kazashiro hurriedly snatched the document back from Itachi's hand and searched for Jiraiya's name again.

Sure enough, he saw the other party's crimes after Jiraiya's name.

Spying on and insulting the Hokage.

Hiss...

"As far as I know, Jiraiya is a master of Transparent Release, and he has never failed in a spying incident. How did the Military Police Force catch him?"

Kazashiro was very curious as to why Jiraiya had messed up yet again.

"Teacher, the current Military Police Force doesn't just consist of the Uchiha; there are also the Hyuga, Aburame, and Inuzuka Clan. If the Sharingan can't see them, they use the Byakugan. If the Byakugan can't see them, there are dogs and insects. Not to mention Jiraiya..."

Itachi really wanted to say something outrageous, like "Even if the Third Hokage did this, he would have to compromise," but after thinking about it, he realized that the other party was his mentor by seniority, so it seemed rather impolite to say that and he gave up on the idea.

"Oh..."

Kazashiro crossed out his own signed name, and also crossed out Jiraiya's name.

"Send someone to bring Jiraiya out. Just teach him a lesson; you can't really kill him. He's one of the Sannin, the best future fodder, a valuable asset."

Kazashiro revealed a "kind and approachable" smile.

Itachi looked at Kazashiro with a strange expression.

He knew his teacher all too well; once the teacher showed that kind of smile, the person being targeted would rather be dead.

Poor Jiraiya, he has no idea where he offended his teacher.

As Itachi took the list, he suddenly understood why Kazashiro had that expression.

Yes, insulting the Hokage.

Konoha's former Root Prison.

With the disbandment of the Root, the prison was converted into a death row prison.

All those sentenced to death will be sent here. If there are no problems with the list, apart from a few lucky ones who can continue to shine in the Konoha Research Bureau, the rest will basically be executed here.

In a solitary cell, Jiraiya looked up at the sky, his face filled with utter despair.

He only attempted to spy, so why was he sentenced to death?

And Tsunade, does she hate herself that much? Would she rather kill herself than...?

Jiraiya scratched his head with a wry smile.

"Sigh, if there really is an afterlife, I definitely won't dare to spy again."

Jiraiya finally admitted that his actions constituted voyeurism, but unfortunately, it was too late.

"Hyuga Isamu, Yizhuo Jianren, Umekawa Nei..."

In the prison corridor, ninjas from the Internal Affairs Department were calling out names one by one, dragging those destined for execution to their destinations for execution.

"Jiraiya..."

Finally, the footsteps stopped outside Jiraiya's prison.

"I was wrong! I want to see the Hokage! I want to see Danzo! I served Konoha, I shed blood for the Land of Fire! I will never spy again!"

Upon hearing that the other party had still called out his name, Jiraiya disregarded his image as one of the Sannin and began to pry open the cell door, ready to recount his exploits.

"Your name has been crossed out. The person who's supposed to pick you up is outside. Come with us."

The Internal Affairs Department ninjas watched Jiraiya's performance with utter indifference, faithfully fulfilling their duties.

"I was really wrong--uh? I don't have to die?"

Jiraiya stopped crying halfway through and looked at the other person in disbelief.

Let's go.

The Internal Affairs Department ninjas, not wanting to waste time on him, opened the cell door and shoved the Sannin out.

Amidst envious glances Jiraiya and was escorted to the prison gate.

The long-awaited sunlight shone on Jiraiya's face, so intense that it almost brought tears to his eyes.

"Yo, Jiraiya, how was your trip to the prison?"

At the doorway, Tsunade looked at her companion without any apology and greeted him in a teasing tone.

"Tsunade! You!"

Jiraiya saw that the person who was greeting him was Tsunade, his first emotion was anger, and only then was he moved.

That's great! Tsunade didn't forget me and even came to pick me up.

Tsunade was somewhat embarrassed.

After she paid her bail and left, she completely forgot about Jiraiya.

If Itachi hadn't discovered that she was the whistleblower and sent someone to warn her, Tsunade probably wouldn't have known how Jiraiya died until his Jiraiya death.