Orochimaru had proposed killing them. He was a realist, and he knew those war orphans would suffer terribly in the years ahead.
Giving those helpless children a release was Orochimaru's own kind of mercy.
Jiraiya was neither realistic nor in any position to decide their fate. He stayed behind to care for Nagato and the other two.
He also taught them ninjutsu and trained them to become ninja.
If they could do it all over again,
they would probably still make different choices.
Tsunade would kill Nagato for the sake of the Leaf Village.
Orochimaru would seize Nagato for his Rinnegan.
Jiraiya would teach Nagato more patiently, hoping to keep him from going astray.
Tsunade asked, "Jiraiya, what kind of person was Nagato to you?"
Jiraiya pictured Nagato as he remembered him. "He was a very withdrawn child."
"He was sensitive and softhearted, kind, and quick to cry."
"He was afraid of hurting people. Once, he awakened his Rinnegan and killed a band of wandering ninja who attacked them. Afterward, he had nightmares and felt guilty for quite a while."
"I can't imagine that Nagato becoming the leader of Akatsuki."
Tsunade said, "It must have something to do with what they went through."
Jiraiya nodded. "The truth is, I didn't see Nagato. I saw six Pains, and the one leading them looked like a grown-up Yahiko."
"As the fight went on, I realized Pain didn't seem to be alive. He seemed to be some kind of puppet."
"Yahiko died, and Nagato turned his body into a puppet. Nagato says he doesn't care about Yahiko."
"But deep down, he cares deeply about his companions."
"I think Yahiko's death was what changed Nagato and Konan."
Tsunade asked, "Should we investigate?"
Jiraiya shook his head. "Dealing with Akatsuki comes first. We can't spread