Jiraiya, under the focus of the entire world, opened the intelligence report. His pupils suddenly contracted, and his shock and confusion were plain to see.
Most shinobi had sharp eyes and ears. Even from over a hundred meters away, the expression on his face did not escape Hozuki Sengetsu's notice.
The moment Jiraiya's expression changed drastically, Hozuki Sengetsu had already prepared for the worst. He removed [Hiramekarei] from his back with one hand and gripped it, while pulling out a signal flare from his robes with the other, ready to set it off at any moment.
Yes, before the fighting had even begun, he was already prepared to call for reinforcements.
It was not because he lacked confidence or was cowardly. This battlefield was closer to the Land of Water, and they held the advantage when it came to support.
Only a fool would refuse to use an advantage.
But since Hozuki Sengetsu could see Jiraiya's expression, the Konoha shinobi could naturally see his movements as well.
A large number of Root shinobi immediately took up combat stances, and the situation seemed ready to erupt at any moment.
And the fuse was Jiraiya.
More precisely, it was the contents of the intelligence report.
Amid the tense atmosphere between both sides, time itself seemed to slow its steps, ticking along without any willingness to move faster.
At last, Jiraiya finished reading the report. He raised his head and, only then noticing the Root shinobi around him with weapons drawn, said to Danzo in an impatient tone, "If you want to fight, go fight yourselves. I won't be joining you. We need to return to the village immediately!"
"What do you mean by that?"
Danzo had never expected Jiraiya to abandon them at the brink like this.
In his eyes, Jiraiya should