Hearing Tsunade's words, Jiraiya was stunned.
He stared at Tsunade's face again and again.
From the delicate diamond-shaped mark on her forehead, to her bright brown eyes and snow-white skin that seemed ready to break at a touch, down to her tender, plump cherry lips...
Just as he wanted to keep looking downward, he keenly noticed a vein bulging on Tsunade's forehead. Her fingers curled slightly, as though she were about to make a fist.
Countless past experiences and his faintly aching ribs told Jiraiya that it was time to stop. Otherwise, he would probably be carried back horizontally today.
Thus, just as Tsunade's fist hardened and she could no longer resist the urge to punch him flying, Jiraiya spoke in time:
"Are you serious? Just the two of us? Isn't that too risky?"
Three questions in a row successfully diverted Tsunade's attention.
The maneuver was exceptionally practiced!
"Risky?"
Tsunade raised her tone slightly. "I admit this decision carries some risk, but can you find a better way?"
Having said that, she gave Jiraiya no more time to think and continued in a rapid-fire barrage.
"You know what our original goal was in starting this war. Having reached this point, it cannot be considered a success no matter what."
Jiraiya nodded when he heard that and did not shy away from admitting his mistake. "I underestimated Kirigakure, so..."
"No, it wasn't just you. All of us underestimated this nation that has always been shrouded in mystery!"
Tsunade cut him off with a wave of her hand. "So now is the time to cut our losses."
"Cut our losses?"
Jiraiya was confused.
He felt that he could not quite keep up with Tsunade's train of thought.
If they were going to cut their losses, shouldn't they retreat and preserve their strength