Itachi looked at Naruto and said, "When Yahiko suddenly said he was going back to the base, I got curious and followed him. But I was still too late. By the time I arrived, Lord Jiraiya was already caught in Konan's Explosive Tag attack. Afterward, I searched the surrounding area for him and finally found him on a beach. Fortunately, he was still alive, but he was badly injured, so I brought him here right away."
Although Itachi made it sound easy, Naruto knew he must have spent a long time searching for Jiraiya while keeping Nagato and the others from noticing him. It could not have been as simple as he claimed. Naruto said gratefully, "Thank you, Big Brother Itachi. If it weren't for you, Pervy Sage might really have died this time. Thank you."
Itachi smiled. "Naruto, you're treating me like an outsider. Am I not one of you? Besides, Lord Jiraiya is someone I deeply respect. I saved him because I wanted to, not for anyone else's sake."
Since Itachi had put it that way, Naruto did not belabor the point. He turned to Tsunade and asked anxiously, "Granny Tsunade, is Pervy Sage really going to be all right?"
Tsunade looked at Naruto and said, "His life is no longer in danger, but he has multiple shattered bones, and he's lost an arm. Those injuries will take a long time to heal. As for his missing arm, I'll work out a few possible solutions. Don't worry, he'll be all right. Still, to be safe, we should get Jiraiya back to Konoha as soon as possible. I can help him recover better there. The conditions here are terrible, and this isn't a suitable place for him to recuperate."
Naruto lowered his head and thought for a moment before