This was especially true after word came from the border that Namiashi Raidō, the Jonin commanding a guard camp in the area where they had been staying, had sensed intense fighting and led a group of Ninja to investigate—only to disappear without a trace.
Deep down, Tsunade's suspicions of Naruto grew even stronger.
But there was no evidence!
And she hadn't witnessed it with her own eyes!
In other words,
even if the likelihood was as high as ninety-nine percent,
without conclusive proof,
Konoha couldn't turn against them.
On top of that, there was an even more important matter before them now.
For the sake of the bigger picture,
Tsunade could only hold back for the time being.
Still, the unpleasantness of it all remained, stirring up intense resentment, even anger.
After all, no matter how contemptible Danzo might have been, he was still a senior figure in Konohagakure.
And Namiashi Raidō was an exceptionally capable Jonin.
The sudden disappearance of these people
was practically a slap in the face to Konoha.
If there were direct evidence,
then no matter who was responsible,
Konoha would have to declare war without hesitation.
This was a matter touching on the honor of an entire village, and even its very survival!
So,
Tsunade didn't know whether she should be relieved that there was no proof, or furious about it.
This delicate incident, arising amid an already delicate situation,
would put Konoha in an extremely awkward position.
Tsunade couldn't say too much to anyone else, including the two Advisors. But as her one and only close friend, Jiraiya was the perfect person for her to speak frankly with.
"What did you say? You suspect Naruto had something to do with Danzo and Namiashi's disappearance?"
In the Hokage's office in Konohagakure,
after the high-level meeting