Jiraiya thought for a moment, then decisively wrote his answer on the paper.
The moment they unfolded their papers, both laughed. Jiraiya had written: [Stay in Konoha.]
Senju Kenyu had written: [Leave Konoha.]
Their thoughts could hardly be called alike. They were polar opposites.
"You go first." Senju Kenyu pressed a hand to his forehead helplessly, deciding to hear Jiraiya's reasoning first.
[I'm afraid of being assassinated outside Konoha. It's not that I fear death. I just don't want to die for nothing,
leaving nothing behind.]
[The Person of Destruction has a Konoha Forehead Protector, so for now, we can assume they're a Konoha ninja from this era. If I stay in Konoha, there's the All-Range Barrier monitoring everything, the Anbu and Konoha Military Police Force on watch, and the Hokage and jinchuriki. Even if something does happen to me, with my abilities, I'll definitely be able to leave clues behind.]
This was the conclusion Jiraiya had reached after careful consideration following his lie to Toji.
He couldn't help recalling his earlier suspicion. What if the Person of Destruction was Uchiha Yan?
If he left Konoha and she and Diablo ambushed him together on the road, he had no confidence he would survive.
Those two could venture deep into Hidden Mist territory and get out unscathed. Jiraiya knew he couldn't do the same.
By comparison, staying in Konoha was the safest choice.
He would find clues about the enemy from within-
The toads could handle gathering intelligence outside. Once the passage for the Reverse Summoning Technique was restored, he could enter and leave Konoha as before. The only thing he would have to sacrifice was his dream of becoming a hero who traveled the Shinobi World.
"What about you?" Jiraiya asked.
Senju Kenyu's expression was grave as he continued writing.