Shimura Danzō seemed to have expected Mingye's reaction. He spoke smugly.
"Jiraiya isn't in the village. At a time like this, he still knows how to go off and play. Hmph, what an irresponsible man!"
The four people present all knew exactly what kind of person Jiraiya was, yet Shimura Danzō still took every opportunity to tarnish his image. Utatane Koharu also seemed dissatisfied with Jiraiya and spoke up.
"This Jiraiya is becoming more and more outrageous. Relying on his exceptional ninjutsu, he refuses to help us manage Konoha's affairs and is constantly running off elsewhere. Although he never neglects high-level missions, that sort of temperament is hardly stable!"
Seeing Utatane Koharu's dissatisfaction, Mingye hurriedly defended him.
"A person must always retain the heart of a wanderer. Only then can they remain curious and continue growing stronger. If one stays rooted in a single place like a frog at the bottom of a well, able to see only that round patch of sky and moon, do you think Jiraiya could still go further down the path of the strong?"
Utatane Koharu scoffed. Perhaps Jiraiya was indeed becoming stronger and stronger, but if a pillar could not support the house, then what use was that pillar?
"Wu, you've indulged him too much. That's why Jiraiya has become increasingly arrogant!"
Mitokado Homura promptly interjected and looked toward Sarutobi Hiruzen. "But Wu is right about one thing, Monkey. Has Jiraiya's strength surpassed yours now?"
"It remains unclear in a fight to the death. But if I wanted to take him down, it would still take quite some effort. Whether I could even defeat him would depend on whether the great doctor beside us is hiding something else from us again!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke helplessly, his gaze drifting toward Mingye. Mingye spread his hands