Jiraiya's Awakening and Analysis

Why had things turned out this way?

Jiraiya had naturally assumed that the villagers' lives would steadily improve under the jurisdiction of the Sarutobi Police Force, but reality had gone against his wishes.

It seemed he had been wrong!

Things had not developed as he expected. After the Sarutobi Clan Members became Police Force Members, they had become even more unscrupulous.

They exploited the villagers!

Seeing the villagers' expressions just now, he had felt their helplessness and bitterness.

Back when the Uchiha Clan enforced the law with violence, the Hokage could still restrain them. But the Sarutobi Police Force, which belonged to the Hokage's own faction—who could restrain them?

No wonder... there were fewer and fewer people here. Unable to endure the oppression of the Sarutobi Police Force, they had gone to areas under Uchiha jurisdiction.

How laughable.

Thinking about it now, his earlier thoughts had been utterly ridiculous.

"What else could it be? Haven't you already guessed?" Tsunade looked at the somewhat frantic and stunned Jiraiya and slowly said, "The Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen!"

"So it really was him pulling the strings behind the scenes!" With Tsunade confirming his suspicions, Jiraiya grew even angrier. He stood up and prepared to leave. "I'm going to find him and make him see what he's turned Konoha into!"

He was going to reason with Sarutobi Hiruzen!

"Stop." Tsunade stopped Jiraiya, then spoke with a serious expression. "Do you think he doesn't know? If you go, you might not come back!"

Did Jiraiya still think Sarutobi Hiruzen was the Sarutobi Hiruzen of the past? No... he was no longer that man. Even if Jiraiya went, it would be pointless.

"Huh? Why?" Jiraiya was stunned, yet he still found it hard to believe. "Why would he do something like that?"

Jiraiya was bewildered. The Sarutobi