Jiraiya remained silent for a long time.
All the Senju clan's records, the entire legacy of the Uzumaki clan.
Lie Yang's demands touched the deepest foundations of Konoha.
Precious though the Flying Thunder God Technique was, it was merely a Space-Time Ninjutsu left behind by the Fourth Hokage.
But the records of the Senju and Uzumaki clans concerned the history surrounding Konoha's founding, the Sage of Six Paths and Ninjū, and even how Konoha had attained its current standing.
Such things were not for the Hokage alone to dispose of at will.
"You really have some nerve asking."
Jiraiya raised a hand and rubbed his brow.
"The Senju clan has long since merged into Konoha. Many of its records are scattered among the archives beneath Kage Rock, the clans' secret repositories, and the Sealing Squad. The Uzumaki clan's records are considered Konoha's most closely guarded secrets."
"I'm not asking for ready-made ninjutsu."
Lie Yang sat in the mist, his tone calm.
"You should understand that."
Jiraiya looked at him.
"It's precisely because I understand that this is such a headache."
"If you only wanted a particular Secret Technique, Konoha could still negotiate a price. But you want every record, even every object they left behind."
"Konoha is unwilling to hand them over?"
"It's not a matter of my willingness."
Jiraiya sighed.
"I'm the Fifth Hokage, but I'm not the only person in Konoha with a say. Besides, the Senju were the First's family, and the Uzumaki were Konoha's longtime allies. You're asking me to give everything belonging to both clans to a Missing-nin. Any Hokage would have to consider that carefully."
Lie Yang did not press him.
He knew Jiraiya was still weighing his options.
Yet to Jiraiya, that silence only made things more uncomfortable.
Lie Yang neither argued nor