The news of Sunagakure and Iwagakure's defeat finally reached Konoha, the slowest to react.
"What? Both Sunagakure and Iwagakure failed and retreated? How is that possible? What did the Land of Rain do? How did they win?" the Third Hokage, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura cried out in shock.
"The intelligence did not say exactly how they defeated them. Both Sunagakure and Kumogakure ninja were ordered to keep it secret, so there was no way to investigate it," Jiraiya said, shaking his head.
"However, Nagato possesses the Rinnegan. The Rinnegan's abilities are unfathomable, so it is understandable that he defeated two ninja armies." Jiraiya did feel relieved. Though he had betrayed his own disciples, fortunately, they had not been harmed.
"Jiraiya, can't you see that the Land of Rain is beginning to threaten us?" Utatane Koharu demanded in a low voice.
"I truly don't see how they threaten us. Don't forget, Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan are my disciples. They are now all high-ranking figures in the Land of Rain. Don't tell me Hanzo still has the ability to stand against the armies of Sunagakure and Iwagakure. There is one and only one reason they could contend with the armies of two major ninja villages: my disciples now lead the Land of Rain, and Nagato has the Rinnegan," Jiraiya said calmly.
"I don't believe my disciples will threaten Konoha, because I am here," Jiraiya continued arrogantly.
"Jiraiya, can you stop being so naive? There are only interests between nations," Utatane Koharu said, growing angrier.
"Grandma Koharu, I know that there are only interests between nations, but interests should not be so nakedly exposed. Just like us and the Uchiha—was there truly no room for reconciliation? There was, but you simply refused to do it. You were the ones who turned the