Hearing Jiraiya's resentful words, Shin Uchiha did not blame him. He merely shook his head helplessly and said with a smile:
"Jiraiya, you should know yourself that you're a wanderer at heart. And for certain reasons, you could never stay in Konoha. So why did you have to pursue Tsunade?"
Aside from being driven away by Tsunade and Shin Uchiha, Jiraiya had another reason for staying away from Konoha all these years, one he could not accept.
When he came to Konoha, he had discovered that Shin Uchiha and Tsunade shared a close relationship. For Jiraiya, who had always loved Tsunade, that was devastating and depressing.
To avoid driving himself mad, Jiraiya had subconsciously avoided returning to Konoha all these years.
At Shin Uchiha's words, however, Jiraiya's gaze began to wander. Then he said, sounding rather uncertain:
"I can't explain it to you. I already spoke to the old man before. There are things I have to do, things that concern the future safety of the entire shinobi world."
As Jiraiya spoke, his eyes grew brighter, and he unconsciously straightened his back, looking thoroughly convinced of his own righteousness.
Hearing his words, Shin Uchiha smiled for some inexplicable reason.
But when Jiraiya saw the smile on Shin Uchiha's face, he felt belittled. He slammed his palm hard against the rock.
He rose to his feet, his gaze turning hostile as he looked at Shin Uchiha, and said firmly:
"Shin Uchiha, what are you laughing at? What's so funny about this?
"I may not be able to beat you, but what I'm doing is far greater than anything you do.
"Unlike your petty scheming, where you only ever focus on the Uchiha Clan and Konoha,
"I've already set my sights on the entire shinobi world. Even the missions I carry out