A few days later.
Hokage's Office.
An ANBU knelt on one knee and reported respectfully.
"Lord Yao."
"We've found Lady Tsunade's whereabouts."
A sharp gleam flashed through Uchiha Yao's eyes.
"Oh?"
"Where is she?"
"Tanzaku Street."
The ANBU answered.
"She seems to have... racked up a huge gambling debt there and is being hunted down by people from the casino."
Uchiha Yao shook his head helplessly.
One of the legendary Sannin, Konoha's "fat sheep" princess—she truly never changed, no matter where she went.
Tsunade.
She was an indispensable key figure in his plans going forward.
He had to bring her back.
"Go. Bring Jiraiya here."
"Yes."
A figure silently departed from the shadows.
Not long afterward.
There was a knock on the office door.
"Come in."
Jiraiya pushed the door open and entered.
"Fifth Hokage, you wanted to see me?"
"Sit."
Uchiha Yao pointed to the sofa across from him.
Jiraiya sat down silently and waited for Uchiha Yao to continue.
"We've found Tsunade."
Uchiha Yao got straight to the point.
Jiraiya's body jolted, and he instinctively straightened up.
"Where is she?"
"Tanzaku Street."
Uchiha Yao said.
"She hasn't been doing... too well."
"She owes a mountain of gambling debt and is being chased all over the place."
A bitter, helpless smile appeared on Jiraiya's face.
That idiot...
After all these years, she hadn't changed at all.
"I'll send someone to settle her debts."
"Then have her return to Konoha."
Jiraiya shook his head.
"She won't come back."
"Ever since Dan and Nawaki died, she..."
"I know."
Uchiha Yao cut him off.
"That isn't important."
"The village needs her."
"I need her."
"That's enough."
Jiraiya fell silent.
With Uchiha Yao's methods and strength, if Tsunade resisted, then her fate...
Jiraiya's heart sank.
He could not just stand by and watch