Sage Fukasaku nodded solemnly. "Rest assured. We know what's at stake."
Jiraiya cast a long look toward the cave dwelling, his heart heavy with worry, then turned to leave, ready to await news from Mount Myōboku at any moment.
At that moment, the same crushing weight bore down on both him and Tsunade.
Jiraiya and Tsunade returned almost one after the other.
They exchanged a glance, each seeing the gravity in the other's eyes. Neither needed to say it; they both knew the other had failed to uncover the real truth at the heart of the matter.
The office fell quiet. They sat down at the desk and began sharing all the information they had gathered outside.
Tsunade spoke first, her voice cold and tinged with obvious displeasure.
"I went to Shikkotsu Forest. There wasn't much Sage Katsuyu could confirm, either."
"The Senju and the Uchiha are all descendants of the Otsutsuki, and the Otsutsuki were invaders from beyond this world. Other than that, she knew nothing about what happened a thousand years ago or the Celestial Dragons."
Jiraiya nodded and sighed. "It was the same on my end. Sages Fukasaku and Shima of Mount Myōboku couldn't answer a single question. They wouldn't discuss any of the ancient secrets, only saying it all happened too long ago."
As soon as he finished, Tsunade's brows drew together, and a cold sneer curled her lips.
"Too long ago? That's nothing but an excuse."
Jiraiya froze for a moment, then looked up at Tsunade in confusion. "Tsunade, what do you mean?"
Tsunade looked him straight in the eye and spoke with deliberate clarity. "My meaning is simple. Mount Myōboku is deliberately hiding something. The Great Toad Sage is avoiding you because he doesn't want to tell you."
Jiraiya stiffened and instinctively shook his