After Tsunade and Gaara led their subordinates in escorting Ōnoki to Iwagakure's border, the village's defense force took over the escort mission, and they left as Ōnoki thanked them.
For the coming stretch of time, every village had matters to attend to. They really had no time to spare lingering here.
Soon, the Sunagakure and Konoha groups also parted ways, hurrying back to their respective villages without stopping.
With nothing else delaying them this time, Tsunade led her group back to Konoha overnight.
"After a trip away, coming back to Konoha still feels the most relaxing."
Looking at the familiar village before him and its still-peaceful atmosphere, Jiraiya could not help sighing.
"Enough chatter. We still have plenty to do." After returning to the village, Tsunade instead felt as though her workload had suddenly grown.
"No matter how busy we are, we should at least get a night's rest first. I'm exhausted." Jiraiya gave an exaggerated yawn.
Tsunade glared at him, but she did indeed feel a little tired. Mostly, she had been on edge ever since the Five Kage Summit began, and even she was struggling to hold out.
"All right, go get some rest first. Remember to come to the Hokage Building for a meeting tomorrow morning!"
"Yes!"
"Understood!"
The four split up right there on Konoha's streets, each heading home.
Despite claiming he was tired, however, Jiraiya did not go straight to rest. Instead, he went to Naruto's residence.
He would only feel reassured after seeing Naruto Uzumaki with his own eyes.
Earlier, Shihōin Naraku had sent word that he had told Naruto about his identity, and Jiraiya was a little worried about Naruto's reaction.
Although Naraku had said in his letter that everything was fine, the worry in Jiraiya's heart would not simply disappear.
"The kid's