"Huh?"
The four Kage and Mifune were all stunned, their faces filled with shock and confusion.
How could there be a Kage even less responsible than they were?
With their villages' Jinchūriki captured, the Kage knew they bore an inescapable responsibility, but there were mitigating circumstances. After all, word had not spread at the time, and the Akatsuki had acted covertly and swiftly, giving them no chance to react.
They had never expected the Hokage to be even worse. With the situation already like this, she did not even know where her village's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was!
Raikage A stood up and said angrily, "Tsunade, this is utterly reckless!"
Mei Terumi said, "Raikage, calm down first. Rein in that hair-trigger temper of yours. Tsunade is pregnant!"
Women understood women best. With that, Mei Terumi turned to Tsunade and comforted her gently:
"I know you must have your reasons. Why isn't the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki in the village? I hope you can tell us the details. These are extraordinary times. Perhaps we can help you..."
Ōnoki also knew full well that scolding her and assigning blame now would be meaningless. He agreed with Mei Terumi. "Yes, Princess Tsunade, tell us what you know first..."
"..."
Tsunade sighed and said quietly:
"Our village's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is named Naruto Uzumaki. He's a blond boy. He left the village as far back as half a year ago, together with Jiraiya..."
"I know letting a Jinchūriki leave the village was a foolish decision, but it was Jiraiya's idea. With him accompanying and protecting the Jinchūriki, I didn't stop them..."
"I just never expected them to be gone for half a year. They still haven't returned..."
At the mention of Jiraiya's name, the agitation on the Kage's faces gradually eased.
The Raikage said, "Jiraiya? The one who's a