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Following Sasuke's attack, the assault on the Five Kage Summit by "Naruto-Madara" truly drove home the message to the Kage: the shinobi world was in turmoil.
During the second round of talks, a proposal initially stalled by mutual suspicion—put forth by Gaara—was passed unanimously.
The Five Great Nations Shinobi Alliance was formally established. It would involve the exchange of materials, intelligence, and, critically, techniques.
The Kage understood deeply the resistance this would face, especially the exchange of 'techniques.' Forbidden jutsu, secret arts—these were the lifeblood of a clan or village, the very foundation of their standing. Wars had been fought over less.
While the Kage had reached a consensus… implementing it, pushing it down the chain of command, was a monumental challenge. Each Kage carried this heavy burden as they began their journeys home.
Tsunade's heart was the most troubled.
The three central figures in the entire summit incident—Obito, Sasuke, Naruto—were all from Konoha!
Obito, as the hidden leader of the Akatsuki, hadn't even shown his face. Her Anbu would have their work cut out searching for him.
Naruto had been controlled by Madara, a puppet—a fact that, while making her frantic with worry, also offered a sliver of relief.
But Sasuke… Sasuke was the real knot in her stomach.
He'd appeared masked, fought the Kage, and left that three-year threat. Shikaku's analysis of his motives made perfect sense, but it was just that—an analysis. Unverified.
So, Tsunade desperately hoped Jiraiya might know something.
Jiraiya knew the whole truth. More than knew it—he'd become one of its key participants.
Facing Tsunade's plea, he weighed his options.
Sasuke chose the mask. He chose the three-year warning. Clearly, he felt now wasn't the right time for the truth.
If I tell Tsunade, she'll believe me. She'll stand with us… But the real problem isn't her. It's the doubt from everyone else in the village.
That far-fetched future… even I only let go of my last shred of skepticism when the Great Toad Sage gave his new prophecy. The rest of the village?
Even if they believed a world-ending god slept beyond the sky, they'd never believe two rogue nin—Sasuke and Orochimaru—were heaven's chosen saviors.
Tsunade… I'm sorry. I hate seeing you like this. But I've decided to help Sasuke. I can't disrupt his plans. Forgive me for not speaking plainly.
"About Sasuke… I don't know much either," Jiraiya began, his voice calm. "As for his motive for attacking the summit, I lean toward Shikaku's analysis. After all, he visited Konoha twice and didn't do anything truly outrageous. More importantly…"
A warm, genuine smile spread across Jiraiya's face. "He's my student's most important friend."
It wasn't a definitive answer. But it eased a fraction of the weight on Tsunade's shoulders.
"Honestly," she muttered, running alongside him. "With Naruto suffering like that, how can you smile so easily?"
"I've been frantic too," Jiraiya admitted. "But now… I see things differently. Some things are just fate. 'When spring comes, the grass grows by itself.' We just do our best, fulfill our roles. The rest… we leave to heaven."
When spring comes, the grass grows by itself.
Tsunade glanced down as they ran. "Then… what do you think my role is now? What should I do?"
Jiraiya's tone turned serious. "As Hokage of Konoha, rally your shinobi. Implement the summit's resolutions. Whether the Five Nations Alliance becomes more than just combined military power… Konoha must lead. The reason is obvious."
Yes. If exchanging 'forbidden' and 'secret' techniques was a gamble with high risk and reward, Konoha held the biggest stake.
The secret arts of the Yamanaka, Nara, Akimichi, Inuzuka, Aburame… each was unique in the shinobi world. The Book of Seals, compiled by the Second Hokage, was the ultimate collection of forbidden jutsu.
If these fell into other villages' hands… if alliances broke, if someone abused them… the consequences for Konoha would be catastrophic.
Tsunade knew. She knew exactly the storm of resistance awaiting her back home.
Rustle… rustle…
A paper butterfly fluttered through the trees.
Tap. Jiraiya's wooden sandal left a mark on a branch. He paused, thoughtful.
Shizune glanced back. "Lord Jiraiya?"
"I'm meeting an old acquaintance. Go on ahead."
Tsunade's group continued. Jiraiya watched them go, then turned.
Crackle!
Sage Mode activated right then and there. His senses expanded, locking onto a familiar chakra signature. He shot into the forest depths.
Whoosh— Paper birds, scattered through the woods, converged.
In a sun-dappled clearing, a woman with cool blue hair and orange eyes waited. Her gaze held a rare, complex emotion as the dust-streaked white-haired man appeared.
"Teacher Jiraiya."
His own heart wasn't calm. "After Nagato… died, you vanished. I searched, but never found you. That you came to me… this teacher is glad. Konan."
Konan's expression was desolate. "Nagato is gone. I felt it when he died. I regret it now… not accepting Sasuke's invitation back then. I couldn't bring myself to fully trust that child."
"Nagato… has been reanimated by Orochimaru's Impure World Reincarnation," Jiraiya said, his voice heavy with regret. "Shameful, isn't it? I, his teacher, am absent from his karma now. I don't even know what face to meet him with. Do you… want to see Nagato?"
"In Amegakure," Konan said plainly, "when Sasuke bid me farewell, he gave me one of Orochimaru's Flying Thunder God kunai. If I wanted to see him, I would have used it."
"Oh?" Jiraiya's brow raised. "So, you sought me out because…"
"Teacher," Konan's voice was steady, direct. "I want to know one thing. You've already reached an understanding with Sasuke. Why haven't you formally joined them?"
"Ah…" Jiraiya scratched his head, a wry grin forming. "You really know how to put me on the spot!"
He fell silent for a long moment.
"How to put it… It's about the vibe, the space between people. Even with a shared cause, the distance you keep… that's decided by habit. I'm a lone wanderer at heart. This distance—close, yet separate—it feels right for me. Does that… answer your question?"
"In that case," Konan said, her voice softening just a shade, "let me stay by your side, Teacher."
Jiraiya had already guessed. "You've… thought it through?"
"Amegakure is no longer my home. My destination is unclear. Nagato's change, his death, his new path… I don't want to run away anymore. I want to use what little power I have to do what I can. After much thought, I've decided to become your comrade. Consider it… a trivial atonement from an unfilial student who once turned her back on the path you taught."
Jiraiya smiled. It was the same kind, gentle smile from years ago.
"No atonement needed. We've simply finished our separate journeys and reunited at the same signpost. Konan… the little girl who loved folding paper has grown into a splendid shinobi who can stand on her own. From now on… let's work together."
He extended a hand. Not as teacher to student, but as one wanderer to another.
Konan looked at his hand, then met his eyes. A slight, almost imperceptible nod.
Comrades once more.
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