Upon hearing Tsunade's final instructions, Shikaku's worries eased considerably.
His Hokage was still thinking rationally.
She understood when to show strength and when to exercise restraint.
In Shikaku's opinion, this was the most appropriate response.
Konoha would not appear weak, yet it would also avoid becoming the aggressor.
Although the initiative seemed to have been handed to Kumogakure, the true strategic advantage remained firmly in Konoha's hands.
If Konoha refused to strike first, then no one could question its sincerity in seeking peace.
"What response should we send to Kumogakure, Lady Hokage?"
Shikaku asked respectfully.
"You handle the details, Shikaku."
Tsunade waved her hand.
"The core message is simple."
"Konoha had nothing to do with the deaths of Kumogakure's shinobi."
"We categorically deny every accusation."
She paused before adding,
"And notify the two elder advisors as well."
A faint cough escaped her lips.
"…The advisors should be informed of this matter."
Although Tsunade disliked Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, they were still Konoha's official advisors.
Besides…
Even if she chose not to inform them, news of such a major incident would reach them before long.
After serving Konoha for decades, the two advisors still possessed considerable influence within the village.
Over the past half year, Tsunade had steadily consolidated authority, refusing to indulge them the way Hiruzen once had.
Even so…
Certain administrative procedures still required their participation.
Some rules existed for a reason.
"I understand, Lady Hokage."
Shikaku lowered his head respectfully before turning and leaving the office.
Tsunade then shifted her gaze toward Shizune.
"Shizune."
"Notify the Intelligence Division and the Reconnaissance Unit immediately."
"I want them paying close attention to the movements of every major nation."
"Not just Kumogakure."
"Also inform the Medical Corps."
"Begin preparing personnel and supplies for deployment to the northern border."
"Even if we don't mobilize immediately, everything must be ready in advance."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade."
Shizune nodded solemnly.
"I'll make the arrangements right away."
She quickly departed as well.
Once both of them had left…
Silence returned to the Hokage's office.
Tsunade rested both hands upon her desk.
A trace of exhaustion appeared on her face.
Ever since succeeding Hiruzen as the Fifth Hokage…
The shinobi world had never truly known peace.
Problems continued to emerge one after another.
Within Konoha.
Beyond Konoha.
If a crisis wasn't erupting…
Then another was already approaching.
Even someone as strong as Tsunade couldn't help feeling mentally drained.
Compared to the original timeline…
Konoha's situation in this world had become far more troublesome.
On the surface, the only major difference seemed to be Menma's defection.
Yet…
That single deviation had dramatically altered the balance of the entire shinobi world.
It was enough to give even the Fifth Hokage a constant headache.
After several moments of silence…
Tsunade suddenly raised her head.
"You've been outside long enough."
"You might as well come in."
She looked toward the open window.
"What do you think?"
"Was it Menma and Orochimaru?"
"And did the Six-Tails' jinchūriki truly fall into their hands?"
"Heh…"
A familiar voice answered with a chuckle.
"Your perception is still as sharp as ever, Tsunade."
Whoosh!
A white-haired figure flashed through the window and landed lightly inside the office.
It was Jiraiya.
The moment he appeared, the ANBU guarding the Hokage Building instinctively tensed.
Only after recognizing his chakra and seeing his face did they relax.
After all…
This was one of Konoha's greatest heroes.
One of the Legendary Sannin.
Jiraiya.
Famous throughout the entire shinobi world.
Jiraiya frowned thoughtfully before answering.
"I can't say with absolute certainty that Menma and Orochimaru were responsible."
"Based on the intelligence we've gathered…"
"Kumogakure's forces likely clashed with the Six-Tails' jinchūriki first."
"As for what happened afterward…"
"There still isn't enough evidence."
He sighed quietly.
"However…"
"Kumogakure's current reaction proves one thing."
"Their entire force must have suffered a catastrophic defeat."
"And Menma happened to appear at precisely that time."
"Even if Utakata didn't necessarily fall directly into their hands…"
"There's a very high probability that Menma and Orochimaru are connected to the incident."
The journey back to Konoha had taken less than two days.
Earlier intelligence had been incomplete, causing several mistaken assessments.
However…
Between his own investigation and information indirectly revealed through Danzō's activities…
Jiraiya had managed to piece together much of the overall situation.
Now, coupled with Kumogakure's aggressive response…
Certain conclusions had become increasingly obvious.
Only the fate of the Six-Tails remained uncertain.
Without concrete evidence…
No one could reach a definitive conclusion.
Neither Jiraiya nor Tsunade realized that, in the eyes of several nations, Konoha was already being blamed not only for the deaths of Kumogakure's shinobi…
But also for the disappearance of Utakata.
Such was the burden carried by the strongest hidden village.
"Bastard Orochimaru…"
Tsunade ground her teeth in frustration.
If Orochimaru truly stood behind everything…
Then why was Konoha the one being forced to shoulder the blame?
After taking a slow breath to calm herself, she looked directly at Jiraiya.
"And Menma…"
"Has that brat really become that strong?"
"Is there truly no possibility of bringing him back?"
Her voice carried an unusual heaviness.
Compared to Kumogakure…
Compared to Orochimaru…
Menma remained Konoha's greatest problem.
Ever since his identity as Minato Namikaze's son had become public knowledge, the village had never truly recovered.
Some truths could remain buried forever…
Until they were exposed.
Once revealed…
Every hidden contradiction surfaced alongside them.
Unlike Naruto, whose appearance closely resembled Minato's, Menma had inherited far more of Kushina's features.
If he had inherited Minato's blond hair, he would have looked almost identical to the Fourth Hokage.
Instead…
His sharper facial features and perpetually cold expression gave him an entirely different presence.
His personality only emphasized that difference further.
At this point…
Menma had become Konoha's greatest unresolved issue.
Could they truly kill Minato's son?
Yet if they continued allowing him complete freedom…
That was equally impossible.
By now, more than a few Konoha shinobi had died at Menma's hands.
Following the Chūnin Exams, had Menma immediately chosen to return to Konoha, Tsunade believed she might still have been able to suppress the political backlash.
His identity as the Fourth Hokage's son carried tremendous influence.
But as time passed…
Especially after repeated battles against Konoha shinobi…
That possibility had steadily diminished.
Now…
It was virtually gone.
Personally, Tsunade held no hatred toward Menma.
Viewed solely through her own emotions…
She even felt sympathy for him.
Konoha had undeniably wronged both Minato and Kushina.
Menma himself had not betrayed them first.
However…
She was no longer merely Tsunade.
She was the Hokage.
As Hokage…
Her first responsibility was protecting the village founded by her grandfather.
No matter what personal feelings she possessed…
She could never allow Konoha to face destruction because she hesitated.
Still…
Jiraiya and Naruto were different.
She understood both of them too well.
Their feelings toward Menma prevented her from making a completely uncompromising decision.
After a long silence…
Jiraiya finally spoke.
"I suspect…"
"…that Menma has already gained Kurama's cooperation."
The office instantly fell silent.
Tsunade's pupils contracted.
"Impossible."
She immediately shook her head.
"With the Eight Trigrams Seal, that shouldn't be possible."
"Leaving aside Kurama's personality…"
"Minato entrusted the seal's key to you."
"Without that key, how could Menma completely remove the restrictions of the seal?"
Although Tsunade wasn't a sealing specialist, her medical expertise gave her considerable knowledge of fūinjutsu.
The Eight Trigrams Seal was one of Konoha's finest sealing techniques, created from the Uzumaki Clan's sealing arts and perfected by Minato Namikaze.
It was specifically designed to regulate the Nine-Tails' chakra.
Breaking such a seal was no easy feat.
Even Orochimaru would struggle to accomplish it.
Without weakening the seal…
Perfect synchronization with Kurama should have been impossible.
Not to mention…
Kurama himself had always been the most hostile and uncooperative of all the tailed beasts.
Neither Mito Uzumaki nor Kushina Uzumaki had ever truly earned the Nine-Tails' trust.
Tsunade simply couldn't believe that thirteen-year-old Menma had somehow achieved what both of them had failed to accomplish.
"I thought the same thing."
Jiraiya smiled bitterly.
"But during our battle…"
"Menma controlled Kurama's chakra with extraordinary precision."
"Even after manifesting six tails…"
"He retained complete sanity."
"He never entered a berserk state."
"If Kurama wasn't willingly cooperating…"
"I honestly can't explain it."
This had been Jiraiya's greatest discovery during their confrontation.
Under ordinary circumstances…
Manifesting six tails of the Nine-Tails' chakra without losing control was virtually impossible.
Throughout his life, Jiraiya had witnessed several jinchūriki on the battlefield.
Although Kurama was exceptional among the tailed beasts…
The fundamental principles governing jinchūriki remained the same.
After listening quietly…
Tsunade slowly exhaled.
"If that's true…"
"…then we can't continue delaying."
Her gaze became incomparably firm.
"Jiraiya."
"We have to make a decision."
"If we continue allowing the situation to deteriorate…"
"It will eventually become a disaster for Konoha."
"You know that better than anyone."
Jiraiya remained silent.
Of course he understood.
Deep down…
He had always known what the correct choice should be.
Until recently, he'd still clung to a faint hope that Menma might one day return.
But after witnessing Menma's determination firsthand…
After seeing the battle in the Valley of the End…
After their latest confrontation…
Jiraiya could no longer deceive himself.
Menma had already become one of the greatest threats facing Konoha.
If they continued hesitating…
One day…
That threat could truly bring catastrophe upon the village.
"Tsunade…"
He closed his eyes briefly.
Then…
After taking a deep breath…
He slowly nodded.
"I understand."
"I'll take responsibility."
"If things truly reach the point where there's no turning back…"
"I'll personally put an end to this tragedy."
His voice carried a resolve unlike anything Tsunade had heard from him before.
She looked at him quietly.
"If you can't bring yourself to do it…"
"I will."
"After all…"
"He's Minato's son."
Jiraiya shook his head.
"No."
"Precisely because he's Minato's son…"
"This responsibility belongs to me."
He forced a familiar smile onto his face.
"Don't worry."
"I'm Jiraiya of the Sannin."
"The Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku."
Seeing the sadness hidden beneath his smile…
Tsunade wanted to say something.
In the end…
She remained silent.
Just as Jiraiya understood her…
She also understood him.
After several moments…
She nodded slowly.
"Then…"
"I'm leaving it to you."
Jiraiya returned the nod.
"I'll continue investigating Orochimaru and Utakata."
"If I discover anything…"
"You'll be the first to know."
"As for Kumogakure…"
"If we remain restrained…"
"I don't believe the Fourth Raikage truly wants to ignite another Shinobi War."
"I understand."
Tsunade answered softly.
Yet neither of them could ignore the uncomfortable truth.
The distance between Menma…
and Konoha…
had become wider than ever before.
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