As for whether the shinobi of the world could understand what "Seven Warlords" meant, that was none of Yin An's concern.
Inside the Hokage's Office, Tsunade spoke to Jiraiya with a grave expression.
"Jiraiya, take the intelligence squad and depart in the next few days. We have to seize the initiative."
Her brows were tightly furrowed, fingers tapping unconsciously against the desk. "The shinobi world is in chaos right now. Every village is scrambling for information about the Devil Fruits. Konohagakure must act quickly and secure one first."
However, after listening, Jiraiya's expression grew even more solemn. He fell silent for a moment before finally gritting his teeth and looking up at her.
"How about… you let someone else handle that?"
Tsunade didn't respond immediately. She simply stared at him meaningfully, already understanding what he hadn't yet said aloud.
Under her piercing gaze, Jiraiya gave up hiding it. He let out a soft sigh, his voice low but resolute.
"Tsunade, I want to go to the Land of Rain."
Her expression darkened instantly. "Jiraiya… have you really thought this through?"
He nodded seriously, his eyes steady. "I've been thinking about it for days. I'm prepared."
Hearing his firm answer, Tsunade slammed her palm onto the desk.
"Jiraiya! This isn't the time to act on impulse! Don't forget—the Heavenly Screen said you'd die at Nagato's hands. In my opinion, that's almost certainly because you went to investigate them!"
"Haha…" Jiraiya chuckled softly, though his tone carried unmistakable seriousness. "Tsunade, don't worry."
He paused, his expression turning heavy.
"This has to be resolved sooner or later. You know that too. Konoha… inflicted far too much pain on them."
Tsunade exhaled sharply, her eyes filled with conflict. "And that's exactly why I can't let you go! Konoha needs every bit of strength it has right now. We can't afford to lose one of our top fighters!"
"But I think this is an opportunity," Jiraiya interrupted gently. "The Heavenly Screen only just ended. And in that future, didn't Nagato ultimately let go of his hatred? He resolved the knot in his heart."
"I believe the Nagato in our world must have been affected as well. This trip might not be as dangerous as you fear."
"Jiraiya, you really are…" Tsunade trailed off. Seeing the unwavering determination in his eyes, all her arguments died in her throat.
"Haha!" Jiraiya laughed loudly. He knew Tsunade well—this reaction meant she had already relented.
He waved a hand casually, though there was weight beneath his words.
"They're my students. My adorable students that I personally trained. Now that I know the full story, I won't act recklessly. I'm not done living yet."
Tsunade remained silent for a long time, her fingers clenched pale. In the end, she nodded slowly, her voice trembling just slightly.
"Be careful. If talks fail, run. Intelligence doesn't matter. Nothing matters more than your life."
"Don't worry!" Jiraiya replied firmly as he stood and walked toward the door, his back straight and confident. "I'll definitely come back!"
Tsunade watched his departing figure, worry filling her eyes. In the end, she did not call him back.
At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi—who had been silently standing in the corner—spoke up.
"Tsunade, let me lead the investigation into the Devil Fruits."
She turned toward him immediately, her brows knitting together.
An uneasy thought surfaced in her mind—This old man… is he plotting something again?
As if sensing her suspicion, Hiruzen sighed softly, his voice tinged with weariness.
"Have I truly lost all trust in your eyes?"
Tsunade snorted. "At least you're self-aware."
Hiruzen's face darkened instantly, left speechless and awkward.
Seeing him like that, Tsunade's tone softened slightly. "If you want to go, then go."
He nodded and turned to leave.
But just as he reached the doorway, Tsunade's voice stopped him, serious and wary.
"Old man. I hope you'll be honest with me. What exactly did you and Danzō do behind the scenes? Honestly, I'm afraid that one day a group will suddenly appear out of nowhere, shouting about destroying Konoha again."
Hiruzen paused.
After a moment of silence, he nodded slowly.
"I'll have someone compile all the mission records of Root that I'm aware of and deliver them to you. What you uncover from them… will depend on you."
With that, he left the Hokage's Office.
Standing in the corridor outside, Hiruzen gazed out toward the village and let out a heavy sigh.
He was already in the twilight of his life—his remaining days numbered.
All he wished now was to do something tangible for Konoha in the time he had left. To make amends for past mistakes. And, in the end, to close his life as a hero.
Though his reputation had suffered, Hiruzen's long-standing prestige still earned him many loyal followers.
Combined with elite shinobi dispatched by the Sarutobi Clan, a well-organized investigation team was assembled that very day and quietly departed from Konohagakure.
Kakashi Hatake leaned in the shadow beneath the Hokage Rock.
For once, he wasn't reading Make-Out Paradise.
His gaze drifted past the training grounds to three small figures practicing in the distance.
Naruto Uzumaki was loud as ever, brimming with boundless energy as he pestered Sasuke Uchiha for a spar.
Sakura Haruno blushed faintly as she watched Sasuke's every move, occasionally scolding Naruto.
Sasuke, comparatively calm, trained seriously—though he still found time to throw a few sharp remarks at Naruto.
What a warm and peaceful sight.
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