The moment Jiraiya and Tsunade appeared at the Fire Daimyo's residence, the news spread outward through several channels at once.
And not merely within the Land of Fire.
Many major nations and shinobi villages received the information as well.
After all, if even the great shinobi villages had plenty of hidden agents and spies planted within them, then the capital of the Land of Fire was naturally even more impossible to keep airtight.
Besides, Tsunade had shown no particular intention of concealing her movements.
Rather, it looked more like she wanted to release this information herself.
"Tsunade, why let them know?"
Jiraiya did not understand.
"If this happens, won't Sarutobi-sensei know too? He'll definitely prepare for it."
Tsunade glanced at Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya, you're still as slow as ever when it comes to politics. Do you really think that if I didn't release the news, Sarutobi-sensei wouldn't find out? The moment you made that deal with Rasa, Sarutobi-sensei would already have raised his guard."
"The reason I released this information is for those who might choose to side with us."
"Your former subordinates, White Fang's old subordinates, Minato's old subordinates, Orochimaru's old subordinates… there may not be many of them, and many of them may no longer care about old ties."
"But once they hear this news, some of them will still choose to support us."
"If Konoha's situation is truly as bad as you said, then there must be others who can no longer tolerate Sarutobi-sensei and will see us as their hope to overthrow him."
"And then there are the Uchiha clan and Hyuga clan far away in the Land of Water. They may not be willing to return to Konoha, but they must certainly want revenge against Sarutobi-sensei."
"More importantly, this is for the Land of Fire to see."
Tsunade said, "Jiraiya, you don't honestly think that just because I call the daimyo Cousin and he calls me Cousin in return, he'll fully support me, do you?"
"If he supports us, then he must want to gain something from it."
"The news I released is my pledge of sincerity."
"It is a threat to Konoha."
"And if Konoha is threatened, then under the current circumstances, it can only compromise with the Land of Fire."
Jiraiya revealed a look of sudden understanding.
"Something like the situation in the Land of Water?"
Tsunade nodded, then shook her head.
"Similar, but not exactly the same. The Fire Daimyo is treating us as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Konoha."
"The Land of Water, on the other hand, built connections with multiple shinobi forces to reduce Kirigakure's right to speak, thereby giving itself a massive advantage at the negotiating table."
"Of course, the Land of Fire certainly hopes we'll do the same. If two shinobi villages appear within the Land of Fire, and hostile ones at that, the Land of Fire will benefit just like the Land of Water."
"But we cannot do that."
"There can only be one Konoha."
Tsunade turned her gaze toward the window, looking deeply in the direction where Konoha lay.
"Next, we wait."
"We wait for the first group of people firmly willing to support us."
"And during this process, I need to think carefully about how to drive Sarutobi-sensei from the Hokage seat as quickly as possible, and investigate what happened to Nawaki."
Tsunade withdrew her gaze and rubbed her brow.
After spending so many years lingering in gambling dens, Tsunade had long since become rusty.
For a moment, she truly could not think of any particularly good method.
According to Jiraiya's idea, they would return directly to Konoha and force Hiruzen Sarutobi to step down face-to-face.
If it could succeed, that would naturally be the simplest way.
But it was unrealistic.
Even assassination was unrealistic.
Their strength was no longer what it had been back then.
One of them was crippled.
The other suffered from hemophobia.
That road could not be taken. Then they could only rely on influence—pressure Hiruzen Sarutobi's faction until he was forced to resign.
But the Sarutobi clan needed no explanation. It was Hiruzen Sarutobi's own shinobi clan.
Ino-Shika-Cho had long been allied with the Sarutobi clan.
As for the Senju clan…
The surname "Senju" had disappeared for far too long.
Many people with Senju blood flowing through their veins did not even know that they were members of the Senju clan.
Perhaps only some of the older generation still remembered.
But even among them, not all would necessarily choose to support her, the Princess of the Senju.
Then there were the Shimura, Aburame, Inuzuka…
In Tsunade's view, these shinobi forces were more likely to remain neutral.
Unless she had already revealed an advantage large enough, they would not support her.
"Fortunately, Sarutobi-sensei has already lost a great deal of public support. Otherwise, this would be impossible."
Tsunade continued thinking.
"If I want their support, then either they must see a high chance of victory in me…"
"Or they must have reached the point where they truly can no longer tolerate Sarutobi-sensei."
"The Land of Fire will give me some support, but not enough to directly overthrow Sarutobi-sensei."
"Politics…"
"This thing is harder than killing enemies on the battlefield or treating gravely wounded patients."
"For now, we wait."
"If Sarutobi-sensei truly did as many terrible things as Jiraiya said, then there will definitely be people who want to borrow my and Jiraiya's strength to overthrow him."
…
…
Iwagakure.
Ohnoki's expression was indescribably colorful.
"Master and disciples turning against one another… what a wonderful play. Jiraiya and Tsunade have appeared in the Fire Daimyo's capital. Are they planning to create a second Konoha?"
"Then who exactly is the orthodox one?"
"A few years ago, who could have imagined Konoha would become like this?"
"What a pity Orochimaru did not accept Iwagakure's invitation."
A regretful expression appeared on Ohnoki's face.
"Orochimaru is still extremely valuable."
"But he is also a double-edged sword."
"I wonder what choice Orochimaru ultimately made."
"But as long as he did not go to Sunagakure, the impact on Iwagakure will not be too great."
"Only Sunagakure is unacceptable."
"Sunagakure cannot be allowed to grow stronger anymore."
Sunagakure.
Rasa was somewhat surprised when he heard the news.
Because Rasa remembered that Tsunade truly did not want to return to Konoha.
Konoha had sent people to look for Tsunade many times, but all had been refused.
It was only when Jiraiya brought Naruto to find Tsunade, and Tsunade saw the shadow of Nawaki in Naruto, that she returned to Konoha and inherited the vacant Hokage position.
But now, Naruto had not even been born yet.
How exactly had Jiraiya persuaded Tsunade?
Rasa was rather curious about that.
However, what concerned Rasa even more was the news that came from Kumogakure after they heard of this matter.
It was said that the Fourth Raikage intended to invite Tsunade.
If Tsunade was willing to remain in Kumogakure and leave behind descendants with pure Senju blood, then Kumogakure could support Tsunade and Jiraiya, providing them with resources to overthrow Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Rasa: "…"
"Is the Fourth Raikage trying to become the Doujin Raikage?"
Konoha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was dark as water.