"You…"
Tsunade was stunned by Jiraiya's direct words, her ears reddening, but she quickly snapped back:
"Tch! Even at a time like this, you're not serious… You can die, but I can't?"
"Useless sacrifices are just sins!"
"Dying to protect Konoha Village—how could that be meaningless? Future generations of ninjas will remember our sacrifices, the Will of Fire passed down from the First Hokage!"
Tsunade argued fiercely.
She wasn't afraid of death—deep down, she vaguely yearned to die bravely in battle!
"If you die, who will inherit the Will of Fire?"
"There'll always be someone to inherit it! Didn't you often say to trust the next generation of ninjas?"
Jiraiya fell silent, struck by his own words, feeling the sting.
"That's different! You haven't seen the Juubi, don't know how terrifying that monster is. Its power far surpasses a Bijuu. One massive Bijuudama could vaporize Konoha Village instantly. All sacrifices would be in vain!"
Jiraiya revealed the Juubi's existence and terrifying power. Tsunade, hearing this, couldn't help but be shocked:
"The Juubi has really been revived?"
"Hmm? How did you know?"
"It… the Rikudo Sennin told Naruto in a dream…"
"A dream?"
"It's complicated. But if so, it proves the dream wasn't wrong. Akatsuki really revived the Juubi?"
"Yes. So, Tsunade, do you still think Konoha Village can withstand the Juubi's power now?"
"…"
Now it was Tsunade's turn to choke.
Everyone knew the power of a Bijuu and the terror of a Bijuudama, let alone the Juubi, reborn from combining all nine Bijuu.
If it fired a massive Bijuudama from beyond visual range at Konoha, the village had no way to resist…
In that moment, the village would be completely vaporized!
Just imagining it made Tsunade feel a chill.
Deep down, she had known for a while: if not for an absolute power gap, with Jiraiya's love for Konoha surpassing hers, how could he become Akatsuki's mouthpiece for surrender?
Jiraiya was likely suffering the most right now…
Tsunade was silent for a moment. Finally, her stance softened slightly, and she asked helplessly:
"If we surrender, what are the enemy's specific terms? If it's just recognizing Amegakure's status or paying some economic compensation, the village might not mind…"
Tsunade didn't care much about Konoha's reputation.
As for compensation, the Land of Fire could cover it.
She was, after all, a noble of the Daimyo—wasn't the Land of Fire hers too?
If paying a small price could stop this war, Tsunade was willing.
Unfortunately, she vastly underestimated Nagato's ambitions.
"No. The terms of surrender are: Konoha Village ceases to exist entirely. All villagers and ninjas will be absorbed into Amegakure…"
Jiraiya explained bitterly.
If he weren't truly desperate, he'd never utter such cruel words to destroy Konoha.
Fortunately, he'd already died once. If not, Jiraiya would rather die than advocate surrender.
But regardless of the reason, to Tsunade, these were insane, immoral demands!
She initially thought Akatsuki was just after gains, not expecting them to annex all of Konoha!
"What?!"
"Bastard! He really wants to swallow the entire village?"
"No way! I'll never agree!"
Tsunade's face contorted as she roared, her unprecedented anger making her beautiful face terrifying for the first time.
She understood now.
This so-called surrender meant selling out Konoha entirely! Dissolving and destroying the village, letting everyone go to Amegakure as slaves?
How could she agree?
Konoha, the head of the Five Hidden Villages, had stood firm through three Ninja World Wars.
Now, in her hands, it would vanish? How could she face the First Hokage after death?
No, his soul was still in the Death God's stomach, so she couldn't meet him anyway…
In short, on this matter, Tsunade would never agree!
Neither would the entire Konoha Village!
"Tsunade…"
"Jiraiya, are you still a Konoha ninja? How dare you speak such bastardly terms? Do you really want Konoha destroyed? You bastard…!"
"I just don't want you all to sacrifice in vain…"
Jiraiya clenched his fists, gripping so hard his skin tore, piercing his flesh, his inner pain evident.
But compared to Konoha Village, he desperately hoped all its people and ninjas would survive!
As long as they lived, there might be a chance to rebuild Konoha in the future…
"Shut up! If the village is gone, what's the point of living?"
Tsunade and Jiraiya's views clashed starkly.
To her, if the village was lost, people's hearts would scatter. Once annexed by Amegakure, rebuilding in the future was nearly impossible.
Many small nations and villages had crumbled in history—why had none risen again?
Some things could be compromised, but some lines must never be crossed!
Once you surrender, you might never stand tall again…
For a moment, their conflicting ideals and views pushed Jiraiya and Tsunade to opposite extremes.
Neither would accept the other's stance.
"Tsunade—!"
"Jiraiya—!"
"You'll get all of Konoha's ninjas killed! You'll regret it!"
"Regret or not is none of your business. Besides, I'm the Hokage now!"
*BAM!*
Tsunade slammed the table and shouted, giving a resolute answer.
"You really won't reconsider? Even ask others' opinions? They shouldn't be war's victims…"
"I'll inform them. Konoha ninjas who want to live can leave immediately. But I won't go, nor surrender. I'll fight with the village until the end!"
"Tsunade… you…"
Seeing Tsunade's resolute gaze, Jiraiya was all too familiar.
He knew persuading her further was nearly impossible.
Often, Tsunade was more stubborn than he was—perhaps a trait inherited from the First Hokage.
Jiraiya sat down wearily, as if all his strength had drained.
He'd failed again.
His life was truly a failure!
It seemed no matter what he chose, he always took the wrong path, losing many people and harming many others…
And this time seemed no different.
He'd even prepared to bear all the scorn, betraying his beliefs to become a despised persuader. Yet, in the end, he couldn't change anything…
"Then I—"
Jiraiya tried to say more, but his body suddenly trembled. His aura shifted abruptly.
Tsunade, familiar with Jiraiya, noticed the change instantly and glared at him.
"Who are you?"
"Fifth Hokage Tsunade, we meet again!"
Clearly, Nagato's control over Jiraiya far surpassed his, now using his body to speak to Tsunade.
"You? Pain? No… Nagato?"
"So you still remember me. The pain from last time left quite an impression!" Nagato stabbed mercilessly. He had no goodwill toward this arrogant, brainless, big-chested Hokage.
Hitting her sore spot, Tsunade grew angrier:
"Bastard! You beast! I'll definitely kill you…"
"I'm already dead, so killing me again doesn't matter much. But it seems Jiraiya-sensei's persuasion failed… In that case, there's nothing more to discuss with Konoha."
"In half an hour, we'll launch a destructive attack on Konoha. Before that, say your goodbyes properly."
"This is for Jiraiya-sensei and Naruto, my final mercy to your Konoha Village."
Finished, Nagato released control over Jiraiya, his consciousness vanishing without hesitation.