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Tsunade opened her mouth, not knowing what to say for a moment. Jiraiya was a bit obsessed with finding the so-called savior of the ninja world back then. He even told her and Orochimaru that he had found the chosen one to end the war, the prophesied child of Mount Myōboku. Could it be this Yahiko?

“Since Yahiko is still alive, then Konan and Nagato must also be alive, otherwise Yahiko would definitely come looking for me.” Jiraiya swayed slightly, feeling a deep sense of self-reproach at the thought that his disciple had become the instigator of the war.

"It's my fault for not fulfilling my responsibilities as a teacher. I must go and persuade them to come back. Trust me, there won't be any problems. They are all obedient children," Jiraiya continued, speaking both to himself and to Tsunade.

"Jiraiya! Don't forget! You not only have one disciple, but Naruto Uzumaki should be back soon too!" Tsunade shouted a reminder.

“After Naruto returns, Kakashi will be his other teacher and can continue to teach him. However, they only have me as their teacher, and I must guide them back from that wrong path!” Jiraiya said to Tsunade very seriously.

Tsunade fell silent again. She could understand Jiraiya's thoughts. Of all the disciples Jiraiya had taught in his life, apart from Naruto whom he had just taught, the others had not fared well. Now that he had the opportunity to retain his disciple, he could not possibly give it up.

"Don't go, okay..."

"Use your best gambling strategy," Jiraiya interrupted Tsunade before she could finish speaking, giving her a deep look at the person he loved. "Just bet that I'll lose this time, since you always lose at gambling anyway."

"..."

"Also, if I manage to return safely, there's something else I'd like to say to you." Jiraiya gave Tsunade a deep look, a smile on his face, as if he could already see himself returning safely with Yahiko and the other two.

"What are you saying?" Tsunade looked up at her childhood friend and already guessed what he wanted to say. "If you say it now, I might not necessarily refuse."

"No, it's better to save those words for when we get there." Jiraiya turned his back and walked toward the balcony.

"Wait!" Tsunade suddenly called out to Jiraiya, then walked up to him and slapped him hard across the face. "Have a safe trip and come back soon!"

"You almost broke my ribs." Jiraiya coughed twice, then felt something stuck in his chest.

He moved his hand away from his chest a little, and a necklace slowly floated into his palm.

“Tsunade…” Jiraiya looked at the necklace, somewhat speechless.

"Get lost!" Tsunade waved her hand at Jiraiya with her back turned, her eyes already moist where Jiraiya couldn't see.

"Alright, don't worry, I won't keep you waiting long!" Jiraiya carefully placed the necklace on his body, then turned and leaped up, stepping onto the railing, heading towards Amegakure.

Only after confirming that Jiraiya had left did Tsunade's tears begin to fall. She then wiped them away with her right hand. "Shizune, Shizune! Pass on the Hokage's order: summon Danzo to see me!"

"Yes!" A silent voice came from outside the door, followed by the sound of quick footsteps leaving.

Tsunade turned around and sat back down in her chair. A woman who has let go of the past becomes stronger, and it's time for her to be officially recognized as the Princess of Konoha!

In Amegakure, many buildings were damaged in a battle between Zed and the Akatsuki. The residents of Amegakure are currently repairing the damage. Perhaps it's good weather, or perhaps for some other reason, but it hasn't rained in Amegakure today.

Croak! A toad jumped out of the ditch in Rain Village, hopped onto the bank, and then avoided the passing villagers until it reached a secluded spot.

Suddenly a hand emerged from the toad's mouth, followed by its head and body.

"Phew, infiltration successful." Jiraiya smiled slightly, then quickly disguised himself as an ordinary ninja.

On the western tower, Nagato looked at the corpse before him and prepared to begin creating the Hell Path. Once the Hell Path was completed, those Pain who had been killed by the Jade Emperor could be resurrected.

"Konan, remember to go out and appease the villagers, and also keep those guys from causing trouble, especially Hidan," Nagato said before the production began.

"Yes." Konan, who was behind Nagato, nodded, and then turned into pieces of paper and scattered from the tower to the ground.

Jiraiya had been walking around Amegakure for a while. His original plan was to gather information at places like izakayas or interrogate a few ordinary ninjas, but with Amegakure undergoing a major reconstruction, doing so seemed a bit inappropriate.

"Hurry, hurry, the angel is coming!" A girl led her younger sister and ran westward.

"Sister, I want a paper crane. Do you think I can get it this time?" The younger sister asked, looking up at her older sister as she ran.

"Of course, but I still want a paper doll of the angel. We were able to drive away the invaders thanks to Lord Payne and the angel." The older sister's eyes sparkled with longing.

Jiraiya, standing to the side, narrowed his eyes slightly. Lord Pain, Lord Angel, Yahiko and Nagato really drove away Hanzo of the Salamander? What an amazing feat.

"Uncle, could you please not stand in the middle of the road?" another child said to Jiraiya with some dissatisfaction.

"Sorry, I was a little distracted." Jiraiya smiled and took a step to the side. He no longer had any Konoha markings on him, and his most famous spiky white hair was also hidden, so he looked no different from an older man.

"Honestly, you could use that time to help rebuild the village," the little boy muttered as he passed Jiraiya.

Jiraiya didn't care at all. He looked around at the somewhat damaged buildings and realized that as a teacher, he should do something for his apprentice, so he might as well give him a small gift.

When Jiraiya was working as a construction worker for a while, he suddenly noticed that the workers who had been working hard with him had all raised their heads, as if they were welcoming someone.

Looking around, Jiraiya saw a familiar face: Konan! It was Konan!

"Lord Angel..."

Just as Jiraiya was about to say something, the villagers of Amegakure called out "Sama-sama" repeatedly. It was an honorific title for Konan. As Nagato's deputy, who called himself a god, the title of "Angel" was exactly what Konan had expected.

Jiraiya shut his mouth. His students were so beloved by the villagers, so they must have been deceived to join Akatsuki. After all, when he left, these three were still children.

With this in mind, Jiraiya did not immediately acknowledge Konan. Instead, like the other workers, he lined up in two rows and received the paper angel figure representing luck and peace from Konan.

"My angel, will you come again?!" a villager shouted as Xiao Nan reached the end of the line.

"Yes, I will be with you all during these days of reconstruction," Xiao Nan said with a faint smile.

Konan paused as her gaze swept over Jiraiya's disguise. The chakra emanating from this man didn't seem like that of an ordinary ninja, but she had never seen his face before. Could he be a spy? But would a spy be a construction worker?

While she was still wondering, Xiao Nan had already completed her gesture and turned to walk to the other side according to the procedure.

In the evening, after a day's work, Jiraiya received his wages. Although he had joined the team midway through the day, the foreman did not lower Jiraiya's wages because of this, but paid him the same hourly wage as everyone else.

Walking on the rainless streets, Jiraiya looked up at the sky. If it didn't rain often, Amegakure would be a decent place to live.

Touching his slightly deflated belly, Jiraiya walked toward the small shop marked by the roadside sign. "Grandma, could you please give me a steamed bun?"

"Okay~" The old woman took a big, stuffed meat bun from the steaming hot steamer and handed it to Jiraiya. "Young man, you've worked hard building the house. Here, have a big one."

"Whoosh!" Jiraiya blew on it twice, then took a bite. "Mmm, Grandma, your cooking is really good!"

"Young man, you're too kind. I've only recently picked up this skill again, and I owe it all to Lord Payne," the old woman whispered a prayer.

Jiraiya wasn't surprised; the people of Amegakure always mentioned Lord Pain's name, and Jiraiya guessed that this might be Yahiko's code name.

Yahiko and Konan both have codenames, so only Nagato is left. That kid is probably still the same as before, rather aloof and doesn't like to show his face, which is why he didn't get a better title. But it's okay, as long as he's alive, that's enough.

After walking around Amegakure for a while, Jiraiya had a very good impression of the village. What a peaceful village it was! The prophecy of Mount Myōboku was indeed not unfounded.

As time passed, the sky darkened completely. Jiraiya, with his hands behind his back, wandered through Amegakure, heading towards the western tower, hoping to find a room there and try to contact Konan or Yahiko the next day.

"Who are you?!" Four paper shuriken were stuck in front of and behind Jiraiya. Konan walked out from the side. The more she thought about it, the more she felt that something was wrong with Jiraiya. She also saw him walking towards Nagato's location, so she deliberately chose a secluded place to block Jiraiya.

"Konan, you've grown up. Girls change a lot as they grow up, and you're becoming more and more beautiful." Jiraiya looked at Konan and smiled.

"Jiraiya-sensei?" The paper Konan was holding was slightly deformed.

Jiraiya formed hand seals, revealing his true form. "It's me. Long time no see. How are Yahiko and Nagato?"

Chapter 258 Let this world feel pain

In a tavern in Amegakure, Jiraiya and Konan sat facing each other in a private room, with a large bottle of sake on the table between them.

"Ha~" Jiraiya downed his drink in one gulp, then looked at his disciple who had grown up completely, feeling extremely happy. When he saw Yahiko, he felt that his three disciples might still be alive, but until he met him in person, everything was still just a possibility.

"Konan, you've done a really good job governing this village. I've been here all day, and the villagers haven't stopped praising you." Jiraiya didn't hold back his praise at all.

The current Amegakure is completely different from the Amegakure that Jiraiya remembered under Hanzo of the Salamander. In particular, the happiness index of the ordinary villagers is incredibly high, and at first glance, it seems no worse than that of the villagers of Konoha.

Konan smiled but didn't say anything. She still couldn't figure out how she had inexplicably ended up catching up with Jiraiya at the tavern.

Furthermore, Konan is still unsure how to deal with Jiraiya. Nagato didn't mention this before going into seclusion, and the regulations for spies can't be directly copied.

After all, Jiraiya was not only their teacher, but he also showed friendliness towards Amegakure, and his actions were also aimed at maintaining the peace of Amegakure.

"Konan, you have no idea how heartbroken I was when I received news of your deaths." Jiraiya was a little tipsy; it was the atmosphere that made him drunk, not the alcohol. "I should have thought more carefully and come over to confirm the accuracy of the intelligence. Those mediocre people can't even gather the right information!"

Konan continued pouring wine for Jiraiya while remaining silent.

It cannot be denied that during the most difficult period, Konan wondered if Jiraiya would come to help, after all, Konoha was about to end the Third Shinobi World War as the victor.

However, whatever the reason, Jiraiya never appeared before them in the end. Sometimes, when Konan dreamed, she would think that if Jiraiya had come, Yahiko might not have died in that conflict.

"By the way, where are Yahiko and Nagato? Aren't they going to come out and greet their teacher? I'd really like to see them, see if they've grown up and become even more handsome than before," Jiraiya continued with a smile.

Konan's sake bottle froze in mid-air. She looked up at her smiling teacher, unsure what to say. After a long silence, she spoke her first words in a long time: "You didn't come just to catch up with us, did you? Are the ninjas of Konoha so carefree these days?"

"Of course not." Jiraiya became serious. "I'm here to correct your mistakes. I remember teaching you to keep yourselves clean and stay away from terrorists and war enthusiasts. How could you have joined Akatsuki, this terrorist organization!"

Having toured Amegakure, Jiraiya was still quite confident in persuading Konan and the others. "Wouldn't it be better to maintain peace like Amegakure? Why actively wage war against other places? Why issue bounties to Sunagakure? Violence will only lead to more violence!"

Konan put down the sake bottle. Jiraiya's long, righteous, and awe-inspiring words had almost completely erased any lingering teacher-student feelings she had for him.

"War brings pain, but great pain brings peace, and this is the case with Amegakure," Konan said calmly.

"Nonsense! War is war, and peace is peace. What war brings peace? Do you plan to wage war against the world every now and then to maintain a false peace after a large number of people die? Does such a world have a future?" Jiraiya retorted loudly.

"It may not be perfect, but compared to falsehood, yours is still superior." Konan stood up and stared intently at Jiraiya. "Your peace is violence to other countries, especially small countries and small ninja villages. They are forever being exploited by you. The killing and bloodshed are transferred to them by you. This kind of peace that sacrifices the weak should never exist!"

"Humans are a foolish and short-sighted species. The only lesson they have learned from history is that we have never learned anything! Peace can never be achieved by humanity alone. The world needs a God, a God who can bring pain when humanity forgets and make them yearn for peace!"

Jiraiya felt a chill run down his spine; the familiar child before him had transformed into a demonic being in his eyes.

"We are already looking for a way to achieve a win-win situation and trying to break the zero-sum game. Konan, give up your cruel ideas and work with your teacher to find that way, okay?" Jiraiya pleaded weakly.

“That method doesn’t even exist, so why bother looking for it?” Konan said to Jiraiya with absolute certainty.

"Where's Yahiko? Where's Nagato? I need to talk to them! Is this what they think too? Is this why you joined Akatsuki?! I don't remember ever teaching you that!" Jiraiya slammed his hand on the table and said.

Konan slowly stood up. "It wasn't you who taught him that; it was this cruel world that taught him. If we had been able to wake up from the illusion you created sooner, perhaps Yahiko wouldn't have sacrificed himself."

"Yahiko sacrificed himself?" Jiraiya could hardly believe what he was hearing.

"So, you're late, far too late, Jiraiya-sensei," Konan said with a cold laugh.

With a bang, the wine glass in Jiraiya's hand slipped and smashed on the ground, shattering into four pieces.

"Mr. Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha, I am now warning you on behalf of the leaders of Amegakure: leave this village before dawn, or don't blame me for being impolite!" Konan transformed into a piece of paper and left the private room through the window, leaving behind a sentence that was like a knife piercing Jiraiya's heart.

"Hello, customer, what's wrong?" The waiter opened the sliding door and cautiously poked his head in.

She only saw a man leaning back in a chair, radiating an aura as if the sky had fallen. But the moment she asked him a question, the man's demeanor suddenly changed, as if in just a few seconds he had regained his shattered confidence.

"Nothing happened." Jiraiya, who was indomitable, rallied his spirits and placed the money on the table. "Keep the change, and consider the extra a tip."

"Hey, hey, hey!" The waitress tried to stop Jiraiya, but as soon as she took a step inside, Jiraiya disappeared into the night outside through the window.

"What tip... This is only enough for the drinks, we haven't even paid for the glasses yet. Where did this guy come from... If you don't want to pay, fine, but don't pretend to be so generous." The waiter grumbled angrily as he cleaned up.

Chapter 259 Three sentences got me beaten up by a truckload of bread sellers.

Jiraiya left the tavern without hesitation and headed straight for the tower in Amegakure.