Nara Shikaku's eyes flickered.
As a member of a Yin Release clan, even though Nara Shikaku wasn't proficient in perception Ninjutsu, the killing intent in Jiraiya's eyes, though fleeting, was still detected by him.
However.
He didn't care!
Jiraiya's roar, however, made his gaze complicated.
Actually, during the Third Great Ninja War, he and Jiraiya had a good relationship, and Jiraiya had even saved his life once.
But with the Ino–Shika–Chō's change of allegiance, their relationship was cast under a shadow.
Watching Jiraiya stew in frustration, he gently picked up the teacup in front of him, drained its contents, and truly made up his mind.
He gently put down the teacup, then took a deep breath and spoke.
"Lady Tsunade, I'll tell you."
"Consider it repayment for the favor during the Third Great Ninja War, but don't come looking for me again after this."
"The Ino–Shika–Chō and other Ninja Clans chose the Uchiha, and there's actually only one core reason: the Uchiha won't restrict the development of Ninja Clans."
"As a core member of the Village, you must understand in your heart that the Village has always supported commoners and tried its best to continuously weaken the power of Ninja Clans."
"How many people in Ninja Clans should have been promoted to Jonin long ago, but have been unable to advance?"
"Even if they can't delay it any longer, at most they'll be given a Special Jonin rank."
"We don't ask the Village for special privileges for Ninja Clans, but can't we even compete fairly?"
"The Uchiha are different; they believe in the strong being respected."
"Perhaps after the Uchiha become Hokage, their clan might forever monopolize the Hokage position, but as long as they treat all Ninja Clans fairly, then we will actually be very satisfied."
"After all, the Hokage position was never meant for us Ninja Clans anyway!"
"And your teacher is too ruthless; we Ninja Clans know better than anyone that the rumors circulating in Konoha are true. How many Ninja Clans has Hiruzen Sarutobi destroyed since he took power?"
"Since we chose to side with the Uchiha, it means a complete break with Hiruzen Sarutobi."
"The choice of allegiance cannot be undone!"
"Otherwise, if the Village truly destroys the Uchiha, then all of us Ninja Clans will die, so your trip is destined to end in disappointment."
"You might make promises, but in reality, they're useless!"
"Because behind me stands the Nara Clan; my decision represents the lives and deaths of over three thousand clan members. It also represents over ten thousand people in the Ino–Shika–Chō. Do you think I dare to gamble your credibility on such a matter?"
"You're a wanderer; how long can you stay in the Village?"
"Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi agrees now, what can you do if he breaks his promise later?"
"Minato Namikaze died under suspicious circumstances; anyone with eyes can see that this matter is definitely connected to the Konoha High Command, as only a few people knew Kushina's due date!"
"So—what did you do?"
"You're still running errands for Hiruzen Sarutobi, showing no intention of avenging Minato Namikaze, even though he was your only disciple in Konoha!"
"You don't even care about your own disciple; you haven't even looked at the only child Minato left behind."
"So, do you have any credibility?"
"Even if the Uchiha didn't give us Ninja Clans any benefits, we actually wouldn't dare to trust you, given Minato Namikaze's example right before us."
"You don't even care about your own disciple; dare we hope that if the Village kills us, you would uphold justice for our Ninja Clans?"
"And there's another point, haven't you noticed?"
"Why did Hiruzen Sarutobi send you? Why didn't he come himself?"
"You are just a pawn!"
"If Hiruzen Sarutobi goes back on his word later, he'll feel no pressure, after all, it was you who promised us Ninja Clans, not him, Hiruzen Sarutobi?"
"He saw through you, his disciple, knowing that once things are set in stone, no matter how angry you are, you will eventually silently accept it."
"Few fools become leaders of Ninja Clans. Perhaps commoners would believe the credibility of you, one of the Sannin, but behind us Ninja Clans are entire clans of people. Compared to the so-called empty promises of the White Fang, we will silently observe your every action."
"The incident with Minato Namikaze alone is enough for us to determine that you are not worthy of our trust!"
"So, go back."
"For the sake of our past friendship, I advise you to leave the Village as soon as possible."
"Power struggles are very bloody and cruel. Your personality truly isn't suited for power struggles. In this regard, Lady Tsunade is a smart person; I suggest you learn from Lady Tsunade."
After speaking.
Nara Shikaku poured himself a cup of tea and continued to drink leisurely.
Yes!
Out of gratitude for the life-saving favor, he held nothing back at this moment, directly breaking down the matter and explaining it thoroughly.
But, at the same time.
This also completely severed their last bit of friendship; from now on, when they met again, they would be enemies, not friends.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Following Nara Shikaku's words, Jiraiya's mind completely exploded.
Clearly.
At this moment, he realized that he had been terribly wrong from the start.
Ninja Clans are different from commoners; they care more about inheritance!
He naturally empathized with how the Village had restricted Ninja Clans over the years, as he, Orochimaru, Minato Namikaze, and others could almost be considered representatives of the commoner faction.
The Uchiha were too ruthless!
This alone bound the Ninja Clans.
Moreover, the issue of credibility that Nara Shikaku then raised left Jiraiya utterly shocked.
Indeed!
Although he chose to let go of hatred for the sake of the Village, in the eyes of others, it was a display of lacking credibility.
Minato Namikaze was his disciple, yet he didn't seek justice for Minato. Why should others dare to believe his promises?
As for being manipulated by Hiruzen Sarutobi, that was irrelevant to him.
After all, he wasn't stupid.
He could naturally see through his teacher's machinations, but the problem was that, in his view, as long as it was for the Village, he could ignore these minor matters.
At this moment, he remained silent for a long time.
A moment later.
He finally spoke in a hoarse voice: "Shikaku, do you think there's still room for reconciliation?"
Nara Shikaku's brows furrowed slightly.
Looking at the dejected Jiraiya, he felt no sympathy.
On the contrary.
After a brief contemplation, he slowly began to speak.
"Lady Tsunade, you are truly incorrigible!"
"Your vision is too high; you're unwilling to look down even for a moment."
"You can't even do the small things; talking about these things is meaningless!"
"What you should be doing now is caring for Minato's child, finding out how the child has been doing these past few years, and retrieving Minato and Kushina's inheritance for the child."
"You know, Kushina was extremely wealthy, holding the Uzumaki Clan's inheritance, and Lady Mito also gave her an inheritance. An entire street on the west side of the Hokage Building is her inheritance."
"As Minato's teacher, and the child's grand-teacher, first retrieve the child's parents' inheritance for them!"