Hiruzen Sarutobi, his voice ice-cold.
He had no choice!
The current situation left him no room for hesitation, and there was no time to slowly discuss it with Jiraiya.
He knew Jiraiya's character—if they really took the time to talk it over, the Sarutobi Clan could be wiped out and Jiraiya would still probably refuse.
So, no more discussion.
One word: force.
As Jiraiya's teacher, he understood his student's nature all too well.
No matter how firmly Jiraiya refused now, if he pushed hard enough the man would almost certainly fold.
And indeed, that's exactly what happened.
After this uncompromising declaration, Jiraiya stood frozen in place.
He stared at Hiruzen in disbelief before stammering, "Sensei, have you lost your mind?"
"Don't blame me, Jiraiya," Hiruzen said coldly. "Circumstances demand a decision."
"If we keep hesitating, the Uchiha will eventually destroy the Village."
"For the greater good, Jiraiya, you must be the one to make the sacrifice."
"If you won't give yourself for the Village, then as your teacher I'll force you to do it."
"Everything—For Konoha!"
Gasp!
Those words hit Jiraiya like a soul-tearing blow.
He was dumbstruck.
He used to be the one telling others, "For Konoha," even asking the Uchiha to sacrifice.
But now?
Wrapped in that same "For Konoha" banner, he was the one being asked to give a little—and he could hardly keep it together.
How could he sacrifice himself?
He still had a vital mission: to find the Savior who would rescue the Ninja World!
Yet, at the same time…
He knew arguing was pointless; Hiruzen didn't believe in any Savior. He'd indulged Jiraiya only because the Village hadn't been in crisis—until now.
Things were different.
With tensions so high, Hiruzen wouldn't spare his strongest asset.
Unless Jiraiya chose to become a Rogue Ninja, he had no option.
What now?
Cold sweat beaded on Jiraiya's forehead.
In the end…
He swallowed hard and said solemnly, "Let me try to persuade Tsunade—she's the best choice for Hokage."
"Of course, I have no objection," Hiruzen nodded. "But, Jiraiya…"
"If you can bring Tsunade back, all is well; otherwise, you will accept the title of Fifth Hokage."
If not, don't blame your teacher."
Jiraiya fell silent, unsure how to respond.
Hate his teacher?
He knew Hiruzen was out of options; under any other circumstance the old man would never have said such things.
So… a sigh of resignation.
With that helpless sigh he trudged out of the Hokage Office like a walking corpse.
He made his way to the Uchiha Clan Compound and stated he wished to speak with Tsunade.
As for the reception…
The Uchiha had little fondness for Jiraiya.
Still…
After reporting up the chain, Uchiha Jin simply nodded approval.
Yes—approved.
To Jin, Jiraiya was a clown; he doubted the man could sway Tsunade at all.
Of course…
If Tsunade truly wanted to leave, Jin wouldn't stop her.
Without absolute loyalty, forcibly keeping her would only destabilize them from within.
Therefore…
Whether Tsunade or anyone else, anyone wishing to leave would meet no resistance from Uchiha Jin.
Fifteen minutes later…
Jiraiya arrived at Tsunade's temporary lodging: a One-Bedroom Flat of just over thirty square meters.
To be honest…
That was already preferential treatment; even regular Jonin were crammed into eight-person dormitories.
No exceptions for the Uchiha themselves.
Even married couples now had only about ten square meters.
There was no helping it…
With every Ninja Clan relocating and the new district construction barely begun, living space inside the Uchiha compound was extremely tight.
So why not let the clans return home and simply send up a Signal Flare for rescue if trouble came?
Hah—dream on.
This world has Sealing Jutsu. The night the Uchiha were originally wiped out, the entire district died in silence—no one in Konoha noticed.
And that was the Uchiha.
If the other clans scattered and the higher-ups struck, a large barrier could ensure no one escaped.
The clans aren't fools; they won't gamble on those odds.
They'd rather squeeze in with the Uchiha than test whether the Village leadership dares to go that far.
Naturally…
With so many clans flooding the compound, the Uchiha gladly offered up house after house to shelter them.
Under these conditions, giving Tsunade a One-Bedroom Flat was already generous.
Even Jin's own compound now housed many fellow Uchiha; he kept only his personal room, a Meeting Hall, and a Reception Room for business.
Tsunade understood and was quite satisfied with the arrangement.
By now she had sobered up completely.
Facing the unexpected Jiraiya, she showed no surprise and said calmly, "Shizune, make some tea."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade," Shizune answered softly.
Tsunade knelt on the tatami; Jiraiya sat opposite her.
The two regarded each other in silence, the room utterly quiet.
Ten minutes later…
Once Shizune had set a teapot and two cups on the low table, Tsunade said evenly, "Shizune, go inside."
"All right." Shizune nodded.
She knew they needed privacy and obediently withdrew to the inner room.
Only after she left did Jiraiya finally speak.
"Tsunade…"
"Can you come back?"
He had so many questions—why she had done this—but no words came, and that single plea was all he could manage.