After Jiraiya arrived, Tsunade turned her head towards him and said to him, "You arrived earlier than what you said."
A grin appeared on Jiraiya's face as he said, "I wouldn't dare to make Tsunade-Hime wait for me."
Tsunade clicked her tongue upon hearing him and decided to ignore his nonsense.
"Jiraiya, tell me what you know of Uzushio and its destruction. And I want to know everything." This time, Tsunade sternly stared at Jiraya whose eyes widened a little.
Jiraiya responded to her, "I don't really know everything about Uzushio and its destruction, but still, maybe I do know a lot." He reorganized all his thoughts, wondering from where he should start.
After a bit of time, Jiraiya started speaking, "Let's start from this. As you know, the Uzushio's destruction occurred at the hands of Kumo, Iwa, and Kiri under the pretext they were eliminating a future enemy."
"I have gone to Uzushio personally on a diplomatic mission, so I remember there were seals placed all around the village which would make it quite difficult to reach that island. I could only enter because Sensei did give me the way to Uzushio."
"When I did hear the news that the Three Great Villages are making their move against Uzushio, I wasn't that worried. I mean, as far as I am aware of, no Uzumaki is living in these villages. And with no one to guide them, they shouldn't be able to enter the village." Jiraiya said, quite casually.
The pupil in Tsunade's eyes narrowed a little as she heard Jiraiya's words.
"However, imagine my surprise when a few days later, I hear that Uzushio had been destroyed. This wasn't all though…"
"There was another news which spread in all the Elemental Nations. I am sure you have heard it as well. The news of how the inheritor of Senju Hashirama's Bloodline and a Jinchuuriki fought against the Three Great Villages, dealing massive casualties to them." Jiraiya said with a serious look this time.
Tsunade had indeed heard of this rumour. She knew that it was her younger brother Araki and Kushina.
"It was definitely the current Senju Clan Head and your cousin brother, Senju Araki. The Jinchuuriki was most probably Uzumaki Kushina who holds the Kyuubi." Jiraiya finished speaking while staring at Tsunade.
"I see now… Tell me, Jiraiya… What's the chance that it was Konoha who betrayed Uzushio?" As Tsunade asked this question, Jiraiya's eyes widened for some moments before they returned to normal.
"To be honest, hime… I think it's quite likely that it was Konoha who did betray Uzushio." Jiraiya said with a somewhat bitter smile. Before Tsunade could ask anything further, he clarified, "During that time, the Three Great Villages had terrible relations with Konoha. I heard rumours of how these three Great Villages were planning on making a move against Konoha. I informed this to sensei, and I don't know what he did, but suddenly, these Three Great Villages changed their target from Konoha to Uzushio."
Tsunade's eyes widened in shock, she was smart enough to understand what happened. She clenched her fists tightly while staring at the serious expression of Jiraiya.
She knew that Jiraiya wouldn't be lying to her about this matter. He had no reason to lie to her or even hide the facts at this time.
"Who do you suspect the most?" She still asked while trying to keep her voice as calm as possible. However, the faint killing intent still leaked from her body.
Jiraiya let out a sigh before saying, "I wouldn't say I am very sure about this. But I had put my bets on Danzo. He seems like the person who wouldn't think before selling Uzushio to our enemies just so he can preserve Konoha. As for the other person, you are aware of him already…"
"Sensei!" Tsunade nearly growled upon saying that word as her whole aura leaked out her body. The fact that she heard from Araki that the Third Hokage wasn't trustworthy and had a hand in Uzushio's destruction seemed to have solidified after hearing Jiraiya's suspicion on the Third Hokage.
Jiraiya's suspicion usually meant that he was 60-70% sure.
"Tsunade-hime… Do not make a rash move, right now." Jiraiya warned Tsunade with a stern look in his eyes.
Just when he noticed that Tsunade was about to say something, he added, "Do remember that even if you do confront him about this, he would simply refuse to admit it. He also controls all the Shinobi in Konoha."
Tsunade snorted at Jiraiya's words, "Even Sensei can't order the Shinobi to make a move against Senju Clan. Almost everyone knows in Konoha that it was founded by my grandfather."
Jiraiya nodded his head, and even agreed with her, "You are right about that, Tsunade-hime. In normal circumstances, even the Hokage can't make a move against the Senju Clan or maybe any clan. However, the situation would be different if you make a move first. If my guess is right, at this moment, Sensei wants to find a reason with which he can label the Senju Clan as rebels and put them down."
Tsunade now understood what Jiraiya was talking about.
"I see now…" Tsunade suddenly started chuckling. It was sort of a bitter chuckle as if she realised something.
"Now I understand why Sensei was so anxious and wanted me to return to Konoha. The Senju Clan is not under his control, and he wants me to control it. If it was before, I might have even obeyed his instructions." Tsunade said with a hint of anger on her face.
"Hmm..." Jiraiya didn't really give his opinion on this. This might have been the case.
He thought for some time before asking Tsunade, "I know you are angry, Tsunade-hime, but restrain yourself. After all, if you don't do anything, even sensei would be helpless…"
"Don't worry, I know how to differentiate between anger and foolishness. But… when I do get the chance, he won't be able to escape from my fists!" Tsunade said with a hint of ruthlessness.
"Alright, Jiraiya. Thanks for telling me about this." Tsunade was indeed grateful to Jiraiya for telling him such information.
Jiraiya grinned mischievously upon hearing Tsunade's words, "It would mean a lot if you don't kill me next time I peep on you!"
Tsunade's eyebrow twitched upon hearing Jiraiya's words, and without even think much, she swung her fist and hit his abdomen strongly.
Jiraiya was thrown far away after being hit by Tsunade. Though he seemed to be mumbling, "I really did miss this version of Tsunade…"
After he was thrown away, Tsunade let out a sigh. She then turned towards the Senju Clan Manor and noticed Araki standing there, observing her quietly.
Araki came closer and asked her, "Do you trust my word, elder sister?"
"I do," Tsunade told him before she followed him inside the Senju Clan Manor, "So… What is your plan, right now?"
"Naturally its to prepare for war." Araki gave her a shrewd smile while walking inside the manor.
"War? Against who are you planning to fight first? You have a long list after all." Tsunade asked him with a curious look.
"The Third Raikage likes to fight and wage war a lot. It would be a pity if he died before we fight. So, the first one I will deal with is Kumo. But not now… I need a few years to finalise my preparations." Araki said with a ruthless smile on his face.
[A/N: Check out my Original Novel on A.mazon: bit.do/risingwarriors]