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...
Everyone in the Hokage office had their mouths wide open in shock. They couldn't even imagine if Jiryoku had actually used this technique during their fight; they would have been dead for sure.
"Lady Katsuyu, you're also from the era of the Sage of Six Paths. Is it even possible for six people to have the Rinnegan at the same time?" asked Jiraiya.
"It's impossible, based on my memory. No one had the Rinnegan after the death of the Sage of Six Paths, so the possibility of someone collecting those eyes over these thousands of years is also unlikely," replied Katsuyu.
"Is there anything else you can tell us about those six people?" inquired Jiraiya.
"No, I've already shared everything I know," said Katsuyu.
"Now, Lady Tsunade, you must hurry. Master Jiryoku's condition is critical; he's severely injured," Katsuyu said in a hurried tone.
Tsunade remained silent for a moment before speaking, "I'm sorry, Katsuyu, but I can't assist in this matter. Regardless of his reasons, right or wrong, I can't heal him after what he has done to Konoha."
After hearing this, Katsuyu didn't know what to say. After all, Tsunade was right; she wasn't obligated to heal Jiryoku.
"Please, Lady Tsunade, you must save him. Although I know that what he did was wrong, he wasn't entirely in the wrong, was he? Think about it. Can anyone even dream of getting justice from influential people like the members of the Konoha Council or the Hyuga Elders? For someone like you and Jiraiya-sama to say, 'If you had told me, I would have helped you achieve justice,' it all sounds good in fantasy. Even now, as the Hokage, what have you done about those Konoha Council members? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Why? Just because they belong to two highly influential clans in Konoha? You can't take action against them because doing so might lead to something extreme, like a rebellion. It's not impossible, especially with the support of both the Shimura Clan, whose backbone, Shimura Danzo, fell to Jiryoku, and the Sarutobi Clan. If you punish both Konoha Council members, this village will be dragged into the quagmire of civil war. If this village had proper functioning with equality, Jiryoku might have a chance to get justice and he wouldn't even have to resort to this measure."
Yamanaka Ino spoke with teary eyes and anger, and everyone present listened to her, realizing that what Ino said was right. Going through official channels to punish the Hyuga Elders and Konoha Council members was impossible.
"Whatever the reasons may be, I can't heal Jiryoku. He poses too great a threat. If he were to attack Konoha again someday, given his strength, it would be very difficult for us to defend against him. As the Hokage, I can't do this," said Tsunade.
"But..." Ino began to persuade Tsunade, but Shikamaru placed his hand on her shoulder, signaling her not to speak further.
"I've observed all of you, and based on the behavior of the Jonin leaders, Jiraiya-sama, and Hokage-sama, I'm certain that you know very little about the Akatsuki organization. I've known Jiryoku since childhood, and one thing I know about him is that if you do him a favor, he will return it in kind. So, I suggest that if you want to learn more about the Akatsuki organization, your best bet is to heal Jiryoku. He has fought many Akatsuki members, and the way Lady Katsuyu described the battles suggests that he knows a lot about the Akatsuki organization," said Shikamaru.
Everyone fell into deep thought, and this included Tsunade because what Shikamaru mentioned was a point that needed consideration.
Tsunade turned towards Jiraiya and asked, "What do you think, Jiraiya?"
"Although my investigation indicates that they are targeting the Nine-Tails, I have a hunch that it can't be this simple. There's more to it than we can see right now. So, I believe that obtaining more information on Akatsuki and their motives would be beneficial," said Jiraiya.
"Hmm, you are all the most powerful Jonins we have. What are your opinions on this matter?" asked Tsunade.
"In my opinion, understanding more about the Akatsuki is more important. From Jiryoku's behavior, I've concluded one thing: he doesn't seem inclined to go to extreme lengths just for revenge, or else nothing would have stopped him from slaughtering the entire Hyuga clan or the clans of Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu. If you heal him, there's a high chance that he will continue to protect Konoha from future troubles," said Kakashi.
"If Kakashi agrees, then I agree too," said Guy.
And with that, all the Jonin leaders present in the Hokage office reached an agreement.
"Okay, if you all agree, then I will heal Jiryoku," said Tsunade.
"Katsuyu, reverse summon me," Tsunade instructed while standing.
"Yes!" replied Katsuyu, her voice filled with joy.
Katsuyu and Tsunade disappeared from the office.
"So, teacher, if you were to use your Eight Inner Gates, could you defeat Jiryoku? He mentioned during his attack on Konoha that, except for you, no one else could stop him here," Tenten asked.
"If I were to open up to the seventh gate, I don't think it would be possible to defeat him. However, if I were to unlock all eight Gates, I believe I could defeat him," Guy replied.
Hyuga Neji pondered, "Would Jiryoku have been even stronger if he still had the Byakugan?"
This is something he would never know because Jiryoku had reached the level he had always dreamed of, seeking freedom from the fate of being a caged bird.
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