Even Tobirama Senju was aware of the Great Toad Sage from Mount Myōboku.
During the years when the Senju clan was clashing with the Uchiha clan duringWarring State Period, Mount Myōboku sent a toad to seek out the Senju brothers, urging them to inscribe their names on the summoning scroll of Mount Myōboku.
Confronted with the sudden appearance of the toads at his doorstep, Tobirama was not willing to accept them as summoning beasts for himself and his older brother without first learning more about them.
During his investigation, he discovered some details about the Great Toad Sage.
He learned that this toad had the ability to predict the future.
To be honest, Tobirama was quite skeptical of abilities related to divination, fate, and prophecy at that time.
After all, if fate had already laid out the path and prophecies had accurately foretold their success, was there really a need for further effort?
It seemed easier to just give up and relax.
However, Senju Tobirama was not the type to believe in such things. He trusted that humans could overcome nature through their own efforts.
Seeing Jiraiya's unwavering faith in the Great Toad Sage now left Tobirama quite displeased.
"Jiraiya, do you intend to become a rogue ninja?"
"What? Lord Tobirama, please stop joking."
Clearly, Jiraiya was taken aback by Tobirama's words.
Not only Jiraiya, but even the Third Hokage expressed concern: "Teacher, are you mistaken? How could Jiraiya possibly want to be a rogue ninja?"
Tobirama turned to the Third Hokage and asked, "Doesn't Jiraiya frequently stay away from the village? And doesn't he often neglect the village's missions?"
The Third Hokage was momentarily stunned by this and then nodded reluctantly, replying, "That's it."
"A ninja who often doesn't return to the village and doesn't carry out village missions—do you dare to say that such a person is not a traitor?"
The powerful Tobirama left the Third Hokage and Jiraiya speechless.
If we were to strictly adhere to the village rules, Jiraiya's behavior could indeed be considered traitorous.
"Yes, yes, Jiraiya can definitely be considered a missing-nin."
Orochimaru, lying on the ground, saw Jiraiya's distressed expression and burst into laughter.
True to his nature of enjoying a spectacle, no matter how severe, Orochimaru confirmed Tobirama's words.
"Orochimaru, shut up."
Jiraiya was already annoyed, and Orochimaru took the opportunity to make matters worse. At this moment, Jiraiya wanted to slap Orochimaru twice to make him understand what should and shouldn't be said.
"Second Hokage, why don't you let Tsunade come back to be the Fifth Hokage? She is more suitable than I am."
"Tsunade?"
Noting that Tobirama appeared thoughtful, Jiraiya seized the moment and continued, "Yes, whether it's her background, strength, or personality, she is the most suitable candidate."
After hearing Jiraiya's words, Tobirama indeed considered that Tsunade could be a good candidate as well.
But he knew his granddaughter well; she would not leave the village unless something particularly disappointing happened to her.
It would be extremely difficult to convince her to return and become Hokage.
Moreover, he also knew that his granddaughter shared the same hobbies as his older brother.
"I won't question how difficult it is to find Tsunade. I'll only ask one thing: are you prepared for her to possibly gamble away the village?"
That's right, Tsunade's hobby is gambling, and she always loses. Except for the time she defeated his elder brother, Senju Hashirama, when she was a child, he has never seen Tsunade win again.
After considering this, Tobirama decided it would be better not to take such a big risk.
"Sarutobi, you don't want the village to be lost to Tsunade, do you?"
"."
"It has been decided. Jiraiya will be the Fifth Hokage."
"That Tsunade—"
"Don't think about her."
After making the decision, Tobirama turned to Jiraiya and said sternly, "If you dare to run away, I'll have the Sarutobi declare you a traitor to Konoha. Aren't you looking for the Child of Prophecy outside? Then you'd better not come back to the village."
"But Second Hokage, the Child of Prophecy is truly very important."
"It's not important."
Tobirama didn't spare Jiraiya any leniency and angrily shouted, "What right does that toad have to ask the ninjas of Konoha to help him find the Child of Prophecy? Let me ask you, what's more important: the illusory Child of Prophecy or the village?"
"This—"
Jiraiya found it difficult to answer.
He felt that it was impossible for the Great Toad Sage to deceive him.
It said that this Child of Prophecy would bring change to the ninja world, and it would definitely happen as predicted. And he, Jiraiya, needed to find this person as soon as possible and guide them to grow in a positive direction.
Compared to the safety of the entire ninja world, village affairs naturally have to be put aside.
Of course, he wouldn't dare say this in front of the Second Hokage, or he'd be beaten.
"Trust me, Jiraiya. Instead of searching aimlessly, you might as well stay in the village. Perhaps the Child of Prophecy you're looking for will reveal himself on his own."
"How could that be?"
Jiraiya didn't truly believe what Tobirama was saying.
He had been searching for the Child of Prophecy for so many years without success. How could he suddenly appear now?
"You can ask your teacher for details."
After saying this, Tobirama turned to look at the Third Hokage and added, "You should understand what I mean."
The Third Hokage nodded, "I understand."
Listening to their conversation, Orochimaru, who was lying on the ground, had a thought.
He recalled the light curtain in the door room earlier.
Could it be that this light curtain not only brought them here but also helped in finding people?
Orochimaru was already intrigued by this so-called light curtain.
If he hadn't been sealed and unable to move, he would have licked his lips in anticipation.
At this moment, a soft light curtain emanated from Tobirama, Hiruzen, and Kagami.
Tobirama knew their time had come.
"Okay, we should head back."
"Remember, Sarutobi, if Jiraiya dares to run away, he will be labeled a traitor."
"For the sake of the village, we cannot afford to be soft-hearted."
With that, Tobirama, Hiruzen, and Kagami vanished from the sight of the Third Hokage and the others.
"Old man, what's going on?"
Without Tobirama's presence, Jiraiya breathed a sigh of relief and his tone turned casual.
"I'll let you know when you officially become the Fifth Hokage."
"Alright."
With that settled, Jiraiya had no choice but to agree.
He knew the Third Hokage well. If he truly refused to take up the position of the Fifth Hokage, the old man would not hesitate to label him a traitor.
Backed by the Second Hokage's support, the old man was certainly capable of doing it.
"What about Orochimaru? How do you plan to handle him?"
"Orochimaru."
The Third Hokage looked at Orochimaru with a complicated expression, sighed, and said, "Let's put him in prison for now."
Orochimaru wasn't concerned about the punishment he would face next.
With the old man and that idiot Jiraiya around, he was sure he wouldn't die.
Even if he did die, he had a way to be resurrected.
"Orochimaru, you won't escape, right?"
The three present knew that the village prison couldn't contain Orochimaru.
"Don't worry, I won't run away."
Are you kidding? He wasn't going to escape until he figured out what the light curtain was.
"Alright, Jiraiya, send Orochimaru and these guys to prison."
"And you, old man?"
"Me? Of course, I'll go home to rest and recover."
"Okay, then you go back and rest first."
Neither of them was concerned about the current battle situation, as the Konoha ninjas had been holding their ground against the Sound ninjas and the Sand ninjas.
I believe that soon, this war will be completely over.
And Jiraiya's tenure as Hokage is about to begin.
Jiraiya: I really don't want to be Hokage!
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