That was obviously nonsense.
Uehara Naraku believed Jiraiya's strength largely came from his Summoning Beast, so what if he stole a Summoning Jutsu?
Jiraiya's expression suddenly stiffened, he flexed his wrist, and his demeanor gradually became serious: "What a troublesome little fellow..."
After losing Sage Mode, Jiraiya didn't actually feel like his strength had decreased. As a legitimate ninja, his battles wouldn't be limited to just one method.
Combat techniques are far more important than sheer power.
Sage Mode is indeed powerful, but because he summoned the two Toad Sages, Fukasaku and Shima, it restricted Jiraiya's diverse combat methods, preventing him from summoning other Summoning Beasts.
It even forced Jiraiya to ensure that no one harmed the two Immortals helping him absorb Natural Energy during Taijutsu exchanges.
Facing Uehara Naraku, a genius ninja with unconventional skills, Jiraiya believed he needed to employ some unconventional combat methods.
"Ninpo · Summoning..."
"Master Jiraiya!"
Just as Jiraiya attempted to use Hand Seals to summon a toad, several Anbu appeared around them, interrupting their battle: "The advisors hope you will meet with them immediately, and we will take over here!"
Dozens of Anbu Ninja swiftly jumped around them, instantly surrounding Uehara Naraku!
Evidently, the Konoha Anbu were making a large-scale move!
The leading Anbu Captain walked up to Jiraiya and explained in a low voice: "The Third Hokage has already fallen in battle. To calm the village's morale, the advisors believe the next Hokage cannot suffer a defeat. We will handle things here... Sorry, for the sake of the greater good, please leave this to us."
This decision was just made by Konoha's top advisors.
Because Jiraiya had been unable to defeat Uehara Naraku, the high-level advisors, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, decided they couldn't allow Konoha's top forces to suffer another defeat, for the sake of morale.
Strictly speaking, now that Hiruzen had died, Jiraiya was the only top strong force with both prestige and strength left in Konoha.
Now, if Jiraiya lost a prolonged battle with Uehara Naraku, it would seriously impact Konoha's prestige.
Thus, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura decided to interrupt this battle, not allowing Jiraiya to fight a strong enemy alone.
For the sake of Konoha as a whole, there is nothing wrong with the advisors' cautious but reasonable decision.
After the Third Hokage's death, they urgently needed a top power to instill confidence in the villagers and intimidate enemy nations.
If their chosen Fifth Hokage, Jiraiya, lost to a Rain Village Ninja, wouldn't Konoha's prestige be shattered?
How could they maintain the dignity of the number one Ninja Village then?
Especially since Konoha now had other troubles.
"I absolutely will not take on the role of Hokage!"
Jiraiya shook his head; he had always disliked the position of Hokage, and today's events only made him despise it more.
Jiraiya firmly refused the Anbu's suggestion: "Go back and tell them, I will help them find a suitable Hokage candidate!"
"Sorry."
The Anbu Captain rejected Jiraiya's mandate and continued: "Master Jiraiya, for Konoha's sake, please comply with the high-level orders."
"Stand down!"
Jiraiya looked at Uehara Naraku, surrounded by a group of Anbu, and said sternly: "Let me deal with this kid first. He's not someone you can easily handle, stand down!"
However, the arrival of the Anbu Captain was not without preparation.
The Anbu Captain threw a Scroll toward Uehara Naraku and said sternly: "The advisors heard that you are determined for Konoha and The Hidden Rain Village to form an alliance, and Konoha has decided to agree to sign the Alliance Document with The Hidden Rain Village..."
After speaking, the Anbu Captain added: "If you agree, we will immediately send someone to contact The Hidden Rain Village to sign the alliance..."
"..."
Konoha would really bend like this?
Why would they compromise like this to a Rain Village Ninja?
Uehara Naraku was totally baffled, not understanding why things had developed to this point.
He felt as if he had fallen into his own trap!
Jiraiya found these concessions somewhat incredible: "What exactly is going on here?"
The Anbu Captain approached Jiraiya's ear and whispered: "Master Jiraiya, the sensory squad detected the traces of two S-Class Traitors around the village, one being Uchiha Itachi!"