"There's certainly a possibility."
Jiraiya stretched his waist and revealed a cheerful smile: "If they truly want to seize the Rinnegan, it wouldn't be surprising for them to keep such information hidden... I'm just curious about how much more they might be concealing about Akatsuki."
After finishing his sentence, Jiraiya rubbed his chin and said, "Since it happens to be convenient, why don't I secretly investigate in the Hidden Rain Village this time? It's best to obtain some complete information regarding Akatsuki, because the most accurate intelligence source should be none other than their origin, the Hidden Rain Village..."
"No, it's too dangerous!"
Tsunade quickly stopped Jiraiya's idea and explained solemnly, "Moreover, the Hidden Rain Village is still our allied nation. If discovered while sneaking in, it could lead to misunderstandings between both parties!"
After Tsunade finished speaking, she immediately took out a scroll and said softly, "I'll send someone to deliver a diplomatic directive to the Hidden Rain Village right away, demanding that they hand over all information concerning Akatsuki!
Hanzo of the Salamander secretly withheld Akatsuki's information!
Besides wanting to take away the Longevity Secret Technique and Dojutsu Bloodline from Akatsuki members, they might plan to use this opportunity to strike us, the big Ninja Villages, realizing Hanzo's old ambition to dominate the Ninja World!"
"That's quite normal."
Jiraiya placed his palm on the blank scroll, stopping Tsunade's action, shaking his head slowly: "Even if you write a letter, it won't help. They absolutely won't reveal what they want to conceal."
"..."
Tsunade fell into silence.
She knew in her heart that Jiraiya was correct.
Things not obtained from the negotiation table cannot be obtained from a diplomatic directive; Hanzo of the Salamander has always been an ambitious guy, how could he reverse his attitude just because of a directive!
Perhaps when Hanzo initially expelled Akatsuki from the Land of Rain, he was worried about Akatsuki's threat and let Uehara Naraku leak quite a bit of information about Akatsuki.
Later, when Hanzo discovered that Akatsuki successively attacked the big Ninja Villages, causing severe losses, he might have seen it as helping him dominate the Ninja World, hence he again began to passively combat Akatsuki and even deliberately concealed Akatsuki's information.
"Hanzo of the Salamander, that old man!"
Tsunade suddenly clenched the pen in her hand, crushing it into pieces: "Now Akatsuki poses a threat to the entire Ninja World, yet he's seizing the opportunity to gain personal benefits, dreaming of becoming an immortal Amekage!"
"Alright, alright."
Jiraiya laughed lightly while looking at Tsunade, who was silent: "Don't worry, although the Hidden Rain Village has been closed off to outsiders over the years, they occasionally have exchanges. Plus, we are allies. If I get discovered, they might spare me for your sake!"
Actually, the probability isn't very high.
Dispatching a spy to an allied nation not only damages the alliance but also gives the allied nation a reason to kill the spy, as spies generally have no right to live.
If Jiraiya gets discovered but manages to escape, it would merely be a tug-of-war between Konoha and the Hidden Rain Village, and Konoha might use the intelligence Jiraiya steals to condemn the Hidden Rain Village.
If Jiraiya fails and gets caught or killed, then the relationship between Konoha and the Hidden Rain Village becomes complicated!
"Alright, I won't be in danger."
Jiraiya stood up with a light chuckle and said, "Moreover, if I do encounter danger, you can immediately issue a diplomatic directive! Maybe they will send me back due to the Hidden Rain Village concealing matters about Yahiko and Konan!"
After saying this, Jiraiya took out a copy of Make-Out Paradise from his Ninja Pouch, chuckling as he continued: "I have fans in the Hidden Rain Village!
If Uehara Naraku knows, perhaps just bribing him with this book, he might let me live!"
Truth be told, Jiraiya wasn't very confident about sneaking into the Hidden Rain Village.
That's the place guarded by Salamander Hanzo, the Ninja Demigod.
Even though Jiraiya was now as famous as Hanzo, thinking back to facing Salamander Hanzo's fierce might in his youth still made his heart tremble with shock.
"Idiot!"
Tsunade couldn't help but pat her forehead and curse: "Don't rely too much on such fragile relationships! That little brat Uehara Naraku is very loyal to Hanzo of the Salamander; he's Hanzo's number one lackey outside!"
"Hahaha, a man's friendship is something you wouldn't understand!"
Jiraiya laughed, shaking his head, putting away the book in his Ninja Pouch, turning to look at the hesitating Uzumaki Naruto next to him, rubbing his forehead: "Naruto, it seems there's nothing much left to teach you, so I'll impart you one last move!"
"Ero Sage?"
Uzumaki Naruto raised his head, looking worriedly at Jiraiya, said seriously: "I just heard, you're going to a very dangerous place. Now that I've learned Sage Mode, I can go on your behalf!"
"Kids should stay home and obediently do their tasks..."
Jiraiya took out a notebook from his Ninja Pouch, tapped it on Uzumaki Naruto's head, handing it to him: "These are some prime spots I meticulously cultivated during my journey through the Ninja World, they're strategies for various taverns..."
"Do give me a break!"
Tsunade was so angry she smashed her desk with a punch!
Why be so frivolous at a time like this!
Jiraiya froze his hands in fright, then slowly handed the notebook to Uzumaki Naruto: "Uh, these mainly contain my manuscripts..."
"Ero Sage!"
Uzumaki Naruto shook his head, refusing to take the notebook: "I'll go gather the intelligence instead, or we can go together!"
"That's absolutely out of the question."
Jiraiya quickly shook his head and explained seriously: "The Hidden Rain Village is extremely closed and always heavily guarded, if you go, you'll only get in the way..."
"Ero Sage!"
"Alright!"
Jiraiya tapped Uzumaki Naruto on the forehead, solemnly instructing: "Once I've gathered the intelligence, I'll come back immediately. While I'm not in Konoha, you have to protect the village for me, ensure Konoha doesn't fall to the fate of other Ninja Villages."
"..."
Uzumaki Naruto clenched his teeth, slowly lowered his head.
"Tsunade..."
Jiraiya rubbed his hands together, his face slowly reddening, he spoke softly: "I mean if possible... after I return..."
"Hm?"
Tsunade raised her head in confusion.
"Nothing."
Jiraiya patted his forehead gently: "If possible, please take good care of Naruto for me!"
Tsunade: "..."
Regardless, Jiraiya's mind was set.
Besides, this journey wasn't actually that dangerous.
There aren't many powerful ninjas in the Hidden Rain Village, apart from Hanzo of the Salamander, perhaps just that genius ninja, Uehara Naraku.
With these two guarding the Hidden Rain Village, even if Jiraiya couldn't defeat them, he might escape fairly easily.
Akatsuki's base.
Uehara Naraku had just finished sealing the Five-Tailed Kokuo, Six-Tailed Saiken, and Seven-Tailed Chomei with Akatsuki's members. He was unaware that information regarding Konan and Pain had reached Tsunade and Jiraiya.
No matter what, the cause and effect still blamed Shimura Danzo.
If it hadn't been for Danzo enticing Hanzo to ambush Akatsuki years ago, Akatsuki wouldn't have become such a distorted, evil organization.
Now that Konan and Pain's information was exposed, it was due to the reward for killing Danzo that led Uehara Naraku to brazenly break into big Ninja Villages while capturing Tailed Beasts, prompting several big Ninja Villages to unite and exchange Akatsuki's information.
Given this calculation, Shimura Danzo was indeed committing a crime.
After sealing three Tailed Beasts, Deidara slumped onto the ground: "Sealing three Tailed Beasts swiftly, we must rest properly for a few days now!"
"Hm."
Pain also nodded, said solemnly: "Only the Two Tailed Beasts, Eight-Tails, and Nine-Tails remain. After resting for a few days, let's all move out collectively to capture the Eight-Tailed Jinchuriki and Konoha's Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki!"
Pain carefully observed the Gedo Statue, its seven eyes glowing, and his eyes shone with a flash. The speed at collecting Tailed Beasts needed to be faster!
Uehara Naraku also looked at the Gedo Statue, its seven eyes glowing, and his eyes flashed with a light; the plan to oust Nagato and Konan needed to be executed faster...