"That person impersonating Hiroki Hyuga in the village must also have this appearance," Naruto said, recalling his encounter with the creature that looked like a mix of White Zetsu and Hiroki.
"Yeah," Jiraiya nodded. "When the Country of Hot Springs was eliminating bandits, some villagers claimed they saw Tsunade leading the operation. We must find someone to clarify this."
"And a creature capable of impersonation cannot possibly be a coincidence."
Then, Jiraiya carefully moved around the palace with Naruto.
They casually abducted a lone guard. With a touch of genjutsu, Jiraiya easily extracted intelligence about Tsunade from him.
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"Tsunade-sama is the leader of the Daimyo's personal guard unit," Naruto said aloud, piecing together the intel.
After pondering briefly, Jiraiya already had some suspicions forming.
"Naruto, let's search again. Find out where else those strange creatures might appear."
Both used Transformation Jutsu at the same time—Jiraiya disguised himself as a guard, and Naruto took the form of an official previously impersonated by White Zetsu. With calm confidence, they entered the palace corridors.
Significantly, Naruto had already mastered the Transformation Jutsu — the very first of the Three Transformation Techniques Jiraiya had taught him.
Naruto—who had supposedly vanished—was now walking freely among them. Occasionally when a White Zetsu passed by him, it felt extremely odd inside yet remained calm, casting an indifferent glance before silently brushing past as though nothing happened.
"What a cheeky fellow. He really is adorable," several White Zetsus laughed hysterically together.
Turning into a secluded area,
Naruto started sharing his impressions, "Jiraiya-sensei, many of those officials we just encountered were actually monsters."
Thoughtful, Jiraiya connected all fragmented pieces of information in his mind, beginning to analyze.
"Those guys are basically all close aides of the Daimyo. Through their positions, they can spread orders large and small throughout the Country of Hot Springs."
"If Tsunade controls the military force, then these officials are the ones who hold real political authority and influence."
"Judging from helping impersonate Hiroki Hyuga, these species skilled at disguise must either be closely related to 'Kaguya' or at least cooperating with each other..."
"The Daimyo himself could even be an impostor..."
"This whole nation has already been taken over from within..."
"With an alliance formed between the Country of Frost and the Country of Hot Springs, maybe it's already infiltrated like this too..."
"Is Tsunade manipulating everything here?"
"We need to deliver this intelligence outside immediately."
Feeling complicated, Jiraiya concluded his train of thought and seriously told Naruto, "Naruto, we need to leave."
"Leave? So soon?"
A familiar female voice rang in their ears.
"Jiraiya, you promised me a drink but sneaked away, leaving me to cover the bill. You broke your word. That dinner invitation must still be repaid, don't you think?" Tsunade strode forward, flanked by a group of guards who blocked their path, her voice as bold and commanding as ever.
Though still smiling, Tsunade's eyes revealed her detachment, and Jiraiya saw it clearly.
Naruto clutched Jiraiya's sleeve, his body tense with nerves.
"Master Jiraiya, please don't fall for her tricks again like last time."
"Still, your way of reconnecting seems really strange. If you wanted to find me, why sneak around like this?"
As she spoke, Tsunade's guards simultaneously drew their long blades, aiming them at the pair and surrounding Jiraiya and Naruto completely.
Glancing at these unknowing guards, Jiraiya felt nothing but pity inside.
His expression turned solemn, showing no intention of engaging in small talk with Tsunade.
"Tsunade, replacing officials with those bizarre creatures and controlling the entire nation—what exactly are you planning?"
"Bizarre creatures?" Tsunade hesitated. "You chased a monster into the palace? Could it really be among you?"
She scrutinized the guards with an investigative gaze.
The guards froze in unison, completely confused as they shook their heads again and again.
"I know you've got problems, Jiraiya. Keep your wild ideas to yourself—don't drag normal people into this," Tsunade said coldly.
Naruto felt indignant inside: Here we go again. She tricked us like this last time too. Even without Kaguya's influence, she must be a wicked woman...
Jiraiya exhaled softly, maintaining his usual composure. "I'm perfectly sane, Tsunade. I hope the same goes for you."
"No chakra flaring yet and no fight breaking out? Still chatting? What's left to say?"
Noticing the lack of any battle sounds, Hidenaga White Zetsu strode forward and appeared before Jiraiya with a detached expression.
"Just who dares intrude here? Oh? Somewhat familiar. It's Jiraiya of the Sannin. My dear Jiraiya, this is unexpected—you're not supposed to act recklessly like this."
"Even though the Country of Hot Springs may not rival the Five Great Nations, if you wish to enter the Palace, proper etiquette requires sending notice beforehand."
"Now then, Jiraiya, I wonder what capacity you are claiming to be here—personally, on behalf of Konoha, or Fire Country?"
The moment he appeared, Jiraiya recognized his identity immediately—it had to be the Daimyo.
Inside the Palace, there wouldn't be anyone dressed more extravagantly than the Daimyo, nor would such a person be permitted to exist.
"Master Jiraiya, he's suspicious too. He's definitely a monster," Naruto whispered quietly.
Still, everyone nearby heard his words clearly.
"I? A monster?" Hidenaga White Zetsu pointed to himself, suddenly laughing. "Naruto, that's no joke to play around with. Tsunade, what are you waiting for? Attack already!"
The final command, spoken with sharp reprimand, puzzled Jiraiya. Shouldn't Tsunade be the one giving orders?
Shua Shua Shua...
The guards closed their encirclement tighter.
On one side stood the person they'd loyally served for so long; on the other stood two strangers talking about monsters. Clearly, choosing whom to trust wasn't difficult.
Jiraiya ignored this group of weaklings—escaping from this kind of circle was easy for him.
He turned his gaze toward Hidenaga White Zetsu, who stood at a distance, silently observing the commotion.
If we can capture that one person, force them to reveal their true form, and announce it to the entire nation, won't that destroy their conspiracy and restore peace to this country?
But what exactly are they trying to gain by controlling the nation? Nothing unusual has even happened.
Is this all about money? That still doesn't make any sense.
Jiraiya couldn't figure it out for the life of him.
At this moment, Tsunade finally spoke again. She stared coldly at Jiraiya and Naruto. "A sovereign ruler must not be insulted so brazenly. Jiraiya, for breaking into the palace and spreading heretical nonsense to confuse the people—you deserve death!"
Jiraiya's heart trembled.
"There's no future for us—there never was!" Her voice was sharp and icy.
Jiraiya felt deep sorrow, then let out a bitter smile.
Kaguya suddenly laughed. "Tsunade, who exactly are you trying to impress with your principles?"
"So unwilling to take action? Then I'll give you another option—do you see the boy next to Jiraiya? Naruto, the Nine-Tails jinchuriki? All you need to do is kill him..."
Before Kaguya could finish speaking, she suddenly felt movement from the person lying on her lap.
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