Although Tsunade had no romantic feelings for Jiraiya, years of fighting side by side had forged a deep bond between them.
When Jiraiya left for the Land of Rain alone to gather intelligence, Tsunade already had a bad feeling about the mission's danger. So when Bai Ye claimed to know about Jiraiya, she couldn't help but feel anxious.
However, Tsunade quickly regained her composure, fixed a cold stare on Bai Ye, and asked in a stern voice, "What is your purpose?"
To her, it was highly suspicious that someone of unknown origin had suddenly appeared in Konoha, and now he claimed to have information on Jiraiya. There was no way Bai Ye had no ulterior motive.
"My goal is not Konoha," Bai Ye replied indifferently. "There is nothing here that interests me. As for what I truly want, you don't need to know that yet."
Tsunade frowned. The arrogance in Bai Ye's tone irritated her.
He looks down on Konoha?
Konoha was founded by two of the most legendary shinobi in history—her grandfather, Senju Hashirama, the God of Shinobi, and Uchiha Madara. It was arguably the most powerful and well-established village in the entire ninja world.
From rare ninjutsu to forbidden techniques, Konoha possessed knowledge that could drive any shinobi into a frenzy. And yet, Bai Ye showed no interest in any of it.
If Bai Ye had known what Tsunade was thinking, he would have laughed.
Ninjutsu? Jutsu?
Aside from a few powerful forbidden techniques, such as Impure World Reincarnation, most of them were useless in the face of absolute power. By the late stages of the ninja world, if someone wasn't at the level of the Six Paths, they weren't even relevant.
A mere ninjutsu technique can't even stop a single Truth-Seeking Ball.
Given his current strength, there was almost nothing in the ninja world that could enhance his power. That's why he simply wasn't interested.
"By the way," Bai Ye continued, looking at the conflicted Tsunade, "Don't you want to know about Jiraiya?"
Tsunade had initially considered taking down Bai Ye, but she hesitated. Although his motives were unclear, attacking him now wouldn't be wise for Konoha.
After all, she couldn't gauge Bai Ye's true strength, and subduing him would not be easy.
Suppressing her anxiety, Tsunade looked at Bai Ye and demanded, "Tell me what you know about Jiraiya."
"Jiraiya has been killed by Pain, the leader of the Akatsuki," Bai Ye stated plainly.
"What?! How is that possible?"
Tsunade froze, unable to believe what she had just heard.
She knew Jiraiya's strength well. Even against the strongest Kage-level shinobi, he would at least be able to escape. Despite his perverted nature, he was intelligent and resourceful.
So while she had worried about his mission, she never truly believed he would die.
"How do I know you're not lying?" Tsunade asked, quickly regaining her composure. "And what exactly is your objective?"
Her chakra flared as she prepared to fight.
"I have no reason to lie," Bai Ye responded. "You'll receive confirmation of Jiraiya's death soon enough. I'm simply telling you in advance. As for my objective..."
Bai Ye's lips curled into a slight smirk.
"I intend to take control of the Land of Fire."
He paused, then added, "And you will be my agent. I have high expectations for you."
Tsunade was stunned.
Control the Land of Fire?
This declaration shocked her even more than the news of Jiraiya's death. Bai Ye's ambition was no different from that of the madmen who sought to rule the entire world.
"You bastard! Control the Fire Nation?!" Tsunade growled, assuming a combat stance, her chakra surging.
"Because I have absolute power," Bai Ye answered flatly.
Then, like a volcano erupting, an overwhelming force of spiritual energy—Reiatsu—exploded from his body.
Crack!
The sheer pressure shattered the surrounding trees, and even the clouds above dispersed from the intensity of his aura.
"What… is this?!"
Tsunade, a war veteran of the Third Ninja World War, one of the legendary Sannin, and the Fifth Hokage, was utterly shaken.
She had no idea what kind of energy Bai Ye was releasing, but she instinctively understood one thing—he was far stronger than her.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi, the so-called "Strongest Hokage in History," would not be able to match Bai Ye.
No wonder.
No wonder this man dared to say such arrogant things about taking over the Fire Nation.
Perhaps, only my grandfather, Hashirama, and Uchiha Madara could have fought against him.
Tsunade's expression was complicated.
This level of power wasn't something Konoha—or even the entire Land of Fire—could resist.
But then, she clenched her fists and met Bai Ye's gaze with unwavering determination.
"No matter how powerful you are," Tsunade declared, "as the Hokage, I will never let your insane ambition come true. Even if it costs me my life!"
Bai Ye chuckled at her words.
"If I have the power to protect all of Konoha and the entire Fire Nation from the Akatsuki's invasion, isn't that a good thing?" he asked.
His voice carried a strange, almost hypnotic quality.
"You've experienced the Third Ninja War firsthand," he continued. "You know better than anyone how devastating war can be for this country."
Tsunade opened her mouth to argue but found herself unable to refute him.
He's right.
The entire ninja world was already in chaos because of the Akatsuki. If things continued this way, the Fourth Ninja World War was inevitable.
That meant countless innocent people—civilians, shinobi, children—would lose their homes and their lives.
Tsunade didn't want to see that happen again.
Thud.
Overcome with the weight of the situation, Tsunade collapsed to her knees, a pained expression on her face.
She didn't respond, but her silence spoke volumes.