Chapter 554: The Four Great Shinobi Villages Head to Konoha, the Summit Begins

Snowy blinked innocently, silently accepting the responsibility for this task.

Her long tail curled around the glass jar, hiding it within her soft fur.

If Takuya hadn't entrusted it to Snowy, no one would have believed such an important item could be concealed on her.

With the surgery complete, Tsunade decisively ordered Katsuyu to take Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko to the Shikkotsu Forest.

Shikkotsu Forest was even more hidden than Mount Myoboku and Ryuchi Cave. If Madara still intended to use Nagato, it would be nearly impossible for him to find the Shikkotsu Forest.

Mount Myoboku and Ryuchi Cave, on the other hand, carried certain risks of exposure.

After washing off the scent of disinfectant, Tsunade and Takuya headed back to the Hokage's office. Snowy happily trotted along, her bright eyes curiously taking in everything around her.

"Any movement?" Tsunade asked as she closed the office door and dismissed the Anbu guards.

"There was some emotional fluctuation," Takuya replied, spreading his hands. "It seemed like he had a significant interest in the Rinnegan, especially when you took control of the operation and when you handed it over to me."

"Phew..." Tsunade exhaled heavily, rubbing her temples as she sat down.

"Even though we shouldn't treat members of the village with such suspicion, Orochimaru's personality is questionable at best. Add to that his time under Madara's control—it's hard for me to trust him until the doubt is cleared up."

"And you think clearing the suspicion will make him trustworthy?" Takuya snorted.

Not a chance.

He didn't trust Orochimaru, and he never would—not under any circumstance.

Tsunade rolled her eyes. "By the way, I left Katsuyu's summoning contract scroll in your room. Keep it with you in case of an emergency. If anything happens, you can sign the contract and have Katsuyu take you to the Shikkotsu Forest."

"That giant scroll? Why me? Without Katsuyu's permission, no one can just summon themselves there. Fine, I'll keep it for now. I'll return it after the Five Kage Summit."

Takuya didn't want to hold onto something so important. The scroll was a Senju family heirloom—it should've remained with Tsunade or at least gone to Nawaki.

After all, Takuya wasn't a member of the Senju family.

Ever since deciding to reclaim the family name, Tsunade and Nawaki had started going by Senju Tsunade and Senju Nawaki again.

Takuya never missed an opportunity to tease Tsunade about it.

"Too many hands in your name—literally," Takuya had joked, referring to the 'Senju' part, which meant 'a thousand hands'.

Tsunade had retaliated swiftly. "If your Yagami ancestors knew you were the only one left, they'd be rolling in their graves!"

Takuya had no response to that.

Only Madara still had hopes of Takuya returning to the Uchiha name, trying to bury the Yagami lineage in history.

But Takuya wasn't interested in any of that. Family legacies? Give him Amaterasu flames, and he'd gladly carry on the Yagami name. Otherwise, he couldn't care less.

"Without those flames, what's the rush? With them, I'd give you a dozen Yagami heirs by tomorrow."

Tsunade smirked. "I'm worried someone might steal it. I don't trust Nawaki with it."

It didn't matter to her whether it was family or not—Tsunade simply wanted the scroll kept safe, and Takuya was the only one she trusted.

Not wanting to lug around the massive scroll, Takuya handed it to Snowy for safekeeping.

"Traitor," Tsunade muttered. "You're lucky your teacher loves you."

Meanwhile, Jiraiya was practically dragging himself back to Konoha, utterly exhausted.

He had assumed Minato would come back for him after escorting Nagato and the others.

He was wrong.

Minato was long gone, leaving Jiraiya to trudge back with the Anbu squads. After two days of nonstop travel, they finally reached Konoha.

"Jiraiya-sama, the Hokage requests your presence in her office," an Anbu member informed him.

Finally!

Jiraiya grinned at the thought of being welcomed back with open arms by the ladies of Konoha. He was already imagining their warm embraces and sweet smiles.

But before he could wipe the drool from the corner of his mouth, the Anbu shattered his dreams.

"The Hokage is waiting for you."

"..."

So much for his grand return.

Jiraiya reluctantly made his way to the Hokage's office. As always, he climbed in through the window, perching on the windowsill with a disgruntled look.

"Tsunade, I've been running all over for you. Don't you think I deserve a break?"

Tsunade shot him a death glare. "A break to blow your money on women on the street?"

"Heh-heh," Jiraiya chuckled sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "It's called mutual benefit! I'm a single man, after all. Have some compassion!"

"Get out!" Tsunade barked. "One of these days, Jiraiya, you're going to die in the arms of some random woman."

Jiraiya laughed, unfazed. "What's the mission?"

"I want you to keep an eye on Orochimaru. Wherever he goes, you go. Watch his every move."

"Suspicious of him again?" Jiraiya's playful demeanor vanished.

"He's always been suspicious. This time, after being under Madara's control, there are even more questions."

Tsunade didn't trust that Orochimaru had fully escaped Madara's influence. After all, how could they be sure he wasn't still a spy?

Just look at the Third Mizukage. Under Madara's control, the entire Mist Village was turned into chaos.

Involving Madara meant taking no chances.

"Understood," Jiraiya said with a bitter smile. "I'll follow him everywhere, even into the bathroom if I have to."

With that, his hopes of relaxing were crushed. His new mission was to shadow Orochimaru.

Orochimaru, aware of Jiraiya's presence, completely ignored him and went about his business as if Jiraiya weren't even there.

He didn't acknowledge Jiraiya—not even when it came to meals. Jiraiya's frustration grew with each passing day.

Meanwhile, preparations for the Five Kage Summit were underway.

In the Land of Rain, the search for Nagato's hideout was a failure. Frustrated, Onoki and the Third Raikage nearly clashed.

Chiyo and Yagura had no choice but to back down.

When they received word of the Five Kage Summit, both Onoki and the Third Raikage grew suspicious.

Why was Konoha calling a summit at such a critical time?

The mention of Nagato and the Rinnegan in the invitation changed everything.

Realizing the Rinnegan and Nagato were already in Konoha, the four great villages abandoned their search in the Land of Rain.

The invitation didn't mention anything about Madara. Tsunade planned to reveal that once all five Kage were together.

The summit would take place in Konoha. Tsunade knew that with Nagato there, the other Kage wouldn't refuse to come.

Especially Onoki and the Third Raikage—the most ambitious and powerful of the five.

The invitations were sent, and the responses were swift. Each village's Kage would personally lead their team to Konoha.

In just three days, the Five Kage would gather.

"I'm exhausted."

Rushing to organize a Five Kage Summit was no easy task. Countless preparations needed to be made, and most of them required Tsunade's personal attention.

Meanwhile, Takuya, her so-called assistant, spent his days lounging around, taking Kushina, Mikoto, and even Pakura on leisurely strolls.

It infuriated Tsunade.

I'm working myself to death, and you're out playing with women? Do you think you can just ignore me?

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(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read the rest of the Chapter at Patreon com/ Emik01. 

DO NOT FORGET POWER STONE AND CHATTING