Tsunade breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Jiraiya admit defeat. Fortunately, the man had enough sense to back down. Had the battle continued, he likely would have ended up severely injured. Ryōsuke's sheer power had exceeded even her wildest expectations.
Ryōsuke, on the other hand, felt a bit underwhelmed by Jiraiya's surrender. He had actually wanted to properly experience the capabilities of Sage Mode. However, it seemed that his current combat power was simply too overwhelming.
Under normal circumstances, the Eight Inner Gates shouldn't result in such a one-sided crushing of Sage Mode. After all, Sage Mode was not inherently weaker than the Eight Inner Gates. One only needed to look at Senju Hashirama, who could suppress the Nine-Tails-wielding Uchiha Madara, to understand that. The true reason for this outcome was simply that Ryōsuke's physical attributes were truly monstrous.
'Physical stats really are the most important factor,' Ryōsuke thought. 'I must continue training to improve them. I'm not truly invincible yet.'
Furthermore, he was facing the current Jiraiya. The Jiraiya ten years from now would be the one capable of trading blows with the Rinnegan-wielding Nagato. If that Jiraiya had proper intelligence on his opponent, he might even have a chance at victory. The Jiraiya standing before him now was just reaching his true prime.
Now, it was time for the punishment. Ryōsuke turned his gaze toward Jiraiya.
"Since you've admitted defeat, I assume you agree to accept punishment according to the Military Police Force regulations?"
Jiraiya's pupils constricted. Was he, the great Toad Sage, really going to be reduced to a common prisoner? But there seemed to be no other way. He couldn't win a fight, and with the opponent's speed, he couldn't escape either.
There was one person present who could plead for him—Tsunade. However, he had told her earlier to stay out of his business, so he found it difficult to open his mouth and beg now. It would be too embarrassing.
"Do whatever you want," Jiraiya said, trying to maintain a tough front.
Hearing this, Ryōsuke turned toward the nearby Uchiha patrol team.
"Come here!" he shouted.
The Uchiha patrol team immediately responded and hurried over. Once they arrived, Ryōsuke asked, "What is the penalty for peeping in the women's bathhouse and disturbing the public order of Konoha?"
The patrol team captain replied instantly, "For peeping in the women's bathhouse, according to the Konoha Military Police Force regulations, the sentence is one month of imprisonment. Additionally, this man openly resisted arrest and attempted to deceive members of the Police Force. Those are serious offenses. That should add at least six months. In total, he should face seven months of imprisonment."
Jiraiya stared at the Uchiha in disbelief. You have to be joking! He had only been peeping; he hadn't caused any casualties or property damage. Usually, a few days in a cell was the limit. Seven months? How could he survive in a ghost of a prison for that long? No sake, no women.
"Isn't that a bit too harsh?" Jiraiya complained, though he kept his voice down. "Can't you reduce it? It is my first offense, after all."
Even though he was frustrated, he knew that trying to play tough wouldn't work.
Ryōsuke looked at Jiraiya with a teasing smirk. "You? A first-time offender?"
This was Jiraiya, a man who had been a habitual peeper since childhood. If he hadn't had the Third Hokage as a patron, the Military Police Force would have locked him up long ago. Still, Ryōsuke knew Jiraiya wasn't a bad person and held no grudge against the Uchiha. After considering how to handle him, he made a decision.
"Since you've put it that way, I'll give you some face. Let's make it six months. After all, your peeping habit isn't exactly a one-time occurrence."
Jiraiya was indignant. One month off? What was the difference between six months and seven? Both were long stretches of prison life—long enough for his beard to grow down to his chest.
"Can't you reduce it a little more?" he pleaded again.
Ryōsuke refused firmly. "Absolutely not. If the sentence is too light, everyone will start imitating you. It would throw Konoha into chaos. Furthermore, I hope you stop doing this kind of thing in the village. You're setting a bad example for the youth."
Jiraiya felt a surge of irritation. Six months was a heavy sentence. Was he really going to have to resign himself to this fate? With his free-spirited nature, the lack of freedom in a cell would be unbearable.
The members of the Uchiha patrol team were delighted to see Ryōsuke being so strict. They never expected that the notoriously elusive Jiraiya would finally fall into the hands of the Uchiha clan. They weren't targeting him specifically; he had simply broken the rules of the village. Punishing him would be a good way to show the villagers that no one was above the law, which would make their future duties much easier.
However, Tsunade stepped forward at that moment.
"Ryōsuke, could you do me a favor and give him just one month?" she asked. "He didn't mean to resist; he just returned to the village and didn't know the current situation. Let's waive the penalty for resisting arrest this once."
Tsunade still wanted him to serve one month so he could reflect on his actions. As a woman, she certainly didn't want the women of the village to be preyed upon by this bastard's peeping. But Jiraiya was her long-time classmate and comrade-in-arms; six months was indeed a bit excessive.
Jiraiya was moved. He hadn't expected Tsunade to speak up for him after his earlier behavior. He felt a bit guilty about his previous rudeness. He just wondered if this young man would actually listen to her.
The Uchiha members weren't surprised that Lady Tsunade was interceding. Given their long history, it was only natural.
Ryōsuke didn't hesitate for a second. "Since Lady Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, is interceding on your behalf, we will waive the charge of resisting arrest. One month it is."
He turned to the patrol team. "You lot, take Jiraiya to the Military Police Force prison."
Then he looked back at Jiraiya with a warning in his eyes. "Jiraiya, consider this a warning. I expect you to serve your time properly and reflect on your sins. Don't even think about escaping. If you break out, I will hunt you down even if I have to search every corner of the shinobi world."
Jiraiya felt a prick of annoyance at the threat. Did he look like someone who would stage a jailbreak? Well, unless the prison food was truly terrible. But he could feel Ryōsuke's resolve and knew the man had the ability to back up his words. He immediately dropped any thoughts of escaping. One month was manageable for a ninja of his caliber.
"Don't worry," Jiraiya said helplessly. "I won't escape."
The Uchiha patrol team stepped up to him. "Lord Jiraiya, please follow us."
Jiraiya sighed and obediently followed the officers. But after they had walked a short distance, a voice called out from behind them.
"Wait, there's one more thing."