Have we the manga readers been dooped?

[Stoopider]

S class criminals.. S for Sannin??
I still defend my case!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Also, Sharkface did say the three Sannins make the 10 swordsmen look pathetic. Or something like that. But you maybe right about him releasing his kyuubi. Maybe.

[Kurapica]

I still find it a bit hard to believe that Itachi is stronger than Orichimaru, though Orichimaru said it himself. When Jiraiya and Tsunade were fighting Orichimaru i don't believe they were fighting with all their strength. So Orichimaru, Jiraiya and Tsunade should still own everybody introduced so far. They aren't called Sannin for nothing. We shouldn't take it serious when someone gives an estimation of the power of another shinobi. Unless it is proven in actual combat .

[Death BOO Z]

I think they were worried that Jiraya might do a suicide jutsu and take both of them out with him...
their main concern isn't defeating Jiraya, but to get Naruto, and even more than that, they have to stay alive...

so they were probably thinking that it'd be much simpler to take Naruto while Jiraya is away, so they won't run the risk of openning a mass fight...