Jiraiya began to track Orochimaru's movements as well as those of Akatsuki, a group that Orochimaru later joined. His investigations frequently kept him away from the village, preventing Jiraiya from becoming the Fifth Hokage, as Hiruzen desired. However, when Nagato sought out Jiraiya to recruit him to Akatsuki, Jiraiya followed him out of respect for his former student. During the Warring States period, Jiraiya traveled extensively throughout Japan looking for powerful enemies that he could defeat in order-upcoming events. He eventually met up with Orochimaru in one such town and agreed to travel with him to Akatsuki. There, Jiraiya was given a choice by Nagato: join him or be killed. Reluctant at first, Jiraiya eventually joined forces with Akatsuki and began to learn how to summon demons. In time, it became clear that Nagato was using Jiraiya as a pawn in his plans against Konohagakure. When Nagato was about to destroy it with its own jinchūriki, however, he discovered that Jiraiya was not yet loyal to him. Realizing that he needed to show Jiraiya love in order to win his trust, Nagato sent his snake puppets to kill him.