Hokage Building
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in his office chair, slowly puffing smoke from his pipe, while Shimura Danzō stood beside him.
An ANBU kneeling below was reporting something.
"Hiruzen, White Fang's name has been disgraced, yet now he's joined the Konoha Military Police Force. The Guard has grown stronger. That Uchiha Naraku is truly ambitious—always ready to seize any opportunity."
After the report concluded, Danzō waved his hand. The ANBU nodded and disappeared in a flash.
---
"White Fang's reputation suffered. It's my fault… I was too slow to issue the clarification."
Hiruzen sighed, voice filled with a rare hint of guilt.
Yet he didn't criticize Danzō for his role in fueling the slander.
"Hiruzen, the real issue now is the Uchiha Police Force. In recent years, the Guard has expanded fast, and the villagers are starting to speak highly of them. That's dangerous. Uchiha Naraku's ambitions run deep."
Hiruzen looked at Danzō and saw his eyes narrow slightly. But then Danzō's gaze sharpened—filled with a cold, murderous light.
"Uchiha Naraku is a key figure. If he is touched, the whole clan will react. Do not act rashly."
Hiruzen immediately understood Danzō's intent and firmly rejected it.
"The Uchiha have been gradually integrating into the village. That's exactly what I've always hoped for."
He exhaled a puff from his pipe, eyes contemplative.
"Heh, is that really what you wanted?" Danzō sneered. The two had been comrades for decades, and he knew Hiruzen's mind too well.
"Where the Will of Fire burns, the village endures. Don't overplay the threat of the Uchiha, Danzō."
Hiruzen's tone turned righteous and resolute.
Danzō smirked coldly. The scar on his chin made the expression look even more sinister.
"You're not being fooled by Uchiha Naraku's humble appearance, are you? That man is clearly ambitious. Even White Fang is working under him now. If Naraku has no intentions, why would he recruit Hatake Sakumo?"
Danzō conveniently ignored his own involvement in the rumors that drove Sakumo to ruin. He felt no guilt.
"The Military Police Force is part of Konoha's system. Naraku's actions are legitimate. Sakumo is still serving the village in his new post. That's enough. Danzō, you may leave."
Though Hiruzen's words sounded confident, his eyes flickered with hesitation—as if weighing something internally.
Danzō noticed this subtle shift. He sneered inwardly but didn't argue further, turning on his heel and striding out.
Bang!
A tall man with long, spiky white hair and a red cloak suddenly leapt in through the window of the Hokage's office.
"Old man! Long time no see!"
At the door, Danzō paused, looked back, shook his head, and walked away.
"Jiraiya, the cost of fixing that window is coming out of your mission pay."
"Eh? You're getting stingier by the day, old man."
"All right, Jiraiya. Let's hear your report."
Now that Danzō had left, Hiruzen's demeanor softened. Jiraiya's presence was a welcome break from Danzo's paranoia.
Jiraiya's expression grew serious.
"Massive amounts of supplies are being moved near the Wind Country's border. I've seen several shinobi squads operating in the River Country and the Land of Rain. It's clear: Sunagakure is preparing for war. I'd say the Fire Country might be their next target."
As a wandering shinobi, Jiraiya gathered intelligence from all corners of the world. Though famous for his antics and romance novels, he was also one of Konoha's most valuable informants—his intel often proving crucial in diplomacy and war.
He had completed countless A-rank and S-rank missions during his travels.
Jiraiya of the Sannin—madman, sage, and thorn in every nation's side.
Too powerful for small villages to handle. Too elusive for large forces to pin down.
"I've already been informed. Tsunade is stationed at the western front to reinforce against the Wind Country. Now that you're back, I'd like you to support her."
"Tsunade's handling it, huh? Why do you need me then?" Jiraiya grinned. "I think I'd be better off staying in Konoha... you know, for surveillance."
The lecherous look in his eyes betrayed his real reason: spying on women while "protecting" the village.
Hiruzen understood his student too well, and didn't press him.
The western front would hold. With Tsunade in command, the border strongholds would be fortified. But the northeast—bordering the Land of Lightning—was also beginning to stir. Hiruzen quietly considered the larger picture.
After a moment's pause, the Third Hokage recalled Danzō's earlier words, and a shadow passed over his face.
---
Elsewhere – Namikaze Residence
Jiraiya visited his student Namikaze Minato's home. He hadn't seen Minato in over two years.
Minato now had a close relationship with a certain red-haired kunoichi.
"Sensei Jiraiya!"
Uzumaki Kushina's energetic greeting rang out as she rushed over.
"Haha! Jiraiya-sama, don't be offended—Kushina has always wanted to meet you after hearing about the legendary Sannin."
Despite his flamboyant lifestyle and years of wandering, Jiraiya had never married. Seeing his student's relationship flourish made him slightly envious.
"Haha, no need for gifts. I'm flattered!" Jiraiya laughed. "You two seem close!"
Kushina beamed and said, "I'll cook dinner for you!"
Her bright smile contrasted with Minato's subtle wince.
"Ah, Kushina... maybe you shouldn't—"
"What's that, Minato?" Kushina glared.
Jiraiya pulled out a scroll from his sleeve and handed it to Minato.
"This is...?"
"A technique created by the Second Hokage. Your Shunshin no Jutsu is already top tier—better than mine ever was. I think you might be able to handle this."
Minato opened the scroll. His eyes widened when he read the title:
Flying Thunder God Technique – S-rank.
Minato deeply respected Jiraiya, who had passed on many advanced jutsu. Though he graduated at the top of his class, it was Jiraiya's personal training that elevated him into an elite shinobi.
Jiraiya didn't give this scroll to just anyone. But Minato's incredible speed made him the ideal candidate for the Second Hokage's space-time technique.
As Minato began reading the scroll, he quickly became engrossed, his eyes glowing with interest.
Jiraiya smiled faintly. Among his disciples, Minato had the brightest potential—perhaps even the "Child of Prophecy" that the Great Toad Sage had spoken of.
---
Some time later, Kushina called out, "Dinner's ready! Come eat, Minato, Jiraiya-sama!"
Minato blinked, snapping out of his trance, and led Jiraiya to the dining table.
The moment they saw the dishes, their smiles froze.
Blackened fish. Vegetables turned gray with too much salt.
Jiraiya stared at the food, chopsticks hovering mid-air.
---
Meanwhile – Uchiha District
Witnessed by Uchiha Daizang, Uchiha Sanzang, Uchiha Naraku, and other close members of the Uchiha clan—
Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto officially signed their marriage contract.
Surrounded by friends and family, the couple solemnly recited their vows, beginning the next chapter of their lives together.
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