Jiraiya clenched the document in his hands, fury rising within him.
His three apprentices were on the right path, striving for peace, but Danzo and Sanshouo Hanzo destroyed it all.
Hiruzen Sarutobi also felt helpless toward Danzo.
He was actually aware of this matter. However, back then, Danzo told him it was a request for aid from Sanshouo Hanzo.
He claimed that a rogue militant faction had appeared in Amegakure, determined to prolong the war. Therefore, Danzo volunteered eagerly, leading Root ninja to assist Sanshouo Hanzo in eliminating that faction.
At that time, during the late stages of the Third Great Ninja World War, Konoha had become the focus of everyone's anger. Hiruzen was already overwhelmed and stretched thin, unable to spare the time to verify the details thoroughly, so he directly approved Danzo's request.
He never expected all of this was orchestrated by Danzo himself.
Koharu Utatane ventured, "So in other words, Jiraiya's three apprentices aren't really dead? They blame Konoha for this and now seek revenge?"
Homura Mitokado agreed, "That must be it; otherwise, they'd have no reason to retaliate against Konoha."
Minato Namikaze offered, "That's not set in stone either. It could also be that masked man who abducted Kushina and released the Nine-Tails. Everything seems to be directed by that masked individual when he summoned the Nine-Tails into Konoha. Of course, it might also be whoever leaked out the intelligence. There are many possibilities at the moment."
Hiruzen looked at Jiraiya and sighed, "Jiraiya, if you want to go, just go. You're definitely eager to confirm things yourself, aren't you?"
Jiraiya nodded seriously, "Yes, I'll go to Amegakure to verify this with Sanshouo Hanzo!"
Minato said to Jiraiya, "Master Jiraiya, I'll send two members from my protector unit to accompany you—they might know the identity of that masked man."
Jiraiya agreed, "Alright, I understand."
Minato immediately made arrangements, wrote a message, and dispatched two guard team ninja. Jiraiya, along with the guards, immediately set off for Amegakure.
...
Meanwhile, inside Akatsuki's hideout.
Deva Path, Konan, Sasori, Setsuna Uchiha, Black Zetsu, and Kakuzu gathered together.
Deva Path spoke first, "Everyone needs to keep a low profile recently. The operation against Konoha has failed, and Konoha will certainly try by any means necessary to find us. From now on, Akatsuki's main objective is recruiting comrades and gathering funds for future plans.
Tobi, Zetsu, Sasori, Kakuzu—you four should start taking mission reports through the underground exchange network to generate income while seeking suitable recruits.
Meanwhile, myself and Konan will begin preparing to seize control of Amegakure's government, turning Amegakure into Akatsuki's forward bases."
Currently, Amegakure is still ruled by Sanshouo Hanzo. Two of the other Paths are secretly keeping watch on Sanshouo Hanzo's every move within the village.
As Sanshouo Hanzo grows older, he has become increasingly fearful of death, making it difficult for anyone to get close, let alone strike, with so many ninja guards constantly surrounding him.
After all, Sanshouo Hanzo was known as the "Half-God," and even in old age, his strength remained formidable.
Nagato planned to kill Sanshouo Hanzo and dominate Amegakure after completing the Six Paths of Pain.
After the group disbanded, Sasori remained alone in his room and summoned the Human Puppet of the Third Kazekage.
Looking at the Third Kazekage's puppet, riddled with cracks and embedded with Iron Sand Body in its crevices, Sasori's stare turned icy cold.
Shindai's scathing mockery echoed relentlessly in Sasori's mind.
"Your so-called Human Puppets, your so-called art—worthless in my eyes. They're nothing but trash. You included, Sasori."
Sasori clenched his fists until his nails bit deeply into his palms, drawing streams of blood.
As he watched the blood drip from his hand, his expression grew increasingly ruthless.
How dare you insult my Human Puppets and mock my art! Shindai, when we meet again, I'll make you see what true eternal art really is!
A decision solidified within Sasori's heart!
That was his decision… To abandon humanity entirely! He would transform himself into a puppet—impervious to Magnet Release kekkei genkai—and become truly immortal!
...
Everyone in Konoha joined forces, and within just half a month, nearly completed rebuilding the entire Konoha Village.
Meanwhile, Shindai had already left the hospital.
Since it was still too early to open the Puppet Shop, it had remained closed.
Therefore, Shindai stayed home to rest.
The very next day, Minato Namikaze presented Hikaku Uchiha with official Konoha identification papers.
Hikaku Uchiha had officially become part of Konoha.
With not much to do, Hikaku Uchiha occasionally joined Shindai at home as fellow shut-ins, or sometimes accompanied Pakura.
Obito, Kakashi, and Rin Nohara were away on a mission.
Because of this major incident in Konoha, neighboring ninja villages began to stir once more, looking for opportunities.
Thus, Minato dispatched a large number of skilled ninja with a firm resolve to expel any foreign shinobi trying to infiltrate the Land of Fire to investigate Konoha.
The two members of the Hokage's personal guard unit who had traveled to Amegakure with Jiraiya had already returned to the village with their mission report.
Sanshouo Hanzo firmly denied cooperating with Danzo and claimed complete ignorance about the Akatsuki organization.
This matter was undeniably shameful for Sanshouo Hanzo, naturally making him reluctant for others to know.
Though Sanshouo Hanzo continued to feign ignorance, there was ultimately no way to make him admit the truth—after all, they couldn't force him to confess at swordpoint.
However, Jiraiya didn't return to Konoha. Right now, he wanted to find Nagato's group himself, verify things firsthand, and try to persuade them to return to the right course. Thus, he set off on his journey once again.
Sunagakure released a statement, claiming they originally believed Sasori had disappeared along with the Third Kazekage. No one expected that Sasori had killed the Third Kazekage and had become a rogue ninja. Sunagakure would immediately issue a warrant for Sasori's capture.
Fugaku Uchiha couldn't recall anything about that masked man.
At present, there were no useful clues available. They could only continue investigating later.
Shindai's house.
With nothing better to do, Shindai visited next door—Minato Namikaze's house.
Kushina Uzumaki had just gently placed the sleeping baby Naruto into his stroller.
"Sister Kushina, I came to visit Naruto!"
Kushina Uzumaki smiled as she replied, "Go ahead then, but be careful not to wake him. He just fell asleep, and I'll take a little break too. Naruto has so much energy—it's kind of tiring taking care of him."
"Okay~"
Shindai approached the stroller, carefully observing the peacefully sleeping infant.
Looking at the six whisker-like markings on baby Naruto's cheeks, Shindai reached out and poked them. They really were stiff—similar to cat whiskers.
Shindai nervously glanced at Kushina Uzumaki, noticing she wasn't watching, so... he directly lifted up Naruto's diaper.
Wow—so tiny.
Shindai flicked the diaper with his finger.
The disturbed baby instantly burst into loud wails.
"Huh? Why is Naruto suddenly crying? Shindai!"
When Kushina looked over, she caught Shindai frantically trying to fix Naruto's diaper.
Shindai tried fleeing, but failed. Kushina grabbed him and dragged him back. After giving him a hard whack on the head, she made him stay there until he could calm Naruto down.
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