"The Village Chief is already resting; you cannot enter."
The Hidden Grass Ninja responsible for protecting the Village Chief saw Orochimaru carrying a corpse and stepped forward to block him.
Is he San Iwa?
What exactly happened?
"The situation is urgent. We need to see the Village Chief. Please do not obstruct us."
Orochimaru's golden eyes stared coldly at the Hidden Grass Ninja blocking their way, warning, "Please do not force me to use force."
"What did San Iwa do? Can you tell me, and I will relay it to the Village Chief?"
The Hidden Grass Ninja asked in a lowered stance. He knew very well that these two had come from Konoha to support Hidden Grass Village. San Iwa must have done something to be killed.
Bang!
Orochimaru threw the corpse in his hand to the ground.
"What happened?"
Kusa Minoru heard the commotion outside, opened the door, and walked out to see the corpse on the ground.
"This... isn't this San Iwa?"
Kusa Minoru recognized the identity of the corpse. He remembered that San Iwa had been in Hidden Grass for a long time and was one of the few sculptors in the Village. He looked at Orochimaru and Tsunade and asked, "Excuse me, did San Iwa offend you in any way?"
"How dare you ask? I finally saved the lives of those poisoned people, and as soon as I left the hospital, this guy suddenly attacked me. If Orochimaru hadn't arrived in time, could your Hidden Grass Village bear the consequences?"
Tsunade said angrily. The thought of being so tired and then being assassinated made her even angrier.
"Village Chief Kusa Minoru, Xiao Gang-sama needs an explanation. It's best if you can prove he is not from Iwagakure. Otherwise, we can only report this matter as it is, and we hope Hidden Grass can bear the consequences."
Orochimaru said coldly, a hint of anger in his icy voice.
Just a short sentence made Kusa Minoru sweat profusely.
Hidden Grass had sought help from Konoha this time. If the Medical Ninja sent by Konoha to support Hidden Grass were to die in Hidden Grass... even with Konoha's good temper, it would not tolerate this matter.
"Please... please rest assured, I will investigate this matter thoroughly! And give you an explanation!"
Kusa Minoru realized the seriousness of the matter and immediately gathered Ninja to investigate San Iwa's identity.
The Hidden Grass Ninja were angry when they saw San Iwa's body, but when they heard that San Iwa had attacked Xiao Gang, the Medical Ninja from Konoha, they were very confused and realized the seriousness of the situation, suspecting that San Iwa's previous identity might have been fake.
The Hidden Grass Ninja turned San Iwa's house upside down but found no trace of evidence to prove his identity.
The inn where Xiao Gang and Orochimaru were staying became a key protected area, to prevent San Iwa's companions from attacking them. If something like that happened again, they wouldn't be able to clear their names even if they jumped off the Heaven and Earth Bridge.
"Do you think they can find out San Iwa's identity...?"
Tsunade squinted, resting her head on Orochimaru's shoulder, hearing the footsteps of the Hidden Grass Ninja outside once again.
"That guy named San Iwa is cautious enough. It will be difficult for the Hidden Grass Ninja to find anything. You shouldn't have any hope."
Orochimaru glanced at Tsunade, who was as clingy as ever.
Intelligence Ninja prioritize intelligence gathering and counter-reconnaissance abilities. A skilled intelligence Ninja will not allow anyone to investigate any of his information. The entire person is like a blank sheet of paper, or like rootless duckweed floating on the water.
It is difficult to investigate his identity or which Ninja Village he belongs to.
"Then how will they prove that San Iwa is not a Hidden Grass Ninja?"
Tsunade immediately perked up, her expression of delight at the prospect of chaos making Orochimaru's mouth twitch.
"What kind of bad idea are you cooking up again?"
"It's just that I want a little spiritual compensation."
Tsunade rubbed her fingers, her meaning too obvious. "After putting in so much effort and being frightened, it's perfectly reasonable to ask for some compensation, isn't it?"
"We represent Konoha, Xiao Gang-sama. Please mind your image."
Orochimaru reminded her with a look of disgust. He didn't recognize such a money-grubbing Xiao Gang-sama.
"Xiao Gang-sama's image, what does it have to do with me?"
Tsunade muttered softly.
Have you forgotten what Grandma Mito called you?
The reason Orochimaru gave Tsunade the identity of Xiao Gang was because of Grandma Mito's address to her. However, from Tsunade's reaction, she hadn't thought about it in that way at all.
"Whether Hidden Grass can find out San Iwa's identity or not, our goal has already been achieved."
Orochimaru's purpose in coming to Hidden Grass Village was to complete the mission and find the intelligence Ninja from Iwagakure hidden in Hidden Grass.
Now both objectives have been achieved. As for whether Hidden Grass can find out San Iwa's identity, it is no longer important. It's also good to use this incident to warn Hidden Grass.
Until Orochimaru and Tsunade left Hidden Grass Village, the Hidden Grass Ninja were unable to find out San Iwa's true identity.
Kusa Minoru, the Village Chief of Hidden Grass Village, could only present the information he had gathered, trying to prove to Xiao Gang that San Iwa was not a Hidden Grass Ninja, that he was an outsider sculptor temporarily residing in Hidden Grass Village, thereby clearing Hidden Grass Village of suspicion.
Seeking help from Konoha, then assassinating the Medical Ninja who came to provide support—this huge accusation, enough to destroy Hidden Grass, was something Hidden Grass Village truly could not bear.
After Orochimaru and Tsunade returned to Konoha, they truthfully reported their mission experience.
Danzo Shimura, upon learning of this, immediately arranged for Root Ninja to retaliate, killing the Medical Ninja in an Iwagakure Ninja squad on an escort mission within the Land of Earth.
Only the Medical Ninja was killed; no one else was harmed.
This action clearly told Iwagakure that this was a retaliatory strike.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, upon learning of it, tacitly approved Danzo Shimura's actions.
Iwagakure's ambush this time was not only against Konoha Ninja but also against his disciple. How could he swallow this insult?
If he weren't the Hokage, he would have already led people to retaliate against Iwagakure.
Precisely because he was the Hokage, he couldn't act rashly.
Iwagakure, knowing that Konoha was behind it, quickly organized a retaliatory action, attacking Konoha Ninja on a mission.
However, the attack, which was almost guaranteed to succeed, still saw the target escape.
If that Konoha Ninja hadn't carried a rebirth pill, relying on its effects to suddenly erupt, catching the Iwagakure Ninja off guard and breaking through the encirclement, he would have died under the Iwagakure Ninja's siege.
If he hadn't bought a rebirth pill for self-preservation before going on the mission, he would have already died under the Iwagakure Ninja's siege.
This news caused a stir in Konoha. More Ninja chose to buy a rebirth pill when going on missions, feeling a sense of security even just by keeping it close.
Mount Myōboku, Hidden Village.
"Jiraiya, Jiraiya!"
Gamabunta came to where Jiraiya was training and called out loudly to him, who was sitting on a rock slab.
Jiraiya saw that it was Gamabunta, jumped down, and looked at him in confusion.
"Jiraiya, the Great Toad Sage is calling you!"
"The Great Toad Sage?"
Jiraiya looked surprised. The thought that the Great Toad Sage might have forgotten him again made him somewhat reluctant to see the forgetful Great Toad Sage.
"Hurry up, your prophecy has come out."
Gamabunta urged.
"Is it really true! Bunta!"
Jiraiya was incredibly excited. He had been waiting for the Great Toad Sage's prophecy for a long time. Ten years had passed since he mistakenly entered Mount Myōboku by performing the Summoning Jutsu at the age of 6. He was now 16 years old.
The Great Toad Sage sat on his revered throne. Jiraiya knelt on one knee, respectfully looking at the aged Great Toad Sage, saying with suppressed excitement, "Are you calling me?"
...Jiraiya returned to Konoha from Mount Myōboku with a heavy heart. The Great Toad Sage's prophecy stated that a white snake and his disciple would bring about significant changes to the Ninja World, and he would also travel the world and write books... Jiraiya was puzzled, what kind of books would he write?
He had secretly read many forbidden 18+ books, but could forbidden books be used to guide change-makers?
That's impossible!
Speaking of which, a white snake... does it refer to Orochimaru?
Jiraiya thought of Orochimaru's Sage Mode, that beautiful white snake tail. When the Great Toad Sage mentioned a white snake, the first person he thought of was Orochimaru.
A white snake... Orochimaru will bring about change to the Ninja World, and my disciple will also bring about change to the Ninja World... The choices I make will change the world... Jiraiya recalled the Great Toad Sage's prophecy and packed his luggage. Regardless, he didn't fully believe the Great Toad Sage's prophecy, but he still decided to travel the world. As for writing books, that would depend on whether he had the talent.
Jiraiya held his favorite forbidden book, written by an author named Miya.
It had been over 10 years since he first learned about Miya, and Miya had been writing books all this time.
If possible, I also want to become an author like Miya!
I could earn a lot of money, right?
No, no, no, what am I thinking?!
The book I want to write is definitely not a forbidden book. It's a book that can guide change-makers to bring change to the world. How could it be a forbidden book?!
Jiraiya slapped his face hard, dispelling the idea of gathering material to write forbidden books.
Jiraiya felt it was pretty cool to think that his future disciple could change the world.
What he found strange now was why the Great Toad Sage's prophecy mentioned a White Snake, and both Boss Fukasaku and Lady Shima seemed very shocked when he said "White Snake."
Was that White Snake really Orochimaru?
Jiraiya thought of the changes Orochimaru brought to Konoha, and then he thought of White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company.
Could the White Snake in the Great Toad Sage's prophecy be this company?
Jiraiya knew that this company had long declared absolute neutrality, would not participate in any wars, and had business dealings with various countries and Ninja Villages; it was a super multinational corporation.
It not only took in survivors from Whirlpool Hidden Village but also the Chinoike Clan who sought refuge.
Forget it, I won't think about those things anymore!
Jiraiya shook his head, slung his backpack on, and planned to say goodbye to his teacher Hiruzen, Orochimaru, and Tsunade, officially beginning his journey to travel the world.
Hokage Building
"A prophecy, huh…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Jiraiya, and his childhood image flashed before his eyes; ten years had passed in a blink.
"Go, but you must travel under a hidden identity, understand? Flaunting a Konoha forehead protector everywhere will bring you trouble."
Hiruzen Sarutobi instructed. He would not stop Jiraiya from traveling the world.
"Teacher Hiruzen, I'm not an idiot. How could I do that?"
Jiraiya waved his hand. It wasn't as if he didn't know about Tsunade and Orochimaru being ambushed.
You don't look very smart either… Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't want to discourage Jiraiya. This disciple of his was truly not very smart compared to Orochimaru, or perhaps Orochimaru was simply too outstanding.
"Jiraiya, here."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took out a small pouch and tossed it over.
"What is this?"
Jiraiya took the pouch, opened it, and saw 8 dark red pills inside.
"Those are rebirth pills."
"This, isn't this that miraculous medicine used to save lives? Teacher Hiruzen, you're so generous!"
Jiraiya was incredibly surprised. He had heard of the effects of rebirth pills and never expected that Teacher Hiruzen, who was usually stingy to death, would be so generous.
Hiruzen Sarutobi cleared his throat and said proudly, "Of course, who do you think I am?"
"Eat them when you're severely injured; they're life-saving pills. Don't eat them for just a small scratch."
Hiruzen Sarutobi reminded, very worried that Jiraiya would eat the rebirth pills for a slight injury.
"Got it! I'll say goodbye to Tsunade and Orochimaru and then leave the Village!"
Jiraiya waved and left the Hokage Office.
A prophecy, huh… Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up, watching Jiraiya walk out of the Hokage Building.
Emotionally and logically, he didn't want Jiraiya to take the prophecy too seriously, but he couldn't interfere with the path Jiraiya chose.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"