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Danzo's clandestine operations had gone as far as sending assassins to kill Jiraiya's students, only to result in Jiraiya being severely wounded by Nagato, the wielder of the Rinnegan. More critically, Nagato, as the leader of the Akatsuki, now bore a deep-seated grudge against Konoha because of Danzo's machinations.
Minato Namikaze felt a surge of silent relief. Fortunately, he had pressed Jiraiya to speak today. Had he been soft-hearted and let his teacher brush it off, the Leaf would have eventually faced a terrifying enemy with the eyes of a god, completely blind to the reason why.
However, dealing with Jiraiya—who was now playing the "emotional teacher" card—was a delicate matter. Minato loved his master; he knew that if he were in trouble, Jiraiya would move mountains for him. This realization only steeled Minato's resolve to solve this for Jiraiya's sake.
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But the intelligence on the Rinnegan was bone-chilling. Techniques that could repel all attacks, exert immense gravitational force, negate ninjutsu, and even include a revival mechanism? It made Jiraiya's traditional arsenal look obsolete. Jiraiya hadn't even finished testing Nagato's limits before he was overwhelmed; he was lucky to have escaped with his life.
"This matter will be handled by the village," Minato declared after a long silence. He cut Jiraiya off before he could protest. "Jiraiya-sensei, you may participate, but you must follow the village's directives."
"He is so young, yet he defeated you with an immature Rinnegan. He will become a catastrophe if left unchecked." Minato glanced at Hiruko. The implication was clear: Nagato's potential, fueled by hatred for Danzo, posed an existential threat to the village.
Hiruko spoke up, his voice cold. "Private agendas are one thing, but when they endanger the collective, they are unforgivable. Furthermore, Root is in contact with Hanzo. Minato, recall Danzo immediately. Demand he bring every operative back within our borders."
Minato looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, his face devoid of its usual warmth. He didn't mind personnel doing things outside the village—Hiruko's "harem collection" was proof of that—but those actions shouldn't create liabilities for the Leaf.
Hiruzen sighed heavily. "I understand. I will send word to Danzo. We will convene a high-level meeting at the Hokage Building tomorrow."
Minato left the room, clearly incensed, with Hiruko following close behind. Once they were gone, Hiruzen turned to Jiraiya, shouting, "You idiot! Why didn't you come to me first? Do you have any idea what would happen if you died there?"
"Sensei..."
"If I hadn't summoned you, were you ever planning to return? I expected you to seek my counsel, not charge into the Rain and cause a diplomatic nightmare!" Hiruzen huffed, turning to leave. "I'm going to consult with Koharu and Homura. Arguing with a fool like you is a waste of time."
Jiraiya sat alone in the hospital bed, a shadow of despondency over his face. He knew his impulsive streak had finally caught up with him.
Tsunade slipped out of the room shortly after Jiraiya woke. She valued their bond as teammates, but her feelings for him had never been romantic. With Jiraiya stable, she had to return to Hiruko. Jiraiya watched her go with a sense of quiet acceptance; he had made peace with his unrequited love long ago. His mind was now occupied by the fear of the Rinnegan falling into the hands of an extremist.
The next day, the high-level council gathered. The heads of ANBU, Intelligence, Jiraiya, Hiruzen, Orochimaru, and Hiruko were all present.
Minato summarized the situation, turning the atmosphere in the office as heavy as lead. Orochimaru glanced at Jiraiya, surprised that the "clumsy oaf" had stumbled upon something as legendary as the Rinnegan. His scientific curiosity was immediately piqued.
"Here is my decision," Minato began. "I have conferred with the Third Hokage. Danzo is to be recalled immediately. His Root forces must return to Konoha within five days. Any operative remaining outside will be branded a rogue ninja."
This was the firmest Minato had ever been. He was no longer the "Sunlight" Hokage; he was a commander cutting out a cancer.
Koharu Utatane tried to interject, but Minato cut her off. "Advisor, let me finish. Regarding the Akatsuki leader, Nagato, it is determined that Danzo has fostered an environment of extreme hostility. The order to apprehend Nagato and Konan is set to S-rank."
Jiraiya started to argue, but Hiruko spoke over him. "Jiraiya, save it. You, their master, were nearly killed. Can you guarantee any other ninja would survive an encounter with them? Nagato is a threat to the village's survival."
Minato continued, "The mission priority is 'Cautious Cooperation.' Our lethal intent will depend on their response. I am dispatching six ANBU squads and twenty Jonin teams. Jiraiya, you will lead the tracking."
"Understood!" Jiraiya agreed. He knew this was his last chance to save his students.
"Furthermore," Minato added, "Hanzo knows the value of those eyes. We must monitor his movements. I am sending a diplomatic envoy to the Rain to observe and prevent Hanzo from capturing them first. And I repeat: Danzo is to be stripped of all unofficial influence."
The mobilization was effectively a small-scale war. Thirty Jonin and over a dozen ANBU—all Chunin level or higher—was a staggering force. Minato was taking no chances with the Rinnegan. His only worry was Hanzo's reaction to such a massive Leaf presence in the Rain. He planned a strategy of simultaneous negotiation and intimidation.
The meeting lasted all morning. Afterward, Jiraiya returned to recover. With Tsunade and the Uzumaki healers, his recovery was miraculous.
In the village, the power dynamics were shifting. Minato, backed by Hiruko, had successfully sidelined the "Old Guard." Homura and Koharu's threats of "resignation" were met with indifferent shrugs; they were becoming irrelevant.
Hiruzen's primary goal now was to ensure Danzo's safe return. The Shimura clan still had deep roots; if Danzo were discarded too ruthlessly, the clan's future would be choked off.
Amidst the chaos, Hiruko's influence continued to grow. His genjutsu—perfected through the Kurama bloodline—was now so potent that he could theoretically suppress a Tailed Beast with a glance.
He also turned his attention to a new project: The Shinobi Theme Park.
He petitioned the Daimyo for support, and the request was granted. Built on the outskirts of Konoha, the park featured ninja-themed games, merchandise, and entertainment venues. He snatched up the surrounding land for future development.
While the power gap between ninjas remained, Hiruko's personal strength had entered a phase of stable growth, allowing him to focus on his personal life. His "greatest achievement," in his own mind, was managing to sleep with both Tsunade and Nono Yakushi. Despite Tsunade's initial fiery resistance, Hiruko's persistence—and Nono's gentle inability to say no—had created a stable, if unconventional, household.
Tsunade, though resentful of the arrangement, found herself unable to resist his pace. Her only lingering regret was that she had yet to conceive. She dreamed of a son, hoping to settle into the life of a mother.
Hiruko, however, harbored a secret suspicion. He suspected that because he had traveled to this world in his original physical body, he might be suffering from biological incompatibility with the locals. His cellular analysis showed he was fundamentally different. A standard shinobi had roughly twice the cellular density of an Earth human; Hiruko had three times that amount.
This meant...
🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed. Claim early access on Patreon: [email protected]/c/wildsparkstudios
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🔥 Your power determines how fast the tale unfolds.