Jiraiya Returns

Hokage's Office.

"Come on, old man, why are you so fired up? The moment I got your message, I rushed back day and night without stopping."

Jiraiya laughed it off with his usual carefree expression.

The Third Hokage knew Jiraiya's nature, but he still could not help getting angry.

"Look at yourself. I told you to investigate Orochimaru's whereabouts, yet after all this time, you have not brought back a single lead."

"What the hell have you been doing all this time!?"

Jiraiya rubbed his nose awkwardly.

"Orochimaru has bases everywhere. How could it be that easy to find his trail?"

"Hmph, then what have you been doing for the past two years!?" the Third Hokage rebuked.

Jiraiya knew that if he did not produce something substantial, the old man would not let him off.

So he turned serious.

"I actually found out that Orochimaru fled to the Land of Rice. But before I could uncover his exact location, you called me back."

The Third Hokage eyed Jiraiya suspiciously, but thinking of the problems Konoha currently faced, he did not dwell on it.

He sighed. "You know about the situation in the village, right?"

Jiraiya's expression also turned grave. "I learned about it on the way back."

The Third Hokage walked over to his desk, picked up the report on the attack against the Root base, and handed it to Jiraiya.

"After Itachi defected from the village, he revealed all the patrol routes. The Root base has already come under attack."

"However, there are many people in Root, and they are also highly suspicious by nature. Danzo managed to keep his head."

The Third Hokage explained what had just happened.

Jiraiya had been on the road and knew none of this.

Jiraiya quickly skimmed through the incident report, and his expression grew even more serious.

"Why not just hand Danzo over to the Uchiha? He caused all of this anyway."

Jiraiya had never liked Danzo and would have loved to see that old bastard die.

The Third Hokage took a drag from his pipe. "Do you think I do not want to?"

"There are quite a few people in Root, and they are extremely guarded now. I cannot mobilize too many Anbu personnel, and Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura are both stopping me."

Jiraiya said unhappily, "Why do you care what they think? You are the Hokage."

The Third Hokage was somewhat speechless. Jiraiya's political sense truly was terrible.

Putting aside the issue of the other two Council Elders, Danzo was the one who handled the Third Hokage's dirty work.

How could Danzo not fear being discarded once he outlived his usefulness?

Danzo held a mountain of dirt on the Third Hokage. If he exposed it, the Third Hokage would be forced from office immediately.

Otherwise, someone as scheming as the Third Hokage would have long since considered selling Danzo out.

He waved a hand and did not answer that question.

Instead, he asked a crucial one. "Can you defeat the Mangekyō Sharingan?"

Jiraiya had never actually fought against the Mangekyō Sharingan, so he had nothing to compare it to...

He spread his hands. "Even if I could beat one, there is no way I could beat three."

Jiraiya was not completely lacking in political insight, but he did not want the village to go to war with the Uchiha.

As everyone knew, Konoha's ultimate weapon was the Nine-Tails.

But the Mangekyō Sharingan was the natural bane of Jinchuriki.

Konoha even had to keep the Nine-Tails hidden. Otherwise, if the Uchiha turned around and took control of the Nine-Tails, they could destroy Konoha with ease.

Even if the Third Hokage knew the Reaper Death Seal, it would be the same. He would never sacrifice himself now.

And there was more than one Mangekyō Sharingan.

The Hyuga Clan, who had once stood alongside the Uchiha, had been screwed over by Konoha. Could they really expect them to still fight for Konoha?

It would already be fortunate if they did not help the Uchiha.

In truth, the three Ino-Shika-Cho clans were also fence-sitters. Changing Hokage would not cost them anything.

The other major clans had all been harmed by Danzo. The best outcome would be for them to stay neutral.

That was why the Third Hokage had urgently recalled the Sarutobi Clan.

If Konoha went to war with the Uchiha, whether Konoha could even survive was uncertain.

There would naturally be no point in keeping the Sarutobi Clan hidden.

The Third Hokage took another drag, then slowly exhaled. "I have transferred some people back from the border."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "A lot of people?"

The Third Hokage frowned. "Mm, that should be enough to keep the Uchiha in check."

"As long as the Uchiha don't dare make a move, there's nothing to fear from spies from other villages or Bounty Hunters."

"Stay in Konoha for the time being. I'll find another chance to talk with the Uchiha, and you can come along then."

Jiraiya favored this approach as well. He did not want the village to break out in conflict either.

"Alright, then. I'll be in the village for the next few days."

Just then, a knock came from outside the door.

It was the Anbu's distinctive knocking pattern.

"Come in."

"Hokage-sama, Hiashi-sama has arrived and is waiting for you in the reception hall."

The next day.

Classes at the Ninja Academy resumed as normal.

Every village had spies from enemy nations, but ordinary spies like them could only learn things that were already common knowledge.

If the Ninja Academy remained closed, Konoha would look especially guilty.

The Bounty Hunters had been driven back the previous night, Jiraiya had returned, and the Third Hokage had made a deal with the Hyuga Clan by offering certain benefits.

Konoha had now returned to normal.

Well, normal on the surface.

In places usually unseen, undercurrents were still surging.

Uchiha Clan Compound.

"Senyo, are we really sending them to school?"

Fugaku asked doubtfully, "They won't learn much at school, and it's dangerous."

Senyo laughed it off. "Clan Head, what are you so afraid of? Konoha is even less willing to fight than we are right now."

"Keeping these children in the clan compound only makes us look cowardly."

"Besides, if our people don't go to Konoha, how will we keep track of Konoha's movements?"

"I also need an excuse to go to Konoha myself. Don't worry, Sasuke will be fine with me there."

Fugaku glanced at Sasuke, who stood some distance away in sullen silence. "Alright, then. Be careful on the way."

Senyo made a reassuring gesture. "Then I'm off, Clan Head."

"Don't forget about Izumi."

Fugaku nodded. "Don't worry. I know."

Senyo flashed over to a group of little children and led them away.

Fugaku watched Senyo's departing figure for a long while without speaking. Senyo had specifically come to talk to him.

He had basically said that Itachi was indeed a genius, but Fugaku truly did not understand him.

Previously, the two stubborn and self-willed men had nearly buried the entire clan. Their relationship was still extremely strained.

If Fugaku wanted to repair his relationship with Itachi, he could start with the people around him.

And there happened to be a ready-made option: Izumi.

Itachi and Izumi had known each other for six or seven years, yet Fugaku had not even known Izumi existed.

Only after Senyo reminded him did he think to look into her.

Someone like Itachi naturally could not be fickle in love. Though Izumi was still young, she was practically a future daughter-in-law already.

Naturally, Fugaku could have Mikoto pay her a visit, see whether she had any difficulties or needed any help.

Even if she had no difficulties, they could create some and help her anyway.

At the very least, when Itachi returned, he would know that his father had still done something for him.