Jiraiya...
Looking at the disciple who had surprised him the most, the Third Hokage took a light puff from his pipe. He bit down on the stem but did not answer directly.
Is that so...
He had already noticed? As he looked on, a knowing thought crossed his mind.
He knew he had to give Jiraiya an explanation regarding this matter.
After all, Jiraiya worked in intelligence. Having spent years away from the village, he had a considerable understanding of both the open and hidden sides of the Shinobi World.
Since he was asking this now, he must have come across something.
"Teacher Sarutobi..."
At this moment, seeing his teacher silently smoke, Jiraiya could not help asking again.
"Did you receive some news?"
Hearing this, the Third Hokage no longer remained silent. Looking at his serious disciple, he gently removed the pipe from between his teeth, exhaled a puff of smoke, and spoke.
"Teacher! Could it be..."
Upon hearing the Third Hokage's words, one of the Sannin—Konoha's ace ninja, renowned throughout the Shinobi World, who had experienced countless battles and witnessed innumerable dark schemes, and who could remain calm even in the gravest of crises—changed expression.
Sure enough...
It was Chiba back then! A shocking thought flashed through his mind.
His teacher's words had undoubtedly acknowledged that Chiba was still alive. Taki Chiba, once hailed as the village's future and the sole candidate for Fifth Hokage, was still alive!
Otherwise, the answer he had received would not have been a question asking whether he had obtained any news, but a blunt denial.
His teacher had not denied it. That was practically an admission.
At that moment, his mind drifted back to several years ago, around the time the Land of Grass had declared its isolation. He had happened to receive