The Third Hokage stared at Jiraiya for a while, then withdrew the hand resting on his shoulder and said cautiously, "There are many important Anbu missions, but do you really have to leave the village to carry out a mission at a time like this? You could stay in the village a while longer..."
Jiraiya shook his head. "I think the Anbu's missions are more important. Besides, I can't become a blade turned inward."
Hearing this, the Third Hokage returned to his seat expressionlessly, casually pulled an unprocessed mission scroll from a drawer, and tossed it to Jiraiya. "This is a long-term S-rank mission. Go wherever you want. Return whenever you want."
Jiraiya took the scroll and left the Hokage's Office without looking back.
After the sound of the door closing, the Third Hokage took out his pipe and stared at the portraits of past Hokage in the distance, drawing in and exhaling smoke puff after puff in an attempt to numb himself with nicotine.
After Tsunade left and Orochimaru defected, he had now lost another disciple's trust.
Yet even so, he could not deal with Danzo. If he lost Danzo, his own name would inevitably be stained as well. The Hokage had to remain spotless and glorious, without the slightest blemish. Otherwise, the other ninjas would begin to doubt the fire as well.
He would delay things a little longer. Once the new leaves had grown smoothly, Konoha would regain its former glory.
After leaving the Hokage Building, Jiraiya was not followed by the Anbu. Any tracking trick was beneath notice before one of the Sannin. After several uses of the Body Flicker Technique, he arrived at a remote, deserted forest.
Kakashi had been waiting there for some time. When he saw Jiraiya, he smiled and said, "Lord Jiraiya,