Jiraiya's Dominance

"Jiraiya, your disciple is no simple one."

Inside the Konoha Hokage's office, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, watched the scene in the crystal ball with a grim expression.

The strength Ye Fan had displayed far surpassed the level of a Chunin.

Being able to instantly defeat several Chunin meant his strength had reached Jonin level.

Ye Fan's identity was special, and he possessed immense power. The Third Hokage was somewhat worried that he might pose a threat to the peace Konoha had worked so hard to achieve.

After all, Ye Fan was still very young and already possessed such strength. No one knew what heights he would reach in the future.

"Oh? Hahaha..."

"That kid's strength isn't too bad, is it!"

"If we cultivate him well, he can play a huge role in Konoha's peace in the future."

Jiraiya sat opposite the Third Hokage, laughing heartily.

The reason he had come here was to get the Konoha higher-ups to accept Ye Fan's return.

However, he could still detect a hidden meaning in the Third Hokage's tone.

It was clear that the Third Hokage didn't quite trust Ye Fan.

Still, Jiraiya could understand the Third Hokage's thoughts.

After all, no matter how Ye Fan changed his name, he couldn't change the fact that he was a descendant of the Uchiha clan.

"Uchiha..."

Shimura Danzo, standing nearby, frowned, his gaze unfriendly.

He was already displeased that there was still an Uchiha descendant in Konoha. Now, with another one appearing, he became even more enraged.

A long time ago, Danzo had told the Third Hokage that to achieve true peace, they must cut the weeds and remove the roots, and that Uchiha Sasuke must also be killed.

No matter how many times he brought it up, the Third Hokage rejected it, even secretly sending people to protect Sasuke's safety.

This point was something Danzo couldn't understand at all.

He knew that when he decided to completely eradicate the Uchiha clan, although he hadn't reported it to the Third Hokage, the Third Hokage was aware of it.

He didn't understand why the Third Hokage could turn a blind eye to the extermination of the entire Uchiha clan, but was strictly prohibiting the elimination of Sasuke.

"Uchiha Ye Fan's strength is comparable to the best among his peers. He is dangerous."

Danzo stared at the crystal ball, killing intent emanating from him, completely disregarding whose disciple Ye Fan was.

In his eyes, anyone who threatened the stability of the village, regardless of who they were, had only one outcome.

Death!

If it were another Uchiha clansman, Danzo wouldn't be as worried.

But it was Ye Fan who appeared!

Back then, Danzo had deliberately spread the rumor that Ye Fan was a Plague God, which led to the Uchiha clan forcing his parents to their deaths.

Danzo knew that walls have ears. If Ye Fan found out about this, he would never let it go!

Although he knew Ye Fan didn't have a Kekkei Genkai and couldn't condense Chakra to practice Ninjutsu, he absolutely would not allow even the slightest instability to appear.

Jiraiya's expression turned grim. "I understand Ye Fan's personality and temper very well. He would never do anything to threaten the stability of the village."

After so many years of interaction, Jiraiya knew every little detail about Ye Fan.

Although Ye Fan was a descendant of the Uchiha clan, he didn't harbor much hatred towards Konoha and had never shown any dissatisfaction with it.

On the contrary, for a long time, Ye Fan had mentioned Naruto's matters to him more than once.

Jiraiya knew very well who Naruto was; he had even chosen his name back then!

"Never do anything to threaten the village? Jiraiya, you know Ye Fan that well?" Danzo slowly stood up and said, "Hearts are hard to fathom; human nature is the most unpredictable thing in this world."

"I cannot tolerate even the slightest accident! Ye Fan must die!"

Danzo looked directly at Jiraiya, stating his stance.

The Third Hokage, seated in the main seat, remained silent, his attitude somewhat hesitant.

He also knew about Danzo spreading the rumor that Ye Fan was a Plague God back then.

He couldn't guarantee what Ye Fan might do to Konoha if he ever found out about it.

Jiraiya was his disciple, and he trusted him unconditionally. But now that Ye Fan had returned, he had to consider it carefully.

"Ye Fan must die?"

Jiraiya slammed his palm onto the table, and the table instantly shattered into pieces.

"Danzō, Ye Fan is my disciple, and I understand his character best!"

"Are you going to sentence him to death simply because he is an Uchiha descendant?"

"Danzō, you sure have a lot of authority!"

Jiraiya glared at Danzō, showing no regard for his status.

As soon as he finished speaking, seven or eight Root members surged from behind Danzō, staring menacingly at Jiraiya, their threat clearly evident.

The atmosphere between the two sides instantly became tense, as if a major battle could erupt at any moment.

Jiraiya showed no fear at the sight of the seven or eight Root members.

Having gone through countless life-and-death trials, how could he be intimidated by such a small display?

"Back when Konoha was first founded, the First Hokage's attitude towards the Uchiha clan was not like this."

"Ever since the Second Hokage, the Uchiha clan has lived in dire straits, and it remained that way until their extermination."

"I still believe that the First Hokage's policies back then were correct."

"But that's all in the past, and there's no need to bring it up again. However, you can't just dismiss everyone outright."

"Moreover, Ye Fan is my disciple!"

"Jiraiya, do you know what you're saying right now?!" Danzō roared in fury upon hearing this.

Jiraiya's words implied that his teacher, the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, had made a mistake!

As someone who inherited the Second Hokage's ideology, Danzō could not allow Jiraiya to slander him!

"The Second Hokage's decisions are not for you to judge!"

"Take him down! Jiraiya has been traveling outside for a long time, and I strongly suspect he has betrayed Konoha!"

Danzō waved his hand, and the Root members charged at Jiraiya without hesitation.

The Root members paid no attention to the Third Hokage standing nearby.

In their hearts, Danzō's orders were paramount, superseding even the Hokage's commands!

"Stop!"

The Third Hokage, displeased, roared.

But even with Hiruzen Sarutobi's command, the Root members did not stop, continuing their assault on Jiraiya.

Facing the encirclement of seven or eight Root members, Jiraiya remained calm. In just a few moves, he had subdued them all, without even using ninjutsu.

As the Root members attempted to attack again, they were blocked by Anbu members.

The Third Hokage stared at Danzō and said, "Are you saying you can't even be commanded by me, the Hokage!"

"Jiraiya's travels outside were personally approved by me. Whether he is a rogue ninja is not something you can decide with a single statement!"

"Disperse!"

With Danzō's command, the Root members finally retreated.

The Third Hokage watched this scene, his mind filled with thoughts, but he didn't dwell on it.

He knew that while Danzō had his own agenda, he would never betray Konoha.

"Hmph!" Jiraiya snorted coldly, flicked his sleeve, and strode out of the room.

As he passed Danzō, he left him with a parting remark: "Danzō, if I ever find out you've done anything to betray Konoha, I won't go easy on you!"

"As for wanting to kill Ye Fan, if you have the guts, go ahead and try!"

Danzō watched Jiraiya's retreating back, gritting his teeth, and made a decision in his heart.

The Third Hokage glanced at Danzō and said, "Regarding the matter of Ye Fan, we need to make a long-term plan. Without my orders, do not act rashly!"

With that, the Third Hokage's gaze returned to the crystal ball, observing the situation of the Chunin Exam.