Since Hatake Sakumo had chosen to trust Orochimaru, he wouldn't send anyone to keep an eye on him.
Even though Uchiha Yuji had warned him, he still didn't act against his own judgment.
Ordinary ninja would have a hard time keeping track of Orochimaru. As a member of the Snake, his senses were sharp; he might notice someone the moment they approached.
And as someone familiar with Konoha's terrain and barriers, if he truly wanted to leave, not even blocking the gates would stop him.
But Orochimaru also had a companion whose fate was bound up with his.
"Sakumo! Please, don't issue a wanted notice. I'll bring Orochimaru back, I promise!" Jiraiya bowed at a perfect ninety degrees as he pleaded.
He was also the one who had brought word that Orochimaru had fled.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru had returned to Konoha almost at the same time.
Although Sarutobi Hiruzen had done many, many terrible things—so many that he could even be said to have betrayed Konoha—
he had still been Jiraiya's teacher, the one who had taught him ninjutsu and guided him as he grew.
Hatake Sakumo hadn't directly taken part in Sarutobi Hiruzen's death, but even a hero like Jiraiya couldn't help directing a little resentment toward him, however faint.
That was why he hadn't gone straight to the Hokage's office to report in. Instead, before dinner, he'd hurried to Orochimaru's house, planning to drag him out for a get-together.
Orochimaru was unlucky. He'd barely left when Jiraiya came after him like a lovesick stalker.
The moment Jiraiya noticed something was off about Orochimaru's movements, he sent the information to the Hokage's office.
And that was how they'd ended up in this situation.
"So Yuji really was right again," Hatake Sakumo sighed.
"What?" Jiraiya looked at him, puzzled.
"Someone