At the same time.
The Hokage Building.
Jiraiya pushed open the door to the Hokage's office and plopped down on the sofa. After pouring himself a cup of tea without asking, he turned to the Third Hokage:
"What did you call me here for so late?!"
"Old man, I'm at the most critical point in my writing. Every second is precious."
The Third Hokage glanced down at him and said crossly:
"All these years, and you're still as unreliable as ever."
The Third Hokage felt somewhat helpless about his three students.
Tsunade was a direct descendant of the First. She had also made immense contributions to Konoha over the years, and should have been the most suitable candidate to inherit the Hokage Position.
Unfortunately, during the Second Shinobi World War, she first lost her lover, then watched helplessly as her younger brother died on the battlefield. Since then, she had suffered from hemophobia.
She couldn't even go onto the battlefield, let alone inherit the Hokage Position.
Orochimaru was the most levelheaded, with a clear mind.
But in recent years, his movements had grown increasingly mysterious. Even the Third Hokage, his teacher, could barely see through him. He had been in contact with Danzo too often in private, and the Third Hokage had no idea what he was thinking.
Looking at it that way,
Jiraiya, who was usually unreliable but always came through when it mattered, had instead become the most suitable person to inherit the Hokage Position. Unfortunately, that wasn't what he wanted.
Thinking of this,
the Third Hokage sighed inwardly, quickly gathered his thoughts, and asked:
"How much do you know about Uchiha Shingen?!"
Jiraiya paused slightly, set down his tea, and looked at the Third Hokage:
"If you mean as a writer, he's a born genius. I've never met anyone this talented at his age."
"If I didn't know he was only thirteen, I'd think he was a seasoned ladies' man."
"His understanding of love and desire is simply beyond imagination..."
Jiraiya grew more and more animated as he spoke.
He didn't notice the odd look on the Third Hokage's face at all.
After a long while,
the Third Hokage finally couldn't take it anymore and interrupted Jiraiya:
"So all this time, you really have only been discussing writing?!"
"Writing those..."
"Filthy books of yours?!"
As he spoke,
the Third Hokage casually covered Make-Out Hell on the desk with a document.
Naturally, Jiraiya noticed. A knowing smile appeared on his face:
"You don't have to hide it~"
"Old man, you're really enjoying that book, aren't you?!"
"Don't be ridiculous!"
The Third Hokage's face reddened. He began making excuses:
"I'm just keeping an eye on my student!"
"Heh~"
Jiraiya didn't believe him at all. He glanced sideways at the Third Hokage:
"You don't need to pretend with me, do you?"
"Teacher Sarutobi~!"
"You brat!"
The Third Hokage laughed and scolded him, then smoothly changed the subject:
"What about as a ninja? As a Uchiha?"
Jiraiya's expression shifted. He immediately understood why the Third Hokage had called him over. His brow furrowed slightly:
"You want to use him as a breakthrough point to resolve the conflict between the village and the Uchiha?!"
The Third Hokage nodded slightly:
"I hadn't considered it before, but Danzo has noticed him, and seems to have mistakenly assumed that I instructed you to speak with him."
"That makes me want to see if it might actually be possible."
"I see..."
Jiraiya replied, then fell silent. After thinking for a moment, he said:
"He's certainly very different from the other Uchiha. He doesn't have that inherited arrogance, and he doesn't seem particularly devoted to his clan, either."
"In terms of personality, he's more like someone from the Nara clan. He has no great ambitions, is lazy, hates trouble, and just wants to coast until retirement in the Police Force."
"Knowing what he's like, there's not much chance he'd agree to do this."
"I'm afraid he won't have a choice."
The Third Hokage sighed, a grave look entering his eyes.
"Danzo has already noticed your interactions with him. He mistakenly believes I'm reaching out to the Uchiha. Given his personality, even if he can't find anything, he'll still try to stamp out the possibility."
"It's even possible he'll go after Uchiha Shingen directly."
Jiraiya's pupils contracted slightly. He abruptly stood up from the sofa, his expression extremely grave.
If it were any of Konoha's other advisers, they might be wary of the Uchiha, but none of them would act against the clan at a time like this.
But Danzo was the exception!
If he truly thought it necessary, he would act even now, no matter how great the risk!
Bang—!
As the teacher and student spoke, the office door was suddenly thrown open.
Two members of the Hokage Direct Anbu appeared before the Third Hokage and reported solemnly:
"Lord Hokage!"
"Advisor Danzo's surveillance of the Uchiha Clan, especially his surveillance of Uchiha Shingen, has suddenly intensified."
"Root ninja were spotted in action tonight. Their target was probably the Uchiha as well!"
The Third Hokage's fingers clenched, crushing his pipe out of shape. His expression turned darker than ever.
He had considered that Danzo might lose patience, but he hadn't expected him to have gone this far.
If Danzo really went after Uchiha Shingen now, the Uchiha the Third Hokage had worked so hard to pacify would likely erupt into open rebellion on the spot!
"Teacher Sarutobi, I'll go check it out!"
Realizing how serious the situation was, Jiraiya no longer looked carefree. His whole demeanor suddenly turned sharp.
Though he hadn't made a move, the pressure of the Legendary Sannin burst forth without restraint, weighing on the two Anbu members as heavily as the Third Hokage's presence!
"I'll have the Hokage Direct Anbu go with you!"
"Yes!"
Swish—!
Shisui moved nimbly, keeping close behind Uchiha Shingen.
As lithe as a cat stalking its prey, he darted along the path without drawing the attention of a single passerby.
"Captain Shingen..."
"How strong are you?"
Watching the relaxed, slouching figure ahead of him, Shisui's eyes gleamed.
During his time in the Police Force, he had heard plenty of rumors about Uchiha Shingen.
The nobody from the Konoha Ninja Academy, with utterly mediocre talent and a lazy, unambitious personality—more like a fish that had given up on life.
But how could someone like that handle unexpected incidents with such precision and efficiency?!
There was only one answer...
Uchiha Shingen was hiding his true abilities!
Just how much was he hiding? Let me... find out!
Shisui narrowed his eyes, quietly activating his Two-Tomoe Sharingan.
Bang—!
He pushed off so hard that the ground beneath his feet nearly cracked. The recoil sent him surging forward, and in an instant he was right beside Uchiha Shingen.
The Kunai spun once around Shisui's fingertips. He caught it in a reverse grip and thrust it sharply at Uchiha Shingen!
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