Danzo Has Defected

As Jiraiya finished speaking, the entire office fell into a long silence.

After an unknown amount of time, the Third Hokage turned his head in a daze and looked at Naruto beside him:

Minato, you... you hit me!

Minato, Jiraiya reeling from Jiraiya's startling words, instinctively wanted to politely decline:

"Lord Third Hokage, this..."

Before he could finish speaking, Naruto's expression instantly turned excited, the change so rapid that Kakashi instinctively took a half-step back.

"Let me!!"

Kushina's voice boomed through the office.

Naruto's body shot out, hitting the Third Hokage's old face with a speed far exceeding the limits of a seven-year-old child.

"Puff!!"

Under the immense impact, Sarutobi Hiruzen collapsed to the ground, chair and all.

"Hey, is it really that serious?"

Jiraiya stared speechlessly at his Teacher sprawled on the ground, his brow twitching slightly.

The Third Hokage lay face down on the floor, one hand supporting his knee, the other rubbing his cheek, which was slightly red from being kicked.

He felt the real, stinging pain; the pupils in his aged eyes first contracted, then trembled violently.

"This... this isn't a dream?!"

He sprang up from the ground with a speed that belied his age.

The Third Hokage rushed to Jiraiya, grabbing his arms with both hands, his aged hands still trembling slightly.

"What did you just say?! Jiraiya?! Say it again?!"

Jiraiya looked at his excited Teacher and repeated expressionlessly:

"I said, I want to become the Fifth Hokage of Konoha."

The Third Hokage's face flushed red in an instant, as if he were experiencing an orgasm.

He whirled around, his face flushed, and looked at Kakashi, who was standing by the window, still not fully aware of what had happened:

"Kakashi! Immediately gather Shikaku, Inoichi, and all the Jonin Commander members currently in the village!"

The Hokage Order was issued, publicly announcing to the entire Konoha the news that Jiraiya had returned to the village and officially assumed the position of Fifth Hokage!

"Set off now, as fast as you can, and get this done before he changes his mind!!"

Kakashi was taken aback by the series of commands for a moment, then quickly recovered and nodded:

"Yes, I'll go right now!"

"Stop! Stop! Stop!!!"

Jiraiya grabbed Kakashi by the back of his collar, pulling him back, then turned and yelled at the Third Hokage in an annoyed tone:

"Let me finish speaking, Old Man!!"

"What else is there to say?"

The Third Hokage, fearing that Jiraiya change his mind, said urgently:

"Name your conditions! I'd even entrust that crystal ball to you!"

Jiraiya's expression turned serious in an instant:

Is this really true?

"I guarantee this with the reputation of the Lord First and Second Generation Lords!!"

"Make a deal--"

Jiraiya was about to reach out for a high five, he suddenly snapped back to reality and frantically shook his head, saying:

"Ah!! No, no!! That's not what I meant to mention!"

Jiraiya looked at the Third Hokage with some annoyance and said indignantly:

"Do you really think I'm such a shallow person, Old Man?!"

The Third Hokage didn't answer, but just looked at the disciple he had raised with a sense of utter despair.

Everything is self-evident.

Jiraiya felt a little guilty under his gaze, turned his head away, and coughed awkwardly.

He then turned his head back, his expression becoming serious and earnest again:

"I will succeed as the Fifth Hokage of Konoha. Old Man, you can rest assured, this decision will not change."

"But before that... there's one thing I must accomplish."

The Third Hokage sensed the gravity in Jiraiya's tone and exchanged a glance with Minato, who was still attached to Naruto beside him.

The two Hokage exchanged a glance in silence, then nodded to Jiraiya, signaling him to continue.

Jiraiya's voice echoed in the quiet office, each syllable carrying an undisguised, chilling killing intent:

"Before I succeed Fifth Hokage, I will thoroughly investigate the truth behind the Uchiha Clan Massacre and reveal it to the public."

I will bring to Judgment Uchiha Clan Shimura Danzō destruction, and all the Konoha High Command involved...!

The Third Hokage listened silently to Jiraiya's words.

He didn't respond, but just stood there quietly. His face, which had been rosy just moments before, lost all color in an instant, turning old and tired again.

A gust of wind blew through the conference room window, making a rustling sound as the old pine trees outside rustled.

The Third Hokage looked at Jiraiya before him and murmured in a low voice:

"So you did find out... about the truth behind the Uchiha Clan Massacre."

Kakashi's eyes widened; his usually droopy, dead-fish-like eyes were now wide open.

He looked at Jiraiya, then slowly turned to the Third Hokage. His lips under the mask parted slightly, but no sound came out.

He was an elite Jonin had killed enemies on the battlefield and a veteran of the Anbu who had handled countless classified intelligence.

But the weight of this news still sent a chill down his spine.

The Third Hokage simply looked at Jiraiya, his aged eyes filled with self-reproach and deep guilt.

"Failure to prevent the Uchiha Clan Massacre is my dereliction of duty, and I should bear this responsibility."

"My Lord Third Hokage, this isn't just your responsibility, I also..."

Minato's voice was urgent and heavy, and Naruto's small face showed the self-blame and helplessness that belonged to an adult.

"Old Man, you don't need to say anything more."

Jiraiya interrupted Minato.

He looked into the Third Hokage's eyes and whispered solemnly:

"I know that the main culprit who pushed for the Uchiha Clan Massacre was that old man, Danzo."

"Don't take all the responsibility upon yourself, Old Man."

Jiraiya looked at his silent Teacher and angrily rebuked him, feeling utterly disappointed:

"After all these years, don't you understand?! That old bastard Danzo is no longer your comrade- Danzo; now he's a cancer on Konoha!!"

Jiraiya stared intently at the Third Hokage before him, his voice turning cold:

"Don't be soft-hearted anymore, Teacher!!"

Even if you disagree, for the sake of Konoha, I will personally deal with him!

There was a moment of silence in the office.

Minato looked at Jiraiya, and slowly began to speak:

"Regarding this matter... Jiraiya- Teacher."

He glanced at the silent Third Hokage, his voice lowering slightly:

"Including the two advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, who tacitly approved of Danzo's actions, they had already been placed under house arrest by the Lord Third Hokage's orders."

Jiraiya's expression froze instantly.

"Wh... what?"

He stared wide-eyed at the silent Old Man before him, his eyes wide with disbelief, and stammered:

"Old Man man, you..."

Minato looked at the Third Hokage with concern, preparing to continue speaking.

The Third Hokage raised his hand and gently interrupted Minato.

The aged hand hovered in mid-air for a moment before slowly falling.

"Alright, Minato, the rest... I'll handle it."

Sarutobi Hiruzen raised his head and looked at Jiraiya in front of him.

The weariness and sorrow in those eyes were more profound than Jiraiya had ever seen this old man before.

He opened his mouth, his voice hoarse and low, as if he were stating a fact that even he himself hadn't fully accepted:

"Danzo... he defected."