New Clues, Jiraiya Mobilizes

"You are truly kind to him."

As soon as Naruto left, a familiar voice rang out from outside the door.

Uchiha Arashi turned his head to see Kakashi.

"I am kind to all my customers."

Uchiha Arashi said with a smile.

"But you were exceptionally kind to him. Do you know him?"

Kakashi asked.

"I only learned his name today. The kid likes to read, but his clothes were quite worn, so it was just a small gesture of goodwill. I gave him a few books. Why, is his identity particularly special?"

Uchiha Arashi asked.

"..."

Kakashi fell silent.

Because he suddenly didn't know how to answer that question.

He couldn't exactly say that Naruto was actually the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, could he?

"Boss, I saw your new book. Give me one."

Kakashi directly changed the subject.

"Coming right up."

Uchiha Arashi didn't press the matter, nimbly wrapping up a new book for Kakashi.

"What genre is this book?"

After paying, Kakashi asked.

"Buying it without even asking what genre it is? I am deeply honored that a customer likes my books so much... This book is also a work of fantasy fiction, but unlike Teyvat Travelogue, the world-building here is smaller, and there aren't as many nations. However, I have specifically designed the combat sequences. If you enjoy the fighting parts, I highly recommend this book."

Uchiha Arashi said.

Teyvat Travelogue focused primarily on the "travel" aspect; the protagonist was a witness. Although he participated in the events of various nations, those nations could resolve their own problems even without the protagonist, albeit at the cost of more effort and sacrifice.

Bleach, on the other hand, involved battles between multiple factions, making the protagonist's role significantly more critical.

"Combat, huh..."

Kakashi nodded.

He actually disliked fighting, even though he was a ninja. But if it were just reading about combat scenes in a novel, that was a different story; he would actually be quite interested.

"Also, in a little while, this shop will be stocking a batch of merchandise. You can come by then to see if there is anything you like."

Uchiha Arashi added.

"Merchandise?"

Kakashi wore a puzzled expression.

"It refers to replicas made based on items from the novels, such as weapons or props. They don't have the effects described in the books; they are just trinkets for collection and play."

The Ninja World certainly had the concept of merchandise, just not by that name.

Kakashi understood immediately.

"Like the Eye of God at your waist, for instance."

"Exactly. This is a prototype. How is it? Looks good, right? Do you need one? I'll be putting them up for sale here in a few days."

What would be sold to the public were merely replicas; only those created by his Power of Recognition were the genuine articles, the kind that could be activated.

Selling merchandise served two purposes: making money and masking the existence of the real items.

If people were walking around everywhere wearing Eye of God merchandise, then wearing a genuine one wouldn't be so conspicuous. Otherwise, if he were to enter a battle, the Eye of God on his person would be so obvious that enemies would immediately spot the issue, and his identity would be exposed.

Uchiha Arashi wasn't that foolish; he had, of course, already thought about how to hide himself.

"Forget it, I have no interest in such things."

Kakashi picked up the book and turned to leave.

As a ninja, and an Anbu ninja at that, he wouldn't adorn himself with such eye-catching accessories.

Uchiha Arashi said nothing more, simply watching silently as Kakashi departed.

At the same moment, inside the Hokage Building.

The floors that had been sheared off had been restored, and the interior decor had been redone, but the losses suffered could never be recovered.

For instance, the staff members who hadn't managed to escape, and the Scroll of Sealing that had been stored in the Hokage's office.

Although that had only been a copy and not the original Scroll of Sealing—and even if the original had been lost, the Third could have rewritten a new one from memory—the significance represented by the Scroll of Sealing was extraordinary.

Konoha had suffered such severe losses, a rarity in the past, and this spurred Hiruzen Sarutobi on, driving him to find that attacker at all costs.

"Is there no accurate intelligence yet?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi held his pipe between his teeth, looking at the Anbu before him with a grim expression.

"My apologies, Third, but because we had to guard against potential ambushes, so..."

The Anbu lowered his head.

"Enough, Hiruzen. That person is far too dangerous; investigating too closely would be perilous. You were the one who ordered everyone to be cautious, so do not be overly harsh."

Mitokado Homura adjusted his glasses and advised.

"I know. I am not blaming anyone. Very well, you may withdraw. Continue the investigation, but prioritize your safety and do not take unnecessary risks."

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and spoke to the Anbu.

"Yes!"

The Anbu ninja departed.

The office fell into silence.

Suddenly, the door was pushed open from the outside, and Danzo strode in.

"There is new intelligence."

"What is it?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others were overjoyed and immediately looked toward Danzo.

"My men discovered traces of his activity in the Land of Grass, and there were signs of more people living there as well."

"More signs of life? You mean..."

"That is correct. It should be those Uchiha he rescued."

Danzo said in a deep voice.

"This is good news, Hiruzen."

Utatane Koharu's face lit up with joy, and she immediately looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"I didn't expect it to be the Land of Grass this time. Are they looking for a new hiding place?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not issue an order immediately, choosing to ponder instead.

"Could they be planning to go to the Land of Earth? Ōnoki is a man of great ambition. If there are Uchiha seeking refuge, there is a high probability he would provide it directly."

Mitokado Homura adjusted his glasses and frowned.

"Would he not worry about offending Konoha? Those people have clearly been marked as wanted criminals."

Utatane Koharu found it incomprehensible.

"If it is Ōnoki, he would not worry about such things."

Hiruzen Sarutobi thought of the Akatsuki organization.

Ōnoki was capable of even hiring mercenaries to eliminate political rivals; sheltering a few Uchiha meant nothing to him. It was entirely possible for him to do such a thing.

"If that is the case, we must accelerate our operations. We absolutely cannot allow the Uchiha bloodline to join Iwagakure."

Mitokado Homura said immediately.

"Indeed. This time, we should send Jiraiya."

Hiruzen Sarutobi made a decisive choice.

Danzo watched all of this from the side, saying nothing, because according to the cooperative plan between him and the Masked Man, Jiraiya's failure was a necessary link.

Only in this way could he gradually shake Hiruzen Sarutobi's prestige and create an opportunity for his own ascension.