Before the Anbu Headquarters

Konoha

As dusk fell and darkness descended, dozens of Anbu Ninja, wearing iron vests, carrying Ninja Sword, wearing masks, and with the Konoha insignia embroidered on their shoulders, gathered in front of a building.

The building's signboard bore a large character for "An," indicating it was the Anbu's overt stronghold in Konoha. The Anbu's Daimon were tightly shut, and the Anbu Ninja waited in silence.

Kakashi had a bandage on his forehead; the wound from Orochimaru Kunai healed after treatment.

Kakashi touched his forehead, standing in the Anbu squad as well, awaiting orders.

With a grinding sound, the Daimon to the Anbu base opened, and Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō emerged.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, the previous Hokage, still wore the red Hokage uniform with a white cardigan over it, but he did not wear the straw hat that symbolized the Hokage.

"This emergency summons is to quickly capture Orochimaru, who escaped during a previous mission."

According to the report, Orochimaru is already seriously injured, and considering his condition, escaping the Land of Fire will be no easy task.

Listen carefully, Orochimaru's knowledge, information, and Ninjutsu are invaluable assets to Konoha.

If possible, I hope to capture him alive, but if he escapes the Land of Fire, the damage to Konoha will be fatal. At that point...

The key is to prevent Orochimaru from escaping the country. Everyone must remember this! Disperse!

Even at this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen still gave the order to capture the enemy alive if possible. In the end, he even seemed a little embarrassed to say it, and after giving his instructions, he ended with the word "scattered".

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Upon hearing the Third Hokage's order, the Anbu quickly dispersed, Body Flicker Technique to leave and capture Orochimaru.

Seeing the scene before him, Sarutobi Hiruzen turned and walked towards the entrance of the Anbu building, brushing past Shimura Danzō.

Danzo glanced at the Third Hokage and said in a deep voice:

"I never imagined that someone as skilled as you would make a mistake, since you are so beloved by your own disciple. I will spare no effort to help you and do everything in my power for Konoha."

Danzo lost his position as Hokage's assistant, lost his power to control Konoha's departments, and even his residence was under constant surveillance by the Police Force.

Fortunately, Danzo had many talented individuals under his Danzo. His Transformation Technique could not fool the Sharingan of the Security Department, while his simple disguise and disguise techniques, without any trace of Chakra, fooled the ninjas who were monitoring him.

Danzo previously controlled the Anbu Training Class. Although he was stripped of his position, his influence remained, and there were many of his spies within the Anbu.

He risked going out tonight to meet the Third Hokage, leaving only a similar-looking stand-in in the mansion, just to make his presence known and remind Third Hokage that his old classmate and friend are not doing well.

"I'm sorry to bother you."

Sarutobi Hiruzen was in a bad mood because of Orochimaru's defection, so he gave a perfunctory reply and walked into the Anbu building.

Danzo stood in front of the Anbu building, his left eye open, staring blankly ahead, quietly listening to the Third Hokage's footsteps gradually fading into the distance.

Hokage Building

Early morning

"Hey, old man."

A tall figure with long white hair jumped directly from the window of the Hokage Building into the Hokage Office with a flippant tone.

"Jiraiya, the Third Hokage has gone out on a mission."

Naraku did not reprimand Jiraiya for his disrespectful actions, but instead offered a gentle explanation.

"Ah, the Fourth Hokage."

Jiraiya realized what was happening and greeted Naraku. Jiraiya forgotten that it was no longer the era of the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, and that the person in the office was now the Fourth Uchiha Nara.

"Jiraiya, you've returned because of Orochimaru, haven't you? That's perfect timing. We might need your help with the mission to bring Orochimaru back."

The moment Naraku saw Jiraiya, he understood why Jiraiya had returned to the village.

Jiraiya straightened his expression. The defection of his friend Orochimaru had thrown Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, into a state of turmoil. Jiraiya returned to Konoha that very night, hoping to bring Orochimaru back to him.

"Ah, as one of the Orochimaru 'Sannin friend, I will not stand by and watch Orochimaru betray Konoha. No matter what, I will bring Orochimaru back."

Jiraiya was restless, which is why he jumped into the Hokage Office as usual. Jiraiya nodded in response to the mission that the Fourth Naraku, Naraku, had just issued, and that's how he returned to Konoha.

"Regardless of the circumstances, it's best to have such determination. You're his friend; hopefully, you can bring Orochimaru back from the wrong path."

However, Orochimaru risked his life for Konoha, and I've seen his file. His S-rank mission records are shocking to me.

If it's not absolutely necessary, I hope we can capture him alive and bring him back."

Naraku nodded slightly in response to Jiraiya's words. He was determined to bring Orochimaru back no matter what, meaning that even if he couldn't bring back the living, he would bring back the dead.

Contrary to what the Third and Jiraiya had expected, Naraku was not as forceful as they thought. Instead, he was quite gentle and entrusted the matter entirely to them, instructing them to handle it well and cover it up.

Jiraiya that the Third Hokage wasn't in his office, and not having a good impression of the Fourth Hokage Tsunade who had taken Tsunade from him, Jiraiya waved his hand and prepared to leave to carry out his mission of hunting down Orochimaru.

"Wait, Jiraiya."

Seeing Jiraiya's movement, Naraku called out to stop him.

"Fourth generation, what's wrong? Is there another mission?"

Jiraiya became very serious when he was being solemn, and his words were calm.

"I've finished reading 'The Tale of the Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi,' the wedding gift you gave me and Tsunade. I greatly admire the protagonist Naruto's unwavering perseverance."

Originally, I wanted to name my child with Tsunade Naruto, but Namikaze Minato beat me to it, saying he wanted to name his child with Kushina Naruto, and he got your permission..."

"Ah, hahaha, is that so? The strength and perseverance in <The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi>"

"It's truly a testament to my qualities, Lord Jiraiya! It's rare for you, Fourth Hokage and Minato, to appreciate my work so much. This... this really makes me feel a little ashamed."

Jiraiya hearing Naraku's words, Jiraiya scratched the back of his head and burst into laughter. The fact that Naraku was a fan of his work, and had even read the entire content, instantly brought them closer.

More importantly, the Fourth Uchiha Nara, greatly admired the work and even wanted to name his child after the protagonist, which made Jiraiya extremely happy.

His book, "The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi," sold very poorly and was not sold at all. No one read it, but this book was a work that Jiraiya poured his heart and soul into, and it was very important to him.

Jiraiya's originally serious expression completely crumbled as he scratched the back of his head and grinned foolishly.

Jiraiya approached Naraku's seat and whispered in a somewhat cheeky tone:

"Fourth generation, I'm going to tell you a secret, but don't tell anyone else!"

I'm creating a new work called "Icha Icha Paradise," which is absolutely a masterpiece!

It's just a draft right now, but it's already received rave reviews from readers. When I successfully publish the book, I'll send you a signed collector's copy!

"Hahaha! Good, good, good! Jiraiya, don't forget your promise. Such a masterpiece must be given to its loyal reader, me, first!"