The Shocked High-Level Figures of All Sides

In the Leaf Village Hokage Office, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood by the wall, pipe in hand, slowly exhaling a ring of smoke. He gazed at the military map on the wall with a troubled expression.

The Third Shinobi World War had dragged on, and the Leaf Village's losses were becoming increasingly severe.

Although there were excellent ninja like Minato to support the front lines, Hiruzen Sarutobi still felt it wasn't enough. After all, who would ever complain about having too many talented ninja?

"Whoosh!"

Just then, a figure leaped swiftly through the window and knelt behind the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The person wore a mask and was one of the Leaf Village's Anbu.

"Third Hokage-sama, Jiraiya-sama and Tsunade-sama have both returned to the village, but..."

Before the Anbu member could finish speaking, the Third Hokage let out a displeased snort.

"Hmph, those two ungrateful disciples! They're back in the village and haven't even come to visit this old man!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly turned around, glanced at the Anbu member below, and continued, "You said 'but,' but what? Did they get into some kind of trouble?"

"Replying to Third Hokage-sama, Jiraiya-sama and Tsunade-sama started fighting at the Uchiha compound!"

"What?!"

"Fighting right after returning to the village? Unacceptable, truly unacceptable! But why did they go to the Uchiha's territory?"

Upon hearing this news, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's old face flushed red with anger, his eyes twitching. He wished he could discipline these two disciples right now.

"It's said that the two masters started fighting over a disciple!"

"And that disciple is a member of the Uchiha clan, named Uchiha Chen."

The Anbu member quickly gave a general description of what had happened with Uchiha Chen.

"Hmm?"

"Uchiha Chen? Isn't that the one who was forced to retreat from the front lines a while ago due to severe injuries?"

"To be valued by both Tsunade and Jiraiya?

It seems I, too, need to loosen my old bones!"

As soon as the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, he vanished like a phantom with a "whoosh."

Meanwhile, Inside the Root organization's base, Another masked Anbu—no, to be precise, a Root organization member—knelt on the ground, also reporting on Jiraiya and Tsunade's fight over Uchiha Chen.

Before this Root member stood a middle-aged man whose entire face was wrapped in bandages, revealing only one right eye. He exuded a gloomy aura.

This man was Danzo Shimura, one of the Leaf Village's higher-ups.

Danzo Shimura's narrow right eye flashed with a sharp glint as he muttered to himself, "Uchiha Chen? Unknown Mangekyou Sharingan abilities, simultaneously favored by Tsunade and Jiraiya, even fighting over him.

Interesting, truly interesting. It seems Orochimaru had some foresight after all.

If it's this person, perhaps our research can progress further."

After speaking, Danzo Shimura also vanished instantly, leaving no trace.

Almost simultaneously, in front of the clan heads of various major Leaf Village families and the Leaf Village's higher-ups, one or a group of people were vividly describing this incident.

A large question mark appeared in everyone's minds: Who exactly was this Uchiha Chen?

"Jiraiya!!"

"Tsunade!!"

Jiraiya and Tsunade, each standing on the head of their respective summoned beasts, glared at each other and let out roars. As for the onlookers, they couldn't care less!

Gamabunta's eyes revealed a hint of helplessness. He then drew the long sword from his back and pretended to slash at Tsunade and Katsuyu.

Then, with a "swish," Gamabunta's long sword plunged into the ground, leaving only the hilt exposed.

"Stop! All of you, stop!!"

"You must stop fighting!"

Just then, after an angry roar, a figure suddenly shot out from below and landed on the sword hilt.

This figure was the aggrieved party whose home had been destroyed—Uchiha Chen!

Seeing Uchiha Chen suddenly appear, Tsunade and Jiraiya froze simultaneously. But soon, they roared as before, "Uchiha Chen, don't worry, I will definitely defeat him/her and make you willingly become my disciple!"

Uchiha Chen: "I told you to stop! You won't kill anyone like this!!"

Tsunade: ???

Jiraiya: ???

What is going on? How did this Uchiha brat suddenly...

Although Uchiha Chen's words left Tsunade and Jiraiya feeling somewhat bewildered, the effect was surprisingly good; the two of them finally ceased their fighting.

"Fight? Why aren't you continuing to fight?"

Uchiha Chen stood upon the hilt of a blade, berating Tsunade and Jiraiya without a shred of fear.

"Since my home is already gone, you might as well be thorough and destroy all of Konoha while you're at it. I believe you both have the capability to do so!"

After all, Jiraiya had yet to use his Sage Mode, and Tsunade had yet to unleash her Strength of a Hundred Technique!

Tsunade: ...

Jiraiya: ...

Only then did Tsunade and Jiraiya snap back to reality. Looking down at the ruins that used to be Uchiha Chen's home, they were suddenly overcome with a sense of guilt and stood there at a loss for what to do.

Seeing Tsunade and Jiraiya hanging their heads while being scolded by Uchiha Chen, the surrounding Konoha ninjas who had gathered to watch were all stunned.

Among them were the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had just arrived, the Uchiha clan head Uchiha Fugaku, and a host of other high-ranking Konoha officials...

They never imagined that Uchiha Chen could have such a "valiant" side.

More importantly, Tsunade and Jiraiya were actually not refuting Uchiha Chen, but instead lowering their heads to listen to his lecture...

"Ahem, well... Chen, this was our fault. But rest assured, with me, the Toad Sage, here, I can definitely compensate you for a house. However, if you are willing to become my disciple, I can even buy you a brand new one!"

Seeing how much Uchiha Chen valued his house, Jiraiya's heart stirred, and he tossed out an enticing olive branch.

"Uchiha Chen, don't listen to Jiraiya. I can give you a new house too, and whatever ninjutsu or secret techniques you want to learn, I can teach them to you!"

Seeing Uchiha Chen look tempted, Tsunade grew anxious and hurriedly threw out her own conditions.

"Hahaha, Tsunade, you're drowning in debt yourself, where would you get the money to buy him a house?"

"Besides, I can teach him ninjutsu and secret techniques just as well!"

Jiraiya looked at Tsunade triumphantly, his face beaming with delight.

"You, I..."

Tsunade furrowed her brows, wanting to retort, but a sense of helplessness rose in her heart, and the words of rebuttal ultimately remained unspoken.

It was true; she really didn't have a single cent to her name right now!

"It seems the battle for this disciple is about to come to an end!"

The onlookers gathered around also concluded that Tsunade didn't have much of a chance left to win.