Cat-and-Mouse Game

Uchiha Yato left the tavern and immediately went to find Tsunade.

Tsunade was now the director of Konoha Hospital, and Uchiha Yato used the excuse of visiting her to stay by her side.

Tsunade asked Uchiha Yato, "What brings you here? Did something troubling happen?"

Uchiha Yato jokingly replied, "I came to see how my patient is doing."

Uchiha Yato found an opportunity and remained at Konoha Hospital.

Though she did not know what Uchiha Yato was planning, she was still deeply grateful that he had stayed with her.

The scene returned to Jiraiya.

Jiraiya was already half drunk, staggering forward step by step until he arrived beside a hot spring.

Just as Uchiha Yato had anticipated, it was the very hot spring where the Sand Shinobi were staying.

And by sheer coincidence, Jiraiya heard the girls' laughter.

At once, it stirred his desire to gather material.

Without any unnecessary fuss, he avoided the complicated surveillance and made his way beside the women's bath.

With practiced ease, he found a weak spot in the bathhouse wall and opened a tiny hole just large enough to observe with one eye.

The women's bath was also filled with laughter and cheerful voices.

Every laugh inside belonged to female Sand Shinobi.

Jiraiya's eyes never left the alluring scene before him.

But as Jiraiya watched, he suddenly noticed a woman in the corner who was not as excited as the other female ninja.

She exuded an even stronger air of maturity, drawing more and more of Jiraiya's attention.

As the steam gradually dispersed and Jiraiya continued watching, he slowly made out her appearance.

The sight made Jiraiya cry out in excitement.

"Fuck!"

That cry immediately alerted the Uchiha guards and the female Sand Shinobi.

The agile female ninja shut her eyes tightly, swiftly formed hand seals, and muttered under her breath.

Along with a faint fluctuation of energy, she successfully performed a mysterious detection technique.

This technique allowed her to keenly perceive the slightest changes in her surroundings.

Suddenly, she snapped open her eyes and fixed her gaze directly on the inconspicuous little hole above the bath.

That hole, which should have gone unnoticed, had now become the center of everyone's attention.

Before anyone else could react, a deafening, piercing scream rang throughout the entire hot spring!

Like a thunderclap, the scream shattered the once peaceful atmosphere.

At the same time, as though someone had pressed a button, the people who had seemed frozen suddenly all came to life. Everyone began scrambling into action.

Jiraiya was naturally the first to move. The man who usually seemed so carefree had gone pale, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.

He knew perfectly well that if he was recognized or caught here, the reputation he had built up over the years would be utterly ruined. He would lose all face!

So, without hesitation, he turned and bolted toward the exit at top speed.

Meanwhile, the female ninja hurriedly threw on their clothes.

Their faces were filled with anger and embarrassment. They cursed nonstop as they chased after Jiraiya, swearing to bring that despicable "pervert" to justice.

For a time, the entire hot spring was thrown into utter chaos.

The Uchiha guards, including the clan head, joined this game of cat and mouse.

Before long, an anti-pervert operation began on Konoha's streets.

News like this would quickly reach the Third Hokage.

The Third Hokage was also caught off guard when he heard the news.

Chiyo had already changed into fresh clothes and arrived at the Hokage's office, urgently demanding a face-to-face discussion.

"You must give me an explanation. Otherwise, if this old woman's reputation is ruined in your Konoha—"

"I will start a national war with you. Even if the Third Kazekage refuses—"

"Then I alone will wage war against Konoha!"

Chiyo was furious. She had guarded her purity for over forty years and had remained chaste ever since the First Kazekage's death.

Yet she had been seen naked in Konoha. This had to be kept secret, and the culprit had to be caught.

Seeing Chiyo in this state, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not dare say much.

Women at her age were not to be provoked, and the evidence did point to Konoha being at fault.

Hiruzen Sarutobi reassured her, "I will give you an explanation. There is no need to escalate this to the level of a national war."

"I have already dispatched the Uchiha police force and ANBU to capture the culprit. Rest assured, rest assured."

As he said this, Hiruzen Sarutobi could not help grumbling inwardly.

You're all skin and bones. What's there to see, you old hag?

Even if someone wanted to peep, they'd be peeping at those young girls beside you, not you. What are you being so full of yourself for?

While the Third Hokage and Chiyo argued back and forth, Jiraiya was doing everything he could to escape pursuit.

That scream had instantly sobered him from his half-drunk state.

He was currently hiding in an inn beside Hiruzen Sarutobi's home. He had no choice; right now, Jiraiya could only rely on his teacher's protection.

After adjusting his position, he prepared to reverse summon himself back to Mount Myoboku. The situation was simply too dangerous now.

While Uchiha Yato was with Tsunade, he heard the sound of a large number of ninja rushing past outside.

At that moment, he knew that the matter he had deliberately hinted at earlier had come to pass.

Jiraiya did not dare seek Hiruzen Sarutobi's help now. The only safe place was Mount Myoboku.

And with no culprit, wasn't this the perfect chance for Uchiha Yato to work his magic?

Uchiha Yato silently muttered to himself.

"Danzo, Danzo!"

"How are you going to take the blame for this?"

Tsunade was also concerned about the situation outside. Since becoming director of Konoha Hospital, she had never seen things this turbulent.

Then Tsunade said to Uchiha Yato, "Something seems to have happened outside. Should we go take a look? What if it's a spy?"

Uchiha Yato immediately slipped into acting mode and agreed.

"Doesn't feel like a spy. I saw some Sand Shinobi earlier. Maybe someone lost something?"

At that moment, an ANBU ninja came before Tsunade and said, "Lady Tsunade, the Hokage requests your presence to discuss something."

Tsunade did not hesitate upon hearing the summons and followed the ANBU ninja to the conference hall.

After saying goodbye to Tsunade, Uchiha Yato chose to visit Mito Uzumaki.

After all, Uchiha Yato absolutely could not give Danzo Shimura any chance to frame him.

This opportunity could be used to frame anyone. As long as someone was identified as the peeping pervert—

That person would immediately be despised by both Konoha and the Sand Shinobi.

Danzo Shimura would definitely find a way to go after Uchiha Yato once he learned of this.

Uchiha Yato likewise intended to go after him, but he had already found an irrefutable witness.

So, taking the same route as Tsunade, he headed for Mito Uzumaki's home.

As for the purpose of his visit, Uchiha Yato had already thought it through.

Ryoma Aburame's memories had been examined before. Danzo had done many dirty things, and there were corresponding records of them all.

So now, he needed to pin Nawaki's death on Danzo Shimura. As the pot-shadow, it would not hurt him to carry one more pot. Besides, he might not even be innocent.

Inside the Root base.

Danzo Shimura had long since learned the full story through Root's intelligence network.

He quickly came up with a plan and ordered people to fabricate evidence.

He also believed this was a perfect opportunity to bring down the Uchiha Clan and Uchiha Yato.

Danzo Shimura immediately said to Ryoma Aburame, "Hurry and arrange a scene proving that Uchiha Yato was not present."

"I want Uchiha Yato to become the sacrifice of both Konoha and the Sand Shinobi."

Upon receiving the order, Ryoma Aburame quickly assembled a team and immediately headed out.

Speaking of Ryoma Aburame, the kid truly was unlucky.

Uchiha Yato had taught him quite a lesson before, and his clan head had hung him up and beaten him three times.

But because he knew most of Danzo's secrets, bore Danzo's Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal, and truly could serve as a capable assistant, Danzo had taken him back.

After everyone left, Danzo Shimura muttered to himself.

"Uchiha Yato, let's see how you survive this time!"

With that, everyone began making their moves.