Jiraiya Returns

"Confirmed dead in battle. His body has already been taken away by Lord Danzo."

"Did he expose the Sharingan?"

"Yes. The Mangekyō Sharingan."

As he said this, a trace of fear flashed through the man's eyes.

Last night's battle had thoroughly shown them the terror of the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Fortunately, Danzo had fought desperately and used many trump cards. Root had suffered grievous losses, and they had barely managed to force a mutual defeat.

"Find a way to trade for the Mangekyō Sharingan."

Naruto gave the order.

Only after the man left did Naruto begin examining what he had gained last night.

First was the Flying Thunder God he had obtained from Minato Namikaze, though Naruto had yet to even get started with it.

There were also the sealing techniques he had obtained from Kushina: the Four Symbols Seal, the Fire-Sealing Method, the Five Elements Seal, and more.

Name: Naruto Uzumaki

Bloodline: Uzumaki Bloodline

Cultivation Technique: Threefold Reversal

Skills: Fire Release, Twin Hands, Adamantine Sealing Chains, Kagura Mind's Eye, Flying Thunder God, Four Symbols Seal, Five Elements Seal.

Chakra: 1000 cal

Restriction: Cinnabar Seal

Draws: 5

His accumulated draws had reached five as well.

At the same time, the seal on the Nine-Tails within him had been completely undone. If he had not possessed the Threefold Reversal, then destroying the seal yesterday would have killed him.

So it was better for the Uchiha clan to be wiped out.

The power within my body has already been fully developed. Next comes external power.

Naruto had now completely reached the level of the Fourth Shinobi World War.

Just as Naruto was about to draw a card to celebrate,

he suddenly sensed Hinata's chakra.

Yesterday's matter with the Nine-Tails had been thoroughly suppressed, but the great clans were not idiots. That kind of chakra presence could not fool anyone.

That was why Hinata had been worried and rushed over early in the morning.

Just as she was about to knock, Naruto opened the door.

"Naruto, are you okay?"

Her chubby little face was filled with concern.

"I'm fine. What could possibly happen to me?"

Naruto felt warmth in his heart. The little girl's feelings were pure.

"Phew! That's good."

"They all said the Nine-Tailed Fox came out last night. I was scared to death."

Hinata did not know that Naruto was the Nine-Tailed Fox. She was simply afraid that something had happened to him.

"Since you're here, come in and rest for a while."

It was obvious Hinata had been in a hurry. She was still panting.

Just as Hinata was about to enter, Naruto turned his head to the side.

"Uzumaki Naruto, the elders request your presence."

An ANBU suddenly appeared, bowing his head respectfully.

"Has Jiraiya returned?"

Naruto could tell from the man's expression that he was under his control.

"Yes."

"Fine. I'll go now."

"Hinata, go home first. Don't wander around—stay at home and wait for news."

He turned and told Hinata.

Their bodies vanished in an instant.

The Body Flicker Technique was a basic ninja technique. Nearly every ninja knew it, and every ninja would make slight improvements based on their own circumstances.

Naturally, Naruto used Minato's improved version.

Minato had naturally quick reflexes. Even before cultivating the Flying Thunder God, he had been a speed-type ninja.

Thus, the Body Flicker Technique he had improved was also extremely fast.

Within a few blinks, Naruto arrived at the Hokage Building.

After last night's fierce battle, the place had been heavily damaged. Several elders were holding a meeting in a building some distance away.

The moment Naruto approached the entrance, the ANBU at the door opened it for him.

The people inside, who had been discussing matters, all frowned at once.

"Bastard! Who told you to open the door for him?"

Danzo immediately flew into a rage. They had let him in without even reporting it first—who had given them such authority?

Naruto glanced at him.

Damn it, I nearly forgot about this troublemaker.

Because of the Uchiha clan situation, Danzo had barely paid any attention to the jinchuriki. This had nearly caused Naruto to forget about this troublemaker.

Now that Danzo had stepped forward, Naruto finally noticed him and began considering whether to kill the bastard or directly control him.

Noticing Naruto's gaze, Danzo's heart went cold.

The two elders had witnessed Naruto's strength and immediately spoke to smooth things over.

Strength itself was not frightening. What was truly frightening was a young man with great power but an immature temperament. If he lost his head, there might not actually be anyone present capable of stopping him.

The two elders had personally felt Naruto's oppressive presence.

Thus, they assumed those ANBU respected Naruto's strength and gave it no further thought.

Jiraiya sat in the seat of honor.

Jiraiya's gaze also fell on the young man entering the room.

He looked so much like him.

Naruto's current appearance already bore a thirty percent resemblance to Minato.

"Enough, Danzo. Business comes first."

The two elders changed the subject, afraid Danzo might say something else to provoke Naruto.

"Uzumaki Naruto, this is Jiraiya, disciple of the Third Hokage."

At the same time, the elder did not forget to introduce Jiraiya to Naruto.

"Lord Jiraiya."

Naruto nodded.

"You're quite impressive."

Jiraiya nodded. If the two elders had not explained it to him, he would never have believed it.

An eight-year-old child had actually mastered the power of the Nine-Tails. Though it had all been a coincidence, reality stood right before them.

As for Naruto's explanation, even if they did not believe it, they had no choice but to accept it.

The Third Hokage had severely wounded the Nine-Tails' soul, allowing Naruto to seize the Nine-Tails' chakra and control a portion of its power.

"I already understand the situation. I'll leave this afternoon to find Tsunade, and this child will come with me."

"Jiraiya, isn't it inappropriate to take this child with you?"

The two elders still did not want Naruto to leave the village.

"Don't worry. I'll take good care of him, and I can teach him how to control his power while we're at it."

Since Jiraiya had put it that way,

none of them objected further.

As for Danzo, his attention was now entirely fixed on the Uchiha clan.

The Uchiha clan had finally exposed such a major weakness. How could Danzo possibly let it go? Right now, he only wanted to completely destroy the Uchiha clan.

Naruto was not the least bit surprised to hear that Jiraiya would take him to find Tsunade.

Whether for political reasons or personal ones, Jiraiya taking him along was the best choice.

When the meeting ended, Danzo hurriedly left.

"Don't go too far. It would be best to wait until Tsunade returns and let her decide this matter."

Jiraiya frowned. He had never wanted to involve himself in such messy affairs.

But he was also afraid Danzo would go too far.

"Don't worry. The two of us will keep an eye on him."

The two elders nodded.

"Kid, go back, pack up, and come with me."

Jiraiya walked over.

Naruto said nothing more and turned to leave.

Ninjas did not need to bring many things when leaving home, only a few weapons.

Naruto was not yet a ninja, so he returned to change clothes and take a weapon.

He had also planned to say goodbye to Hinata, but Jiraiya had already come looking for him.

"In such a hurry?"

Naruto was puzzled.

"The sooner, the better."

Jiraiya did not explain. Mainly, he feared Konoha and the Uchiha clan might fight to mutual destruction.

What Naruto did not know was that Root and ANBU had suffered severe casualties last night.

Danzo did not care about that, but the others certainly did.