Two Parasites

In a basement somewhere in Konoha, Fei Yun's clone threw in a Sarutobi Clan ninja he had captured.

This basement had originally belonged to a Sarutobi Clan jonin. Fei Yun had secretly taken control of it and turned it into a temporary base, guarded by a large number of his clones.

His chakra reserves were now exceptionally abundant. Even after creating so many clones, his strength remained formidable.

The number of people captured from the four major families had already exceeded a hundred. There were men, women, young, and old among them, all close relatives of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, Koharu, and Homura Mitokado.

Haha, the final matches start tomorrow. All kinds of dignitaries will surely come to watch, won't they? I'm really looking forward to it!

Fei Yun's true body swept his gaze across the trembling captives. The four major families seemed to have noticed something was wrong and had begun to stay alert. Though the kidnappings had only begun a few days ago, the disappearance of so many clan members had already caught the Hokage faction's attention.

But Fei Yun was in no hurry. If they became difficult to capture, he could simply stop for the time being. He still had other moves prepared. This many people would be enough for the live performance. He had no intention of letting the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, die honorably.

Fei Yun's true body left the basement and headed for a location confirmed by intelligence. There were two important guests there!

If one were to ask what Konoha produced most abundantly, the first thing Fei Yun thought of was dirty old perverts.

There was the Telescope Technique above, and peeping experts and intelligence-gathering specialists below. Konoha's beautiful women truly had it hard. No wonder that master had taken his boyfriend's niece away and not returned to the village for over a decade. It was simply too dangerous here!

As a master in this field, Jiraiya knew that peeping was unsuitable for close-range operations. Ever since his close-range material-gathering expedition had been interrupted by one punch from Tsunade, leaving him in the hospital for months, he had attained enlightenment. Peeping was really just intelligence gathering. Obtaining material from a more efficient and sufficiently safe distance was the true way.

His teacher had inspired him in this regard. The Third Hokage had mastered this technique for decades, reducing himself to skin and bones and becoming ridiculously short, yet he had never been caught even once. That was a true master. That was the role model Jiraiya admired!

Of course, it depended on the material. If it was top-tier material like Tsunade, Jiraiya would rush to the closest possible vantage point without hesitation even if it killed him. Wasn't that what gathering material meant?

And sure enough, Jiraiya was currently sticking out his big backside as he lay sprawled atop a tall building, skillfully using the telescope in his hands for his material-gathering work.

This was an excellent spot for gathering material. The view was broad, and the beautiful sights in several of Konoha's hot springs were all in view. He wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth and occasionally let out strange chuckles.

Konoha's scenery was as beautiful and enchanting as ever. It filled him with emotion and comfort.

Jiraiya immersed himself in the beautiful sights, inspiration continuously surging through him. He felt that he would soon finish the next installment of Make-Out Paradise.

A voice suddenly sounded from behind Jiraiya.

Jiraiya did not even turn around, continuing to use the telescope to admire Konoha's beautiful scenery.

Mm-hm, old man. I've only been away for a little over a year, and you urgently called me back again. Is something going on?

Naturally, something major had happened.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag from his old pipe. Having Jiraiya in the village put him much more at ease, but this brat ran around all day and was hard to find. He truly neglected his duties.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was deeply disappointed. Was his teacher and the village really less important than mere female beauty?

If he had not just used the crystal ball to monitor this area, he would never have found him on the rooftop.

Jiraiya!

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression became serious.

Konoha has been somewhat dangerous lately. I've sensed signs that a storm is about to come.

Only then did Jiraiya slowly rise.

Signs?

What do you mean?

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly exhaled a cloud of smoke.

According to Anko Mitarashi's intelligence, Orochimaru has most likely returned to Konoha.

A hint of nostalgia appeared on Jiraiya's face.

Orochimaru, huh.

Jiraiya!

Hiruzen Sarutobi cut off Jiraiya's reminiscing.

We received intelligence that Uchiha Feiyun has likely been with Orochimaru all these years. That demon may have come to Konoha with him.

Do you understand?

Jiraiya, with two extremely dangerous people like that returning to Konoha at this time, Konoha may be in danger.

Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that whether it was Orochimaru or Uchiha Feiyun, they were probably after him, the Third Hokage.

One-on-one, Hiruzen Sarutobi had the confidence and determination to take them down.

But two experts of that caliber?

Jiraiya nodded. "What do you want to do?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked out over prosperous Konoha and sighed softly. "I'm old. I'm afraid I can't handle two experts like that. I need your help, as well as Tsunade's."

Though he had always been unwilling to admit it, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew very well that he was truly old.

His strength was no longer what it had been. Ever since his grandson Konohamaru and his son Asuma had died, Hiruzen Sarutobi had gradually become disheartened. He had even begun thinking about how to end his ninja career honorably.

Now, he could not rely on anyone else. He could only rely on Jiraiya and Tsunade.

As for those old companions, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew Danzo had long since hidden away. Danzo had probably even played a part in Orochimaru's return, so it was impossible for him to receive Danzo's support.

As for Koharu and Homura, heh. Leaving aside their aged bodies, weaker than his own, what strength could they possibly have after not fighting for decades?

On the surface, he might not have done anything wrong, but all the karma still had to be borne by him, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

As Hokage, he knew that was inevitable. Outsiders might not know, but could the victims not know?

If his enemies did not come for him, that would be strange indeed!

This was the consequence of failing to uproot the weeds completely!

Jiraiya considered it for a moment, then nodded. "All right. If war breaks out, I'll help you with everything I have."

There was no helping it. His teacher had already asked, and all of this was for the village. Naturally, Jiraiya would not refuse.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped forward to the edge of the building. "I hear that many members of ninja clans have gone missing these past two days. They should have already started moving."

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not say which clans had suffered disappearances. Jiraiya did not need to know that much.

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused before continuing, "Jiraiya, summon the two sages to Konoha in advance. War could break out at any moment."

Jiraiya frowned slightly. "Would Orochimaru really dare start a war in Konoha?"

"We have the Sand Village alliance."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's Hokage robes fluttered in the wind.

"You know Orochimaru well. There are very few things in this world that man would not dare to do."

Yet when he thought of Konoha's ally, Sand Village, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt much calmer. This was one of the reasons he had remained relatively composed until now.

In Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, Konoha's strength was enough to deal with any crisis. With Sand Village's support as well, even if Orochimaru and Uchiha Feiyun came, they would likely find it difficult to escape. People in the village often say that I curry favor with outsiders. They curse me as a dog behind my back. But who knows my painstaking intentions?

Without allies, could the village's crisis be resolved so easily this time?

For decades, I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, have endured internal disgrace and external humiliation, working diligently for what?

No one in the world understands my intentions?

Everything I have done has been for Konoha!

"Oh, that's Uzumaki Naruto, isn't it?"

Jiraiya's voice interrupted Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts.

Following Jiraiya's gaze, he saw a blond-haired boy swaggering down the street.

"Yes, that's Naruto."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.

"Oh, I never expected the Fourth Hokage's son to be this grown already. He looks so much like Minato!"

After exchanging a few words with Hiruzen Sarutobi, Jiraiya headed toward Naruto.

Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally told Jiraiya to keep an eye on the Nine-Tails as well. Konoha was truly chaotic right now.

Under Jiraiya's arrangements, he and Naruto had a chance encounter.

After Naruto discovered how powerful Jiraiya was, he loudly demanded that Jiraiya teach him. Jiraiya had initially refused, but when Naruto used his ultimate move, the Sexy Technique, Jiraiya gladly agreed.

Seeing Jiraiya about to put his hands on him, Naruto hurriedly canceled the transformation. Jiraiya awkwardly wiped the red liquid flowing from his nostrils, inwardly marveling that the demon fox's person truly was something else. Seducing people was a natural talent.

Meanwhile, Naruto perfectly set foot on the path his mother had feared most: not staying away from Jiraiya.

At the same time, seeing Uchiha Sasuke become strange after Orochimaru planted a curse mark on him, Kakashi feared Orochimaru would steal away his beloved disciple. He brought out his ultimate move, Chidori, and began giving Sasuke special training, letting the boy understand what true power was.

Kakashi hoped Sasuke would see how extraordinary he was and thus keep his beloved disciple's heart.

But Sasuke's heart held only killing intent toward his brother and Uchiha Feiyun. How could he think about such pointless things? In Uchiha Sasuke's eyes, there was only power and hatred.

Sasuke was ruthless enough. In just a few days, he had nearly mastered the extremely difficult Chidori, which thrilled him greatly. He had already begun imagining the scene of using this technique to pierce his enemies' hearts.

Meanwhile, Fei Yun continued making every effort to prepare for his grand execution platform show.

Fei Yun looked up toward the arena where Konoha's Chunin Exams were being held. It was packed with noise and people.

Fei Yun had originally planned to act in advance, but unexpectedly, he still had to wait and act together with Orochimaru.

Mainly because this targeted operation was indeed a complicated undertaking. Many factors required time. Orochimaru had likely anticipated this long ago, which was why he had not been too concerned that Fei Yun's actions would disrupt things.

The plan should be about ready to begin. I need to hurry too. I can't miss Konoha's grand stage!

Muttering to himself, Fei Yun climbed into the building where the Konoha Council was located.

The Konoha Council was shrouded in an eerie blood mist. More than twenty corpses lay scattered throughout the courtyard in various twisted positions. Every throat had been precisely slit, and the sprayed blood had condensed into tiny red beads within the mist, floating through the air.

"Requesting communication—" The ninja's voice abruptly cut off. His head suddenly spun one hundred and eighty degrees, and the crisp crack of his broken cervical vertebrae rang especially clearly through the silent courtyard. Fei Yun's figure slowly emerged behind him.

Only when the council's doors were violently smashed open did those inside realize something was wrong outside.

"Hello, esteemed advisors!"

Fei Yun had silently infiltrated the building. He was extremely confident that no one had noticed his entry, because everyone capable of noticing was already dead.

"Get up!"

Koharu had just raised her teacup to her lips when the brown tea spilled onto the confidential documents on the table from the vibration.

"Y-you're Uchiha Feiyun!" Homura Mitokado abruptly stood up, his aged fingers already forming half of a defensive hand seal.

Because Uchiha Feiyun had torn off his disguise, the two advisors instantly recognized this great traitor of Konoha.

Fei Yun stepped through the pool of blood. Each step of his black boots left a sticky footprint on the floor.

The final guard ninja outside was using a kunai to pierce his own eyes. The Sharingan's genjutsu forced him to end his own life as though he were a puppet being controlled.

"Protect the advisors!" Three personal guards leaped down from the ceiling.

Fei Yun did not even raise his head. The fingers of his right hand suddenly clenched around the hilt of his blade.