In Konoha: Starting with Three Choices

"Understood, Lord Hokage!"

Listening to the uneven chorus of replies, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed inwardly. Their hearts were no longer united, and the troops were getting harder to lead.

He understood the ninja's resentment. They had spent so long fighting on the front lines, only to return without receiving a warm welcome from the village.

Instead, they had an even more terrifying boss to face. Worse still, that boss had originally been on their side, yet they had forced him to become their enemy.

It was like putting down a rebellion. They had only just pacified the trouble outside when another crisis erupted at home—and an enormous one at that.

Regardless of what anyone else thought, Jiraiya had already begun gathering his chakra.

"Sorry, Liuyun! I have to stop you!"

Murmuring those words, Jiraiya clapped his hands together, and dense chakra erupted from his body.

"Summoning Technique!"

Bang!

Amid a cloud of smoke, Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima appeared on Jiraiya's shoulders, each wearing a cloak.

"What do you need us for this time, little Jiraiya?"

Sage Fukasaku spoke quietly, confusion filling his toad eyes.

"Sorry, Sage Fukasaku, Sage Shima. I need your help this time!" Jiraiya drew a deep breath, his tone more solemn than ever.

"Who is it? Who could possibly call for a force this large?" Fukasaku and Shima scanned the figures around them, shock spreading across their toad faces.

Orochimaru, Minato Namikaze, the Third Hokage, the Konoha High Command...

Wasn't this practically all of Konoha's fucking strength?!

Jiraiya said nothing, his eyes fixed on the figure above.

Fukasaku followed Jiraiya's gaze, his toad eyes widening.

"Liuyun??? What are you doing here? Don't tell me you're the one Konoha is fighting?"

"That's right! I'm the one attacking Konoha this time. I suggest you two sages stay out of