" Rasengan!"
In the forest, Jiraiya and Gamabunta, together, dealt with the last ninja who came to assassinate him.
" Jiraiya, have you messed with someone lately? This is the third large-scale assassination attempt recently."
Gamabunta sheathed his sword, took a deep drag on his cigarette, and exhaled the smoke before speaking.
"Well, to be honest, I don't know what happened either. There's no reason for it. Over the years, I've been gathering intelligence outside, and almost no one has been able to discover my identity. Besides, I really haven't provoked anyone."
Jiraiya was somewhat troubled.
It's clear he's been quite puzzled lately. Almost no one knows his whereabouts, and he's currently rushing back to Konoha, so why are so many people trying to kill him?
"I think it's most likely Konoha."
" Gamabunta, don't say that. The old man's attitude in calling me back this time was clearly very firm. It's absolutely impossible that he leaked my whereabouts."
"I didn't say it was the fourth generation."
Gamabunta was interrupted and took a deep drag on his cigarette.
Jiraiya stood beside the corpse under the tree, sunlight filtering through the leaves and casting shadows on his face, which was usually so bold.
"Anyway, let's go back first. Konoha is in big trouble this time. Minazuki Yuzuru, that guy went too far."
When Gamabunta heard this name, his brows furrowed tightly.
It thought of the mysterious Hakujun it encountered on the Night of the Nine-Tails Fox.
The other party's attitude towards Mount Myōboku was extremely contemptuous, and it almost died there in just one encounter. The terrifying ice still terrifies it to this day.
After escaping back, it was only with the help of the two hermits Fukasaku and Shima, that it finally escaped. When it told the two about what happened, it was met with deep apprehension.
Even the one who had been asleep for a long time was awakened.
Most importantly, the prophecy that had remained unchanged for a thousand years was changed after that awakening, and all of this was because of that boy named Minazuki Yuzuru.
" Jiraiya, you need to be careful of that boy."
"I know, but the problem is, after investigating for so many years, it's as if he's vanished from the Shinobi World. Even Minato and the others haven't reacted, and they've lost contact with Mount Myōboku. So many people disappearing into thin air is truly hard to understand."
Jiraiya scratched his head in distress.
" Tsunade has disappeared, and that Orochimaru has betrayed us too. Sigh."
"This time, the old man practically threatened suicide to force me to go back."
Gamabunta was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke to comfort her, "It's not necessarily a bad thing. You really should settle down."
" Hokage? But I'm really not cut out for this. Just thinking about having to face those mountains of documents and reports every day gives me a headache. Besides, Konoha just suffered a major blow, so there's even more to do."
Gamabunta watched Jiraiya's retreating figure without saying a word, then turned into smoke and returned to Mount Myōboku.
Two days later, Jiraiya finally returned to Konoha after a long absence.
Looking at the familiar village gate, Jiraiya felt both joy and worry.
He scratched his hair hard and walked forward resignedly.
"Yes, it's Lord Jiraiya!"
" Lord Jiraiya is back!"
Seeing that there were already ninjas waiting for him at the village entrance, Jiraiya was stunned for a moment, then laughed and waved, "Oh my, I really didn't expect to receive this kind of treatment."
Although he was worried about losing his freedom, this was, after all, the place where he grew up, and so many people cared about him, which made him feel much better.
If Yuzuru knew what he was thinking, she'd probably laugh herself to death.
care?
Don't make your brother Yuzuru laugh.
A bunch of guys decades younger than you, are they really interested in a pervert like you, whose head is full of lewd nonsense and who's always thinking about peeping?
They weren't concerned about you, but rather worried that without a powerful ninja to step in after the village was destroyed, it would invite attacks from other countries.
Although all countries are currently worried that Minazuki Yuzuru might launch a sudden attack, if Konoha doesn't produce Kage Level shinobi other than Hiruzen Sarutobi for an extended period, they might have other ulterior motives.
It should be noted that wars in the Shinobi World have never had any cause.
Today may be peaceful, but tomorrow the peace treaty may be torn up and an attack may be launched suddenly.
Jiraiya's return not only gave Konoha a new spiritual pillar, but also told other countries that Konoha's strong warriors were still there.
Upon returning to the village, Jiraiya immediately went to the hospital to see Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Meanwhile, at the Root.
After learning that Jiraiya had returned safely, Danzo didn't say a word. He stared at the table in front of him with an extremely sinister look in his eyes.
"Unexpectedly, several waves of attacks failed to eliminate Jiraiya."
Danzo knew very well that his dream of Hokage would be shattered once again after Jiraiya returned, but he was unwilling to accept it! How could he possibly accept it!
He had longed for the position of Hokage for most of his life. He almost became the Third Hokage, and he almost became the Fourth Hokage. Now, he was about to become the Fifth Hokage. This was his best chance, perhaps even his only chance in his life. He could not give it up.
Even if Jiraiya really does take over, he'll still bring him down!
In his opinion, Jiraiya was completely unworthy of being Hokage, both in terms of character and personality.
"You've run away your whole life, why did you come back now, Jiraiya? You brought this on yourself!"
Danzo was well aware of Jiraiya's indecisiveness, which was even greater than that of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Always remain silent or choose to back down when others need it most.
He's like this in personal matters and in important ones; he never has his own opinions. This kind of person is only suitable to be a henchman and can't shoulder any responsibility at all.
The only thing they held fast to was the empty talk of those Toad on Mount Myōboku, sacrificing their lives for a baseless prophecy.
"You shouldn't have come back, you shouldn't have come back!"
Danzo said something quietly, and then the office fell silent again.
"Old man, are you really sure you want me to be the fifth generation?"
Jiraiya was still engaged in a final battle with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"How long are you going to keep running?"
"I'm not running away, it's just... there should be a better candidate, right? Tsunade, or Shikamaru..."
Halfway through his sentence, Jiraiya suddenly remembered that the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans had all disappeared a few years ago.
"It can only be you now! And only you!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him with an unprecedentedly firm and serious expression, giving Jiraiya absolutely no room to refuse.