"You mean, there is someone in the dark inside Konoha, who is making trouble?"
Jiraiya asked with a frown.
If this is the case, it is not impossible for the Fukasaku Sage to be taken away. But Fukasaku Sage is an old toad that has lived for hundreds of years. He has a powerful Senjutsu Chakra in his body and he can also use various Sage arts. How could he be lost? What kind of person can take Fukasaku Sage away without making a sound?
"I'm not very clear about this. If you want to know the details, you can ask Grandpa Third Hokage. He is Hokage and knows more than me. I will search Konoha and see if I can find a clue."
"I see. By the way, if you get any news, please contact me!"
Jiraiya temporarily dispelled his doubts about Naruto. After all, although Naruto was very powerful, he had stayed with Naruto side after Sage Fukasaku transfer, so it should not be him.
"Alright."
Naruto nodded.
He had to deal with it for another nine days. Fortunately, the time was not very long. He believed that the Third Hokage and Jiraiya would be able to withstand the pressure from the outside at that time.
If they can't stand it, then he will just pretend that he didn't see anything. Anyway, Naruto won't let them out in less than ten days.
After all, there are not many such opportunities and he doesn't know how long he will have to wait for the next time.
After Jiraiya left Naruto house, he happened to meet an Anbu who was looking for him saying that Third Hokage was also asking for him.
"Teacher, I heard something happened in Konoha?"
"Yeah, Jiraiya, luckily you came back. But how did you come back so fast?"
Hiruzen looked at Jiraiya and exhaled, feeling a lot more at ease.
After all, he was old now and his strength had plummeted. But Jiraiya is different.
He is at the age of fighting. Not to mention, the sage mode of Mount Myōboku, he can also summon a huge toad to fight together.
He is at the peak of Kage-level with proper strength. With such a strong man staying in Konoha to deal with the situation, Hiruzen also has more confidence.
If only he could find Tsunade.
"I was going to leave last night, but I was delayed by something. Teacher, can you tell me what happened in Konoha? Why is there such a sudden mobilisation?"
Jiraiya explained casually, not revealing the disappearance of Sage Fukasaku.
"It's like this, Gaara, a Sunagakure candidate, was somehow taken away by someone disguised as Anbu last night and there is no news of it so far."
Hiruzen said melancholically.
"It's just an examinee. It's not worth dispatching all Anbu right? There are even riots on the street."
This is what Jiraiya discovered when he came over just now. Not only Anbu, but even ninjas from some families are running around. On the roofs, on the street. There were ninjas everywhere.
"Sigh… He is Sunagakure's One Tail Jinchūriki. A Jinchūriki disappeared in our Konoha. If he is not found, it may trigger a war between the two countries. At that time, other ninja villages will not miss this opportunity."
"At that time, the Fourth Ninja World War...might also break out?!", Jiraiya asked in surprise.
"Yes.", Hiruzen nodded helplessly.
Jiraiya looked serious.
Sure enough, as Naruto said, there is someone in the dark inside Konoha, doing things.
The conflict between Ninja Village and other Ninja Villages.
Contradictions between Konoha and Mount Myōboku shrine.
Could it be that the purpose of this invisible enemy is to destroy Konoha?
Who would do that?
Could it be...
"Could it be Orochimaru?"
"Sigh… I don't know for now, but Orochimaru may cooperate with that person. After all, the purpose of Orochimaru coming to Konoha is also Nine Tails Jinchūriki."
Hiruzen is also guessing whether Orochimaru did it, but he knows Orochimaru's strength. Even if he has defected for several years now and his strength may have improved, it is impossible to take away One Tail quietly and without a trace in front of Sunagakure's people.
Jinchūriki is not made of mud. Doesn't he know how to resist?
Apparently, there were no traces of ninjutsu left at the scene. The only clue is that the other party is good at physical skills and very fast.
Wait! This clue can be used!
"I see. Leave Orochimaru to me! I'll go find him!"
Jiraiya didn't intend to deal with Orochimaru at first, but now, it's impossible not to look for him. Who knows where Sage Fukasaku was taken? If something really happened, what would happen if Mount Myōboku held them accountable? What if Konoha was attacked by enemies?
He absolutely cannot tolerate this!!
"Jiraiya, why are you suddenly so active?"
Hiruzen looked at Jiraiya suspiciously. Didn't he think that it was troublesome before and didn't want to take care of him?
"There is something that needs his answer."
Jiraiya didn't explain too much and left directly, leaving Hiruzen smoking a pipe, frowning in thought.
"Something must have happened that I don't know about. Otherwise, Jiraiya wouldn't be in such a hurry... Could it be that something important to him is also missing?"
…
"You did it, Naruto-kun~ I heard that you appeared at the scene last night. And that kind of weird move which can make items disappear without being discovered... Only you can do something like that, Naruto-kun~"
Orochimaru appeared at the Root base, stuck out his tongue and said with a smile to Naruto's clone, Danzo.
He had also just received the news this morning. He heard that Jinchūriki from Sunagakure was in a strange situation last night.
Combining what Kabuto said last night and Orochimaru having witnessed Naruto's operation of taking away the Summoning scroll with his own eyes, he immediately guessed that it was Naruto's doing..
Because Gaara is related to his Konoha Collapse Project, he had to come.
"Oh, it seems that you have also tried to get back the Summoning scroll. Otherwise you wouldn't be asking me that."
"Hehehe, Naruto-kun is really smart. Your method is always beyond comprehension. So, can Naruto-kun return the One Tail Jinchūriki to me? After all, he is an important part of my plan."
Orochimaru smiled darkly.
He has started to like Naruto more and more in his heart. Through the words of Kabuto, Orochimaru had an increase in temptation for Naruto.
If it weren't for the fact that Naruto did not have a Sharingan and his identity was Nine Tails Jinchūriki, he really wanted to use him as a backup container if the Konoha Collapse Project failed.
But it's a pity that he can't beat Naruto now.
"Since you have said that, then I will definitely give him back to you."
"Thank you so much—"
"But, not right now. Don't worry. I have just borrowed One Tail Jinchūriki and will return him to you before the Third round of exams begins."
Naruto interrupted Orochimaru.
"But..... If this continues, will the Third round of exams still be held normally?"
Orochimaru frowned. The disappearance of Jinchūriki may affect Third Hokage's decision. He will not hold the Chūnin exam when it will obviously cause a war.
"Hehe, don't we still have you here? If... the Fourth Kazekage knows that Jinchūriki will be safe and sound, it should be easy to continue the Chūnin exam while putting some pressure on Third Hokage. Am I right?"
"Hehehe, Naruto-kun, I really like you more and more~"
"No thank you. I'm a straight guy."
…