"Hiruzen, the most important thing now is the issue of Sunagakure's Jinchūriki. As for those rumours, they won't have any impact on us. As long as you find the missing Jinchūriki, then appease Fourth Kazekage and prove your ability, those rumours will naturally be dispelled."
Koharu Utatane comforted the Third Hokage saying that. As a high-ranking member of Konoha, she possessed a clear sense of vision.
"That's right, Hiruzen. The more urgent the situation is, the more calm you should be. You are the Hokage!"
Homura Mitokado also comforted his old friend in this way.
Because they all know that if Hiruzen falls at this time, then Konoha will not be able to stand up and Danzo may take the opportunity to seize power.
Although all the four of them are disciples of the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama, they still hope that Hiruzen can continue to sit in Hokage's seat, not Danzo.
What? You say that Jiraiya is still there?
With his temperament, if Jiraiya is willing to take over Hokage's position, then there must be a problem with him.
So Jiraiya was never their choice. If Tsunade showed up at this time, maybe they might consider it.
The words of Utatane and Mitokado calmed down the enraged Hiruzen. He thought affirmably that at this moment, he must not let himself get into trouble and let the insidious person hidden in the dark take advantage!
Not only that, he has to work harder and be stronger! They must catch the bastard who is behind the scenes and see what he will look like after he fails!
"That's right, the most important problem now is Sunagakure. Danzo, have you gathered any kind of information?"
Putting aside his irritability, Hiruzen composed himself and started to ask about business.
"No, all the intelligence systems of Root are already in operation and even several other secrets have been exposed because of this incident. Several strongholds of spies have been uprooted. But there is no trace of the missing Jinchūriki."
'Danzo' said regrettably and his voice had a sense of exhaustion, which made Hiruzen feel a little touched in his heart.
It seems that this time, his old partner is really desperate.
"It looks like it might be the effect of some kind of ninjutsu. Could it be Time-Space Ninjutsu? Or Summoning Ninjutsu?"
Koharu Utatane asked with a frown.
In the past few days, not only Anbu and Root, but also several major families in Konoha, such as Ino–Shika–Chō, Sarutobi, Shimura and families of Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado have sent ninjas to search.
Especially the Hyuga clan with byakugan, their eyes have been staring meticulously for the past few days, but they haven't noticed anything.
"Isn't Jiraiya in the village? He's well-informed. Will he know something?", asked Homura Mitokado.
"Sigh, don't mention him."
Hiruzen sighed weakly.
"What's wrong? What happened to Jiraiya?"
"Sage Fukasaku from Mount Myōboku is also missing. Jiraiya has been looking for him for the past few days. He said that he would go to Mount Myōboku today to ask about the situation and see if he can get any information."
Hiruzen was very puzzled when Jiraiya suddenly became active. After several days of insinuating, he finally knew the reason. It turned out that Sage Fukasaku also disappeared in Konoha, which caused Hiruzen more headache. If this is not handled properly, it could potentially not only affect the relationship between Konoha and the Holy Land of Mount Myōboku but also expose them to risk of facing an attack from a group of Toad Sages.
They may become enemies!
This damned man in the dark really did them dirty!
He made Konoha attract two enemies at once!
"What did you say?! Mount Myōboku?! When did it happen?! How did the Sage from Mount Myōboku come to Konoha?!"
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado asked in surprise.
Just so you know, there are three holy places in the entire ninja world and two of them are friends with Konoha. Although they have no relationship with Konoha's ninjas. But looking at Jiraiya and Tsunade, you will understand that they can summon many beasts from holy places. Orochimaru can summon thousands of snakes from Ryūchi Cave as well. The three of them even won the title of 'Sannin in the Second Ninja World War!' because of it.
"It was Jiraiya's summoning which called the Sage Fukasaku here and then for some reason, sage Fukasaku seems to have disappeared suddenly. Jiraiya didn't tell me the specific situation. In short... The current situation is very serious, I hope everyone can work hard."
Hiruzen is really tired. He didn't even have time to sleep well these days!
...
Mount Myōboku
Jiraiya is walking towards the deep temple and he is going to find the Great Toad Sage who lives there and can predict the future.
Now that the Fukasaku Sage cannot be found no matter which method is used, Jiraiya can only hope for the divination from the Great Toad Sage.
At this moment, he couldn't help but think of what happened last night.
In fact, Jiraiya found Orochimaru, who was keen on scientific experiments, in an abandoned laboratory through his familiarity with Orochimaru, but he did not tell the Third Hokage about it.
…
"..Sure enough, even after such a long time, you still can't change your hobbies, Orochimaru."
Jiraiya looked at Orochimaru, whom he had not seen for a long time and said with emotion.
"Hee hee hee. As expected of you, Jiraiya. You can always find me. But I'm curious, are you looking for me because of Hiruzen-sensei, or some other reason?"
Orochimaru was not surprised by Jiraiya's appearance. What really made him curious was why Jiraiya came to him uncharacteristically.
According to the information from his spies in Konoha, since Jiraiya returned to Konoha, he only hangs around the hot spring street, which he calls collecting materials. But two days ago, Jiraiya left the hot spring street and started desperately looking for him.
This made Orochimaru feel very strange. He remembered that there was no connection between him and Jiraiya. Jiraiya obviously knew that he was in Konoha and he did not come to him immediately, but only started to act two days later. So, Orochimaru was full of doubts.
It can't be that Jiraiya knows about his plan and wants to stop him right?
"Tell me, Orochimaru, the missing Jinchūriki of Sunagakure. Did you do it?"
Jiraiya didn't talk nonsense and asked directly.
"Hee hee hee, I'm not interested in Jinchūriki. How could I do something that would directly expose my identity?"
Orochimaru said with a smile.
Orochimaru's words made Jiraiya frown. He could feel that Orochimaru did not lie and Orochimaru didn't need to lie. If he had done it, because he would not hide it.
"You didn't do it? Then where did the Sage Fukasaku go..."
Jiraiya muttered to himself.
"Oh~ so Mount Myōboku is also one of his targets..."
The sharp-eared Orochimaru paused suddenly and laughed sinisterly.
"You really know something! "
… …