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A giant toad suddenly appeared on the outskirts of Konoha. If Jiraiya hadn't emerged from the toad's mouth to explain, it would have been attacked by the security forces.
Even a Sannin couldn't summon such a massive creature within the village without causing alarm.
After understanding the situation, the security team escorted Jiraiya to the hospital and reported the incident to the Hokage's office.
Upon receiving the news, Sakumo sent someone to the Sarutobi clan's territory to inform the Third Hokage.
Nowadays, Hiruzen spent his days at home, seemingly having relinquished power. However, Yoichi knew that this was a helpless move for Hiruzen, who was reluctant to retire in his fifties.
There was no choice; Sakumo was a Hokage with strong principles. Unless one adhered to his principles, conflicts would inevitably arise if they worked together.
Yoichi could accommodate Sakumo's principles. His goal was to develop the Uchiha clan within the village. Once he became Hokage, Konoha would essentially become Uchiha Village. As long as he didn't violate Sakumo's principles and continued to contribute to the village's prosperity, there would be no issues handing over the power of the Hokage.
Currently, Sakumo was gradually delegating more responsibilities to Yoichi's wood clones. The decreasing stack of documents on Sakumo's desk and the increasing pile on Yoichi's desk were clear indicators.
When Hiruzen arrived at the hospital, seeing Sakumo, Yoichi, and Minato gave him a bad feeling.
He silently cursed Jiraiya, assuming that he had impulsively gone after Nagato. Hiruzen hadn't sent any messages back, hoping to stall Jiraiya into returning on his own. Explaining to this hot-headed fool might not have stopped him from seeking out his former student.
Soon, Mina came out of the operating room. Seeing Yoichi and the others, she gave a thumbs-up and said, "He'll be fine after three days of rest. I'll go check on Karin now, Yoichi-sama."
With that, Mina quickly left without greeting anyone else.
Yoichi smiled and said, "Sorry, Mina is a bit anxious."
"All mothers worry about their children. Kakashi's mother was the same. It's fine, Yoichi."
Sakumo smiled, then turned to Hiruzen and said, "Jiraiya should be fine now. Let's go in."
"Alright, Sakumo."
Hiruzen nodded reluctantly and followed him inside.
Thanks to Mina's treatment, most of Jiraiya's injuries had healed, even his bones were mended, thanks to her special chakra. This was why Orochimaru said Mina's medical ninjutsu rivaled Tsunade's.
If someone was gravely injured and drank Mina's blood, they would understand the top-tier medical effect. Severed limbs could be reattached, and as long as there was a breath left, they wouldn't die.
However, only Yoichi and Kakashi had drunk Mina's blood, during the summoning of Ghidorah.
"Minato, old man, why are you all here? It's just a small injury, hahaha, no need to worry."
Jiraiya laughed from his hospital bed, slightly easing Hiruzen's worries. Jiraiya was still keeping the secret, which meant there was still hope.
Sakumo asked, "Jiraiya, who injured you? I remember your mission was to investigate the underground bounty network. Are they really that strong?"
"Not really, I was just careless."
Jiraiya feigned difficulty and said, "Minato, once I'm healed, let me handle this. I'll resolve it."
"Underground bounty network... Are they in Amegakure? Or in the neighboring lands of Bears and Demons?"
Yoichi suddenly asked. Seeing everyone looking at him, he explained, "I just received a report from the trading company. They saw a giant purple toad coming from Amegakure to Konoha. It seems to be Jiraiya's toad. Minato, dispatch the Anbu. If Hanzō is involved, we should reconsider our relationship with him."
Sakumo nodded, "Hanzō, huh? Didn't expect him to be connected to the underground network. We should take this seriously."
"Wait, wait, it's not clear if Hanzō is involved. Isn't this too impulsive?"
Jiraiya quickly intervened. If his withheld information led to a war between Konoha and Amegakure, he would be Konoha's sinner.
Yoichi said, "Precisely because it's unclear, we need to investigate. Otherwise, we could plan intelligence operations against Amegakure. Jiraiya, how many were there? How could they injure you so badly?"
"Well..."
Jiraiya hadn't encountered anyone from the underground network. His information came mostly from the Land of Tea and the Land of Water. Making up a story related to Amegakure on the spot was impossible.
Seeing Jiraiya's hesitation, Sakumo sensed something was wrong and asked, "What's the matter, Jiraiya? Is it inconvenient to say?"
"Sakumo, can I handle this alone?"
Sakumo understood Jiraiya had lied. Not wanting to press a comrade, he asked, "Is it personal or village-related? If it's personal, I won't pry. But if it involves the village..."
Jiraiya knew Sakumo's boundary. He didn't want to involve the village in Nagato's affairs.
Hiruzen said, "Sakumo, let me handle this."
"You know too, Hiruzen?"
Sakumo was slightly angered but said, "Fine, but at least tell me what happened. If it endangers the village, as Hokage, I need to know!"
The room fell silent. Minato felt for Jiraiya but agreed Sakumo was being considerate.
"It's about my student from the Second Shinobi War. I stayed in Amegakure for three years and took on a student."
Jiraiya finally began to explain, detailing the events including Danzō's involvement and Nagato's Rinnegan. His injuries were from the Rinnegan.
The continuous information left Sakumo stunned.
Rinnegan, Danzō's secret actions, Jiraiya's personal investigation, and his severe injuries from the Rinnegan. The leader of Akatsuki, holding a grudge against Konoha because of Danzō.
Fortunately, Sakumo had pressed for answers. Ignoring it might have meant facing a powerful enemy with the Rinnegan unprepared.
Hearing about the Rinnegan's abilities, Sakumo realized the threat.
Instant jutsu without seals, repelling all attacks, powerful attraction preventing resistance, and self-modification for mechanical attacks. And this wasn't all the Rinnegan's abilities.
Jiraiya hadn't fully tested them before being knocked out.
"This matter, the village will handle it."
Sakumo decided after a pause. Seeing Jiraiya's concern, he continued, "You can participate, but follow the village's decisions. A teenager wielding an unrefined Rinnegan defeated you. Imagine the threat when fully mastered."
Sakumo glanced at Yoichi, hinting at the potential danger if left unchecked, given the Rinnegan's power and Nagato's grudge.
"And Danzō, Minato."
Yoichi added, "Private actions are one thing, but involving the village is unforgivable. Root was absorbed into Anbu, so why does Danzō still have a force and ally with Hanzō?"
Sakumo instructed Hiruzen, "Recall Danzō and his subordinates immediately. This is a direct order from the Hokage's office."
Hiruzen sighed, "Understood, I'll signal him."
"A high-level meeting at the Hokage Tower tomorrow."
With that, Sakumo left, and Yoichi followed.
After they left, Hiruzen angrily scolded Jiraiya, "Why didn't you come to me first?"
"You didn't send a message. I even asked Minato to check."
"I told Minato to bring you back. I thought you'd come to ask, but you acted on your own and caused this mess."
Hiruzen huffed and left, planning to discuss with Koharu and Homura.
After he left, Minato asked Jiraiya, "Do you need anything?"
"No, Minato, you can go. I'm mostly healed."
Jiraiya waved him off, deep in thought about Nagato. Since learning the news, he felt like he had been acting impulsively.
Reflecting, he realized he was too worried about the Rinnegan. He still was. If it fell into the wrong hands, it could cause great destruction in the shinobi world.
...
The next day, Sakumo gathered Konoha's leaders at the Hokage office.
Anbu captains, interrogation and intelligence heads, Jiraiya, Hiruzen, and Orochimaru were present.
"Today's meeting is important. It started half a month ago..."
After explaining the events, the room fell silent, much like the hospital the day before.
Orochimaru glanced at Jiraiya, intrigued by the hidden Rinnegan. He felt a renewed interest in researching it.
"Here's my decision. I discussed with Hiruzen yesterday to recall Danzō and his subordinates within five days. Those who don't return will be considered traitors."
Sakumo's firm stance was clear. Despite being a peaceful Hokage, today he was resolute.
"Hokage—"
Koharu tried to speak but was cut off by Sakumo, "Advisor, let me finish. The Akatsuki leader, Nagato, is confirmed hostile due to Danzō. The mission to capture Nagato and Konan is now S-rank."
Jiraiya wanted to protest but was stopped by Yoichi, "Jiraiya, don't rush to argue. If Nagato could severely injure you, what about other Konoha ninja?"
Jiraiya held back, acknowledging the threat Nagato posed.
"The mission prioritizes capture. Whether to kill will depend on Nagato and Konan's actions. Six Anbu teams and ten Jonin squads will be dispatched. Jiraiya, you'll join them."
"I understand."
Jiraiya agreed, knowing Sakumo was giving him a chance. Bringing Nagato back could save him; otherwise, he'd be marked for elimination.
"One more thing, Hanzō likely knows about the Rinnegan. We must consider our relations with Amegakure."
Sakumo paused, "Deploy a ninja battalion to River Town to monitor Amegakure."
(End of Chapter)