The Third Hokage's questioning left Danzo in a brief moment of contemplation. Six months ago, he had indeed engaged in espionage activities in the Land of Rain, attempting to exploit the conflicts between the Akatsuki and Amegakure to create chaos.
He had invested in Byakuya, aiming to use him to seize control as the leader of the Akatsuki. However, Danzo hadn't anticipated that Byakuya's ambitions extended beyond just the Akatsuki's leadership to the entire Land of Rain. Byakuya had been concealing his true power and, taking advantage of Hanzo's absence, had taken over Amegakure.
Indeed, Byakuya was Hanzo's disciple during his pretense of being captured. Danzo had witnessed the disciple ceremony along with other Amegakure ninjas. However, this information could not be shared with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Revealing that Danzo's Root had suffered significant damage would likely give the Third and Fourth Hokages an opportunity to strip him of his power. Heck, the Root might even be disbanded.
After a moment of reflection, Danzo said, "I did have some conflicts with them, but that's all in the past. However, Byakuya is indeed quite formidable. You must not underestimate him."
"Is that so…?"
The Third Hokage looked at Danzo with suspicion.
Under the Third Hokage's gaze, Danzo felt a surge of unspoken anger. He furrowed his brows and said, "What are you looking at me for? Everything I do is for Konoha."
The Third Hokage was about to admonish Danzo in his Hokage tone but decided against it. Danzo's evasive behavior clearly indicated he was hiding something. The situation was certainly not as simple as Danzo claimed, but as he was no longer Hokage, Hiruzen couldn't force him to speak.
However, this did not stop him from being suspicious of Danzo. After decades of working together, he knew Danzo too well. Danzo's actions regarding Amegakure likely involved serious blunders and possibly even harmed the village's interests.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were no strangers to this kind of scene. They wondered if Danzo was being manipulated by someone using transformation techniques.
As the atmosphere in the advisor's office grew increasingly tense, the Third Hokage sighed and said, "Forget it. Let's focus on Minato's performance. He's the Hokage now."
Danzo, at a loss for words, could only continue to watch the crystal ball.
With Minato becoming the Fourth Hokage, the balance of power in the village had shifted significantly and had yet to be restored. Danzo had even mistakenly treated Hiruzen as the Hokage earlier, forgetting that Sarutobi was now merely an elder advisor.
---
At the Ninja Academy, after the tour concluded, Minato took the delegation to a local restaurant for a meal and rest. He shared his insights on managing a ninja school with Byakuya and chatted with Yahiko about amusing stories involving Jiraiya.
Jiraiya, upon hearing about his past embarrassing moments, wasn't troubled. Instead, he laughed and reminisced with Konan.
During their conversation, Jiraiya inquired about Nagato, curious as to why he didn't accompany them. Konan explained that the situation in the Land of Rain was still chaotic, and someone needed to stay behind to maintain order.
Jiraiya sighed with sadness in his eyes but understood. Having spent three years in the Land of Rain, he was aware of the region's difficulties.
The conditions in the Land of Rain were vastly different from those in Konoha; for ordinary people there, simply surviving was a challenge. Glancing at Byakuya in the distance, Jiraiya turned to Konan with a puzzled expression and asked, "Konan, how did you come to know Byakuya? And when was the Akatsuki organization founded?"
Konan looked at Byakuya and replied, "After you left, we wandered in the Land of Rain for a few more years before meeting Byakuya. Together, we established the Akatsuki. The Akatsuki was initially based on the principles you left behind, but Byakuya introduced some new elements…"
Konan paused here, hesitating about whether to continue.
Jiraiya was taken aback. The founding of the Akatsuki had always been a point of pride for him, and he was curious about what Byakuya had added to it.
Noticing Jiraiya's confused expression, Konan continued, "Byakuya felt that you and Yahiko were too idealistic. Some things can't be achieved through negotiation and mutual understanding alone. However, the current Akatsuki has abandoned some of its illusions and begun to face reality."
Jiraiya fell into deep thought. He found himself unable to fully grasp Konan's words and then laughed wryly, admitting to himself that he had become old.
The three orphans who once followed him had grown up and established their own paths. Meanwhile, he felt as though he was still standing in place, constantly pursuing the peace promised by the prophecy.
At this moment, Byakuya noticed Konan and Jiraiya and approached them, saying, "Hello, Jiraiya-sama. You must be Yahiko and the others' teacher."
Jiraiya was pulled back to reality and nodded slightly, "You must be Byakuya. I just learned about your involvement. Yahiko and the others owe you a lot."
"Of course. If it weren't for me, the Akatsuki would have been wiped out long ago."
Byakuya's words left Jiraiya momentarily stunned. He had merely been boasting out of habit, but it seemed Byakuya was genuinely confident. Given the strength of his three disciples, it was hard to believe they could have been easily defeated.
However, considering Byakuya's age, Jiraiya could understand to some extent. He himself had been more arrogant in his youth, always claiming to be the Toad Sage and the savior of the ninja world. It was only through reality's harsh lessons that he had matured and become more grounded.
Such an immature young man needed to experience the world's challenges to grow.
Thinking of this, Jiraiya stood up, extending his large hand and pulling Byakuya into an embrace. "Well then, I must thank the savior of my disciples properly. Byakuya, after nightfall, I'll take you out to enjoy the village's specialty, Ichiraku Ramen."
Seeing this, Konan's eyes flashed with a hint of concern. Jiraiya's familiarity might make Byakuya wary, especially since Byakuya wasn't exaggerating; he really had saved the Akatsuki, and that was the truth.
Byakuya broke free from Jiraiya's embrace and said sternly, "I'm not a kid. Moreover, my mentor, Hanzo, is the same age as the Third Hokage. By that logic, I am your peer. I'll address you as Jiraiya-sama, and you should respond with Byakuya-sama."
Jiraiya couldn't help but chuckle at Byakuya's serious demeanor. "Alright, alright, Byakuya-sama. I officially invite you to an important event tonight. Please be sure to attend."
At this, Byakuya nodded and said, "I accept Jiraiya-sama's invitation."
Seeing this, Konan finally relaxed. She didn't want any conflict between Byakuya and Jiraiya. Maintaining the current peaceful situation was ideal.
However, since Byakuya's arrival in Konoha, he had consistently maintained a harmless facade. What was his true intention? Although a fourteen-year-old might act this way, they were members of the Akatsuki, and their motives could be more complex.