The last time Itachi released Susanoo in the Shimura clan, along with the arrival of the Kumogakure mission this time, made the Third Hokage feel that the current high-end combat power in the village was seriously lacking. Except for the Hokage, there were few capable of handling high-level threats.
As a last resort, the Third Hokage had no choice but to recall his former disciple, Jiraiya. Compared to Tsunade, Jiraiya had fewer grievances with the village and had been outside, searching for traces of Orochimaru.
As for Tsunade, the Third Hokage would not seek her out easily. There were too many complicated issues between them, making it difficult for him to face her directly.
After Jiraiya returned to the village, he didn't go to the Hokage building immediately, nor did he visit Naruto first; instead, he went to the former Shimura clan grounds.
"What terrible destructive power! This was actually caused by two Uchiha..."
The devastated scene came into view, and Jiraiya's face grew more solemn. As a veteran of the ninja wars and a member of the Konoha Sannin, he had witnessed all kinds of destruction.
It wasn't that he hadn't seen scenes more tragic than this, but they had all been on the battlefield, either caused by a powerful, well-known ninja or by multiple shinobi working together.
To think, the instigators there were only two people—and they were both teenagers.
"Old man, why are you troubling yourself..."
Thinking about the Uchiha clan's previous situation in the village, Jiraiya showed a wry smile. Although he had been outside the village, he still had his own sources of information and kept in touch with Konoha.
Otherwise, the Third Hokage wouldn't have been able to find him so easily; he wasn't entirely ignorant of the village's affairs. The Uchiha clan's actions had been completely forced by the village's senior management.
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In the Konoha meeting room, Yagami played the role of the silent observer. From the start of the meeting, he had his hands folded in front of him, saying nothing, simply watching events unfold. Occasionally, however, his gaze would drift toward a female Kumogakure ninja.
Although it was a bit surprising, he was sure that this was the Two-Tails Jinchūriki of Kumogakure, Yugito Nii. It seemed that some of his actions had caused a butterfly effect. In the original story, Kumogakure did not seem to send a Jinchūriki this time.
Since Yugito had also noticed Yagami's attention on her, her heart grew heavy. Did he know her identity?
It shouldn't be! She hadn't been a Jinchūriki for long. She rarely appeared in public, and even in the village, only a few people knew of her status.
The purpose of coming to Konoha was to serve as backup for the mission. If the plan failed, the presence of a Tailed Beast would act as a deterrent, preventing Konoha from reacting recklessly.
But now, having just arrived in Konoha, the situation was already veering from their expectations. Uchiha was actually sitting with the Hokage, and this Uchiha seemed to have seen through her identity.
Under Yugito's slightly worried gaze, the first meeting finally came to an end. Seeing that Uchiha left without even acknowledging her, Yugito quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Though she wasn't afraid of her identity being exposed, it could lead to trouble. If Kumogakure had their Jinchūriki enter Konoha, what would Konoha think?
But Uchiha's attitude was very strange! All kinds of information suggested that the Uchiha and Konoha were at odds, yet here he was, appearing alongside the village's senior leaders.
Although he appeared at the meeting, he didn't say a word throughout the entire process. Knowing her identity as a Jinchūriki, he remained silent, leaving her unsure of Uchiha's attitude towards Konoha.
"In that case, let's keep the original plan unchanged."
After listening to Yugito's words, Tutai thought for a long time but couldn't figure out Yagami's intentions. However, since he didn't reveal Yugito's identity, it indicated that the gap between Uchiha and Konoha was substantial—so significant that they could overlook the presence of a Jinchūriki from another village in Konoha.
The Fourth Raikage had asked them to pay close attention to Uchiha's attitude, so this was something they had to consider carefully.
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"Old man, you've really aged!"
In the Hokage's office, Jiraiya straightened up, looking at the slightly weary Third Hokage as he spoke.
"In these troubled times, I should have retired long ago, but now I still have to handle all of this. How can I not be old?"
The Third Hokage sighed, but Jiraiya's return eased his worries somewhat; at least he wouldn't have to face some matters alone.
"Alright! But old man, don't even think about making me take your place. I won't accept it."
Jiraiya quickly added. The Third Hokage, knowing his disciple's temperament, didn't push further and directly changed the subject.
"You're aware of the situation with the Uchiha, right? The village currently has no real resistance against them, and now the Kumogakure delegation is here. Your presence is crucial."
Jiraiya nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation; otherwise, he wouldn't have returned to the village. It was hard to imagine Konoha, which had always been strong, now in such a precarious position due to the lack of high-level combatants.
"We can let Kumogakure be for now. They were involved in the Third War, and the Third Raikage died in the Land of Rock afterwards. We Konoha don't want a war, and neither does Kumogakure. But the Uchiha situation needs immediate resolution."
Hearing this, the corners of Jiraiya's mouth twitched slightly.
Danzo's desire for Uchiha's Sharingan was widely known across the ninja world.
In addition to the long-standing policies toward the Uchiha, now they wanted to mend relations with them.
It wouldn't be easy.
From the information he had gathered upon his return, it was clear the current Uchiha clan had no desire to maintain close ties with Konoha. If not for the clan's remaining assets in the village, even the current police department might not see any Uchiha involvement.
Uchiha shinobi rarely accepted missions within the village. Instead, they had established a type of mercenary organization, preferring commissions from other nations and keeping Konoha at arm's length.
"Old man, it's pointless for you to tell me all this! Even as one of the Sannins, I don't have the kind of influence over Uchiha that you're hoping for."
Jiraiya said with a wry smile. He had no problem returning to Konoha, but solving the Uchiha issue was entirely different.
"I'm not sure how much influence you have. But the problem now is that the Uchiha distrust all of us in the higher ranks.
We don't even have the opportunity for open dialogue. But you're different.
You are Sarutobi Hiruzen's disciple, one of the Sannin, and you've never had a personal feud with the Uchiha."
"Old man, are you saying you want me to make contact with Uchiha?"
"Do I have any other options?"
The Third Hokage replied tiredly; others either lacked the status or the means to approach the Uchiha.
"Alright! I'll give it a try… I have nothing else pressing, so I'll be on my way. It's been a while since I've been in the village, and things feel a bit unfamiliar."
The Third Hokage waved his hand, and in a blink, Jiraiya leapt out the window. He thought about visiting Naruto, but knowing Naruto would be at the Academy, he decided to wait until school was over.
Soon, Jiraiya embarked on his "research" journey, only to find that the former commercial street's bathhouse was closed.
Although Danzo's Root had been disbanded in name, members of the Uchiha-led police force were still stationed around. As long as they remained, few villagers would frequent the commercial district. After all, who would risk danger by enjoying a day out?
At a loss, Jiraiya asked around to find the village's most popular bathhouse, eventually arriving at Uchiha Industry Street.
When Yagami spotted the familiar, lecherous figure lingering around the bathhouse, his face darkened instantly. Without a word, he brandished an arrest warrant. He thought he'd have to work to detain the famous Toad Sage, but to his surprise, Jiraiya cooperated without resistance.
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