"Bastard!"
"These traitors really refuse to settle down. Naruto was right. They're beyond saving!"
"What were their expressions like when Lady Tsunade became Hokage?"
"What face did they have when they left Konoha?"
"And now they want to come back?"
"What a bunch of shameless beasts!"
Yuhi Kurenai patted Anko's shoulder. "Anko, calm down."
"Didn't we expect this already?"
"It doesn't matter. We just have to wait for news from Lady Tsunade."
"Jiraiya has already gone to the Hokage building."
Anko replied angrily, "This matter isn't over. Every time they rebuild that damned Konoha, I'll tear it down again!"
"Let them end up homeless and become slaves to the Fire Daimyō's nobles!"
Kurenai shook her head and smiled. "Civilians from across the Land of Fire are all running to Konoha. The elites are used to being served. If those bastards come, they'll never catch a break. Even getting a full meal might be impossible."
Elsewhere, Might Guy's jaw was tight.
Kakashi... was talking to a girl?
Damn it!
No wonder he hasn't trained with me recently!
Thanks to the shift in the shinobi world, the spy Karin no longer had to suffer.
First thing on her list: head to Konoha—now the most sought-after village.
When Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki asked her reason for entry, she casually said one name:
"Hatake Kakashi."
Kotetsu then brought her to Kakashi, who was sparring with Might Guy.
And thus began this new scene.
Rin had been hiding out at Naruto's house lately.
Back in her own home, she always felt like someone was watching her.
That sensation vanished once she moved into Naruto's place.
Obito, with his Kamui, was clearly still lurking.
And he knew his dimension wasn't as secret as before.
So he'd grown even more cautious.
Meanwhile, ninja academy instructors in the other four Great Nations were locked in constant meetings.
Kurama wasn't idle either. He led a team to meet with other villages and minor countries.
Standardized scripts. Unified curriculum.
"Orochimaru really is just as the White Snake Sage said. He no longer listens to orders, huh."
Tagorihime snorted coldly.
"There's no other way. We can't reach Naruto through Orochimaru."
Ichikishima-hime offered, "Should we try contacting Yakushi Kabuto instead?"
Tsukushi-hime shook her head. "No contact with Kabuto either. Odds are slim."
"This is Konoha. Let's stick to the rules."
"For now... let's gather information about Uzumaki Naruto."
Ichikishima-hime perked up, "I know how~"
Tagorihime narrowed her eyes. "How exactly?"
"We just ask."
The three Snake Priestesses glanced at each other.
"We'll be arrested in no time."
"Then what do we do?"
Just then, a researcher exited the lab and handed them a book.
"Lord Orochimaru still has experiments ongoing... this is for you."
Tsukushi-hime accepted the book.
The three leaned in together.
[Encyclopedia of the Ninja World – Notable Figures]
Page one: Uzumaki Naruto, of Konohagakure.
"They even have storytellers explaining this stuff in Konoha Square," said the researcher. "If you don't understand the language, just listen in."
The three snake priestesses stared blankly.
They'd made so many preparations—and the intel was publicly available.
"Thank you."
Tsukushi-hime led them out of the lab.
"One, two, three, four—Whoa!"
"What is it, Ichikishima-hime?"
"Look, this page about Uzumaki Naruto..."
Tagorihime raised an eyebrow. "Hmm?"
"He's listed as a famous gourmet in the shinobi world?!"
Tsukushi-hime murmured, "And a terrifying genjutsu master?"
Each of the priestesses had a different takeaway.
"Who are you three?"
"Why do you have Naruto's picture?"
A red-haired figure appeared suddenly.
Behind her stood two other women with long red hair.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage Building…
"Come in."
Inside the Hokage's office, Tsunade rubbed her temples while Shizune massaged her shoulders.
As soon as she spoke, the door creaked open.
"Jiraiya, explain yourself. If you can't give me a reason for barging into the Hokage building, don't blame me for being harsh."
That one sentence shut down any chance of playing the emotional card.
"Tsunade."
Jiraiya stepped in front of the desk, his brows furrowed.
"What did you do to Hiruzen-sensei?"
Tsunade didn't even glance at him. She kept reviewing scrolls.
Shizune responded coldly:
"Jiraiya, if that's your reason for breaking in, then tomorrow you'll be assigned to work with the criminal, Sarutobi Hiruzen."
Jiraiya stared at Tsunade in disbelief.
At that moment, she felt completely unfamiliar.
"Tsunade... is there really no room for compromise?"
Snap!
The pen in Tsunade's hand snapped in two.
"Get out."
Jiraiya closed his eyes and exhaled slowly.
"Fine. Let's set that aside. Tsunade, you must understand—they were manipulated."
"They were once part of Konoha. What you did... it was too heartless."
Thwack!
A book smacked him in the face.
"What the hell are you doing?!"
Jiraiya shouted, feeling insulted.
Tsunade finally looked up, her eyes cold.
"Read it."
Jiraiya looked down in confusion.
The first page of the book Tsunade had thrown at Jiraiya listed the crimes committed by Konoha's former high-ranking officials, villagers, and shinobi.
It was clear from the fresh ink and updated content that the book was newly published—and popular.
Jiraiya picked up the book and flipped through the pages, his expression darkening with each turn.
Page after page documented crimes that together formed a damning compilation.
Still, Jiraiya slowly lowered the book, offering a strained smile.
"Tsunade, they were ignorant, not malicious."
"You can't hold the entire village responsible for the mistakes of Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu."
"Konoha is a great village. We shouldn't cling to the past. We need to be open-minded, tolerant."
"Let them return. Let them atone, but give them that chance."
Snap!
Without looking up, Tsunade hurled another book at him.
This one detailed what the former villagers and shinobi did after returning—betrayals, sabotage, more crimes.
Jiraiya's face tightened.
But the prophecy of the Great Toad Sage weighed heavily on him. Steeling himself, he spoke again:
"Tsunade, stop Naruto. If he continues down this path, the entire ninja world will suffer."
Pfft—
"Hahaha~"
Tsunade glanced at Shizune, then burst into laughter, shaking with mirth.
Whoosh!
Boom!
In an instant, Tsunade appeared in front of Jiraiya and slammed her fist into his gut.
Boom boom!
Jiraiya flew out like a cannonball, crashing through the Hokage office wall.
"Get out!" she shouted. "If you dare set foot in the Hokage building again, you'll never be allowed back in Konoha!"
"And if you don't like it, go find your so-called Child of Prophecy!"
She turned, sat back down.
"Lady Tsunade," Shizune asked softly, "you're just going to let him go like that?"
Tsunade snorted. "Do you know why he really came?"
"Because of those former villagers and shinobi?" Shizune guessed.
Tsunade shook her head. "Not just that. They're from Mount Myōboku."
Shizune's eyes widened. "You mean... those toads?"
Tsunade narrowed her eyes. "Yes. The Great Toad Sage, Gamamaru, that Jiraiya always mentioned—he's the one."
"After helping the Sage of Six Paths and his brother, Ōtsutsuki Hamura, seal Kaguya, Mount Myōboku's influence grew. They even rival the other Great Sage Regions now."
"But Kurama told me that after Kaguya was sealed, the Sage of Six Paths never again contacted the toad who supposedly 'saw through everything.'"
Shizune frowned. "Lady Tsunade, is Mount Myōboku planning something?"
Tsunade sneered, biting her finger. "Summoning Technique."
Bang!
White smoke cleared to reveal a small slug.
"When Naruto returns, he'll deal with the matter of the Three Sage Regions."
"Also... it seems Kushina went to Ryūchi Cave to visit the Three Snake Sages."
Shizune's expression tightened. "Even Ryūchi Cave wants to make a move?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Who knows?"
Meanwhile, Jiraiya lay sprawled outside, staring at the sky.
Silent.
Then, slowly, he sat up.
"No great love... this isn't what the Child of Prophecy should be like."
"The Great Toad Sage's prediction can't be wrong."
He dusted himself off and walked toward the main street of Konoha.
He knew Sarutobi Hiruzen would be sweeping there.
"Sarutobi-sensei is still the Hokage in his heart. It's time to end this punishment."
"Homura and Koharu were foolish, but their intentions were for Konoha."
"The others—they've realized their mistakes. We shouldn't keep beating them down."
"Hatred only breeds more hatred. Only empathy can break the cycle."
"Naruto… isn't the Child of Prophecy."
He reached Hiruzen.
"Sarutobi-sensei."
The old man, broom in hand, paused.
He turned slowly and saw Jiraiya behind him.
His eyes lit up.
"That's wonderful~! Naruto was right. If you work hard, you'll be acknowledged! Jiraiya still sees me as his teacher!"
'Hehehe... soon even Konohamaru will stop walking away when he sees me!'
But Jiraiya looked at Hiruzen's worn-out Hokage robe and weathered face, feeling only guilt.
He stepped forward.
"Sarutobi-sensei, you've done enough. Come with me. You shouldn't suffer like this."
He smiled faintly. "The villagers and shinobi still need you."
Bang!
Hiruzen let go of the broom, letting it crash to the ground.
"Everyone, come quick!"
"This rascal Jiraiya is trying to trick me into betraying the village!"
Jiraiya: ???
...
TN:
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