"Damn it!"
"Quick! Get to the shelter!"
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane were the first to flee.
What followed was chaos. With the leadership gone, only frightened civilians and low-ranking shinobi remained. A stampede broke out in the confusion.
Deidara had only killed a few people directly, but once the panic set in, the casualties doubled.
Once the dust settled, Homura and Koharu finally emerged to try and restore order.
Meanwhile, at the newly constructed gates of Konohagakure—
Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki stood guard, covering their noses with their sleeves and sneering.
"Jiraiya, log your departure details before you leave."
"I'm warning you—once you step out of Konoha, don't ever expect to come back."
"Hmph."
"Move it."
Jiraiya said nothing, his face cast in shadow.
He wasn't angry at Sarutobi Hiruzen himself—he was furious at what Hiruzen had come to represent.
"You've all been brainwashed... Heh. You're no better than Sensei and his old comrades."
"This Konoha... it only shines on the surface. Beneath it, the rot runs deeper than when Sarutobi-sensei held power."
He finished signing the register and turned to look back at the village.
"I'll be back soon. I won't let you drag the entire shinobi world into an unwinnable war."
Without another word, Jiraiya headed toward the ruins of Old Konoha.
Izumo squinted. "Hey Kotetsu, did you see his eyes?"
"Yeah. I'll notify Lord Shikaku immediately."
Kotetsu pulled out a comm device and began typing rapidly.
Not long after leaving the gates, Jiraiya stumbled upon a grim sight—over a dozen shinobi lying unconscious along the roadside. Passersby gave them wide berths, disgust in their eyes.
Jiraiya's pupils shrank.
"Tsunade… Naruto?!"
He rushed forward.
Each of them had shattered legs, covered in dirt and blood. It was unmistakable—these were the same shinobi who had once placed the Hokage cloak on his shoulders.
"You… damn it all!"
Rage flared in Jiraiya's chest.
One ninja coughed weakly. "Jiraiya-sama… please… save us…"
His eyes turned red.
In a flash, he performed hand seals, summoned multiple shadow clones, and began carrying the wounded on his back.
By the time they arrived at Old Konoha, the devastation was clear—civilians and shinobi alike bore heavy injuries.
"What happened here?" he asked darkly.
A special jōnin bowed. "There was an explosion, sir."
Jiraiya's gaze swept across the ruins, then shifted to the wounded.
His expression hardened.
"Where are Homura and Koharu?"
"They're inside. In a meeting."
Jiraiya closed his eyes in pain.
"Get these people treated."
The special jōnin hesitated. "Jiraiya-sama… the medics are missing. We only have a handful left, and none of them even know the Healing Palm Technique…"
Jiraiya's eyes widened. "They've returned to Konoha?"
The jōnin grit his teeth. "I don't know. The advisors said it was a mission. That's all we were told."
In an instant, Jiraiya's mind raced.
"Let's go."
With a wave of his hand, he led dozens of shinobi into the building.
"Jiraiya?"
Homura and Koharu exchanged uneasy glances. There was something in his expression—something cold.
"Advisor Koharu, Advisor Homura," Jiraiya began, his tone devoid of the usual deference. "Where is everyone?"
"Hmph! What are you implying? Who do you think you're talking to?" Koharu snapped. "You will show respect to your elders—"
SMASH!
Jiraiya's open palm struck Homura's glasses, shattering them across the floor.
"Jiraiya, what do you think you're doing?!"
"Taking control."
His voice was calm, almost eerily so. He turned to Koharu.
Her face turned pale. "You… you're trying to be like Uzumaki Naruto?!"
The moment Naruto's name passed her lips, Jiraiya's eyes narrowed.
SLAP!
She stumbled back, holding her face.
"Detain both of them. I want them under constant surveillance."
With a single command, dozens of shinobi surrounded the stunned advisors.
"You'll regret this!" Homura spat, blood trailing from the corner of his mouth. "You'll regret everything!"
But Jiraiya was already walking away.
Utatane Koharu began cursing too.
Because they both knew—Jiraiya wouldn't kill them.
No matter what they'd done, Jiraiya wasn't the type to take their lives.
This was different from New Konoha.
Even if all their past actions were exposed, the old Konoha shinobi and villagers would simply detain them—feed them, guard them—but never harm them.
Jiraiya took the Hokage's seat.
This time, someone draped the Hokage robe over his shoulders again.
He didn't refuse. He took the Hokage hat and placed it on his head himself.
"You," Jiraiya pointed. "Report our current status."
The special jōnin stepped forward at once.
"Hokage-sama, we currently have two thousand shinobi and around three thousand civilians."
"But..."
"Speak!" Jiraiya's tone was cold.
"Yes!" The special jōnin braced himself.
"The samurai and minor nation shinobi leaders who once promised support... have all withdrawn and distanced themselves."
"But the Land of Fire's Daimyō and several local lords still support us!"
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes. "Why?"
The special jōnin's voice trembled, eyes red. "Advisors Koharu and Homura used to send them triple rations... and even dispatched guards to protect them."
"Meanwhile, many civilians disappeared. Those who remain... work every day just to repay impossible debts..."
Jiraiya rubbed his temples.
"I've let everyone down."
"But we have no choice. We must overthrow Tsunade and Naruto."
"Konoha can't go on like this... There's never been a precedent for one village splitting in two."
"If this continues... the shinobi world will fall apart."
"There's no other path forward."
He bit his finger, formed seals with both hands—"Summoning Jutsu!"
Bang!
With a puff of white smoke, a communication toad appeared.
"Jiraiya-sama!"
"Send word to Elder Fukasaku and Elder Shima to begin preparations," Jiraiya said in a deep voice. "I'll dispatch a messenger to Mount Myōboku soon."
"I've confirmed—Naruto is not the Child of Prophecy. And Konoha, as it is now, is dragging the entire shinobi world into crisis."
"I'll train these people myself. But Myōboku must be ready too."
"Understood!"
The communication toad nodded, then vanished in a puff of smoke.
Jiraiya turned back to the special jōnin.
"Gather everyone. I want to see who's capable of training in Sage Mode."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
The jōnin raced out, excited.
Jiraiya furrowed his brow.
"I'll go myself... My strength still isn't enough. I need every ounce of power I can gather."
He stood slowly and created several shadow clones.
"I'm counting on you all... Everything is for the peace of the shinobi world!"
"We'll work on persuading the smaller nations and shinobi factions nearby."
Jiraiya nodded, then looked off into the distance.
"Fushiko Village... If there's even the slimmest chance, we have to fight for it."
Mount Myōboku
"Boss, what should we do?" Gamabunta asked, staring down at Fukasaku's serious face.
Fukasaku inhaled deeply.
"Prepare for battle."
"All of Mount Myōboku—prepare for war!"
"Kōbunta, check which of our young toads have the aptitude for Sage training."
"In the coming days... we must grow stronger."
Gamabunta blinked. "Prepare for battle? Are we going to war with Ryūchi Cave again?"
Shima shook her head solemnly. "No. This time, it's Konoha. Little Jiraiya is preparing for it."
"What?!"
The gathered toads erupted in disbelief.
But Fukasaku and Shima's grave expressions were no act.
Gamabunta narrowed his eyes. "Wait... Is this a prophecy from the Great Toad Sage?"
Fukasaku nodded heavily.
Gamabunta was silent for a long moment, then gave a grave nod.
"Understood. I'll take care of things."
With that, the entire population of Mount Myōboku began to mobilize.
Ryūchi Cave
"Delicious~"
"I want more~"
Tagorihime licked the clean bottom of the bowl with her long tongue.
Kushina sat across from them, her chin resting on her hands.
Rin, who was beside them, helped serve the food.
Ichikishima-hime and Tagitsuhime maintained their composure, unlike Tagorihime.
However, the appetites of the three snake aunts were nothing short of impressive.
Kushina finally spoke, breaking the silence.
"What is your purpose in coming to see Naruto?"
The three snake women exchanged glances, and then Tagorihime spoke in a deep voice:
"The White Snake Sage wants to see Naruto."
"Ryūchi Cave has no hostility towards Konoha."
Kushina frowned. "Then why are you collecting information on Naruto?"
Ichikishima-hime replied, "To understand his preferences."
"Ryūchi Cave no longer wishes to remain hidden. The ninja world has changed too much... The White Snake Sage knows that if Ryūchi Cave doesn't make a move, the future…"
At that moment, Mikoto and Izumi entered, interrupting the conversation.
Kushina quickly pulled Mikoto to sit down.
After a brief explanation, Mikoto turned toward the three snake women.
"You're very astute, but we'll need to wait for Naruto to return before discussing this matter."
"Also, I'd advise you not to wait for Naruto to visit Ryūchi Cave... It might be better for the White Snake Sage to come in person."
Tagorihime's eyes instantly turned into snake-like pupils.
But just as quickly, she saw Uchiha Mikoto's eyes turn scarlet.
The Mangekyō Sharingan activated in an instant.
"I don't think Ryūchi Cave would be so foolish," Mikoto said coolly.
Want to avoid risks?
Then we need to be clear about who is in charge and who is subordinate.
"I see," Ichikishima-hime said, pulling Tagitsuhime's arm with a smile.
"Thank you for your hospitality... We've been out for a while, it's time for us to go back."
She then pulled out an envelope from her pocket.
"If Uzumaki Naruto returns, please give him this letter."
With that, she pulled Tagorihime, who was still relishing the food.
"Goodbye."
The three snake women left in a hurry.
"I haven't finished eating yet…"
"Eat?!"
"You can eat this for the rest of your life!"
"Why?"
Tagorihime rolled her eyes.
Ichikishima-hime sighed helplessly. "You really only care about food."
"You know, if Lord White Snake knew... he would definitely send you to Konoha first."
"Why... huh? Wouldn't that mean I could have more delicious food in the future?"
The two other snake women sighed in unison. "You're over a thousand years old, why are you still so greedy?"
"Thousands of years… Do you know how I spent these thousands of years?!" Tagorihime couldn't help but burst into tears as she spoke.
"If Lord White Snake truly gives the order... come now!"
"Then do you know in what capacity he will come?" Tagitsuhime said with a helpless look.
"In spite of that!"
"You've won. Go back and report to Lord White Snake. We will also report your words truthfully."
"Just say it, who's afraid of who?"
"I'm a snake aunt who has lived for thousands of years. What kinds of storms haven't I seen?"
At this point, the three snake women stopped in unison.
They formed seals with their hands.
Bang–
They disappeared in a puff of white smoke.
Meanwhile, in the shadows...
"Did you find them?"
Double Kamui Obito slowly appeared, his figure materializing from the space.
He glanced at the direction the three snake women had taken, snorting coldly before disappearing into the Kamui dimension.
"How long will this fake world last?"
"Uchiha Madara... was easily convinced by them…"
"The Moon's Eye Plan must be completed by me!"
"Rin... she's fake too!"
"No! I can't let Rin suffer any longer. I will definitely take Rin away."
A wave of Kamui materialized in front of Obito as he thought about his next move.
"Wait until I find Black Zetsu... Myōboku Mountain and Jiraiya?"
"Haha, in that case, it's fine to use them temporarily."
...
TN:
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