Naruto: Kurotsuchi Mayuri

"How are Yahiko and the others?"

Seeing Kagetsu appear in front of him, Jiraiya instinctively stepped forward, grabbed his shoulders, and asked urgently.

"They're still alive," Kagetsu replied calmly.

"You're so cold."

Although Jiraiya knew the three of them were probably not doing well, hearing Kagetsu say they were still alive made his tense heart relax a bit. Letting go, he forced a smile in response.

"Yahiko is the most seriously injured. Konan has been protected very well by them. I've stabilized Yahiko and Nagato's injuries," Kagetsu explained, noticing Jiraiya's hesitation—like he wanted to ask something but was afraid to hear the answer. Kagetsu took the initiative to share the situation of Yahiko and the others.

"That's such a relief!"

Jiraiya's face softened.

"But Yahiko's injuries… there's a high chance he will never be able to be a ninja again."

Kagetsu casually dropped the statement, then shifted his gaze to someone behind Jiraiya—someone who shouldn't be here—Namikaze Minato.

"Jiraiya-sensei used the communication toad to inform me of the situation. I thought you might need my help," Minato said, raising his hand slightly to acknowledge Kagetsu's gaze and explain his sudden appearance.

Kagetsu looked at Minato, who was supposed to be on a mission outside the village. "Are you sure it's okay for you to leave the frontlines, Minato-san?"

"Orochimaru-san is there. I already reported to him, and I can return immediately if needed," Minato explained.

"Also, I didn't expect you to have mastered a space-time ninjutsu as well."

Minato looked at Kagetsu with admiration. Only someone who had studied space-time ninjutsu would understand how complex and demanding it truly was.

Even a single mistake in space-time techniques could lead to disastrous consequences. That's why any space-time ninjutsu was considered dangerous enough to be labeled as forbidden.

"I'm just using a few technological tricks to barely make it work," Kagetsu replied calmly. "Compared to the Flying Thunder God technique, which can be used in combat, mine can only do fixed-point teleportation."

"That's still incredible!" Minato said in amazement. "I was originally planning to come and find you, but since you're already back, it looks like you don't need me anymore."

After speaking, Minato bid farewell to the two of them, giving them space.

"Next, I need to take a mission outside the village. Although their injuries have been stabilized, recovery will take time," said Kagetsu as he watched Namikaze Minato disappear instantly from sight. His gaze shifted back to Jiraiya.

"With the frontlines short on manpower right now, the old man won't let you sit idle," Jiraiya said with an awkward smile. "Give me the situation. I'll be heading to the frontlines soon as well."

Konoha Hokage Building.

Hokage's Office.

Bang!

Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze followed the heavy hand that slammed down on his desk. Smoke from his pipe curled in the air, partially concealing his face as his eyes moved up the arm to land on a familiar, cold expression.

"I told you we need to keep them under our control! If it weren't for your soft heart, Hiruzen, this wouldn't have happened! Jiraiya is just an incompetent fool—he barely left and his student voluntarily delivered himself to the enemy!"

Shimura Danzo shouted furiously, showing no restraint in front of the two advisors as he lashed out at Hiruzen and even the absent Jiraiya.

"What's done is done, Danzo. There's no changing it now," Hiruzen replied, his voice calm but his heart weighed down with regret. Thoughts of Jiraiya's face and his earlier plea swirled in his mind, making him close his eyes in frustration.

"Orochimaru and that brat from the Nara Clan were naïve enough to share the Healing Tag technology with outsiders! If the Healing Tag technology spreads completely, this is tantamount to treason!"

The moment Danzo received word from the Land of Rain, he realized this was an opportunity to strike a blow against Hiruzen's faction. 

Regardless of the circumstances, the leaking of such valuable technology would cause unrest among the villagers.

Even though the higher-ups all understood that the Healing Tag's processes and technology were bound to leak eventually—especially after being seized by the Land of Lightning—the public did not know that.

"You're overreacting, Danzo! The Healing Tag collaboration was a decision we reached together after discussion," Hiruzen said, frowning as he tapped his pipe gently against the edge of his desk. His tone was low and deliberate.

"This isn't the time to argue about blame. What matters now is what Hanzo is planning!"

Uttered Koharu Utatane, one of the advisors, breaking the tense atmosphere.

"He wants to replace the Akatsuki. Using the Healing Tag as leverage, he plans to maintain Land of Rain's neutrality," Danzo said with a cold snort.

What Danzo left unsaid, however, was Hanzo's deeper reason—his fear that the Akatsuki posed a threat not only to Amegakure but also to his power and position within the Land of Rain.

If he were the leader of the Hidden Rain Village, facing the Akatsuki organization, which was out of control, with a complex background and holding the sales channel for Healing Tags, he would try every possible way to eliminate them.

Although the Land of Rain was in chaos because of the war, with various small ninja groups and factions emerging like mushrooms after the rain, intertwined and full of conflict.

Hiruzen Sarutobi could naturally guess these reasons, but it was precisely because of this complexity that he found it troublesome.

Konoha was already at war with the Hidden Stone and Hidden Mist Villages. 

As allies, the Hidden Sand Village, which had just chosen its Fourth Kazekage, was licking its wounds and had no intention of fully participating in the war. 

They only sent a small team led by Pakura to accept mercenary work and fight against the Hidden Mist.

With the war approaching a boiling point, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't want to push Hanzo into the enemy camp as well.

"Let me go, Hiruzen! The Akatsuki can be destroyed, but Jiraiya's three disciples, I will make Hanzo hand them over," Shimura Danzo volunteered. 

After Jiraiya's departure, the affairs of the Land of Rain should have been handed back to the Root, but Hiruzen had delayed giving the orders.

"Lord Hokage! Head of the Hyuga Clan, Hyuga Hiashi has an urgent military report."

An Anbu, wearing a cat mask and carrying a short sword on his back, suddenly appeared in the room, kneeling on one knee as he reported to the Third Hokage.

"Hyuga Hiashi?" Seeing that his goal was about to be interrupted, Danzo, with one visible eye, flashed a trace of displeasure but took two steps back. He understood that if Hyuga Hiashi had come personally, the situation must be extremely important.

"Lord Hokage, a member of the Hyuga Clan's main family, Hyuga Katsu, was ambushed by the Hidden Mist's assassination squad. The Byakugan from the Hyuga Clan may have leaked."

After entering the Hokage office, the head of the Hyuga Clan, the most courteous person, spoke with a heavy expression, ignoring the three advisors in the room and reporting directly to the Third Hokage behind the desk.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, upon hearing the report from Hyuga Hiashi, instinctively twitched the hand holding his cigarette pipe, sending a cloud of ash into the air.