Uchiha Patriarch !

"Still no news about Tsunade?"

Jiraiya asked.

"No trace," Sougen replied. "Anbu tasked with finding her are exhausted. We've searched every gambling den in Land of Fire, but it seems like Tsunade has no intention of showing herself. She's playing a game of hide-and-seek with Anbu."

"I see," Jiraiya sighed softly.

It seemed that even after all these years, Tsunade still hadn't escaped from the shadows of her past. She didn't want to return to Konoha... Well, maybe that's for the best. After all, Lord Torifu looks pretty old, but he should be able to hold on for a few more years. The new generation of Konoha is growing strong, and it's probably better if someone like me, who's been wandering outside the village, doesn't meddle in village affairs.

"The new generation, huh?" Jiraiya's gaze swept over Sougen, then Itachi and Kimimaro. Looking at these young faces, Jiraiya deeply felt that Konoha's new generation had already come into its own. Compared to these youths, he himself was undeniably a relic of the past.

"Sougen, I heard you encountered Orochimaru in Land of Water?" Jiraiya quickly changed the subject. He didn't want to dwell on the issue of Fifth Hokage any longer. Another matter was weighing on his mind.

For years, he had traveled outside the village. One reason was to search for Child of Prophecy, a long and seemingly endless mission. The other reason was to track down Orochimaru, his former comrade, whose betrayal still left a bitter taste.

"Yes, we did."

Sougen nodded. "But it wasn't me who fought him—it was Shisui. They battled, and in the end, Shisui was injured, and Orochimaru managed to escape. Kimimaro—that white-haired kid—was brainwashed and manipulated by Orochimaru, but Shisui rescued him."

"According to Shisui's report, Orochimaru has damaged his soul from experimenting with forbidden techniques for immortality. That's why Shisui was able to defeat him so easily."

All this intel had been compiled into reports and submitted to the village, so Jiraiya, given his position, would have already seen it. Sougen was simply repeating what was already known.

"Uchiha Shisui, huh? Single-handedly defeating the Two-Tails Jinchuriki... You Uchihas really have no shortage of talent! To think he could even make Orochimaru suffer... I'd love to see that bastard's defeated face. He betrayed the village for immortality, and now his soul's starting to fall apart because of his forbidden research." Jiraiya's tone was a mix of cursing and lamentation. Even Kimimaro, standing nearby, could sense the complex emotions in his words.

"Land of Water, huh? Maybe I'll pay a visit."

Jiraiya muttered to himself.

Although Orochimaru was unlikely still in Land of Water, it was hard to say for sure. Orochimaru's mind worked in ways that ordinary logic couldn't grasp.

"Going to Land of Water wouldn't be a problem. We're allies with Hidden Mist now. But I thought you'd stay in village to look after Naruto, Jiraiya-sama," Sougen remarked.

"I've gotten used to wandering around. Staying in the village for so long is already starting to make me restless!" Jiraiya smiled freely. "As for Naruto, I was originally planning to take him with me on my travels, but it seems like he's better off staying in Konoha. What he needs more than traveling with an old man like me are friends his own age... But don't worry, I'll still visit him from time to time!"

Having been fooled by his teacher, Sarutobi, once before, Jiraiya had clearly learned his lesson. His last sentence was a subtle warning—he still harbored concerns about Uchiha clan getting close to Naruto for the power of Nine-Tails.

"Don't worry. Naruto is a friend of my sister and, in a way, half a disciple of mine. I won't let his life be worse than it was when Third was in power," Sougen replied with a smirk, subtly reminding Jiraiya of hardships Naruto endured under previous regime.

Jiraiya's smile froze for a moment.

This was something he couldn't let go of. Some of choices made by his teacher, Sarutobi, were things Jiraiya could never fully accept. But with Sarutobi now gone, there was no one left to vent his frustration to, and even when faced with criticism, he had no choice but to endure it.

"Half a disciple? That drawing technique... Did you teach that to Naruto?"

With his argument weakened, Jiraiya shifted the conversation again.

"Super Beast Scroll, a Yang Release technique. It's well-suited for Naruto. He's not just the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki; he also carries the bloodline of Uzumaki clan. This type of Yang Release technique will flourish in his hands," Sougen explained, not pursuing the argument any further.

"Then why not just take him on as a full disciple?"

"Two reasons," Sougen replied candidly. "First, to avoid suspicion. Uchiha clan has bad history with Konoha, and both Shisui and I have the power to control tailed beasts. If I took Naruto as disciple, who knows how much gossip there would be. It wouldn't help my clan integrate with the village."

"The second reason is that Naruto isn't suited to be my disciple. Most of the Uchiha clan's abilities come from these eyes. I don't have much to teach him. The Super Beast Scroll technique isn't something I came up with myself—it's something I got from one of Danzo's subordinates. Naruto could've learned it through other channels in the village. Besides, with you around, Jiraiya-sama, there's no need for me to overstep."

As they spoke, they walked out onto the street, with Uchiha Itachi and Kimimaro following at a respectful distance.

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave," Sougen said as they reached the street. "I need to report back to Hokage about your decision not to accept Fifth Hokage position."

"Please tell Lord Torifu I'm sorry for taking so long."

Sougen smiled, ready to leave, but he suddenly noticed something unexpected—a member of the Anbu, wearing a fox mask, knelt before him on one knee.

"Lord Sougen, there's an urgent matter. You're needed at the Hokage's office immediately."

Urgent matter?

Sougen was momentarily puzzled. Could something have changed on northern front? He thought as he replied, "Understood. I'll head over right away."

"Jiraiya-sama, if you have time, Hokage would also like you to come to the office."

"Me too?" Jiraiya scratched his head, hesitating.

He knew well that, as someone who had stayed away from village affairs, he wasn't exactly in a position to meddle in important matters. That's also why he hadn't met with the Hokage since returning to the village—he would eventually be leaving again.

But...

Given how long he'd delayed answering about the Fifth Hokage position, he felt a little guilty. And if something serious was going on, he couldn't just stand by. Despite his wandering lifestyle, his love for Konoha never wavered.

"Alright!"

After a brief hesitation, Jiraiya agreed and looked at Sougen. "Looks like I don't need you to pass the message after all."

"Shall we go together?" Sougen asked.

"Let's go together."

With that, Sougen and Jiraiya hurried toward the Hokage's office. Meanwhile, Uchiha Itachi and Kimimaro returned to their duties as part of the police force, continuing their routine patrols.

---

In the Hokage's office, now under new leadership.

In Jiraiya's memory, this office had once been occupied by his teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Back then, Sarutobi-sensei had been in his prime, known throughout the ninja world as a "God of Shinobi" Although the title of "strongest Hokage" was an exaggeration, Hiruzen had certainly lived up to his reputation.

Then, after various events during the Third Great Ninja War, Sarutobi-sensei had stepped down. Jiraiya had watched as his most beloved student took over this office, believing wholeheartedly that his warm-hearted pupil would bring a brighter future to the village.

Who could have predicted that "Yellow Flash" would burn out so quickly? Fourth Hokage died young, and the aged Third Hokage had to take reins again. Now, after Hiruzen's disgraceful fall from power and his assassination in prison by a Mist Village rogue ninja, this office had a new occupant.

"Sougen, you're here. And... Jiraiya?" Hokage Torifu Akimichi seemed slightly surprised to see Jiraiya.

It was no secret that Jiraiya had kept his distance from village affairs. Torifu had only requested his presence with hope that he could convince him, but wasn't expecting much. Jiraiya was, after all, an invaluable asset—one of village's strongest non-Uchiha shinobi.

"You finally decided to show up!"

Torifu Akimichi and Jiraiya were no strangers to each other. As a disciple of Hiruzen Sarutobi, the renowned "Sannin" had once fought under Torifu's command before they rose to fame.

"Lord Hokage," Jiraiya approached directly without beating around the bush. "Apologies for the delay, but I must still decline the position of Fifth Hokage."

"...Still unwilling?" Torifu Akimichi paused but wasn't surprised by Jiraiya's response. After such a long delay, he was prepared for either acceptance or refusal, and it was clear that Jiraiya had chosen latter. This, however, made the search for Fifth Hokage even more difficult.

"My personality is not suited to be Hokage."

"I see! In that case... we can only intensify search for Tsunade!" Acting Fifth Hokage sighed, seemingly forgetting the recent suggestion of making his temporary role permanent.

"Lord Hokage, we can discuss matter of Fifth Hokage later. Could you first explain what exactly has happened?" Sougen interrupted, clearly uninterested in seeing the return of First Hokage granddaughter, especially since he had his sights set on Sixth Hokage position.

If Tsunade, who retained her youthful appearance, were to return, she would be a formidable competitor for the Hokage seat. As the granddaughter of First Hokage, disciple of Third Hokage, and creator of Konoha's medical ninja system, her credentials would make her nearly unbeatable.

And she was a woman with remarkable vitality and longevity.

Even though Sougen was only 15 or 16, the thought of waiting another 10 or 20 years to compete for the Sixth Hokage was torturous.

"Did summons from Anbu concern another move by Cloud ninjas? Did Shisui and the others fail to hold them off?" Sougen glanced at the other three people in the room: the captain of the Jōnin squad, the head of the Interrogation Department, and the Anbu leader.

The Jōnin captain, Shikaku Nara, was a familiar face, while the head of the Interrogation Department, Sinha, was a cold, stern-looking middle-aged woman. Her rise from humble beginnings to become department head was quite inspirational.

As for the new Anbu leader, codenamed "Matsuzō," Sougen recognized his chakra signature immediately. He was Fu Yamanaka, the third-in-command of Root, right behind Danzo Shimura and Ryouma Aburame. Fu had once attempted to capture Sougen but was instead taken alive.

Although Danzo and Ryouma's deaths hadn't meant the end of Root, it had merged back into the Anbu, with Fu promoted due to his Yamanaka clan heritage.

Such are the strange twists of fate!

Sougen eyed the unusual gathering, wondering what had happened on the frontlines. It wasn't surprising that the Anbu commander was here, but why was the head of Interrogation also present?

"It's not the Cloud ninjas," Torifu Akimichi answered, turning away from the Hokage discussion. Though the Hokage issue was urgent, something else took priority. "It's the Rock ninjas."

"Rock ninjas?" Jiraiya frowned.

Konoha was already struggling to fend off Cloud ninjas in north. If Rock ninjas also moved, Konoha would face a two-front war.

"Have they moved south?" Sougen asked calmly. Unlike Jiraiya, who stayed out of village's political core, Sougen was deeply entrenched in it and knew Rock ninjas' moves were inevitable. The only question was when.

"They haven't yet, but they're close. Our spies in Iwagakure have reported that Cloud and Rock have been sending envoys to each other. Third Tsuchikage himself is preparing to lead an attack against us." Torifu Akimichi looked troubled.

Although expected, this development didn't solve Konoha's manpower shortage. They were already strained dealing with the Cloud ninjas, and now they had to prepare for a second front.

"Ōnoki, huh? His Dust Release is a real headache," Jiraiya remarked, remembering his past encounters with Third Tsuchikage's destructive techniques, comparable in power to a Tailed Beast Bomb.

"Rock ninjas are moving, but our northeastern border defense can't hold them. And Konoha... doesn't have enough ninja, does it?"

"That's not the only problem," Torifu sighed and gestured toward Shikaku Nara. "Shikaku, explain."

"Our spy in Iwagakure was originally from Root," Shikaku said briefly, then turned to Sougen with a question. "Patriarc Uchiha, have you heard of the 'Walking Priestess'?"

"Walking Priestess'? You mean the legendary Konoha spy? Could she be our agent in Iwagakure?"

Before Sougen could respond, Jiraiya reacted with surprise. "She'sa legend in espionage world! A master who operated in several villages without ever being caught. Only her gender is known!"

"Yes, before Danzo's downfall, he dispatched several spies, including her, to Iwagakure. The intelligence we received came from her. However, we now suspect that she and the other spies have been exposed," Shikaku explained.

"Exposed? Did she make a mistake?" Sougen asked.

"No, the problem lies within the village," Shikaku continued, explaining how chaos following Root's disbandment had allowed Iwagakure to steal a partial list of Konoha's spies.

"Even Anbu couldn't stop this?" Sougen interjected.

The new Anbu and Interrogation heads stood silently.

"It was a tumultuous time," Shikaku said. "But now we suspect our legendary spy might be in danger. She's already requested extraction. If we don't act soon, we risk losing her or worse—letting her fall into enemy's hands."

"Are you asking me to lead the mission to rescue her?" Sougen inquired.

"Not exactly," Torifu replied. "We plan to send an elite team for that. But we also need to prepare for Rock ninjas, and I wanted your advice on who should lead defense."

Understanding the complexity of the situation, Sougen nodded in acknowledgment.