Chapter 180 : The shameless Cloud Village, Jiraiya has returned! [2/4]
Chapter 180: The Shameless Kumogakure, Jiraiya's Return [2/4]
Hokage Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was holding a piece of intelligence.
Before him were Koharu Utatane and Mitokado Homura.
Currently, both of the Village's great Advisors had arrived, and the atmosphere was very solemn. Koharu Utatane wanted to speak several times but was stopped by Mitokado Homura with a shake of his head.
Knock, knock, knock!
There was a knock at the door.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up: "Come in."
Masahiko pushed the door open and entered. Seeing the scene inside the room, he immediately bowed to the three of them.
Afterward, he asked: "Hokage-sama, what happened?"
"Kakashi and Yamato aren't here, so I want to hear your opinion on this matter."
Hiruzen Sarutobi handed over the scroll.
Masahiko took it and opened it. It wasn't the battle report regarding the Land of Rivers he had expected, but an official document from the Land of Lightning's Hidden Cloud Village.
The wording on it was full of suspicion and questions regarding the leak of the "Lightning Release Chakra Mode."
Although it wasn't written explicitly, between the lines, they were accusing Kakashi Hatake of stealing the Hidden Cloud Village's "Lightning Release Armor."
Masahiko was silent for a moment, then said: "Looking for trouble out of nothing, taking advantage of a crisis."
"I agree!"
Koharu Utatane rarely chimed in immediately.
She snorted coldly and said: "It's not the first time the Hidden Cloud Village has taken advantage of a crisis. First it was Kushina, later it was Hinata, and now it's the Lightning Release Armor—"
She sneered: "Why don't they just say we stole their secret techniques?"
Then, she looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with dissatisfaction.
"Hiruzen, it's all because Danzo left that the Hidden Cloud Village dares to act like this. Otherwise, how could they—"
"Koharu!"
Mitokado Homura immediately shouted to stop her.
Koharu Utatane's expression was cold. Although she didn't continue, her attitude was already very clear.
"Hokage-sama, Advisors, since they want to come, let them come," Masahiko replied.
"Additionally, we can also say we found out the person who exposed Danzo was in league with them, causing no small loss to our Konoha."
"Those people from the Hidden Cloud Village—as long as we let them into the Village, there will definitely be trouble!"
Mitokado Homura had a headache.
Regarding those two past incidents, they, as witnesses, remembered them vividly.
The shamelessness of the Hidden Cloud Village was etched into their bones.
As long as there was a benefit, an opportunity to take advantage, those people would never miss a chance to take a bite.
Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi began to catch on to the idea.
He looked at Masahiko and smiled: "I'm old, my mind doesn't turn as fast as the youth—Masahiko, continue with your thoughts."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Masahiko paused slightly and said, "Whether Danzo actually defected or not, the outside world isn't sure. Second, Danzo's departure didn't cause vital damage."
He paused for a moment.
"Besides, the arrival of the Hidden Cloud Village is exactly our chance to ally."
"To deal with the Hidden Mist Village?"
Mitokado Homura caught on.
Masahiko nodded and said: "Based on current intelligence, there's reason to suspect something has happened within the Hidden Mist Village. We can join forces to deal with the Hidden Mist."
"Ally—"
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed upon hearing this, "Then it will be war again."
He pondered for a moment and said: "It can be considered. We'll pass this intelligence to the Hidden Cloud Village, but we won't be the first to propose or take action."
"Let's do it that way."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Masahiko, wait a moment."
"Yes!"
Masahiko stepped aside.
Koharu Utatane was very unhappy. She walked outside and waited for a moment, but seeing Mitokado Homura's indifferent face, she sighed silently.
After Danzo left, she had originally hoped Mitokado Homura could lend a hand and hold firm.
Unexpectedly—
She followed.
"Are you really not worried?"
"Worried about what?"
Mitokado Homura sighed, "Didn't you see Hiruzen's attitude? The younger generation is growing up, and Hiruzen hopes for a slow transition."
He was silent for a few seconds and said: "We're all old."
After speaking, Mitokado Homura walked toward the stairs.
Koharu Utatane followed quickly.
Inside the room, Masahiko closed the office door, but Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand and said: "Wait, let me introduce you to someone."
Hmm?
Masahiko's movements paused.
The next second, a burst of laughter came from outside.
"Hahaha, kid, I've heard of you before. Finally, we meet."
The voice was very unfamiliar, but the moment the laughter entered, a white-haired figure appeared in Masahiko's mind.
Jiraiya?
He turned his head.
Sure enough, behind him, a white-haired middle-aged man walked in from outside.
On his forehead protector was a very striking character for "Oil." He had a head of white hair but didn't look old, and he wore a red vest.
A very obvious outfit.
Seeing this, Jiraiya was first a bit surprised, then smiled: "It seems you already know who I am."
"Of course, how could I not have heard of the name of one of the Sannin?"
Masahiko replied respectfully.
Jiraiya laughed heartily and said: "Not bad, kid, you actually recognize me!"
"You are my idol. My dream used to be to become your student."
Masahiko replied "sincerely."
Jiraiya smiled: "I haven't taken on a disciple in a long time."
"Jiraiya—"
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke but was immediately interrupted by Jiraiya.
He looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Sensei, I didn't come back just to work for you. If you want me to stay in the Village, forget it."
"Jiraiya—"
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed helplessly.
He was silent for a moment and said: "Fine, I won't make you stay in the Village. First, take a look at this document."
"Hmm."
Jiraiya took it.
As his eyes scanned it, his expression also underwent a subtle change.
"Impossible, right?"
"Hard to say, but during that period, the Hidden Mist Village's behavior was indeed very strange, with a clear contrast before and after."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said.
He leaned back and said: "It was also because something happened in our Konoha at the time, which is why we paid special attention to the Hidden Mist Village. Otherwise, we wouldn't have discovered these details."
"I will investigate secretly."
Jiraiya's expression was solemn.
If the Kage of a Village was truly being controlled, the consequences would be severe. The entire Ninja World could fall into chaos because of it.
He didn't want to return to Konoha to be the Hokage, but he also didn't want the Ninja World to fall into the chaos of war again.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded: "Be careful. The enemy might be very powerful."
"Mm."
Jiraiya nodded.
An existence capable of controlling a Kage was indeed not to be underestimated.
He carefully looked at the document in his hand, handed it back, and then looked at Masahiko beside him.
"Masahiko Yagyu—"
"I also heard your name as soon as I entered the Village. You're quite an extraordinary young man. With your abilities, you don't need my teaching at all."
Jiraiya smiled.
Masahiko's heart immediately stirred, and he said: "Jiraiya-sama, it's a pity I can't become your disciple. So—I would like to challenge you, if I may?"
"Challenge me?"
Jiraiya was stunned for a second, then smiled, "I heard your Ninjutsu talent is very good, but right now, I'm afraid you're not yet my match."
However, seeing Masahiko's serious face, he also put away his playful smile.
"Well, since you insist, it's not impossible—"
He pondered for a moment, "I have a condition."
"Please, say it."
Masahiko nodded.
Jiraiya smiled: "No rush, let's go get a drink first. My treat. We can talk while we drink."
"Yes!"