Naruto: In Konoha Village, I awakened Wood Release at the start.

Leaf.

The Sarutobi clan's residence.

Jiraiya stood there, stunned.

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly stood up and patted the ash off his clothes.

His gaze toward Jiraiya also sharpened.

"Jiraiya".

"You only saw Orochimaru's experiments."

"But you didn't see those young people in Konoha Hospital who survived thanks to their research!"

"And there are wounded soldiers who have retreated from the front lines."

"Those crippled frontline ninjas, with missing limbs."

"In the past, they would have had no choice but to retire in disappointment and live a useless life for the rest of their lives."

"But now, Orochimaru's drug has been administered."

"A few months later, they were able to form hand seals again and stand up again!"

"..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi stretched out his finger and pointed towards the center of the village.

His voice rose a few decibels, carrying a complex emotion that was hard to describe.

When Danzo was still alive.

He then learned that Danzo and Orochimaru were conducting experiments in secret.

But all those experiments were related to bloodline limits.

They never thought of using their strength to help the village.

It is precisely because of this.

After learning about Orochimaru's achievements.

Hiruzen Sarutobi would be even more shocking.

If only he had thought of these things back then.

Will he achieve even better results when he takes charge of Konoha?

"Jiraiya".

"You're saying Orochimaru's research is bad?"

"indeed."

"Orochimaru's previous research involved hiding in the gutter, stealing, robbing, and harming his fellow villagers."

"These things are indeed intolerable."

"But what about now?"

"Chiba put him in the open."

"All experimental data is made public."

"All the experimental materials came from enemy corpses on the battlefield."

"Not only can he not harm the villagers, but he also has to rack his brains to save them."

"Orochimaru used to be a demon."

"But now, he is using his talent to create value for Konoha."

"If you still feel bad about it."

"Just think of Orochimaru as atoning for his past sins."

soon.

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke again, addressing Jiraiya.

He knew Jiraiya's personality very well.

However, he also believes that Orochimaru's return would be of great help to Konoha.

He hoped that Jiraiya could accept this.

"Atonement?"

"Old man, when did you become so good at comforting yourself?"

"Orochimaru doesn't care about atonement at all; he only cares that Chiba can provide him with the best experimental conditions!"

"Chiba doesn't care whether Orochimaru is guilty or not; he only cares about Orochimaru's usefulness!"

"Is this the Konoha you see?"

"There are no bottom lines, no right or wrong, only naked exchanges of interests!"

however.

Jiraiya, however, found it utterly absurd.

His hands were clenched tightly at his sides, his knuckles white.

"Sigh~"

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat back down on the bamboo chair.

He sighed, as if he had aged several years in an instant.

"Jiraiya".

"You've traveled the ninja world for so many years, haven't you seen through it all yet?"

"Only the strong have the right to define bottom lines and right and wrong."

"When I was Hokage, I was always talking about the Will of Fire and the future of the village."

"But what was the result?"

Speaking of it.

A deep pain flashed in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes.

The Third Shinobi World War.

"I sent kids who had just graduated from school to the battlefield."

"Isn't there anything wrong with that?"

"I condoned Danzo's activities with Root and allowed him to do those shady things in the shadows."

"I thought it was to protect the great tree of Konoha."

"But what about Chiba?"

"He doesn't spout any lofty principles or noble ideals."

"He only gives tangible benefits."

"Look at Konoha now."

"There are several thousand Jonin and over ten thousand Chunin."

"Ordinary ninjas can obtain the advanced ninjutsu they desire as long as they are willing to risk their lives."

"And the village's fiscal revenue is several times higher than before."

"..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his head and looked up at the azure sky above.

His voice gradually lowered, and a look of emotion appeared on his face.

"Jiraiya".

"I hate him for taking away my power."

"But I must admit it."

"He did a better job than me, and better than all the previous Hokage."

"He used his pragmatism to bring Konoha to an unprecedented peak."

"..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's words were too harsh.

Like a sharp scalpel, it ruthlessly dissected all the disguises.

The stark reality was laid bare before Jiraiya.

Jiraiya was stunned.

He opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

Because every word Hiruzen Sarutobi said was an undeniable fact.

"He's gone mad..."

"You're all crazy."

For a long time.

Jiraiya finally came to his senses.

He muttered to himself as he walked toward the outside of the courtyard wall.

After leaving the Sarutobi clan.

Jiraiya slipped into a secluded alley.

The alley was dark and smelled of moss.

All he wants now is to find an izakaya and down a few bottles of the strongest sake.

"Bang!"

Just then.

Suddenly, a wisp of white smoke rose from the cracks in the bluestone slabs beneath their feet.

A toad the size of a washbasin appeared out of nowhere in front of Jiraiya.

That's the liaison toad from Mount Myoboku.

"Jiraiya!"

"It's an emergency! We need to get to Mount Myoboku immediately!"

The toad's voice was somewhat shrill, urging Jiraiya on.

"What's wrong?"

"Is Fukasaku and the others in trouble?"

Looking at the toad's eagerness to contact him.

Jiraiya frowned and asked with some doubt.

"no!"

The toad, in its haste, jumped up and down twice.

"It's the Great Toad Sage!"

"He's awake! And perfectly lucid, he specifically asked to see you immediately!"

Hearing what the toad said.

Jiraiya's face tightened instantly.

The Great Toad Sage?

That senile old man who's always sleepy-eyed and can't even remember his own name?

Suddenly became very lucid?

A strong sense of unease welled up in Jiraiya's heart.

Jiraiya didn't even bother with drinking anymore.

He quickly bit his thumb, and his hands moved swiftly to form hand seals.

"Hai-Xu-You-Shen-Wei!"

He slammed his palm heavily on the ground.

"Ninja Art: Reverse Summoning Technique!"

The black runes spread rapidly from the center of the palm.

White smoke exploded.

Jiraiya's figure disappeared directly into the alley.

……

The scene changes.

The sound of flowing water and the rich fragrance of grass and trees filled my ears.

Giant plants stood tall all around, like pillars reaching to the sky.

This is Mount Myoboku.

As soon as it landed.

Jiraiya saw the two hermits, Fukasaku and Shima, squatting on a huge lotus leaf not far away.

Their expressions were extremely solemn, their eyes fixed on the enormous temple in front of them.

"Jiraiya, you've finally arrived."

"The old man... is waiting for you inside."

They noticed Jiraiya's arrival.

The hermit sighed, his voice tinged with weariness.

Jiraiya swallowed hard.

The oppressive atmosphere around him made him afraid to even breathe.

He strode toward the temple and pushed open the two heavy wooden doors.

The interior of the temple was dimly lit.

Only a few lamps burned, their eerie blue flames flickering.

The Great Toad Sage sat on the lotus throne at the very top.

Unlike before.

Today, the Great Toad Immortal neither dozed off nor kept his eyes half-open.

Those deep eyes were completely clear, without a trace of turbidity, only an absolute rationality.

Jiraiya felt a chill run down his spine.

But he still walked to the lotus seat and respectfully bowed.

"Great Toad Sage, you were looking for me."

"..."