Chapter 51: Epilogue of the Second Volume
Two days later, at a Jonin council meeting, under the Hokage's seat.
A fierce argument was in progress.
"Kakashi-kun, an isolated piece of evidence cannot stand! We cannot possibly mobilize our forces just based on intelligence provided by a mere Genin!" a ninja with a cross-shaped scar on his face said forcefully!
"Is the fact that the Anbu squad I arranged was completely wiped out not evidence? Is the alarm sounded by Hayate Gekkō's squad still not enough to wake you up?! The crisis is already imminent, and you are still in denial!" Kakashi retorted sharply, meeting him head-on!
The clash of their sharp words stirred up a great wave among the surrounding Jonin.
"If Orochimaru really wants to take revenge on Konoha, why would he tell such important information to a Konoha Genin!"
"Are you saying Orochimaru came all this way back to Konoha, risking everything, just for a tour?"
"What are the people in the Intelligence Division doing? How could they not have detected a single piece of news about such an important matter?"
"Stop it, the Intelligence Division was scolded by Lord Hokage a few days ago. They've all gone out to gather intelligence now. The new intelligence summary hasn't been submitted yet!"
"We're currently strong on the outside but weak on the inside. If Orochimaru really wants to stir up trouble, no one can stop him except Lord Hokage!"
"Putting everything else aside, just based on the fact that Orochimaru has returned to Konoha, even if he has no intention of attacking the village, we must guard against him as if he does!"
"How do we guard against him? It's easy for you to say! In the end, won't it be our Strategy Department working overtime to complete the contingency plans!"
"So you're saying if we can't defend, then we shouldn't defend? Just open the gates and let Orochimaru come in and wreak havoc as he pleases?"
"What I mean is, before we have concrete evidence that Orochimaru is going to harm Konoha, there's no need to be so nervous. This will only throw ourselves into disarray!"
"On the contrary, I believe that as long as Orochimaru is still hiding in Konoha village for even one day, we must maintain the highest level of alert!"
"Impossible, no one can stay on high alert every day. Your request is simply absurd!"
Clap, clap.
With two light claps from Lord Hokage, the still fiercely debating Jonin immediately fell silent.
"Let me say a few words," the Third Hokage said faintly, exhaling a puff of smoke.
"Whether the intelligence that Orochimaru is going to invade Konoha is true or false is unknown, but there are signs of it, so for the time being, let's treat it as true. If it's confirmed to be false, at worst it's a false alarm, and we won't lose much. If it happens to be true, then we'll at least have some advance preparation."
Amidst the swirling smoke, the Third Hokage was in high spirits, his words firm and powerful.
"It will be hard on everyone during this period. The Strategy Department, hurry up and draw up a contingency plan. The requirement is that the alert level should be gradually increased, reaching the highest state of alert in the few days before and after the third exam. Then everyone will do their own work according to that plan."
"Oh, and if conditions permit, arrange a drill on the day of the exam to take the non-combatant women and children to the shelters."
The Third Hokage's vibrant eyes swept across all the Jonin in the room through the smoke.
These were the pillars of Konoha. Looking at them, the Third Hokage also seemed to gain confidence.
"That's all for now. Dismissed!"
The Jonin below all bowed to the Third Hokage in respect, then left with a series of swooshing sounds from their Body Flickers.
The large meeting room instantly became empty and desolate.
Lord Hokage put on his hat, sat down in silence, and took another puff of his pipe.
In the flickering light of the pipe's bowl, the Third Hokage's expression was uncertain, as if he were worried, yet also as if he were calm and composed.
Tap, tap.
In the quiet meeting room, the sound of the old man gently tapping his pipe echoed. Up and down, quite rhythmic.
The great Shinobi God sat quietly like this, contemplating for a long time in the empty meeting room.
Then, he suddenly spoke.
"Jiraiya... what do you think? Do you think Orochimaru will really do it?"
A robust figure had appeared on the windowsill at some point. Wild white hair, rugged features, and a rebellious expression—it was another of the Sannin—
The "Mad Demon," Jiraiya!
"Old man, since I'm here, isn't that the answer?"
Jiraiya's deep voice echoed in the meeting room.
The Third Hokage took a deep drag of his pipe and remained silent.
Indeed, there was a reason for Jiraiya to appear in Konoha at this time. And the most likely explanation for this reason was that Jiraiya had discovered that Orochimaru might be about to make a move!
"Although there is no direct evidence, judging from the signs of activity from the Sound Village and other places, there is an eighty percent chance that Orochimaru will make a move!"
Jiraiya asserted with absolute certainty.
Even the great Shinobi God, who wouldn't flinch even if Mount Tai collapsed before him, couldn't help but have his eyes flicker a few times after hearing the conclusion Jiraiya gave.
No one could guess what the Third Hokage was thinking at this moment.
Was he reminiscing about the glorious years of the past, the hard times of fighting alongside his disciples? Was he recalling the satisfaction and pride of watching his disciples grow up and stand on their own?
Or was he thinking of the bitter separation from his favorite disciple, the pain and bitterness of personally expelling him from Konoha?
Or was he realizing that the evil consequences of his past soft-heartedness had finally come back to haunt Konoha and himself, a deep sense of despair and regret welling up from the bottom of his heart?
No one knew.
The great Shinobi God, Sarutobi Hiruzen, remained silent, deeply burying his surging emotions in his heart, his resolute face showing no expression.
Only Jiraiya, who was close by, could almost see that the Third Hokage's figure seemed to have aged even more in that moment.
Then, in the next instant, the aura of an aging old man vanished from the Third Hokage. This old man, who had dedicated his entire life, had once again regained the air of a Shinobi God!
"Jiraiya, there's something I need you to do..." The Third Hokage put down his pipe, a divine light flashing in his eyes. "Before the third exam, please bring back the Princess of Konoha—Tsunade!"
"The Konoha of today needs your strength to overcome this crisis!"
Jiraiya looked at the vibrant and energetic Third Hokage before him, and for a moment, it was as if he had returned to the days decades ago, led by the man known as the Shinobi God.
"Yes, Sarutobi-sensei!"
Jiraiya replied without hesitation, then flashed away!
The meeting room returned to a dead silence.
"Where there are trees, there are leaves. Where there are leaves, there is fire."
In the darkness, the old man's firm and calm voice slowly sounded.
"The fire's shadow will illuminate the village, and once again, new leaves will bud."
He strode out of the meeting room.
End of Volume Two.
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