"The Uchiha's movements?"
Jiraiya didn't react for a moment after hearing what Hiruzen Sarutobi said.
What more was there to find out? He'd already heard plenty while wandering the village streets earlier that afternoon, plus what the izakaya owner had shared.
In the past two months, the Uchiha Clan had undergone a dramatic transformation. Once feared and resented by nearly everyone in Konoha, they were now admired—even sought after. More and more villagers wanted to get closer to members of the Uchiha Clan.
In fact, many young people were now using the Uchiha as a standard for choosing romantic partners.
Jiraiya had found it hard to believe at first. But the more he learned, the more he understood. While the Uchiha were somewhat aloof with strangers, once trust was established, they treated others with sincerity.
In romantic relationships, their loyalty and devotion were enviable. Uchiha men and women alike were strikingly attractive, and when they loved, they loved passionately—perhaps overwhelmingly so. Their partners needed strength just to keep up.
And of course, there was the Sharingan.
Unlike the Hyuga Clan, who forbade marriage outside the clan's main branch, the Uchiha were more flexible. As long as one partner was an Uchiha, marriage was permitted, regardless of gender. Once a child showed potential to become a ninja, the clan would spare no effort or resources in nurturing that talent.
Nearly all Uchiha, whether ninja or civilian, found success in their chosen fields. Among ninja, the Sharingan stood as undeniable proof of their power.
Once a ninja awakened the Sharingan, it became nearly impossible to find an equal at the same level.
Even among civilians, their contributions were immense. Though most villagers didn't know the specifics, any ninja who had reached Chunin rank—or even an experienced Genin—understood the value of Uchiha-made ninja tools: their detonating tags, shuriken, and other weaponry were prized across the entire ninja world. The Ninja Cat Clan also played a covert role, helping distribute these tools to other villages and nations.
With all these advantages, the Uchiha's initial aloofness no longer seemed like a flaw. In fact, it had become something of a charm point.
More importantly, their recent decision to delegate authority to the Konoha Military Police Force had left a strong impression. The villagers' and shinobi's overall view of the Uchiha had significantly improved.
All signs pointed toward one conclusion: the Uchiha genuinely wanted to reconcile with the village.
At first, Jiraiya thought the old man was simply being overly cautious in his old age. But Hiruzen was still the Hokage, after all—being prepared for the worst came with the job. So, Jiraiya figured he'd honor the request.
"Alright, old man. I'll go check things out tomorrow—see what's really going on with the Uchiha."
Seeing Jiraiya agree without much resistance, Hiruzen nodded, visibly relieved.
"Good. That puts my mind at ease."
"You got anything else to say? If not, I'm heading back. You reek of alcohol—I'm guessing you just got back to the village and already hit the bars."
With that, Hiruzen turned, pipe in hand, and made for the office door.
"Wait—old man."
Jiraiya's voice stopped him.
Hiruzen turned his head slightly, heart sinking as he looked back.
"What is it, Jiraiya? Something else on your mind?"
Jiraiya slowly turned to face him. His gaze had sharpened, his expression darkened with anger.
"Aren't you going to tell me about Naruto?"
That single question pierced Hiruzen's heart like a kunai.
He had been hoping to avoid this—one of the reasons he was so quick to leave. He didn't want to talk about Naruto with Jiraiya.
"So you've seen him already," Hiruzen said, trying to maintain composure. "Don't worry—he's safe in the village. I check in on him from time to time."
Even as he spoke, guilt gnawed at him. For the sake of the village, he had sacrificed Naruto's childhood. He could only hope that Minato and Kushina—watching from the afterlife—would understand.
But Jiraiya clenched his fists, the movement loud with the creaking of his forearm armor.
His glare sharpened like a blade.
"Safe? Sure—he's under constant surveillance by ANBU. How could he not be safe?"
"You know that's not what I meant!" Jiraiya barked. "Why is it that the son of the Fourth Hokage is treated like a plague in this village?! Why is he seen as a curse—a demon fox?!"
"Minato and Kushina gave their lives. They staked everything—including their only son—for this village. And this is how you repay them?! Are you worthy of standing before them in the afterlife?!"
It might have been the alcohol, or perhaps the weight of his own guilt, but Jiraiya let his fury explode.
Hiruzen, silent and stoic, didn't respond.
Jiraiya stepped forward, closer now, his voice like steel.
"You call that your best effort—letting him rot in a run-down apartment?"
"You call that protection—letting him starve, making ramen a luxury?!"
"You think showing up once in a while with some half-hearted words counts as care? That's not raising a child—that's grooming a weapon!"
"You're the Hokage! And you couldn't even give him a decent life?! That's your idea of 'doing your best'?!"
Jiraiya's voice cracked from strain. Blood leaked from his gums as he clenched his teeth too tightly.
Hiruzen was momentarily speechless. Regret bubbled in his chest.
Yes... I could have done all of that.
But after a moment's pause, he hardened his heart.
"Jiraiya," Hiruzen said at last. "I let Orochimaru go once—because I was too soft. And that was a grave mistake."
Jiraiya fell silent, anger cooling as he waited to hear more.
"I won't make that mistake again. I can't allow my emotions to compromise Naruto's safety—not when he carries the Nine-Tails."
"Konoha has lost too many already—White Fang, who took his own life… Tsunade, who abandoned the village… Orochimaru, who defected… and you, who've wandered for years. I have to ensure that Naruto, as the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, remains under the village's control. It's the only way to protect him—and Konoha."
Silence fell between them.
Finally, Jiraiya raised his head and looked long and hard at the old man in front of him—this once-proud mentor now bent with age, white-haired and weary, his pipe the only thing steady in his trembling hand.
For all his harshness, Jiraiya couldn't deny it: he had left the village too. Obsessed with prophecy, chasing Orochimaru, avoiding the responsibilities of home.
Hiruzen had been left to carry it all.
Jiraiya understood Hiruzen's logic—but he couldn't agree with it. Not when it came to Naruto.
"Old man," he said at last. "From now on, I'll take care of Naruto. I'm not leaving the village again."
And with that, he leapt out the window into the night, leaving Hiruzen alone, unmoving, surrounded by shadows and smoke.