Is Jiraiya really in danger?
Even Sarutobi Hiruzen dared not say it was impossible.
The toads of Mount Myōboku do not make such jokes.
But if he truly believed that Jiraiya was so powerful that nothing could threaten him, then he would be denying reality itself. Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't convince himself of that.
He lowered his head, thinking quietly.
The Chūnin Exams were only a week away.
If he dispatched large numbers of shinobi to search for Jiraiya, word would inevitably leak out.
And no matter Jiraiya's condition—whether safe or gravely injured—rumors alone could sway the balance of alliances.
At this critical moment, if news spread that Jiraiya was in danger, Sunagakure might reconsider their partnership.
After all, the Kazekage himself was coming to Konoha.
There were too many variables.
"Take a team of Anbu and search the Land of Fire in secret. See if Jiraiya left any trace. He returned to Konoha not long ago. Even if he has left again, he must still be somewhere in the Land of Fire."
The Third Hokage's face was grim as he spoke to the two kneeling operatives.
"Remember—this is a top-secret mission. Not a single word can leak out."
Konoha's Sannin, Jiraiya…
If it were confirmed that he had met with danger, or worse, death, then once such news spread, the entire shinobi world would be thrown into chaos.
Even in this so-called era of peace, war could ignite with the smallest spark.
Jiraiya… if you are truly in danger… there is nothing I can do right now.
The Third Hokage turned his head slightly, concealing the worry in his eyes.
The two Anbu glanced at one another, silent but unsettled.
They too realized the weight of this. If word spread that Jiraiya was in danger, it would shake the very foundation of Konoha.
Konoha's Sannin—
One had defected.
One, the greatest medical ninja, had been plagued by a debilitating illness.
Only Jiraiya remained, the last pillar, absent from the village but always returning when Konoha needed him most.
It was that presence—his presence—that had kept the village stable for so many years.
After receiving their orders, the two Anbu vanished from the Hokage's office.
Meanwhile, the Kazekage was on his way to Konoha. Jiraiya might already be dead. The Chūnin Exams were drawing near.
Sarutobi could feel Konoha slipping further out of his control.
On the surface, everything appeared calm, but beneath it, powerful currents churned.
And the man he feared most at this moment was Danzo.
The Chūnin Exams provided too perfect an opportunity for Danzo.
Sarutobi even suspected that Jiraiya's disappearance was somehow linked to him.
The sudden arrival of the Kazekage in Konoha could very well have been orchestrated by Danzo, hoping to use the Kazekage's strength to force Sarutobi from the Hokage's seat.
"Konoha's defenses must be strengthened."
"We must prepare for any outcome."
As long as the Chūnin Exams passed without disaster, and the next Hokage was chosen, Sarutobi could finally relax. Everything would return to order.
He was not a lamb to the slaughter. Though age had slowed him, the will of fire still burned brightly. He would fight for Konoha.
The title "Professor of Ninjutsu" was not just empty words.
That evening, Yuichi returned home after completing his mission.
But along the way, something felt wrong.
Konoha's defenses had tripled. The number of Anbu lurking in the shadows had multiplied noticeably.
Yuichi could sense their chakra signatures easily.
Why are there suddenly so many Anbu…
Is the Third Hokage preparing for something?
And Yuichi was not the only one who noticed.
On a rooftop overlooking the village, Baki, the Sunagakure jōnin, stood with a dark expression. He watched as squads of Anbu moved into position, their surveillance extending to every corner of Konoha.
With the Chūnin Exams only a week away, this sudden change was deeply troubling.
Baki's face grew gloomier. This plan to destroy Konoha could not be allowed to fail. If it did, the repercussions for Sunagakure—and for the already weakened Land of Wind—would be disastrous.
If we don't send reinforcements… how can we possibly destroy a Konoha this tightly guarded?
Truthfully, Baki had never agreed with the Kazekage's decision to send only a small strike force. And now, with Konoha reinforcing its defenses, success was slipping further out of reach.
Even if they tried to summon more forces from Sunagakure now, it would be too late.
Mobilizing enough shinobi within seven days, and doing so without being detected, was impossible.
If Konoha continues strengthening its defenses, this plan will never succeed.
After weighing the situation, Baki turned back to his quarters. He would report to the Kazekage and advise abandoning the operation.
When his report reached the Kazekage, detailing Konoha's sudden increase in Anbu patrols, the reply came swiftly.
The order: proceed with the plan.
But the mission objective had changed.
When Baki read the words, he froze.
The scroll slipped from his hand and fell to the floor.
He stared out the window in silence.
War is coming…