The Ginseng Fruit looks like this; eating it grants eternal life!"
"Did you hear?
This fruit resembles a human, but eating it can turn one into a god!"
…
Various versions of the legend quickly spread throughout Konoha Village.
The main reason for this outcome
was that the spies deliberately guided it.
After all,
this was a good opportunity to stir up internal strife among Konoha's major clans.
The effect was indeed obvious.
Those large clans did, in fact, suspect each other for a while.
However,
this didn't last too long.
Because a major event happened in Konoha—the Third Hokage was critically ill!
After the Konoha Crush,
the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had already exhausted his life force.
But no one expected him to fall critically ill so quickly.
So,
the major clans and famous Ninjas all went to the hospital to visit the critically ill and comatose Third Hokage.
The entire Village also fell into an atmosphere of extreme sorrow.
Many people had already begun preparing black clothes for the Third Hokage's funeral.
And in this atmosphere,
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado sought out Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya."
Jiraiya, sitting on the rooftop, leaning against the wall and looking at the sky, turned his head at the sound.
"Oh~
It's Uncle Homura and Teacher Koharu~
Do the Advisors need something from me?"
"What do we need?"
Homura Mitokado said expressionlessly: "You should know without us telling you, right?"
"No need for such a scary expression~"
Jiraiya said with a grin: "Didn't the negotiations with Sand Hidden Village conclude smoothly?"
"Sand Hidden Village publicly announced that everything was caused by Orochimaru.
Moreover,
Sand Hidden Village has already declared full surrender to our Konoha Village.
Even their Jinchuriki are in our hands.
At this point, negotiations are no longer that important."
"For Konoha, the most important thing is to choose a new leader!"
Koharu Utatane followed up: "We need a trustworthy and strong leader!
There are potential sources of conflict everywhere now."
"You don't need to tell me such things~"
Jiraiya continued to feign ignorance.
"I'm going to gather material~
Well then, see you another day~"
"Jiraiya!"
Homura Mitokado said sternly, his face rigid: "Let me tell you a basic policy first.
We need the Fifth Hokage now!"
"And in the emergency meeting with the Land of Fire Daimyo yesterday,
Jiraiya,
we unanimously decided to choose you as Hokage!"
Koharu Utatane spoke quickly: "Not only that,
your teacher, the Third Hokage, also recommended you to be the new Hokage.
Sarutobi should have already discussed this with you, right?"
"What a coincidence~"
Jiraiya didn't turn around, "I'm not cut out for that."
"This is a decision.
Moreover, if a Ninja like you, who is praised as one of the Sannin, isn't suitable,
we truly can't think of anyone else."
"Speaking of the Sannin, isn't there still one more person?"
Jiraiya turned and looked at the two Advisors seriously.
"Isn't Tsunade the perfect candidate?"
"That girl indeed has such an ability."
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane exchanged glances.
They feigned surprise.
"However, no one knows where she is right now!"
"I'll go find her!"
Jiraiya stared at the two and slowly said: "Compared to me, who lacks motivation,
the capable Tsunade is clearly more suitable to be Hokage.
What do you think?"
"But…"
The two feigned hesitation for a moment before agreeing.
"Understood, we will discuss it.
However, we need to send three Anbu to accompany you on Tsunade's search team."
"No need."
Jiraiya shook his head, "I won't run away.
Also, I want to ask you for someone."
"Who?"
"Naruto Uzumaki."
…
"Ding~"
On the high wall outside Konoha Village,
two men suddenly appeared, wearing black cloaks embroidered with red clouds, and straw hats with wind chimes attached, their faces completely obscured.
A gentle breeze blew, causing the wind chimes on their hats to continuously emit crisp sounds.
"This Village is truly lucky~"
Kisame Hoshigaki said with a faint smile: "The invaders appeared not long ago and were eliminated.
However,
although not many people died,
the Village was severely damaged~"
"That once prosperous Village…"
Uchiha Itachi looked at the Village below and said calmly: "How pitiful…"
"That's not like you.
Are you really nostalgic for your hometown?"
"No, not at all."
Itachi slowly looked up, revealing a pair of Three Tomoe Sharingan.
"We'll enter the Village tomorrow morning.
Don't forget the mission.
Investigate that newly appeared Black Organization."
"Understood~"
…
The next morning,
a heavy fog suddenly enveloped Konoha Village.
In this thick fog, two figures slowly walked into Konoha Village.
It was Kisame and Itachi.
However, what they didn't know was that
shortly after they entered the Village,
two more strange black-clad figures wearing straw hats entered Konoha Village.
Chapter 39: The Return of Karin and Izumi, New Organization Members! [Second update for flowers and collections]
Bai Hao woke up very early today.
Because today was a very special day—the day Karin and Izumi returned!
Not only that,
today was also the day Karin and Izumi would bring back his two new subordinates.
"I wonder if these two new recruits are obedient?"
With curiosity, Bai Hao went to a bedroom on the second floor.
This bedroom had been modified by him.
A teleportation array was carved into the floor.
This teleportation array was a special item obtained from a lottery in the System.
It was a complementary item to his organization System.
As long as Karin and Izumi reached the secret strongholds around the Land of Fire, they could directly use this teleportation array to come to him.
…
Time slowly passed.