After Naruto left, Uzumaki Ashina picked up the scroll on the ground. His expression changed slightly.
Karin felt a chill from that sudden smile and asked cautiously,
"Old Patriarch… what are you smiling about?"
Ashina shook his head and chuckled.
"That brat Naruto just dumped another mission on me."
"Little Karin… looks like your next few years are going to be very busy."
After leaving the Uzumaki Temple, Naruto had a faint smile at the corner of his lips.
The scroll he left behind contained the method for cultivating Sage Mode, along with his idea of simplifying it into a Curse Mark using White Zetsu as a medium.
After successfully mastering Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode, Naruto had already started thinking about spreading Sage Arts on a wider scale to boost overall combat power.
Although the requirements for learning Sage Arts were far harsher than becoming a ninja, the payoff was insane—it could drastically enhance a ninja's strength.
In Naruto's memory, the Curse Mark used by Orochimaru during the Chūnin Exams could push an average chūnin close to special jōnin level.
For actual jōnin, it even acted like a damn stamina battery.
As for obtaining Curse Marks?
Orochimaru himself was the perfect "supplier."
But Naruto had no intention of relying entirely on that snake.
Mass-producing something like this required independent development.
With White Zetsu and himself as a Sage Mode user, Uzushio Village's research speed wouldn't lose to Orochimaru at all.
At the same time, recruiting technical talent had to start as well.
After all—
Geniuses weren't limited to combat ninjas.
Meanwhile, after leaving Kusagakure, Jiraiya and Tsunade didn't return to Konoha immediately.
Their goal this time wasn't sightseeing—it was to take down Danzo and the Third Hokage.
Before making a move, they needed a solid plan.
Originally, Jiraiya had wanted to follow Naruto's suggestions completely.
After all, Uzushio Village had the best atmosphere he'd ever seen in the ninja world.
But Tsunade shut that idea down immediately.
Those reforms?
Even if they were correct—
Implementing them in Konoha would blow the entire village to hell.
Allies would turn into enemies overnight, and everyone would rally behind the Third Hokage instead.
So instead, the two of them traveled across major cities in the Land of Fire.
They even visited the daimyo in the capital.
After several days of talks, Jiraiya finally realized something—
Tsunade wasn't joking.
She really intended to overthrow the Third Hokage's rule.
At the same time, he also saw the gap between them in political skill.
Tsunade actively built alliances, pulling in outside forces.
Jiraiya?
He just gathered dirt on people and handed it over like a good little student… only to get vague, useless responses in return.
After more than half a month of preparation—
They finally returned to Konoha.
It didn't take long for the news to spread across the village.
Jiraiya had returned.
And he brought Tsunade with him.
The Third Hokage quickly summoned them.
Looking at the two, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled warmly.
"Tsunade… you finally came back to visit this old man."
He had thought Jiraiya left out of frustration.
But now, not only had he returned—
He brought Tsunade along too.
While Tsunade traveling the world had some deterrent value, it was nothing compared to her role as Konoha's medical leader.
After all, the entire medical system of Konoha had been built by her.
Tsunade stared at him for a few seconds, then spoke bluntly,
"I'm not staying long."
"But I heard… the Uchiha clan and the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki both defected?"
"…Yeah."
Hiruzen's smile stiffened slightly.
"They both left. Even built their own village."
"…But honestly, it might not be a bad thing."
"People in the village already hated the Uchiha and the Jinchūriki."
Hearing that, Tsunade glanced at Jiraiya.
Then back at Hiruzen.
"…."
A heavy silence filled the room.
After a few seconds, Tsunade sighed.
Then she turned and walked out of the Hokage's office.
Jiraiya followed behind her, quietly closing the door.
Watching them leave, Hiruzen sighed.
He had expected this.
Ever since Jiraiya's attempt to impeach Danzo had been rejected—
Their relationship had already cracked.
On the surface, they were still teacher and student.
But the old closeness?
Gone.
Jiraiya would still follow orders—
But only because Hiruzen was Hokage.
Not because he was his teacher.
A few minutes later, the door opened again.
This time, it was Danzo Shimura.
Leaning on his cane, he walked in slowly.
After staring at Hiruzen for a moment, he spoke coldly,
"Jiraiya and Tsunade are back. You'd better prepare."
Hiruzen frowned.
"Prepare? Prepare for what?"
Danzo's eyes turned icy.
"Drop the act, Hiruzen."
"Even Root has confirmed Tsunade met with the daimyo. You think the Twelve Guardian Ninja didn't notice?"
"I already knew," Hiruzen replied calmly. "Tsunade is related to the daimyo. It's normal for them to meet."
Danzo scoffed.
"Maybe. But they also appeared in Kusagakure."
"After that, all Konoha spies there went silent."
"You think that's a coincidence?"
Hiruzen's expression hardened.
"You're suggesting Jiraiya and Tsunade betrayed the village?"
"That's impossible."
He paused, then spoke with absolute certainty:
"Anyone else might betray Konoha."
"But not them."
"Their love for this village is no less than ours."
Danzo snorted coldly.
"Then explain this."
"Why did Jiraiya bring Tsunade back right after arguing with you?"
"And why didn't they come to the Hokage building immediately after returning?"
"Why did you have to invite them?"
Hiruzen's gaze sharpened.
"Stop stirring trouble."
"They both have the right to run for Hokage whenever they want."
"You've been hiding in the shadows too long, Danzo."
"You're starting to see shadows everywhere."
Danzo turned toward the door.
"…Fine."
"You'll regret this soon enough."
With that, he slammed the door and left.
Left alone, Hiruzen stared at the door and muttered quietly,
"Danzo… I'm not like you."
"I won't regret my decisions."
"And even if I do…"
"I won't show it."
"…A Hokage doesn't get that luxury."
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