Chapter 121: Jiraiya is about to leave the village.
Post-war or post-disaster reconstruction is the best way to reflect the foundation of a large organization.
Although neither situation makes people feel any joy, strength is strength, and no one can deny that.
And Konoha has done very well in this regard, far surpassing other ninja villages of the same size in the Ninja World.
Although Konoha has now covered up the scars of the previous battle, the grief left to everyone after the death of Hiruzen Sarutobi is far more than that.
For example, the collapse of Hiruzen Sarutobi's reputation.
For example, the power struggle among Konoha's high-level officials.
For example, the fact that Sunagakure participated in this incident.
For example, the candidate for the position of Fifth Hokage cannot be determined for a long time.
Such a series of factors lingered over Konoha like a nightmare, unable to dissipate for a long time, which made Asuma Sarutobi and others who came to see Jiraiya off become taciturn.
It is worth mentioning that the torture Asuma Sarutobi has suffered in the past few days is no less than that of the deceased Hiruzen Sarutobi, who no longer feels anything about all matters.
It is an indisputable fact that Asuma Sarutobi is the child of Hiruzen Sarutobi and the current head of the Sarutobi clan, so the storm targeting Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally affected him as well.
Asuma Sarutobi had defended himself, resisted, and been furious... but any defense lacking the parties involved seemed so powerless, and Asuma Sarutobi, lacking political acumen, could only struggle in pain, watching his father, who should have been treated as a hero, fall into the abyss step by step until he was nailed to the pillar of shame.
One can only say that public opinion is formidable; no one can escape this fate, not even Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"My condolences..."
Jiraiya certainly knew about the public opinion campaign against Hiruzen Sarutobi in Konoha, directed by Danzo Shimura, but knowing most of the truth, Jiraiya had no solid evidence to clear Hiruzen Sarutobi's name, other than patting Asuma Sarutobi on the shoulder to show comfort.
After all, although Danzo Shimura had embellished some things, Hiruzen Sarutobi had indeed participated in these matters, and this indisputable fact made all defenses appear so weak...
"Lord Jiraiya, could you..."
"I have said it before, I have no intention of becoming Hokage." Jiraiya once again rejected Asuma Sarutobi's suggestion. "Someone like me, who is used to being lazy, how could I endure the shackles of being Hokage..."
Jiraiya shook his head, then turned his gaze to Kakashi Hatake, who was still wrapped in bandages but could move with the support of others. "I already said you didn't need to see me off, and dragging a patient along, aren't you just putting me on the spot!"
"Lord Jiraiya, that's not what we meant..."
"I know you are just simply reluctant to see me go, but you can rest assured, I will definitely be able to bring Tsunade back to Konoha!" Jiraiya assured everyone. "However, after I leave, rescuing Narutoand temporarily stabilizing the situation in Konohawill be up to you..."
Jiraiya was very helpless; Naruto could fall into anyone's hands, but falling into the hands of Danzo Shimura at this critical juncture was something Jiraiya could do nothing about.
Because once Jiraiya took action to snatch or rescue Naruto from Root, it would be a signal for the two factions to formally start a war, which would cause Konoha to officially step into a cruel situation of infighting between the two factions.
Moreover, the dispute between the two factions would definitely not be just a game of political maneuvering like it is now; it would evolve more into a military conflict. Although Jiraiya firmly believed that his side would be the final winner, Konoha would definitely fall into an unprecedented dilemma.
After all, infighting, especially armed infighting, is bound to be a fierce battlefield with the greatest casualties and invisible bloodshed. A moment of carelessness could cause Konoha to completely fall apart. This is a risk Jiraiya did not want to take, and dared not take.
The only way now is to let Naruto stay in Root first, while Jiraiya goes out to find Tsunade to return to the village to succeed as Hokage. After Danzo Shimura is completely defeated, he can then rescue Naruto as a matter of routine.
Little did he know that all of Jiraiya's options were seen by Naruto, and the feeling in his heart was somewhat indescribable.
"Although it was a play performed by my Shadow Clones, seeing your final choice, I still feel a bit disappointed..." However, Naruto would not blame Jiraiya too much. "It can't be said to be exactly the same as my father's original choice, but is it really worth it for you to do this?"
Naruto asked himself, not to mention that Jiraiyawas originally considered the biggest suspect of colluding with Orochimaru, nor mentioning the treatment Naruto himself suffered as the son of a hero, just the fact that Danzo Shimura used public opinion tactics to wantonly guide public opinion to crazily attack the deceased Hiruzen Sarutobi was enough for Naruto to have some disgust towards Konoha.
It is not something everyone can do to look at everything rationally, but being led by the nose and not being firm in one's own heart is enough to show the ignorance of these people.
Not to mention the rights and wrongs of Hiruzen Sarutobi, his dedication to Konoha until death was sincere, and this cannot be faked.
But his treatment after death...
"It can be considered retribution." Naruto came to a conclusion in his heart. "This is the consequence of you indulging Danzo Shimura, and it is also the backlash of your indecisiveness in old age. Everything is self-inflicted! And I am just a pusher behind the scenes, letting you get the ending you deserve!"
Naruto, who had been keeping his Mangekyo Sharingan active, temporarily suppressed and avoided the influence of the mysterious consciousness in his body. In terms of acting and thinking patterns, he was still the original him, but this was ultimately not a final solution.
"After Danzo Shimura meets his deserved end, I should also look for a way to completely solve my own problems. It won't do to keep dragging it on like this."
After everyone saw Jiraiya off, Naruto also quietly left, preparing to go to Root to watch another play, and in terms of excitement, it was by no means inferior to the day Hiruzen Sarutobi died.
...
"Rip!"
The outer garment of Naruto's Shadow Clone, Uzumaki Tsunetachi, was violently torn open from the abdomen. Danzo Shimura's face was so gloomy it seemed like water was dripping from it. After carefully looking at Uzumaki Tsunetachi's smooth abdomen back and forth two or three times, he suddenly drew his ninja sword and held it against his neck.
"Who exactly are you?!"
"Hehe, asking when you already know, I am Uzumaki Naruto!"
"Then what about the Nine-Tailed sealed in your body, and the Eight Trigrams Sealing Style on your abdomen!"
"How would I know? Who are you asking?"
Naruto's Shadow Clone, Uzumaki Tsunetachi, was not afraid at all. Not to mention that he was just a Clone of Naruto's main body, even if he dissipated, as long as the main body was still alive, except for consuming some precious Yin-Yang Release Chakra, it would not take long for him, Uzumaki Tsunetachi, to return again!
As for the pain at the moment of death... that was even less of an issue. After all, after he died, Naruto's main body would receive feedback at the same time. Anyway, he wasn't the only one suffering, so why be afraid?
"Will you talk or not!"
"Kill me, and I'll talk!"
The two people in the standoff refused to give in to each other. Danzo Shimura's ninja sword had already cut the delicate skin of Uzumaki Tsunetachi's neck, but there was no sign of fear on his part.
"Hmph!" Danzo Shimura certainly wouldn't kill Uzumaki Tsunetachi. After angrily sheathing his sword, he turned to look at Fu Yamanaka standing on the side. "Have you tried the Mind Transfer Jutsu?"
"I have already tried." Although Fu Yamanaka was from the Yamanaka clan, he and Aburame Torunewere Danzo Shimura's most loyal guards. "But I cannot intrude into the deepest part of his brain at all. It shows that his Mental Energy exceeds mine by I don't know how much."
"Torune, what about conventional interrogation methods?" Danzo Shimura asked again.
"My Lord, all methods have been tried, and we can't pry his mouth open at all!" Aburame Torunewas very respectful, but still felt fearful. "He doesn't look like Naruto, he can't even be considered a human!"
"There is an abnormality?" Danzo Shimura found the key point. "Speak quickly, what exactly went wrong!"
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