"Yahiko?" The Third Hokage frowned.
Following Konan's destruction of the Hokage Monument, the Third Hokage had specifically looked into the old incident. Combining that with Jiraiya's intelligence...
"Isn't Yahiko dead?"
Jiraiya was equally perplexed. "I don't know what's going on, but those eyes are without a doubt the Rinnegan."
The Third Hokage had summoned Jiraiya to cross-reference their intelligence, but now it seemed their information didn't align.
"Could it be that Nagato died and gave the Rinnegan to Yahiko?" Hiruzen speculated.
Jiraiya recalled Konan's words and didn't think she had been lying. This created a contradiction.
"I'm not sure what's happening either," Jiraiya could only reply.
The Third Hokage didn't press the matter. "Whether it's Nagato or Yahiko, the abilities of the Rinnegan have been clearly described in the reports. As your students, they have now strayed onto the wrong path. Don't you want to guide them back to the right one?" Hiruzen said, his tone earnest and full of meaning.
The Third Hokage had coveted the Rinnegan before, but the plan was shelved after Danzo's defection. The key issue was that the true extent of the Rinnegan's power remained unknown.
In the recent battle in the Land of Water, Tendo Pain had annihilated thousands in a single blow, rekindling hope in Hiruzen's heart.
Rumors were now circulating in the village that Konoha's strength had been steadily declining in recent years. If they could bring the Rinnegan to Konoha, the village's power would become astonishing. And his own prestige would soar.
Nearing retirement, Hiruzen also hoped to leave behind a good reputation. After all, he was retiring, not dying.
Jiraiya considered it, understanding the Third Hokage's calculations. With the Rinnegan, the Uchiha clan would be a trivial matter. He had wanted to find Konan and the others before, but recent events had kept him tied to Konoha.
"I understand, old man. Since Kumogakure has retreated from the Land of Water, this war probably won't continue. I was planning to leave the village to find them anyway."
The Third Hokage had complete faith in Jiraiya. As long as Jiraiya was serious about the search, he would surely find them.
Hiruzen thought for a moment before saying, "Jiraiya, I'm preparing to step down."
Jiraiya wasn't particularly surprised. The things Hiruzen had done for Orochimaru recently had already given him an idea. Right now, there weren't many suitable candidates for Hokage in Konoha.
The Third Hokage was old.
Last time, Orochimaru had dealt a setback to Kawasaki Uchiha, and now he was engrossed in researching cloning technology. He had enabled many maimed individuals to be reborn with whole, healthy bodies. This was a truly great achievement.
Even setting aside the ability to fight again, just being able to live like a normal person was a dream come true for many disabled shinobi.
Although the cost of cloning was still exorbitant, it was bound to decrease as Orochimaru's research progressed. Orochimaru's contributions were enough to secure his position as Hokage.
Jiraiya thought for a moment and asked, "Old man, are you planning to have Orochimaru succeed you?"
The Third Hokage looked at Jiraiya. "What do you think?"
Jiraiya laughed heartily. "I have no objections. Orochimaru's scientific research can genuinely help a lot of people."
Hiruzen looked at the free-spirited Jiraiya, knowing full well he had no interest in the Hokage title.
"Good. If Orochimaru becomes the Fifth Hokage, will you come back?"
Jiraiya shook his head. "We'll see. After all, I don't even know if I can find them."
"Very well. When do you plan to depart?"
His mind on the prophecy of the Child of Prophecy, Jiraiya replied, "I'll go see Kawasaki first, then I'll leave immediately."
Konan's previous visit had been at Kawasaki's invitation, so Kawasaki was the first person Jiraiya thought of.
The Third Hokage nodded. "I see. A swift journey to you."
In the Uchiha Compound.
Kawasaki had sent a shadow clone to meet up with Nagato and the others, while his real body remained in the compound.
It wasn't that Nagato and the others were unimportant. The authority to open the dream realm for training was a privilege only he possessed.
Whether it was perfecting his Susanoo or practicing the Self-Life Reincarnation technique, both demanded a massive amount of his time and energy.
Training in the dream realm came at no cost. Kawasaki didn't need to restore his stamina or recover his visual prowess, which saved him a great deal of time. The minor inconvenience of time synchronization was trivial in comparison.
Kawasaki had already heard that the Third Hokage would be holding a meeting in the afternoon, most likely to discuss the war in the Land of Water.
Just then, Iori came to report. "Clan Head, Lord Jiraiya is here to see you."
"Oh?" Kawasaki was rather curious. What was the purpose of Jiraiya's visit? "Where is he?"
"He has been led to the reception hall," Iori replied.
Kawasaki acknowledged. As one of the Sannin, he couldn't just leave him waiting outside. "Understood. I'm on my way."
...
Kawasaki stepped into the meeting room and immediately saw Jiraiya, who looked ready to depart on a journey.
"Well, well, if it isn't Lord Jiraiya, gracing my humble abode," Kawasaki quipped, but his expression showed no trace of warmth. After all, Jiraiya had been the Third Hokage's right-hand man. It would be strange for him to be met with a smiling face here.
Jiraiya looked slightly awkward. In truth, he hadn't wanted to do those things either, but he was even more against seeing the Uchiha clan turn on Konoha.
Though Kawasaki appeared cold on the surface, he was calculating inwardly. Tendo Pain's reputation had recently skyrocketed, and the Third Hokage was likely getting antsy. Jiraiya's visit was probably to find Konan and the others; he still saw Nagato as the Child of Prophecy.
"Kawasaki, you must have heard about the recent situation in the Land of Water."
Kawasaki tilted his head back, showing no intention of cooperating. "Did I? Ah, I can't seem to recall. I've forgotten."
Jiraiya could only manage a wry smile. "Kawasaki, don't joke around. I want to ask, do you know where Konan and the others are now?"
Just as I thought.
Kawasaki rubbed his chin. Jiraiya was indeed here to find the three of them. But the current Nagato and Konan had no intention of seeing Jiraiya again.
Kawasaki snorted coldly, then responded impatiently after a moment of silence. "I don't know much. Konan was the one who contacted me. After the last incident, they haven't been in touch. But I'm certain they should be in Amegakure. That's all I know. Believe it or not. I have things to do, so I won't see you out."
With that, Kawasaki turned and left.
Jiraiya was snubbed, but with his thick skin, it was hardly an issue. Besides, he felt that Kawasaki wouldn't lie to him about this. Since Kawasaki had already left, Jiraiya had no choice but to drop the matter.
.....
Within Konoha. In the council chamber.
With the exception of Fugaku, who was busy with eye-cloning research, all the other elders were present.
Everyone had already been notified. This meeting was most likely to address the abrupt end of the war with Kumogakure and Kirigakure, as well as the Uchiha clan's recent activities.
It was undeniable that the Uchiha had been riding a wave of success recently.
Because of the war, the Third Hokage was unwilling to antagonize the Uchiha at this time and had granted Kawasaki Uchiha the title of Honorary Elder. Kawasaki had used the Third's reluctance for direct conflict as an opportunity to move aggressively, spending large sums of money to buy the loyalty of various clans.
Even Kakashi was no exception, and the Hyuga clan had also been won over.
In recent days, rumors unfavorable to the Third Hokage had been spreading throughout Konoha.
But the Third Hokage had a clever response. Instead of refuting the rumors, he publicized Orochimaru's cloning technology.