"Damn it—ow, ow, ow! Who the hell are you?! How dare you attack a Konoha ninja—are you tired of living?"
The ninja who had been sent flying struggled to his feet, his face twisted in pain.
"Heh." Jiraiya snorted coldly. "Name's Jiraiya. Got a problem with that?"
"Ji—Jiraiya?! Lord Jiraiya?!"
The ninja's face went pale. He scrambled up and immediately dropped to his knees, his expression turning ecstatic.
"Don't try to get close to me," Jiraiya said flatly, eyes cold. "Explain yourself. Why are you acting like a tyrant? Do you have any idea what this does to Konoha's reputation?"
"Please forgive me, Lord Jiraiya—I had no choice!" the ninja cried bitterly.
"First," Jiraiya said, "pay the tavern owner for all damages. Then you can explain."
Under the pressure of Jiraiya's gaze, the ninja didn't dare resist. He paid for all the food in the tavern and compensated for every damaged item.
The tavern owner tried to kneel, but Jiraiya waved him off.
"That's money he owed you. If he dares cause trouble here again, go to this place and find me. I'll skin him alive."
The ninja shuddered violently and hurriedly swore he wouldn't dare.
Only then did Jiraiya grab him by the collar and drag him into the back alley.
Once they reached a secluded spot, Jiraiya threw him to the ground.
"Speak. If I don't hear a clear explanation, I'll personally drag you to prison."
The ninja's legs gave out. He slammed his head to the ground repeatedly.
"Lord Jiraiya, we really didn't mean it! Konoha's intelligence network discovered you were on this street."
"Lord Third ordered us to act immediately and use any means necessary to bring you back. I—I went too far…"
"So the old man ordered it?"
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed, killing intent pouring out.
Realizing what he had said, the ninja panicked. Gritting his teeth, he hurriedly corrected himself.
"This was my decision alone! It has nothing to do with Lord Third! Please return to the village, Lord Jiraiya—I'm willing to accept any punishment afterward!"
Jiraiya sneered, about to refuse—
A sharp pain suddenly came from his wrist.
He froze. Orochimaru was warning him.
Jiraiya's expression shifted. He touched the small snake coiled around his wrist. Only then did the pain stop.
"Fine," Jiraiya said coldly. "I'll go back. I want to see how shameless the old man has become—ordering civilians to be expelled and beaten just to find someone."
With that, he walked out of the tavern.
Outside, the area was already surrounded by ANBU loyal to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
A crowd of civilians watched from afar, whispering. Who could warrant such a display?
The moment Jiraiya appeared, the ANBU dropped to one knee in unison.
"Please return to the village, Lord Jiraiya!"
"Please return to the village, Lord Jiraiya!"
"Please return to the village, Lord Jiraiya!"
The shouts rang out deafeningly.
Jiraiya's face darkened. "All of you—get up."
No one moved.
They remained kneeling, clearly unwilling to rise unless he agreed.
Feeling the strange looks from the surrounding crowd, Jiraiya finally snapped.
"Fine. Lead the way."
The ANBU immediately stood, splitting into two groups—one leading, the other following closely behind.
This didn't feel like an escort.
It felt like he was being escorted as a prisoner.
Jiraiya was furious, but Orochimaru silently told him to endure.
At the village gates, the guards immediately stepped aside. Jiraiya was the Third Hokage's direct disciple, a veteran of the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars.
Inside the village, an ANBU spoke respectfully.
"Please come with us to the Sarutobi Clan Compound to meet the Hokage, Lord Jiraiya."
"The Sarutobi Compound?" Jiraiya said coldly. "He's not in the Hokage Office?"
The ANBU stiffened, unable to answer.
After a moment, they repeated mechanically,
"Please come with us to the Sarutobi Clan Compound to meet the Hokage, Lord Jiraiya."
Jiraiya lost interest.
"Tell the old man to wait. I've been traveling nonstop—I'm filthy and haven't bathed yet. I'll go after I clean up."
The ANBU wanted to object, but Jiraiya's gaze turned sharp. They immediately lowered their heads.
"Yes, Lord Jiraiya. We will report at once."
They dispersed.
Jiraiya headed straight for his own house. Orochimaru was still on his wrist—there were things he needed to ask face to face.
After entering, Jiraiya shut the door and set up a sealing barrier, completely isolating the room.
Only then did he speak.
"The barrier's up. Say what you want to say."
Orochimaru released the Transformation Jutsu and casually sat on the sofa, smiling.
Jiraiya's mouth twitched.
"If you want me to play a role, just say it. You know I hate roundabout talk."
Orochimaru didn't waste words.
"You cooperate with Hiruzen Sarutobi and accept the position of Fifth Hokage."
"What?" Jiraiya frowned sharply. "You want me to cooperate with the old man and become Hokage?"
"I know you hate politics and love freedom," Orochimaru said calmly. "But you're only cooperating. Leave everything else to me."
His eyes narrowed, tongue flicking across his lips—cold killing intent leaking out.
"During this time, I'll remain hidden on you in disguise."
Jiraiya finally understood. His lips trembled.
"Orochimaru… you want to assassinate him? Have you lost your mind? He's our teacher!"
"Konoha is already rotten to the core," Orochimaru said coldly. "And the one responsible is Hiruzen Sarutobi."
"You and I both came from civilian backgrounds. We know how hard civilians have it. Since he took power, every decision he's made has weakened Konoha."
"If I don't kill him, I won't be able to rest. When Konoha finally collapses, have you ever thought about how people like us are supposed to survive?"
Orochimaru's eyes turned red.
"Have you already forgotten those three children from the Land of Rain?"
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