Jiraiya listened to Orochimaru's outburst—rage born straight from the depths of his heart—and slowly clenched his fists.
When he looked up again, Orochimaru's eyes were already bloodshot.
Jiraiya's strength seemed to drain from him as he sank down heavily. Both hands grabbed at his snow-white hair, his thoughts in chaos as morality and loyalty to the Village collided over and over in his mind.
"Jiraiya," Orochimaru said hoarsely, "as long as you let me kill the Old Man, I'll accept everything that comes after—trial, punishment, even my own death."
"I won't complain. Not once. Because everything I'm doing is for Konoha."
Orochimaru stepped forward, about to kneel.
Jiraiya hurriedly grabbed him and pulled him back up. Memories of the past flashed through his mind. After a long silence, he let out a deep breath.
"I understand," Jiraiya said quietly. "This time… I'll help you."
His body felt hollow, his mind exhausted. In such a short time, too much had been forced onto him.
The Old Man wanted to turn him into a puppet.
Orochimaru wanted to kill the Old Man—for Konoha's sake.
It made his head spin.
Orochimaru supported him and said calmly, "Rest for a bit. I'll boil some water. Since we said you were bathing, we might as well do it properly—no reason to give him any suspicion."
He paused, then took something out and handed it over.
"Take this. If you're asked something you don't know how to answer, I'll guide you."
It looked like a small magnet.
"This is for communication. Hang it on your ear."
Orochimaru smiled faintly.
Jiraiya followed his instructions and hooked it onto his ear. Orochimaru then closed his eyes and sent chakra into the device.
Jiraiya's pupils shrank.
Orochimaru's voice echoed directly in his mind.
"I only finished developing this recently," Orochimaru said lightly. "We'll make do for now."
Jiraiya nodded and leaned back to rest, while Snake Uncle—no, Orochimaru—went off to prepare the hot water.
---
Sarutobi Clan Compound
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in the main seat, Utatane Koharu beside him.
Based on Jiraiya's personality, Hiruzen was certain that once he returned to the Village, he would come straight here. After all, Jiraiya had always been his most obedient disciple.
Several figures suddenly appeared outside and knelt.
Hiruzen enjoyed the sight. He slowly stood and walked forward, Koharu following closely.
When he reached them, his expression darkened.
"Didn't the report say Jiraiya agreed to return?" Hiruzen demanded.
"Where is he?"
The ANBU answered carefully, "Reporting to Hokage-sama, Lord Jiraiya said he'd been traveling for a long time and was covered in dust. He plans to go home and bathe first before coming."
Hiruzen froze.
Since when did Jiraiya start caring about appearances?
Still, he waved his hand. "Dismissed."
As the ANBU left, Hiruzen began to think.
How should he speak to Jiraiya when he arrived?
How could he persuade him to accept the position of Fifth Hokage?
---
Hyuga Clan Compound
Uchiha Ran was deep in discussion with Hyuga Hiashi, planning how to deal with Hiruzen Sarutobi's schemes.
A sudden knock interrupted them.
Ran's voice stopped mid-sentence. Hiashi frowned. Who dared interrupt something this important?
He signaled to Hyuga Neji.
Neji opened the door to find Uchiha Itachi, dressed in full combat uniform.
Ran raised an eyebrow.
Jiraiya had returned.
Itachi stepped inside and said quietly, "Jiraiya has entered the Village. Should we—"
He made a cutting gesture across his throat.
Ran shook his head. "Not yet. Let him finish meeting Hiruzen Sarutobi first. Then we'll pay him a visit."
"Call Shisui. If reason doesn't work, we'll convince him with virtue."
Itachi nodded, bowed slightly to Hiashi, and left, closing the door behind him.
Hiashi swallowed. "Is your brother always like this?"
Ran nodded. "In his eyes, there's only the mission—and his little brother. Sasuke, I mean."
Hiashi didn't pursue the topic.
After a moment, he asked cautiously, "Ran… what exactly do you mean by 'convincing people with virtue'? Isn't that just reasoning with them?"
Ran smiled faintly.
"I named my Susanoo 'Virtue.' If he refuses to listen, I'll beat him with Susanoo."
"Isn't that convincing people with virtue?"
Hiashi felt a chill run down his spine.
Fortunately, he was on Ran's side.
He forced a smile and poured Ran a cup of wine. "Let's drink. Jiraiya's reputation in the Village is still very high. We should be patient."
Ran drained the cup and exhaled slowly.
"How could I not know?" he said. "He's a hero. A great man."
"But we've already gone this far. Do you really think we can retreat?"
"If we retreat, will the clans who rebelled with us—who wiped out Danzo's forces—agree?"
"The Uchiha will be fine. We have three pairs of Mangekyō."
"But what about the Hyuga? The Nara? The Yamanaka? The Akimichi?"
Ran spoke calmly.
Hiashi trembled. Then he poured another cup and nodded firmly.
"In that case," he said, "if he won't cooperate, then we'll have no choice but to send him to the Pure Land. Next year, the entire Hyuga Clan will bring flowers and paper money."
Ran glanced at him, then nodded.
"I'm hungry," Ran said casually. "I've heard the Hyuga chefs are excellent. Perfect timing on the heat—fish at its most tender."
"Think I can try it today?"
Hiashi's expression immediately brightened. "Of course."
He instructed Hinata to inform the head chef to prepare fresh fish at once.
Hinata ran off happily.
To her, this was just Ran wanting to eat fish.
She didn't realize that sharing a meal meant being accepted as one of his own.
Ran already regarded Hiashi—and the Hyuga Clan—as allies.
As for fresh fish?
With Uchiha resources and the Sharingan, what fish couldn't he get?
The reason he chose to eat here was never about the food.
------
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