After leaving Tsunade's home, Shinji headed straight for Konohagakure's commercial district.
Since both Tsunade and Shizune were out today, he decided to have lunch here first.
Shinji ordered a simple bowl of tonkotsu ramen at Ichiraku Ramen. After filling his stomach, he was about to head to the Dark Forest to continue his training.
But he had only taken a few steps when he suddenly stopped.
There, crouched on the rooftop opposite, was a figure.
The man had a wild, unruly mane of silver-white hair. He was pressed low against the roof, his gaze fixed intently on the steamy women's bathhouse across the way.
He remained motionless on the rooftop, then suddenly, the corners of his mouth twitched uncontrollably into a grin.
It was a smile that was both shameless and satisfied, lecherous to the bone.
It was Jiraiya!
Shinji recognized the legendary Sannin at a glance.
Only Jiraiya would peep so brazenly and openly.
But hadn't he received the Toad Sage's prophecy? Shouldn't he be traveling the world right now, searching for the Child of Prophecy?
Why had he suddenly returned to Konohagakure?
On the rooftop, Jiraiya couldn't help but lean forward a little more. His fingers unconsciously scratched at the tiles beneath him, and he muttered under his breath.
"Oh! Magnificent!"
"The women of the village truly have more charm. I'll have to drag the Third Hokage here with me next time."
"A little more to the left! Just a bit more!"
Shinji's face darkened completely.
Even though this was their first meeting, the man before him was exactly as depicted in the original story—a bona fide, seasoned pervert.
Shinji glanced around, then took a deep breath and shouted at the top of his lungs:
"Someone's peeping at the women's bathhouse!"
Jiraiya jolted in surprise and immediately looked down from the eaves, spotting Shinji right away.
He hurriedly tried to explain, "Misunderstanding! This is research! How can you call it peeping?"
His self-righteous defense was clearly heard inside the bathhouse across the street.
"Who's peeping out there?!"
The bathhouse instantly erupted into chaos. Several female voices, a mix of embarrassment and fury, rang out sharply.
The next second, a barrage of soap bars, wooden basins, towels, and other miscellaneous items came flying out of the windows, pelting the rooftop opposite.
"Someone's on the roof!"
"It's a pervert! Throw things at him!"
"Don't let him get away!"
Jiraiya immediately covered his head and scrambled away, leaping down from the roof in a panic, the lecherous grin on his face now frozen stiff.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch! Damn, I've been spotted!"
He yelped in pain while trying to explain, "I'm not a pervert! I'm just gathering material for my novel!"
But his words only invited more flying objects.
Jiraiya sighed helplessly and had no choice but to flee in a hurry.
As he ran past Shinji, he shot him a glare. "You little brat, I'll remember you!"
With that, he ducked into an alley and swiftly disappeared down the street.
Watching Jiraiya's dishevelled fleeing figure, Shinji felt a wave of satisfaction.
He had done another good deed today.
...
Elsewhere, Uchiha Fugaku was draped in a dark cloak, completely concealing himself.
He quietly left the clan compound, carefully avoiding patrolling ninja and passersby. After a circuitous route, he finally stopped before a hidden, dilapidated sewer entrance.
As soon as he approached, a Root ninja leaped out from the shadows by the roadside.
The other's tone was flat. "Follow me."
The Root ninja bent down, lifted the sewer entrance cover, and jumped down first.
Fugaku furrowed his brow slightly but still followed closely, leaping in after him.
The two traversed the dim, damp underground passage for a long time before finally stopping before a brick wall.
The Root ninja raised his hand and lightly tapped three times on the wall. The brick wall slowly swung inward, revealing a hidden door.
"Go in."
With those words, the Root ninja turned and disappeared into the darkness.
Fugaku stepped slowly into the secret chamber, removing his hood to reveal his stern, unsmiling face.
He glanced left and right, surveying the airtight room.
The chamber was dimly lit, with only a few oil lamps burning quietly, casting flickering shadows that made the interior appear alternately bright and dark.
Danzo stood silently with his back to the entrance, clad in black, exuding an aura of coldness.
He slowly turned around and spoke, "You've finally arrived, Uchiha Fugaku."
Fugaku asked in a low voice, "Lord Danzo, what is the purpose of summoning me here?"
He was already on guard internally.
A few days ago, a Root ninja had suddenly appeared at his doorstep, claiming that Danzo wanted to see him and that he had a way to help Fugaku obtain what he had long desired. He had specifically emphasized that this meeting must remain secret.
After discussing with the three elders, Fugaku had decided to attend, wanting to see what scheme Danzo was plotting.
Danzo glanced at him but did not directly state his purpose. Instead, he asked calmly, "I've heard that you've been contacting other ninja clans recently, hoping they would support your bid for Hokage. How did it go?"
Fugaku's expression darkened.
Their secret activities had already been discovered by this man?
But even if they were exposed, he no longer cared.
Because without exception, all those ninja clans had explicitly rejected him, not believing that an Uchiha could ever ascend to the position of Hokage.
At the thought of this, a surge of anger rose in Fugaku's heart.
Seeing Fugaku remain silent, a mocking smile flickered at the corner of Danzo's mouth before quickly disappearing.
"I can support you, Fugaku. We can form an alliance."
Fugaku was taken aback, lifting his gaze to look at Danzo.
"An alliance? What do you mean, Lord Danzo?"
He almost thought he had misheard.
This old fox, who had always been hostile toward the Uchiha, was actually offering to support him?
"I will be traveling to the Land of Rain soon. Clan Head Fugaku, you may accompany me," Danzo said slowly. "If you can gain the support of Hanzō, your reputation will rise to another level. With the achievements of the Uchiha Clan in the Third Great Ninja War, there may still be a chance for further advancement."
Hanzō, the one known as the "Demigod of the Shinobi World"?
Fugaku lowered his head in contemplation, his heartbeat quickening slightly.
The obsession with becoming Hokage gradually overpowered his remaining shred of rationality.
With Danzo's covert support and Hanzō's endorsement, he might truly have a chance to reach for the position of Hokage.
He looked up and asked in a low voice, "Lord Danzo, what do you want from the Uchiha in return for helping me like this?"
Fugaku didn't believe Danzo would be so kind-hearted!
Sure enough!
Danzo thumped his cane heavily and spoke coldly, "I want the Uchiha to allocate a portion of their clansmen to join Root."
"Additionally, I want Uchiha Shinji to become my subordinate."
Shinji?!
Fugaku hadn't expected to hear that name again here.
He was well aware that cooperating with Danzo was akin to making a pact with a tiger. However, with the Uchiha's strength, it might still be possible to keep him in check.
At worst, after achieving their goals, they could enjoy the fruits of success and simply refuse to fulfill their promises.
After a moment of contemplation, Fugaku spoke in a low voice, "I need to discuss this matter with the clan elders. Please give me a few days, Elder Danzo."
Danzo nodded slightly. "I believe Clan Leader Fugaku will make the right choice."
A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
As long as Fugaku truly followed him to the Land of Rain, he would set a trap to eliminate him.
Afterward, he would pin all the blame on other ninja villages and use the opportunity to incite a new war.
By then, he would be able to seize even greater power and achievements.
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