The elder's eyes widened, his pale Byakugan flaring as his voice rose an octave.
"Retiring? Is that true?"
"...."
It was the first time Suzune had seen her father lose his composure like this. She nodded slowly.
"Yes. That's what Captain said. He's tired of being targeted because of his connection to the Uchiha, so he's choosing to retire."
What in the world was going on?
The Hyuga elder knew far more than his daughter about the inner workings of the village leadership. He just never expected Xin to react so strongly. Everything had seemed fine up until now.
Why the sudden backlash?
Could it be that the Hokage had ramped up the pressure again?
None of it made sense to him.
From the elder's perspective, Xin might have Uchiha blood, but he had repeatedly refused to align himself with the Uchiha. That made him far more valuable than any actual member of the Uchiha clan.
Was the village really willing to throw away a genius like him?
As her father shook his head in frustration, Suzune timidly asked, "Father, was the captain telling the truth?"
"Stop asking questions."
Her father shot her a stern look.
"If Usagi Xin is retiring, it means your team is being disbanded. You'll stay here and continue your Gentle Fist training."
"Yes, Father."
Suzune nodded obediently, not daring to press any further.
"Where is Master Jiraiya?"
Minato was growing frantic. At first, he'd thought about going to the Hokage, but he quickly abandoned that plan. Jiraiya would be much more effective at getting through to the higher- ups.
If Minato went to the Hokage himself, it wouldn't change a thing.
Why did it have to come to this?
Didn't they realize how much this would demoralize everyone?
Minato couldn't understand why the village leadership was so determined to target the Uchiha-especially someone like Xin, who had Uchiha blood but had no ties to the clan. Why did it always come down to power and control?
After searching everywhere, Minato couldn't find Jiraiya. Frustrated, he ended up at the hospital.
In Nawaki's recovery room, Orochimaru was explaining the finer points of ninjutsu while Nawaki listened attentively. The door suddenly slammed open, startling them both.
"Minato, what are you doing? Don't you know patients need a quiet environment to recover?"
"Are you deliberately messing with me?"
Orochimaru rarely had time to give private lessons, and Nawaki had been listening intently, only to be interrupted by Minato's loud entrance.
"Screw the recovery!" Minato was too panicked to care, brushing past Nawaki to approach Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru-sensei, do you know where Master Jiraiya is? I need to find him—it's urgent."
"Jiraiya?"
Orochimaru calmly closed the book he'd been holding and thought for a moment. "He's probably somewhere... not fit for little kids. Ever since that old man's voyeur technique got exposed, all the hot springs in the village have added coverings. He can't peep anymore, so he's been finding... other ways to entertain himself."
"Why do you need him?"