At the main gate of Konoha, a white-haired figure appeared.
"The Toad Sage, Wandering the Shinobi World, has returned to Konoha! Let me see what changes have occurred in Konoha!"
The gate guards saw Lord Jiraiya standing atop a toad twice a man's height and did not approach to question him.
Jiraiya held binoculars, scanning Konoha in all directions.
"It's changed so much... changed so much," Jiraiya muttered as he looked.
"Tsunade has been Internal Affairs Advisor for a few years. Konoha has developed quite well.
So many construction sites. Konoha is truly thriving.
Unfortunately, with the Great Shinobi War imminent, everything in Konoha will have to be put on pause."
As if his view wasn't satisfying enough, the toad beneath Jiraiya leaped, landing on top of Konoha's perimeter wall.
The guard squad from a nearby watchtower, seeing someone dare to land on the village wall, was shocked and prepared to intercept or even apprehend the intruder. Upon closer inspection, they realized it was Lord Jiraiya and all dispersed the chakra from their feet.
If it was Lord Jiraiya, then there was nothing to be done.
Jiraiya kept looking, finding several familiar bathhouses.
"Oh? The bathhouse in the southern district expanded an open-air bathing area in its backyard? Hiss... not bad, not bad."
"That bathhouse's competitor actually built a rooftop infinity pool? Ah, so creative!"
"Only Konoha has such good living conditions. These figures, this skin... far superior to those village women."
"Let me see what new tricks the bathhouse in the western district has..."
Just as Jiraiya turned his binoculars, he paused. "Huh? Why is the western district bathhouse triangular? Snake head! And flicking its tongue!"
Jiraiya lowered his binoculars with a disappointed look, turning to see Orochimaru.
"Hey! Orochimaru, must you always ruin the fun like this!"
Orochimaru didn't reply, just looked at Jiraiya with a complex expression.
After more than ten seconds, the frivolity in Jiraiya's voice diminished slightly. "Hey, hey, why are you looking at me like that? Why so strange? Are you pitying me?"
"Hmph." Orochimaru gave a cold laugh and said,
"Jiraiya, you haven't been completely deceived by Mount Myōboku yet. You still have some judgment. I am pitying you.
In the years you've been absent, Konoha has changed a great deal, and the people of Konoha have changed even more."
Jiraiya had a bad premonition. Orochimaru seemed to be talking about something related to him.
"I've seen Konoha's changes. How have its people changed?" Jiraiya stared at Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru, don't tell me you've turned into a woman? Hahaha! That would be hilarious! If you became a woman..."
Many strange thoughts suddenly rose in Jiraiya's mind, and he quickly shook his head.
He immediately raised his binoculars again, looking towards the western district bathhouse.
Only the graceful forms of women could drive away those wicked thoughts.
Swimsuits, bathrobes... and falling bathrobes...
A snake slipped from Orochimaru's sleeve, swiftly wrapping around Jiraiya's throat.
"Air! A little air! Ack!" Jiraiya's face turned red. "Are you... trying to strangle me?"
Seeing Jiraiya's eyes nearly bulging out, Orochimaru finally released the snake. Damn Jiraiya, he definitely had some improper thoughts just now.
"Jiraiya, you need to brace yourself."
"Brace for what? It can't be that you're really turning into a woman, can it? No need to say more. Even if the whole village opposes it, I'll support you!"
"Jiraiya, you fool. In the years you've been gone, Tsunade has already found a new man."
"Huh?" Jiraiya's expression changed. He said,
"What do you mean Tsunade has a new man? After Kato Dan sacrificed himself, I thought it would be my turn eventually.
Impossible. Who besides the dashingly handsome me could be worthy of Tsunade?
I heard Tsunade is a village Elder now. She's very busy. How could she find another man?"
Orochimaru looked at Jiraiya with pity in his eyes. "You fool. Even if Tsunade chose a hundred more times, she would never choose you."
Jiraiya put away his binoculars, sat on the ground, and lowered his head slightly.
After a long while, Jiraiya looked up and asked, "Who is the man?"
Orochimaru turned, looking down at Konoha. "Everyone in Konoha is very busy. These past four-plus years have been years of vitality.
Tsunade has done very well. Every time I leave my laboratory, I can feel Konoha's changes."
"Who is the man?"
As if he hadn't heard Jiraiya's question, Orochimaru continued,
"My research progress isn't bad. I can see you haven't wasted these years either.
You should visit the Senju clan. The Senju have changed a lot."
"I said! Who is the man?!"
Orochimaru continued to talk about other things. "Lord Hiruzen summoned you back to the village, hoping the three of us would continue fighting under the banner of the Sannin.
In the upcoming Third Great Shinobi War, Konoha will face attacks from multiple fronts.
The other four Great Shinobi Villages have trampled their own dignity, actually allying to deal with Konoha."
"Who is the man?!"
Only then did Orochimaru turn his head, looking at the stubborn and somewhat pitiful Jiraiya on the ground, and said,
"You've been unrestrained since childhood. No little girl would like someone who peeped on her bathing.
You're about thirty now, still so fond of peeping.
I told you, even if Tsunade chose a hundred times, she would never choose you."
Seeing Jiraiya about to explode, Orochimaru said, "That man..."
Jiraiya waited for the answer.
"That man is the Head of the Anbu... Fox."
A gust of wind ruffled Orochimaru's clothes and hair.
Orochimaru spoke to the air, "Truly, Jiraiya, you are no match for Fox."
Unfortunately, Jiraiya was too impatient. He had already used Body Flicker and left, unable to hear Orochimaru's warning.
Jiraiya raced across Konoha's rooftops, using consecutive Body Flicker Techniques to charge towards the northeastern part of the village.
Uchiha Fugaku, who was on patrol, instantly activated his Sharingan.
Incredible speed!
Once he recognized the dark figure as Jiraiya, Fugaku deactivated his Sharingan.
Where is Lord Jiraiya heading in such a hurry?
Fugaku quickly reminded his team members, "Don't chase! We can't catch up. That's Lord Jiraiya, who has wandered the shinobi world for years."
Jiraiya charged into the Forest of Death, the location of the Anbu Headquarters.
Even without the Anbu's barriers, Yōkō had already sensed Jiraiya's arrival.
He saw Jiraiya stop at the edge of the Forest of Death, pausing for some reason, staring into the dark gaps between the dense trees.
"Lord Jiraiya, is there something you need?"
Jiraiya whirled around, seeing an Anbu member wearing a fox mask standing on a tree branch to the side.
Just this display of stealth and concealment told Jiraiya he was at a disadvantage.
"Nothing much," Jiraiya said.
"There's a feeling in my chest I can't disperse. Fox, I challenge you."
Not long after, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and others arrived one after another with Body Flicker Techniques at the edge of the Forest of Death.
***
Dive deeper into the story with 50+ advance chapters, available now on Patreon!patreon.com/CNBLUE
If you're enjoying the novel, please consider leaving a review. Your support is crucial and helps the story grow immensely. Thank you!
(End of Chapter)