Chapter 219: The Highest Jōnin Council
Under the night sky, Konohagakure (Village Hidden in the Leaves) felt different.
The usually bustling streets were quieter, but the silence was heavy, watchful.
Patrol teams moved with a crisp, silent efficiency, and there were three times the usual number.
The composition of each team was enough to make any potential infiltrator despair.
Uchiha eyes, burning red in the darkness, pierced through illusions and shadows.
Hyūga eyes, pale and unnerving, saw through walls and tracked chakra signatures across districts.
The combination transformed Konoha's already formidable defenses into an inescapable net of perception.
A tense, almost grim atmosphere permeated the air. A feeling that something momentous, perhaps dangerous, was imminent.
Although ordinary villagers didn't fully understand why security had suddenly tripled, seeing these unprecedentedly strong patrol teams—led by the newly empowered Uchiha clan—surprisingly gave them a strange, paradoxical sense of security. Their Hokage was clearly preparing for something.
However, the sharp-nosed, politically astute clans—the Nara, the Yamanaka, the Akimichi, the Hyūga themselves—had already detected the undeniable scent of an impending storm.
The lights of the Hokage Building burned all night, a beacon in the tense village.
Anbu (暗部, Ansatsu Senjutsu Tokushu Butai; Special Assassination and Tactical Squad) movements became unusually frequent. Black shadows, barely disturbing the air, flitted silently across rooftops, delivering sealed orders marked with the highest urgency.
[Inorin's Note: Anbu is the shortened name for Konoha's black ops division, operating directly under the Hokage.]
All of this indicated, with absolute certainty, that something big was about to happen...
Inside the Hokage Office. The room was quiet, save for the rustling of papers.
"Shikaku."
Uchiha Akira spoke indifferently, his eyes still focused on the map spread across his desk.
Nara Shikaku, who had been standing silently in the shadows near the wall, stepped out. A hint of deep weariness was etched onto his usually lazy, intelligent face. He hadn't slept properly in days.
"Hokage-sama."
"Have all the summons been sent out?" Akira asked, not looking up.
"Yes." Nara Shikaku replied respectfully, his voice low.
"As per your command, all active Jōnin within the Village, as well as the heads of the major clans, have received the official notice."
"They are summoned to attend the High Jōnin Council meeting in three days' time."
Shikaku's voice paused, the weight of the summons hanging in the air. "Additionally, all Jōnin currently on A-rank and lower missions outside the village are also rushing back at top speed, under priority recall orders."
Uchiha Akira finally looked up, his dark eyes meeting Shikaku's. He nodded, satisfied.
"What about Jiraiya?"
"As per your instructions, Kakashi has already led two teams of the most elite Anbu," Shikaku reported. "They are currently en route to search for Jiraiya-sama's last known whereabouts."
Shikaku's face showed his characteristic, 'trouble-averse' expression, a deep frown creasing his brow.
"However, Hokage-sama... as you know, Jiraiya-sama's whereabouts are... unpredictable. Finding him within a mere three days might be difficult..."
"No need to worry," Akira interrupted him coolly. "Kakashi knows exactly where to find Jiraiya."
A flicker of surprise crossed Shikaku's face, but he said nothing. He trusted the Hokage's judgment, even if it seemed omniscient at times.
He looked at the excessively young Hokage before him, sighing inwardly.
Since Uchiha Akira took office, the entire village of Konoha had been like a body injected with pure adrenaline.
Efficiency had become unprecedentedly high. Decisions were made instantly. Orders were followed without question.
The village's strength had also expanded rapidly, at a visible, almost alarming rate.
Today's Konoha was strong. Its military power was undeniable, its coffers were full, and it boasted a multitude of powerful individuals, many bound by loyalty—or fear—to the Uchiha Hokage.
The prestige of Uchiha Akira, the Godaime Hokage, was soaring, unmatched by anyone since perhaps the Shodai himself. He was an absolute ruler, in fact if not in name.
Shikaku knew, with the chilling certainty of a Nara strategist, that Akira's ambition was far more than simply protecting Konoha.
This time... summoning all high-ranking officials... even forcibly recalling Jiraiya-sama, a Sannin, with the highest-level command...
He feared... a momentous, world-altering event was about to unfold.
Could it be... Shikaku thought, his mind racing through possibilities, discarding scenarios... landing on one that felt both insane and terrifyingly plausible.
Could it be... he intends to... unify?
The crazy thought flashed through Nara Shikaku's mind, startling even himself with its audacity. It was the Shodai's failed dream. It was Madara's destructive ambition.
But Akira... Akira might actually have the power, and the ruthlessness, to achieve it.
"You may go, Shikaku," Uchiha Akira waved his hand, dismissing him.
"I do not wish for any errors, any loose ends, before the meeting begins."
"Yes, Hokage-sama." Nara Shikaku bowed deeply and withdrew, melting back into the shadows, his mind heavy with calculation and unease.
The office returned to silence. Akira stared at the map, his eyes tracing the borders of nations.
Unifying the Shinobi World.
This plan had already taken shape in his mind the moment he had claimed the Hokage's hat.
Now... the pieces were in place. The foundation was set.
The time was finally ripe...
Meanwhile, in a secluded, high-class hot spring inn on the border of the Land of Fire.
Amidst the thick, rising steam, the delightful sounds of women's laughter and playful splashing could be heard.
Perched precariously on a large tree branch just outside the inn's high fence, an old man with long white hair and an 'Oil' (油, Abura) forehead protector was holding a telescope.
He was watching the scene below with great interest, his mouth practically watering.
"Oh ho ho ho... Young bodies are truly full of vitality..." he muttered, scribbling furiously in his small notebook.
"This is the source of art! The eruption of inspiration! Research!"
Jiraiya watched, and furiously wrote, recording valuable material for his next masterpiece.
Just as he was 'gathering material' at a particularly crucial, inspired moment...
Several figures appeared silently behind him on the branch. They made no sound, their chakra perfectly suppressed.
"Jiraiya-sama."
A lazy, familiar voice sounded directly behind Jiraiya.
Jiraiya jumped, startled so badly his hand shook. He almost dropped his precious telescope from the tree.
"WHO?!"
Jiraiya spun around sharply, instantly assuming a combat stance, his hand already forming a seal.
Only when Jiraiya clearly saw that the newcomers were Konoha Anbu, masked and silent... led by Hatake Kakashi... did he relax.
"Hey, hey, Kakashi! You brat!" Jiraiya complained, his voice an annoyed whine. "Can't you make some noise when you walk? Use a bell or something!"
Jiraiya patted his chest dramatically. "You almost scared this old man to death! I could have fallen!"
Kakashi's single visible eye glanced towards the hot springs below, then pointedly at the small, suspiciously titled notebook in Jiraiya's hand.
"It seems your... research... is going well," Kakashi said, his voice flat.
"Cough, cough!" Jiraiya's old face flushed a bright red. He quickly put away his notebook and telescope, adopting the dignified air of a respected elder.
"This is for artistic creation! Research! Children wouldn't understand."
Kakashi ignored his blatant excuses (辩解). He knelt on one knee on the branch and presented a black scroll, sealed with the Hokage's personal mark, with both hands.
The atmosphere instantly solidified. The lazy annoyance vanished.
"Jiraiya-sama," Kakashi said, his voice now formal and serious. "Godaime Hokage-sama's highest-level summons."
"Highest-level?"
The playful expression on Jiraiya's face instantly vanished completely. His eyes sharpened.
He reached out and took the scroll.
"What are the Hokage-sama's orders?" Jiraiya asked in a deep voice, without a trace of his former flippancy.
"Hokage-sama has ordered you to return to the Village within three days, without fail," Kakashi recited. "You are to attend the High Jōnin Council."
"No mistakes," Kakashi added, emphasizing the finality of the order.
"I understand." Jiraiya nodded grimly, carefully putting away the scroll.
"You may return and report."
"Yes." Kakashi responded. He and the surrounding Anbu vanished from the spot in swirls of leaves, leaving Jiraiya alone on the branch.
Jiraiya stood there, silent for a long time.
The sounds of laughter and splashing from the hot spring inn now seemed incredibly distant, frivolous, belonging to another world.
Jiraiya looked up, gazing in the direction of Konoha, his eyes becoming incredibly complex.
Highest-level summons... recalling all Jōnin currently outside...
Jiraiya connected these pieces of information in his mind. He combined them with Uchiha Akira's undeniable power, his ruthless efficiency, and his boundless, terrifying ambition.
He remembered Akira's words from before. 'My goal is to make Konoha the sole voice in the Ninja World.'
That kid... Jiraiya's blood ran cold. Does he truly intend to start a war?!
No... not an ordinary war...
He intends to... unify the entire Shinobi World!
As this thought emerged, fully formed and undeniable, Jiraiya felt his heart skip a beat.
"Ah... what a troubled time..." Jiraiya sighed deeply, his expression more serious than ever before.
"It seems this leisurely life of gathering material... has come to an end."
Jiraiya leaped from the tree. He identified the direction of Konoha. With a burst of chakra at his feet, he took off, rushing at full speed towards the village.
He had a premonition. A certainty.
When he returned this time, the entire Shinobi World was likely to change. Dramatically. And perhaps, violently.
Three days later.
Konoha, Hokage Building, the High Council Chamber.
The large circular conference table was fully occupied. Every seat was taken.
Those present were all pillars of Konoha, the bones and flesh that supported this behemoth village.
The clan heads of the Ino–Shika–Chō trio—Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Chōza—sat together, their expressions solemn, grave.
The Head of the Hyūga Clan, Hyūga Hiashi, sat with his eyes closed, his face as still and unreadable as water.
Aburame Shibi of the Aburame Clan and Inuzuka Tsume of the Inuzuka Clan remained silent, watchful.
There were also Elite Jōnin like Might Guy, Sarutobi Asuma, and others who had been urgently recalled from various mission locations. Their faces showed signs of hard travel, dust still clinging to their flak jackets.
Even the retired former Hokage Advisor, Mitokado Homura, was present, his ancient face wrinkled with concern.
The atmosphere in the entire conference room was extremely oppressive. Silent. Expectant.
And the most striking figures, drawing every eye, were undoubtedly the three seated at the forefront, near the Hokage's position.
The Head of the Medical Department, Tsunade. Her arms were crossed tightly over her chest, making her astonishing curves even more exaggerated. Her expression was stormy, impatient.
Beside Tsunade was the other Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya. He had just rushed back to the Village, his face still showing the dust of travel. He had shed his usual jovial demeanor entirely. His expression was serious, contemplative.
Finally, presiding over the main seat, silent, observing them all...
...was Konoha's Godaime Hokage, Uchiha Akira.
He sat, perfectly still, his dark eyes scanning the faces around the table.
The meeting was about to begin.
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