**Chapter 157: Searching for Answers**

In Konoha, it felt as though the village had just experienced a massive earthquake. 

One-third of the village lay in ruins. 

The casualties numbered in the thousands. 

Hundreds of ninja perished! 

Restoring the village would not be an easy task.

Thankfully, Jiraiya had returned. 

At the peak of his strength, one of the legendary Sannin, he was greatly trusted by the people of Konoha, giving them a sense of hope.

However! 

Because of his return, many matters became even more difficult to handle.

During the massive explosion, the Sarutobi clan's ninja were finally exposed. 

Thousands of their people emerged before everyone's eyes. 

Thousands of ninja, now in the public's view. 

The atmosphere in Konoha suddenly shifted.

During the reconstruction efforts, the village's ninja became silent.

...

"No! Absolutely not!" 

The Third Hokage roared passionately, "Jiraiya, one of the three legendary Sannin, is the pillar of Konoha. How could we harm him?"

"Hiruzen, you can't hesitate anymore!" 

Danzō snapped angrily, "The Sarutobi clan has already been exposed, and the Shimura clan is being intentionally or unintentionally investigated. Sooner or later, we'll be exposed too." 

It wasn't due to luck that his clan had avoided scrutiny but because he built his ninja clan in a more remote area. 

That was just how he was. 

The Sarutobi clan, however, was closer to the village center. 

Konan's explosive paper cranes had naturally radiated outward from the village center. 

As a result, the Sarutobi clan suffered enormous losses, while the Shimura clan's damage was negligible. 

"Although the Koharu and Mito clans' lands were destroyed, a large number of their ninja survived," 

"Seven thousand!" 

"Now the outside world is saying that our four clans have a total of seven thousand ninja." 

"If we don't take over Konoha now, when will we?"

"Our reputations are already at rock bottom. We must quickly take control of Konoha with force." 

Danzō's rage boiled over. 

Though he didn't care much about how others viewed him, he deeply desired to become Hokage.

"Even so, we can't harm Jiraiya!" 

The Third adamantly insisted. 

He knew his time as Hokage was limited. 

Jiraiya was his choice to succeed him! 

While he had hoped to pass the title to Sarutobi Asuma, 

in the original story, Asuma's students were the Ino-Shika-Chō trio, which was telling. 

Hiruzen wanted his son to at least compete for the Hokage position, and even if he failed, he would still become one of Konoha's elders. 

But now, Sarutobi Asuma had no chance of becoming Hokage. He lacked both the strength and the prestige. 

Sarutobi Shinnosuke couldn't help him either. 

So, he chose Jiraiya.

Danzō gritted his teeth, "Jiraiya has sided with those ninja. He has unknowingly become our enemy. Do you understand?"

"I'll talk to him." 

"Hiruzen... you'll regret this." 

"Danzō, *I* am the Hokage!" 

At that, the two parted ways. 

Koharu and Mito were silent nearby. 

After all, no one really cared about them. 

Besides, they were still grieving. 

Though some survived the explosion caused by Uchiha Itsuki, many still died. 

They were heartbroken!

"Someone!" 

Sarutobi Hiruzen's deep voice rang out, "Call Jiraiya." 

After speaking, he turned to sit in the Hokage's chair, waiting for Jiraiya. 

As he turned, he saw Koharu and Mito and was momentarily stunned.

"You two... you're still here?" 

Koharu and Mito: "..." 

So you never noticed us?

When Jiraiya arrived, this was the scene he walked into. 

Koharu and Mito both had the expressions of people who had just lost their children. Without even glancing at Jiraiya, they turned and left. 

Jiraiya, utterly confused, looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, "Old man, did you harass those two?" 

"Get out!" 

Hearing the "angry yet cute (tsundere)" scolding, Jiraiya shuddered. 

He nearly jumped in surprise! 

"Geez, old man, what's gotten into you? You're giving me the creeps."

*Cough cough!* 

"Enough with the coughing!" Jiraiya said helplessly. "Whenever you talk and lose control for a moment, it always ends up... sigh!" 

He covered his face. 

What the hell! 

How long had he been away this time? 

He barely recognized Konoha anymore. 

The Uchiha clan was gone. 

They weren't playing along anymore. 

The Sarutobi clan and the other three clans suddenly revealed seven thousand ninja. 

When Nara Shikaku saw him, he looked like he was seeing his dead father—tears welling in his eyes, nearly kneeling in front of him. 

The old man had become like this, his sharp voice practically scraping skin. 

You say everything's fine—yeah, right! 

The village was in shambles. 

And then there was Jiraiya's little secret. 

The woman responsible for all of this... he might know her. He definitely couldn't say anything! 

Absolutely not!

The Third Hokage coldly said, "All because of the Uchiha..." 

"Enough!" 

Jiraiya interrupted him. "When I attacked Uchiha Itsuki, I cut him off before he could finish talking about the Uchiha and Naruto. Otherwise, what do you think he would've said?" 

"I'll tell you." 

"He would've said, 'Why can't the village accept the Uchiha, even though they've contributed so much? Why were they forced out?'"

Jiraiya's eyes grew distant. 

"Sometimes, I wonder... if the Uchiha ever had a Hokage..."

"No way! Absolutely not!" 

The Third Hokage furiously interrupted him, "My God, Jiraiya, how could you even think that? An Uchiha as Hokage? Can you imagine what the village would become?"

Jiraiya coldly replied, "I think it wouldn't be worse than it is now." 

The Third stood frozen in place. 

Ouch! 

Both men fell into silence.

"Flying Thunder God!" 

Jiraiya broke the silence first. "The Flying Thunder God technique—Minato's most famous jutsu—is now holding Konoha by the throat. What are you planning to do?" 

"I don't know!" 

The Third Hokage laughed bitterly, "The Flying Thunder God allows him to come and go as he pleases. My biggest fear right now is that Uchiha Itsuki will suddenly show up in Konoha, drop a bunch of explosive tags, and then disappear, but..."

*Boom boom boom!* 

Before the Third could finish speaking, loud explosions echoed in the distance.

"...the barrier can't stop him!" 

Neither of them moved. 

Was there any point in rushing out now?

Jiraiya stood by the window, watching the smoke rise. With a sigh, he said, "And then there's Naruto." 

The Third Hokage was startled and quickly asked, "What about him?"

"Uchiha Itsuki didn't finish his words because I interrupted him. He didn't have time to say it. But I believe he did it on purpose. His goal is to make Naruto find the answer himself."

"One answer about him." 

"And one about his friend, Uchiha Sasuke." 

The answers you find on your own are always the most satisfying. 

From a certain perspective, Uchiha Itsuki was a master of manipulating human emotions.

(End of Chapter)