Chapter 31

Jiraiya returned to Konoha under Sarutobi Hiruzen's urgent summons, only to find the village still in disrepair despite ongoing reconstruction efforts. As he walked through the village, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the once-grand Hokage residence and the scattered remnants of the Senju Clan estate.

When Jiraiya passed by the Senju Clan's estate, he noticed a new symbol etched into the family emblem: "Yusuke." This unexpected change left him bewildered.

"Hey, Jiraiya-sama, you're back," greeted an old woman from the Senju clan, who had previously interacted with Yusuke.

"Grandma, it's been a while," Jiraiya said with a nostalgic smile, remembering their past encounters. He had often been on the receiving end of Tsunade's playful beatings and had met this old woman during those days.

"Why is the Senju Clan's emblem now marked with Yusuke's name?" Jiraiya asked, pointing to the altered crest.

The old woman's expression was mixed with a tinge of both happiness and sorrow. "The Senju Clan is now under Yusuke-sama's management, so the emblem has been updated accordingly."

Jiraiya's eyes widened in surprise. "Yusuke? The same Yusuke who drove back the Nine-Tails?"

"Yes, that's him. He's currently in a heated engagement with Tsunade. After the war, we might all have to celebrate together," the old woman replied with a hint of relief.

Jiraiya was struck dumb. The thought of Tsunade, who had always been a fierce fighter, marrying someone like Yusuke was almost beyond belief. He had seen Tsunade as a relentless fighter, never imagining she would settle down.

"Jiraiya, you might need to contribute a bit more when the time comes," the old woman teased before leaving.

Jiraiya could only shake his head, a mix of amusement and disbelief etched on his face.

Meanwhile, in a hidden underground cavern near the border of the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth, an aged Madara Uchiha, appearing frail and weary, sat alone. Despite his seemingly diminished state, Madara's presence still commanded an aura of formidable power.

Black Zetsu, emerging from the shadows, approached him. "Madara-sama, do you not wish to involve yourself in Konoha's affairs?"

Madara, focused on his own concerns, remained unmoved. "What matters now is the Eye of the Moon Project. Have you found a suitable candidate?"

Madara's focus had shifted away from mere skirmishes and toward the broader scope of his grand plan. The project required individuals of significant power, preferably with Uchiha or Senju bloodlines.

Black Zetsu, ever attentive to Madara's needs, responded, "We've identified several intriguing candidates, but we are still observing them."

A sudden thought struck Black Zetsu. "By the way, I came across an interesting individual in Konoha. His name is..."

Madara cut him off with a sharp tone. "Is he a descendant of the Uchiha or Senju clans?"

"No, he isn't," Black Zetsu admitted.

"Then he is of no interest. Only those with Uchiha or Senju bloodlines are relevant to the Eye of the Moon Project," Madara declared coldly.

Black Zetsu retreated into the shadows, disappointed but understanding the gravity of Madara's criteria.

As the situation in Konoha remained tense, the village continued its preparations under the guise of vigilance, not yet aware that both the Hidden Cloud Village and Hidden Mist Village would not be participating in the ongoing conflict. The focus remained on fortifying their defenses and preparing for any potential threats, while the true machinations behind the scenes remained hidden from view.