Chapter 43. Jiraiya is here

At the gate of Konoha Village.

The white-haired, strong, and burly Jiraiya looked up at the Uchiha clan land, which had been repaired by the Third Hokage.

No Uchiha houses remained, only concentric walls.

The current Uchiha clan had relocated further outside.

"Uchiha Natsuki, Mangekyo Sharingan..." Jiraiya mused over the name and then proceeded into the Konoha Village.

…

Uchiha clan land.

"Natsuki-sama, the Hyuga family just sent someone to deliver the news." Uchiha Hitoki came over to report.

"Jiraiya has returned to the village."

"Oh?" Natsuki, who was checking the defense detection barrier technique, straightened up.

It's beneficial to maintain a friendship with the Hinata clan. If any issues arise with the patrol team outside, they send first-hand news to the Uchiha family.

"I know, I'll leave the next inspection to you."

Natsuki handed over the daily maintenance of the defensive detection barrier technique to Hitoki.

After Hitoki, Yori, and Daichi became familiar with the defensive and detection barrier technique, he selected a few talented individuals in the clan and trained them for future rotations.

Natsuki was familiar with Jiraiya and even admired him.

However, Jiraiya's personal moral issues were too serious. If the Third Hokage called Jiraiya back, he would undoubtedly go see Naruto.

They couldn't allow Jiraiya to lead Naruto astray.

After a few ups and downs, he went to the guard team.

After a short time, he emerged from the guard and absorbed the scroll in his hand into his body.

…

Hokage Building.

"Old man, I'm back." Jiraiya walked into the Hokage's office carelessly.

The Third Hokage had long received news of Jiraiya's return.

He wasn't surprised by Jiraiya's casual attitude.

The Third Hokage didn't even raise his head and continued dealing with official duties: "Is there any news about Orochimaru?"

Jiraiya touched his nose when he saw that the Third Hokage was ignoring him.

After all, he was nominally chasing Orochimaru, but he gradually became lazy and went to various hot springs to gather materials.

Sitting crookedly on the stool, he leaned back and said, "No, I just know that he fled to the north. I don't know where he is."

At this point, the Third Hokage raised his head, picked up his pipe, lit it, and took a deep breath.

He spoke a little tiredly: "It's been a troublesome time in Konoha. Since you're back, don't leave just yet."

Jiraiya also suppressed his smile as he observed the aging face of the Third Hokage.

In just a few years, the Third Hokage seemed to have aged ten years. There was no trace of the heroic demeanor he once had, he was really getting old.

"Old man, why are you so old?" Jiraiya's tone was inexplicable, a little sad, a little worried, and a little angry.

"Hmph!" The Third Hokage burst out in anger, knocking his pipe on the table.

"If you had not refused to bear this burden, do you think I would be like this?"

Hearing this, Jiraiya could only scratch his head in embarrassment: "Old man, you know I don't like dealing with these matters."

He understood Jiraiya's character, so he didn't press on this topic and shifted the conversation to the Uchiha.

"Did you see the new Uchiha clan when you came back?"

Jiraiya nodded: "Why did they move so far away?"

The Third Hokage said helplessly: "The oppression on Uchiha was too severe in the past, and what Danzo did has made the entire Uchiha want nothing to do with our Konoha."

The story of Danzo coveting Uchiha Shisui and gouging out his eyes, nearly causing the entire Uchiha clan to rebel, had finally spread throughout the ninja world after a long time.

Now, no matter how isolated the country, the news had been received, and the entire higher-ups and the Hokage of Konoha had become the laughingstock of all ninja villages.

Whether people in Konoha were on missions or conducting business in other lands, someone would always mock this matter.

Naturally, Jiraiya also got wind of the news. Naturally, he couldn't stand Danzo either.

Even before Orochimaru's defection, Jiraiya suspected it was related to Danzo, but the old fox hid it too well.

There was no way for Jiraiya to get a grip on anything.

Fortunately, the third Hokage had ordered the disbandment of the roots.

"Then it wouldn't be too excessive to leave the Uchiha outside the village for now."

The third Hokage spread his hands helplessly: "There's nothing we can do now. Uchiha just gave us a wave of gifts, and they haven't explicitly expressed rebellion."

"Uchiha even lost control of the entire police force. On what grounds can we ask them to move back to Konoha Village?"

Jiraiya scratched his head. He had never been good at handling these matters: "I can't do much about it when I come back."

The third Hokage shook his head: "Uchiha now possesses two pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan, and no one in Konoha can stop him."

"Mangekyō Sharingan..." As one of the three sannins, Jiraiya understood the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan.

"Old man, you don't want me to confront Uchiha Natsuki, do you?" Jiraiya asked.

The Third Hokage said helplessly: "Do you want me to take action?"

Jiraiya could only respond helplessly: "Alright, I'll find an opportunity."

"I'm going out for a walk!" After saying that, the Third Hokage jumped out of the window without waiting for a reaction.

He picked up his pipe and took a puff, he sat down at his desk again and continued working.

...

"Ah! Ah! Ah!... There's a pervert!"

Screams of surprise filled the air as countless women rushed out of the hot spring hotel.

Jiraiya, who claimed to be going for a walk, had instead made his way to the hot spring hotel, attempting to peek into the women's bathroom for material for his book.

Unexpectedly, there was someone from the Hyuga family inside, and he was immediately discovered.

Jiraiya had no choice but to make a hasty retreat, news of the incident at the hot spring hotel quickly spread.

The Hyuga police patrolling nearby swiftly arrived, spotting a man in red clothes and white hair being chased by an angry mob.

"Capture that peeping tom!"

"Get him!"

Hyuga Yuto, on patrol duty, saw his sister among the crowd. Sensing trouble, he quickly caught up with her.

"Aiko, what's going on!?"

Hyuga Aiko turned around and saw that it was her brother, still catching his breath as he explained.

"I just went to the hot springs to relax with my friends. Then I heard a burst of obscene laughter. I opened my eyes and saw this man peeping at us taking a bath from below the wall!"

Hyuga Yuto was furious! How long had it been since Konoha Village witnessed such a pervert?

Did he think the police force didn't exist? He started to chase after the culprit.

However, the individuals in front were quite agile, and after a few ups and downs, they outpaced the ordinary people.

Behind them were only Hinata Yuto, his sister, and his teammates.

Several individuals were leaping across the rooftops, watching the figures in front of them gradually pulling away.

At this moment, several members of the Roots suddenly appeared, blocking their path.

The onlookers watched as the peeping tom escaped.