146-150

*Chapter 146: Unlucky Jiraiya, Pakura*

"Lord Aizen..." Suddenly, Pakura stopped her massage, lying against Aizen’s back with her arms wrapped around his shoulders, drawing circles on his chest with her index finger.

At this moment, Pakura was only wrapped in a towel, and the feeling of her body pressed against him made Aizen’s mind waver. His face flushed as he exclaimed, “Hey, Pakura, what are you doing?”

“Nothing... I just feel like Lord Aizen is always so mysterious every day, and I want to get closer to you.” As she spoke, Pakura hugged him tighter.

“Hey, hey, Pakura, you know you’re playing with fire, right?” Aizen released her hands, turned around, and placed his hands on her shoulders.

“If Lord Aizen doesn’t mind...” Pakura slowly began to pull off her towel.

Hearing this, Aizen swallowed hard, his eyes glued to the mysterious allure before him.

Just then, a familiar system notification sounded in his mind:

*[Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have triggered system options.]*

*[1. Agree with Pakura and punish her in the outdoor bath. Reward: God-level Medical Ninjutsu.]*

*[2. Agree with Pakura and punish her in the room. Reward: Disguise Technique (allows you to absorb others' chakra and perfectly replicate it; even the most familiar or sensory ninjas cannot identify you).]*

*[3. Do nothing and be less than a beast. Reward: God-level Culinary Skills.]*

*[Please choose.]*

“I’ve been holding back for so long; is it finally time?” Aizen’s face lit up with joy. Just as he was about to choose option one, he suddenly sensed something and hurriedly grabbed Pakura’s hand before she could pull down her towel.

A hint of disappointment flashed in Pakura’s eyes. “Lord Aizen, what are you doing?”

Aizen smiled slightly, pulled her towel up, grabbed a bathrobe from the side, draped it over her, gently stroked her face, and said with a smile, “Wait for me in the room.”

“Okay.” Pakura was stunned for a moment but quickly understood, responding shyly before blushing and running inside.

Watching her disappear, Aizen sighed helplessly, “How could I have forgotten about that guy?”

Just moments ago, he sensed a powerful chakra approaching the women’s bath next door.

Ebisu and Naruto were also on their way here; unsurprisingly, Ebisu was going to teach Naruto how to walk on water to better control his chakra.

The one sneaking into the women’s bath, whose chakra was also strong, could only be the perverted hermit Jiraiya, with his strong desire but little courage.

It would be interesting to see his reaction when he goes to find Tsunade to become Hokage, only to discover that the woman he pines for is already married and has children.

But before that, it’s time to mess with this guy.

Thinking this, Aizen mischievously laughed, recalling the image of the character Ru Hua from Stephen Chow’s movie “Flirting Scholar.”

He formed a seal with his hands, creating a shadow clone.

The shadow clone performed the Transformation Jutsu. With a puff of smoke, it turned into a cute, curvaceous "girl" facing away from Jiraiya.

Meanwhile, Aizen’s main body transformed into a samurai, holding Kyōka Suigetsu, guarding the peephole where Jiraiya was spying on the women’s bath.

As soon as Jiraiya glanced over, Aizen released Kyōka Suigetsu.

“A samurai? When did the women’s bath at Konoha have a samurai guard? How boring. I’ll go check out the mixed bath; hopefully, there will be some pretty girls.”

Seeing the samurai guarding the bath, Jiraiya, unaware he had fallen into Kyōka Suigetsu’s illusion, felt disinterested and turned his binoculars toward the mixed bath, spotting Aizen’s clone, now transformed into Ru Hua.

Jiraiya’s eyes lit up, “What a lovely girl! Too bad I can’t see her face. Turn around... Come on, turn around.”

Hearing this, the clone slowly turned around.

Revealing the iconic nose-picking scene from the movie.

Crack—Jiraiya instantly turned to stone.

At the same time, Ebisu and Naruto, training nearby, noticed Jiraiya peeking, just like in the original.

Instead of Jiraiya summoning a toad to knock Ebisu out, Ebisu accurately kicked Jiraiya in the face, leaving him lying on the ground, still stone-like.

Ebisu finally recognized him, “This is...”

“Huh? Ebisu-sensei, this pervert... no reaction? Then...”

Seeing Jiraiya unresponsive, Naruto assumed he was playing dead, formed the Tiger Seal, stood behind Jiraiya, and struck his chakra point—Yogu Gate.

“Konoha Secret Taijutsu Art: Thousand Years of Death!”

Jiraiya instantly broke free from his petrified state, his face turning blue, then showing a look of delight. He felt a bizarre mix of tingling and softness, a sour pleasure he couldn’t describe.

A sharp pain followed, and Jiraiya couldn’t help but scream.

“Ah!”

“You totally deserve this.” Listening to Jiraiya’s screams, Aizen chuckled, stowed Kyōka Suigetsu, and swiftly made his way into Pakura’s room.

*Chapter Six, Pakura!*

*[Thousands of words omitted here.]*

As evening approached, the sunset painted the sky with a beautiful red, contrasting with Konoha’s grand architecture, making for a breathtaking view.

*Konoha Hokage Building.*

Having suppressed the negative rumors about himself, Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, two of the village’s elders.

Of course, he also called for Danzo.

However, Danzo had yet to show up.

“Hiruzen, why the urgency?” Koharu asked, puzzled.

“Is it Orochimaru again?” Homura added.

“No, it’s someone even more dangerous.”

As soon as Sarutobi finished speaking, an ANBU ninja knocked on the door.

“Hokage-sama, Lord Danzo says he has caught a cold and is unwell, so he cannot see you.”

“Go. Tell Danzo to stop pretending. Tell him that Fujiwara Aizen, who slaughtered his entire family, is back. If he still doesn’t show up after hearing that, then he might as well never come.”

Even through the door, the ANBU ninja could feel Sarutobi’s anger.

Koharu and Homura exchanged glances, their expressions growing serious.

“Yes, Hokage-sama.” The ANBU ninja replied respectfully and quickly went to inform Danzo.

Koharu, surprised, asked, “Wasn’t that Fujiwara Aizen kid wiped out along with the Uchiha?”

“He faked it. He controls a terrifying genjutsu that fooled us all,” Sarutobi gritted his teeth.

Chapter 147: Konoha's F4 Finally Faces Hard Times

“That boy was just pretending. He controls an incredibly terrifying genjutsu that fooled all of us,” Hiruzen Sarutobi gritted his teeth.

His greatest concern was his reputation.

Originally, according to the plan, he and Orochimaru would have an unspoken agreement to engage in a life-and-death battle between master and disciple in front of everyone. He would take all the darkness he bore in life and, under the name of a hero, die protecting Konoha like the previous Hokages, ending his glorious and illustrious life, leaving behind a legacy that would be remembered by all of Konoha's citizens.

But then came Fujiwara Aizen, this unexpected turn of events.

Not only did he know Sarutobi’s dirty secrets, but he also intended to spread them.

Just today, the truth behind the deaths of Konoha’s White Fang, Hyuga Hizashi, and the extermination of the Sarutobi clan had already caused a huge uproar among the major clans. It took all of Sarutobi’s efforts just to suppress it.

Even so, this event still tarnished his career as the Hokage.

If the truth behind the Uchiha massacre and Naruto’s heritage were to be revealed, his lifelong reputation would be utterly destroyed.

“So, what’s the situation now?” Koharu Utatane asked.

“I dispatched Kakashi, Guy, Asuma, Ibiki, and Hayate—three elite Jonin and two special Jonin—to ambush him. But within half an hour, by the time I and several Anbu arrived, they were all defeated,” Hiruzen said gravely.

“How are Kakashi and Guy doing now?” Homura Mitokado asked anxiously.

Koharu also became immediately tense.

With the Sannin’s departure, the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze sacrificed himself to seal the Nine-Tails. The Sarutobi, Shimura, and Uchiha clans had been wiped out. Orochimaru, the only Sannin who had become a rogue ninja, suddenly appeared during the Chunin Exams with unknown intentions. Even their ally, the Sand Village, was starting to stir restlessly. Konoha’s power had fallen to an all-time low.

At this critical moment, if any of the village’s top Jonin fell, Konoha would be in real danger.

Especially Kakashi. Although his strength wasn’t quite enough to become Hokage yet, he was the only one of his generation qualified to inherit the position. If anything happened to him, the future Sixth or Seventh Hokage would face a serious gap.

“Luckily, Naruto and his friends showed up suddenly and stalled for time, and then Shinku’s daughter intervened and stopped him. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable,” Hiruzen recalled with lingering fear.

To have easily defeated five Jonin, Fujiwara Aizen’s earlier claim that he could kill everyone within the barrier in five seconds, including Hiruzen himself, didn’t seem like an empty boast anymore.

Hearing this, Koharu and Homura breathed a sigh of relief, though they also looked shocked.

Koharu exclaimed, “Are you saying even you are not his match?”

“If I were ten years younger, his level of skill wouldn’t concern me. But Fujiwara Aizen has mastered the Uchiha’s Fire Formation, and with Kakashi and the other injured trapped inside, I couldn’t act recklessly for their safety,” Hiruzen tried to save face.

In reality, Aizen’s terrifying genjutsu alone was enough to threaten his life. Moreover, the intel gathered from Kakashi and Guy showed that Aizen’s abilities in all aspects were overwhelmingly strong. In a real confrontation, unless Hiruzen used the Reaper Death Seal, he, the so-called strongest Hokage, would stand no chance.

Upon hearing this, Koharu and Homura fell silent. Though they knew their old comrade’s self-proclaimed “strongest Hokage” title was partly self-promotion, he was still the highest combat power in the village. One Orochimaru already had them scrambling; adding Fujiwara Aizen, who was even stronger than Hiruzen, would be a nightmare.

“Is the Konoha F4 finally coming together?”

[Ding, congratulations to the host for acquiring the ‘Disguise Technique.’]

Inside a hot spring inn, Aizen listened to the system notification in his mind and the conversation of Hiruzen and the others at the Hokage Building. He slowly got up, a sly smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

“Why don’t you sleep a little longer, Lord Aizen?” As Aizen got up, Pakura embraced him from behind, her fragrant scent filling the air. Feeling the softness against his back and catching a faint whiff of her scent, Aizen glanced at the bedsheet, now marked with a plum blossom. He gently stroked Pakura’s face, smiling, “I have something to do. You rest a bit more.”

“Mm,” Pakura nodded shyly, her face flushed with happiness.

Aizen smiled, dressed, and disappeared from the inn. This time, he finally had the opportunity to catch the F4 gathered together; how could he not pay them a visit?

Root was an organization hidden even deeper than the Anbu, doing more unspeakable deeds, allowed to exist for years with the tacit approval of Hiruzen Sarutobi. Under Danzo’s leadership, Root became Konoha’s most direct and effective sword, with a “better safe than sorry” approach that targeted any threats inside and outside the village. Its headquarters were hidden deep underground, just like its name suggested.

“Wood Release: Thorn Killing Technique.”

A young girl resembling Danzo, appearing around five or six years old, formed a hand seal. With a childish shout, wooden vines, about the thickness of thumbs, rose from the ground like tendrils, only to wither and fall silent. The girl collapsed on the ground, gasping for breath.

Danzo, leaning on his cane, stood behind the girl with two Root members flanking him. Watching his daughter’s failed attempt, Danzo closed his eyes in disappointment.

The girl was none other than his eldest daughter, Shimura Kaho. Danzo had three children: one daughter and two sons. His eldest, Shimura Kaho, was born after he drank the water from the Mother-Child River and was his most favored child, inheriting the First Hokage’s Wood Release.

His second son, Shimura Kage, was born with a Root Jonin and showed decent ninja talent but didn’t inherit Wood Release. His achievements in life would be capped at Jonin level. His third son, Shimura Aizan, was born of a genetic experiment involving Danzo himself but was weak and frail due to close blood relations and died before his first birthday. After several attempts, Danzo was unable to conceive again, marking the end of his Wood Release family project.

*Chapter 148: Danzo’s Feminization, Shimura Koharu’s Proposal*

Sensing Danzo’s disappointment, the girl, who was all too familiar with his ruthless ways, showed a flash of fear in her eyes and quickly apologized, “I’m sorry, Father. I’ve let you down.”

“No worries, Koharu. You’re still young, and your chakra is limited. It’s understandable that you couldn’t succeed.”

Danzo’s stiff face rarely softened with a smile, though it was almost more painful to see than his usual scowl.

He was still quite lenient with his daughter.

Although her Wood Release abilities were limited, even weaker than Yamato’s, it was enough to comfort Danzo.

After all, the Shimura clan had been almost entirely wiped out, with only three members left, including Danzo himself.

His second son didn’t inherit Wood Release, dooming him to mediocrity, so only his eldest daughter had promising talent.

Once his daughter matured, he planned to transplant Sharingan into her, believing she could one day become a powerful figure.

“Knock, knock.” At that moment, an untimely knock came from outside.

“Didn’t I say that no one is to disturb me when I’m teaching Koharu?” Danzo angrily shouted outside, frustrated by his subordinates’ lack of respect.

“Lord Danzo, the ANBU from earlier is back. He says that the Third Hokage sent him to inform you that Fujiwara Aizen, the one who slaughtered your entire clan, has returned,” the ROOT ninja said cautiously, knowing his master was already in a foul mood.

“Fujiwara Aizen.” Danzo’s eyes flared with uncontainable anger. “What’s that kid’s situation now?”

“He severely injured Kakashi, Might Guy, Asuma Sarutobi, and several other Jonin in the Forest of Death. Then, right under the Third Hokage and several ANBU’s noses, he boldly slipped away through Konoha’s main gate.”

“Idiots! So many people and you couldn’t even kill one brat. Why are they still alive? Worthless!” Danzo raged, his already foul mood turning to outright fury, cursing even the Third Hokage in his wrath.

His interest in teaching his daughter waning, he gave a few final instructions to Koharu before yelling, “Let’s go! Take me to him.”

With two subordinates in tow, Danzo stormed out of the ROOT headquarters, ranting the entire way. He met the ANBU sent by Hiruzen Sarutobi and barked, “Tell me everything you know about Fujiwara Aizen, without leaving a single detail out.”

“Yes, Lord Danzo.” The ANBU ninja didn’t dare defy Danzo and quickly reported the information as they made their way to the Hokage’s office.

The ROOT headquarters was not far from the Hokage building.

In no time, Danzo and his three subordinates arrived at the Hokage’s office.

Before even entering, Danzo overheard Mitokado Homura’s sigh, “I never expected Fujiwara Aizen to become this powerful.”

“Yes, and he knows so many of Konoha’s secrets. His threat level has surpassed even Orochimaru’s,” Koharu Utatane added.

“Just one small fry like Fujiwara Aizen has you all stumped. Hiruzen, Koharu, Homura, it seems you really are past your prime.” Danzo sneered, pushing open the office door with his cane and stepping inside.

Unlike the visibly aging Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado, Danzo looked much younger, thanks to the transplantation of First Hokage’s cells. However, due to consuming the Mother and Child River Water, his hormones were in disarray, making his appearance strangely androgynous.

Seeing Danzo enter, Homura and Koharu couldn’t hide their joy; though Danzo often came up with questionable ideas, it was better than having no plan at all.

But soon, they, along with Hiruzen, were stunned.

Danzo’s appearance had changed so drastically that they almost didn’t recognize him.

If his transformation into a more feminine appearance wasn’t startling enough, he had even started wearing a woman’s kimono. Were it not for the prominent Adam’s apple, he could easily be mistaken for a nearly sixty-year-old woman.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, aware that Danzo had fathered children just like his own son, asked directly, “Danzo, what’s your plan?”

“Since Fujiwara Aizen, despite holding an overwhelming advantage, hesitated when Yūhi Kurenai arrived, it suggests that he hasn’t completely severed ties with his past. So why not turn this against him? Capture Yūhi Kurenai and his former teammates to force him to surrender. I suspect—”

Danzo began explaining his questionable plan.

“No!” ×3

Before he could finish, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado rejected him outright.

Hiruzen’s refusal was driven by his knowledge that his time was running out; he didn’t want to tarnish his reputation further. Besides, even if they acted as Danzo suggested, it might backfire.

If they provoked Fujiwara Aizen, he could very well slaughter Konohamaru, Asuma, or his beloved granddaughter, and then they’d have nowhere to cry.

Koharu and Homura were simply afraid.

If Fujiwara Aizen could wipe out the Shimura and Sarutobi clans, what was stopping him from targeting their families? Unlike Danzo, who was alone and reckless, they still had much to lose.

“Why?” Danzo blurted out in disbelief. Even Koharu and Homura were rejecting him now.

“Kurenai is Shinku’s daughter, and her loyalty to the village over the years is unquestionable. Besides, she’s also a victim here. We can’t chill her heart over Fujiwara Aizen’s actions,” Hiruzen declared with righteousness.

Internally, Koharu and Homura often sided with Danzo, but when it came to external threats, they, like Hiruzen, were surprisingly soft. Against a menace like Aizen, they had no desire to provoke him further.

Hearing Hiruzen’s words, they quickly nodded in agreement. “Hiruzen’s right.”

“You can’t be sure of that. Who’s say that Kurenai and those two brats won’t collude with Aizen?” Danzo, adhering to the ROOT motto of “better to kill wrongly than let go,” pressed on with his viewpoint.

Hiruzen slammed his desk, “Enough, Danzo! I called you here to discuss a strategy, not to create more problems. I am the Hokage.”

“Hiruzen, you’ll regret this.” Danzo simmered for a long time before finally spitting out this warning.

As the four contemplated a new plan, an ANBU member urgently knocked on the door.

“Lord Hokage, great news! Great news!”

Even through the door, Hiruzen could feel the excitement in the ANBU’s voice.

For a moment, Konoha’s four elders exchanged glances, all thinking the same thing.

Could it be that Jiraiya had returned?

After all, that was the only news that could bring them joy.

“Come in,” Hiruzen ordered, allowing the messenger to enter.

*Chapter 149: Aizen Takes Action*

Creak. The office door swung open.

An ANBU ninja wearing a cat-faced mask quickly stepped inside. Strangely, the figure didn't bow, but in the eyes of the Konoha F4, he knelt on one knee, right hand clenched in a fist against the ground, his forehead slightly bowed.

"So, it's Yugao. Go ahead, what's the good news?" Seeing that it was his direct subordinate from the ANBU, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't show any suspicion and asked casually.

Hearing this, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Danzo Shimura also turned their curious gazes toward him.

The ANBU ninja named Yugao said excitedly, "Lord Hokage, Jiraiya-sama has returned."

As soon as these words were spoken, the eyes of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado lit up simultaneously.

In this era when the Akatsuki organization had yet to reveal its fangs, Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin, was considered one of the strongest in the shinobi world.

If Jiraiya had truly returned, it would be a godsend for Konoha at this stage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up abruptly and hurriedly asked, "Where is he now?"

"Near the women's bathhouse," the ANBU ninja hesitated before replying.

"This guy... still the same as always." Hiruzen Sarutobi blushed slightly, feeling both amused and exasperated. He sat back in his Hokage chair. "Alright, go bring him here. Tell him this old man wants to see him."

"Yes, Lord Hokage," the ANBU ninja responded respectfully and turned to leave.

However, no one noticed that the moment the ANBU ninja stepped out, he left behind a smoke bomb—one filled with the powder of "I Love One Shiba Inu."

The next second, the smoke bomb exploded, releasing the powder into the entire Hokage office. Yet Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Danzo Shimura were completely oblivious.

When they finally reacted, they felt as if their entire bodies were burning.

"H-Hiruzen, Danzo, Homura, do you feel like it's a bit hot in the Hokage office?" Koharu Utatane's face flushed as she hesitantly looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"It does feel a bit warm." Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, and Homura Mitokado also had flushed faces.

The difference was that Hiruzen Sarutobi and Homura Mitokado were blushing at Koharu Utatane.

Danzo, on the other hand, was blushing while looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

At that moment, they seemed to have returned to their youthful days.

"So... should we... cool off a bit?" The four exchanged glances and, with a mutual understanding, started taking off their clothes.

Not long after, eerie music started emanating from the room.

Outside the door, the ANBU ninja listened to everything inside. He removed his mask, revealing a face that would drive Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura mad—it was Aizen.

"Since the Third Hokage asked me to call Jiraiya over, I might as well go all the way and call everyone over," Aizen thought to himself, whispering as he vanished from the corridor outside the Hokage office.

*At the Hyuga Clan Grounds*

Neji Hyuga approached Hiashi Hyuga and recounted Aizen's words.

After hearing Neji's account, Hiashi Hyuga sighed helplessly and murmured, "So that's how it is. I never expected that young man to know even this."

"Clan leader, is what Fujiwara Aizen said true? My father really...?" Neji trailed off, lost for words.

"Just keep calling me uncle as you did before." Hiashi nodded, his usually stern face softening into a rare gentle smile. He turned, rummaged through his room, and retrieved the letter left by Hizashi before his death.

Hiashi handed the letter to Neji. "This is what your father left behind."

As he finished speaking, Hiashi surprisingly fell to his knees in a dogeza bow, much to Neji's shock.

Neji opened the letter, tears streaming down his face. Just then, an ANBU ninja's voice came from outside the room. The ninja knelt on one knee and said, "Lord Hiashi, Lord Hokage invites you to the Hokage office in half an hour."

"Lord Hokage?" Hiashi Hyuga frowned slightly. Normally, the Hokage would send messages via ninja hawks; it was rare for the ANBU to deliver messages directly.

Could it be about Hizashi?

But he had promised the Third Hokage not long ago that Neji would not harbor resentment against the Hokage.

Confused, Hiashi activated his Byakugan, observing the chakra of the ANBU ninja through the walls. Confirming it was indeed an ANBU member, he finally responded, "I understand. I'll be there shortly."

*At the Nara Clan Grounds*

Shikaku Nara, Shikamaru Nara, and Yoshino Nara were having dinner together.

"Shikamaru, are you still upset about Asuma?" Shikaku looked at his son, who seemed downcast, and asked with a smile.

Shikamaru nodded. "It just keeps bothering me. Dad, what kind of person do you think Fujiwara Aizen is?"

"Well..." Shikaku pondered briefly before responding, "I haven't had much interaction with him, but from what you saw and heard today, he seems to be a young man who just likes to follow his own whims."

"Following his own whims? What does that mean?" Shikamaru frowned.

"It means he's not bound by conventional rules, and with his overwhelming power, he does whatever he pleases. You've probably figured out the root of the conflict between him and the Third Hokage. The Third made a deadly enemy out of him, and he simply retaliated in kind. It's that simple," Shikaku explained.

"The Third Hokage sure has made a formidable enemy," Shikamaru sighed helplessly.

Just as he was about to continue speaking, Shikaku suddenly covered his mouth, gesturing for silence. Then, Aizen, disguised as an ANBU, appeared in the courtyard.

"Lord Shikaku, the Hokage requests your presence," came a deep voice from outside.

Shikaku frowned. "When?"

"In half an hour," Aizen replied.

"I understand. I’ll be there shortly," Shikaku answered.

After Aizen left, Shikaku released his son’s mouth. Shikamaru asked, "Dad, it’s rare for a Hokage's personal ANBU to visit us directly."

"It's probably about Fujiwara Aizen," Shikaku sighed deeply.

"Will this affect Shikamaru?" Yoshino Nara, Shikamaru's mother, asked worriedly.

"It's not that serious yet," Shikaku shook his head, knowing the Third Hokage well.

Though his true nature left much to be desired, he was highly protective of his image.

Since their Ino-Shika-Cho trio were staunch Hokage supporters, their fates were tied to the Hokage's. The Third Hokage wouldn't disregard them just because Shikamaru had overheard rumors unfavorable to him.

The same scenario played out in the Yamanaka, Akimichi, Inuzuka, Aburame, and other prominent Konoha clans.

Finally, Aizen found Jiraiya.

---

*Chapter 150: Konoha’s F4 Face Social Death (Extra Chapter, Please Subscribe)*

By now, the sky had turned completely dark.

Jiraiya had just finished a day of training with Naruto and was now talking with Ebisu.

When he saw Aizen appear suddenly in the attire of the Anbu, his slender white eyebrows raised slightly. He instinctively sensed something was off, but he couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was. He asked indifferently, "Is there something wrong?"

“Lord Jiraiya, I’ve finally found you. Lord Hokage requests your presence,” Aizen said respectfully.

“Of course, I figured. Besides the old man and those other geezers, I doubt anyone else could command you guys. So, what does the old man want?” Jiraiya asked calmly.

“You’ve likely heard about today’s incident involving Orochimaru and Fujiwara Aizen, right?” Aizen continued.

“Of course, it’s hard not to. Especially that kid from the Fujiwara clan—impressive. Even the old man almost got caught up in it. Truly, the new generation is replacing the old.”

A mental image of Aizen in his red cloud and black cloak appeared in Jiraiya’s mind. He thought to himself, They actually pushed such a talented young man into joining that organization. The old man really messed up this time.

“Please come with me to see Lord Hokage,” Aizen requested again.

“I get it, I get it. Geez, one thing after another. You go on ahead. Tell the old man I’ll be there shortly,” Jiraiya said impatiently, waving his hand.

When Jiraiya finally arrived at the Hokage Tower, the hallway outside the Hokage’s office was packed with people.

“Well, well, everyone’s here.”

Jiraiya looked around and saw that all the major clan leaders of Konoha, including Hiashi Hyuga, Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Choza Akimichi, had gathered.

Upon seeing Jiraiya’s arrival, the clan heads seemed to find a sense of relief, nearly brought to tears with emotion.

Without a word, they made way for Jiraiya.

Shikaku stepped forward, “Lord Jiraiya.”

“Well, if it isn’t Shikaku. Long time no see. What’s everyone doing hanging around out here?” Jiraiya asked casually.

Shikaku hesitated and replied, “Actually, we were all summoned here by Lord Hokage.”

Jiraiya was surprised and instinctively asked, “If the old man called you all here, why aren’t you inside yet?”

At this, Shikaku exchanged glances with Hiashi, Inoichi, and Choza. After a moment, he seemed to steel himself, taking a deep breath before answering, “It might not be a good time.”

In fact, they had all arrived about half an hour earlier.

But from inside the Hokage’s office, strange sounds had been coming from Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado.

Among the group were sensory-type ninjas with heightened senses, and the clan leaders, being experienced adults, immediately recognized what those sounds meant.

They all froze in place, not daring to move forward.

“What’s so inconvenient? Don’t tell me the old man’s using his Telescope Jutsu to spy on some girl taking a bath again? Just kidding, just kidding. As if that could be the case,” Jiraiya chuckled, joking as he walked toward the office door under the gaze of the many clan heads.

He opened the door to the Hokage’s office.

In an instant, a strong scent of osmanthus flowers filled the air.

Jiraiya froze.

Shikaku Nara froze. Inoichi Yamanaka froze. Choza Akimichi froze. Hiashi Hyuga froze.

Everyone summoned to the Hokage’s office by Aizen froze.

Their eyes shattered in disbelief.

It was as if they had witnessed something terrifying, causing them all to tremble uncontrollably.

But soon, their expressions shifted to one of shock and fear.

Because Danzo’s right arm, implanted with the First Hokage’s cells, was fully exposed, covered with dozens of Sharingan. His forehead bandage had been pulled off, revealing another scarlet Sharingan.

But Danzo seemed completely unaware, still trapped under the effects of the Kyoka Suigetsu illusion, immersed in revelry with Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado.

Everyone’s worldview instantly shattered as they realized the horrifying truth.

No one could have anticipated that Danzo would go to such insane lengths.

Implanting the First Hokage’s cells was one thing, but to have so many Sharingan, all with three tomoe?

How many Uchiha had to be killed for that?

“It’s time,” thought Aizen, who had been watching everything unfold from the shadows, gripping his Kotoamatsukami. In his heart, he muttered, "Shatter, Kyoka Suigetsu!"

Suddenly, the four—Hiruzen, Danzo, Koharu, and Homura—snapped out of their euphoria and turned toward the open office door.

They saw Jiraiya standing there with the many clan heads of Konoha behind him. The four exchanged glances, still burning with embarrassment but utterly ashamed of themselves.

Danzo, especially, looked like a mouse cornered by a cat. Ignoring the shocked gazes of the others, he hastily grabbed a tattered piece of clothing from the floor to cover his right arm and eye, formed a hand seal, and with a puff of smoke, vanished from the Hokage’s office.

It was only then that Jiraiya and the others recovered from their shock.

Jiraiya said nothing but gravely closed the office door.

At that moment, Jiraiya finally understood why the Anbu member who had come to find him earlier had felt off.

Without a doubt, this had been intentional.

The purpose was to deliberately lure the leaders of Konoha’s clans to witness this shocking, yet terrifying, scene.

“Lord Jiraiya, what do we do now?” Shikaku, the brains of Konoha, though shocked by the scene, also sensed something was amiss and cautiously asked Jiraiya.

Jiraiya, his face grim, asked, “Tell me, who called you all here?”

Even the Third Hokage and the other Konoha leaders had been set up.

And no one had been set up worse than Danzo.

His secret of implanting the First Hokage’s cells and multiple Sharingan had been laid bare for all to see. There was no way he could talk his way out of this one.

So, there was no way this could have been ordered by Konoha’s higher-ups.

“It was an Anbu wearing a cat-faced mask,” Shikaku said, and the others nodded in agreement.

“I was also called here by an Anbu wearing a cat-faced mask,” Jiraiya said, frowning.

“Lord Jiraiya, does that mean…” Shikaku hesitated.

Jiraiya grimly nodded, “No doubt about it. We were all set up. Someone deliberately led us here to…”

Shikaku added, “But Lord Jiraiya, everyone recognized the Anbu with the cat-faced mask. He’s definitely one of the Third Hokage’s direct subordinates.

And the sensory-type ninjas like Lord Hiashi, Lord Inuzuka, and Lord Aburame did have their suspicions and checked thoroughly. They could rule out any transformation or disguise techniques.

Why would that guy bring everyone here to witness something like this?”

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