Jiraiya had only just returned to Konoha from the Hidden Mist Village today. He hadn't yet had the chance to report the situation there to Tsunade when Naruto and the others came back.
He looked around the Hokage's office at the people gathered Kakashi, Guy, Naruto, Hinata, and Sasuke and felt a surge of pride. Konoha's foundation seemed to grow stronger every time such talent appeared.
Konoha always produced prodigies, a fact that left other villages envious and tearful.
"I infiltrated the Hidden Mist Village to gather information about the Three-Tails Jinchūriki, Yagura, the current Fourth Mizukage," Jiraiya began, recounting his mission in the Mist.
He cleared his throat and let his gaze sweep over the focused faces of Kakashi, Guy, Naruto, Hinata, and Sasuke. "To explain my investigation in the Mist Village, I need to start from the most unexpected place."
"The Hidden Mist tightly controls information, but I excel at collecting news in entertainment districts. There, people from all walks of life converge, and information flows like a river."
"I disguised myself as a novelist traveling the ninja world and slipped into an establishment in the Mist called Suigetsu House. I found a quiet corner and settled in."
"After a few drinks, I managed to strike up a conversation with the madam there. She was a woman whose charm had not faded with age. She wasn't young anymore, but her figure was still well-maintained. You could tell she must have been a great beauty in her youth."
Jiraiya gestured with his hands to illustrate her figure.
Hearing this, Tsunade couldn't help but pound the table. "Focus, Jiraiya! Get to the point!"
Clearing his throat, Jiraiya continued, "She grew up in the Mist Village and had witnessed its storms and struggles. People called her Mizuki."
"When I steered the conversation toward the difficulties of doing business in the Mist, and then mentioned the Mizukage Yagura, she finally opened up."
The scene shifted to Jiraiya drinking and chatting with Mizuki.
"When Yagura first took office, he was a respected leader. He handled village affairs meticulously. Mist Village often suffered from floods, and he personally led efforts to repair dams. He mediated disputes fairly, and even when fishing ships encountered giant sea monsters, he personally led operations to defeat them."
"People called him the 'Gentle Protector.' Even the marginalized in the village were treated without discrimination. Back then, the village thrived, and everyone praised the Fourth Mizukage as a god-sent leader."
Mizuki poured Jiraiya a cup of sake, but her expression darkened. "But the good times didn't last. One day, Yagura suddenly changed. He became cold and cruel, like a demon."
"He implemented what was called the 'Bloody Mist' policy, claiming it was to 'eliminate traitors,' but it was really a purge against the Bloodline Limit clans."
"First, information was sealed off, and then overnight, powerful families like the Minazuki and Kaguya were targeted. The Mist Village became a bloody nightmare."
"I heard that Yagura's previous gentleness was merely a disguise, a way to catch those clans off guard before striking."
Jiraiya paused, his voice dropping. "Mizuki said that during that period, the mist in the village turned dark red. Everyone was living in fear."
"Almost all the Bloodline Limit families were slaughtered. Very few survived."
"She told me that Yagura's behavior was so strange, it was as if he were being controlled sometimes lucid, sometimes violent."
"So I secretly monitored him for days and finally discovered a shocking truth."
"What is it?" Naruto asked, eyes wide with curiosity.
"The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, is being controlled by someone!" Jiraiya said gravely, dropping a bombshell.
"What?!" Everyone in the room was stunned.
"The one controlling him is a man wearing a spiral mask. One eye is visible, and that eye is," Jiraiya turned to Sasuke, "a Sharingan!"
"He cast genjutsu on Yagura!"
"I suspect he has been using his Sharingan to control Yagura for a long time, forcing him to carry out the atrocities of the Bloody Mist."
"After all, Yagura's actions before and after are too contradictory. But if he was being controlled, it all makes sense," Jiraiya explained.
"A masked man with a Sharingan?" Sasuke's eyes widened, his expression a mix of shock and suspicion. "You mean him?!"
"What? You know who he is, Sasuke?" Jiraiya asked, surprised that Sasuke might know this mysterious figure.
All eyes turned to Sasuke.
Sasuke furrowed his brow, glanced at Naruto, and continued, "Before, the Third Hokage told me the story of the Uchiha clan's downfall. When I went to the Hidden Sand to rescue Gaara, I encountered Itachi again."
"Through my dojutsu, I read his memories."
"This masked man with a Sharingan was the one who massacred the entire Uchiha clan alongside Itachi."
"And according to Itachi, he very likely orchestrated the Nine-Tails' attack, controlling the beast with his Sharingan!"
"What?" Kakashi's eyes widened. "Is this true?"
Even someone as composed as Kakashi felt his blood boil at this revelation.
"That wild Uchiha?" Naruto's eyes glinted with a deadly resolve. "After all this time, we finally have news of him!"
He clenched his fists, finally locating his enemy.
Hinata looked at Naruto, determination shining in her eyes. If it was Naruto's enemy, it was hers too.
"The fact that he can control the Nine-Tails proves his Sharingan must be Mangekyō-level. No wonder he could control Yagura," Jiraiya said, nodding.
People in the Mist Village had suspected Yagura was acting strangely, but no one imagined someone could use genjutsu to control a perfect Jinchūriki.
Ordinary genjutsu would never affect a perfect Jinchūriki. Any attempt would be instantly countered by the Tailed Beast within.
Information on the Mangekyō Sharingan was scarce in the ninja world.
Apart from Madara, very few had ever displayed its full power.
The Mist Village had no idea of the difference between a regular three-tomoe Sharingan and a Mangekyō Sharingan.
Nor could they imagine that even a perfect Jinchūriki could be controlled.
"The way he appeared was strange. He suddenly materialized beside Yagura, cast genjutsu, and then a swirl of chakra appeared around them, whisking Yagura away. I suspect it's space-time ninjutsu," Jiraiya analyzed.
"I estimate the Mist Village has already realized Yagura is gone."
Sasuke nodded. "Itachi infiltrated the Akatsuki to supervise him, to prevent him from attacking Konoha. With such space-time abilities, it's very difficult to kill him without understanding them fully."
"Moreover," Sasuke's expression turned serious, "he is the mastermind behind the Akatsuki, collecting tailed beasts for his own purposes. His current alias is Afei, posing as a newcomer in the organization."
Sasuke relayed the intelligence he had gathered from Itachi.
"So that means the Three-Tails is now under the Akatsuki's control?" Tsunade's brow furrowed.
"By now, all the tailed beasts from One to Seven have been captured or had their chakra absorbed by the Akatsuki," Jiraiya said.
"The power they wield is too great. We can't allow them to continue unchecked. We must take the initiative and stop their plans, no matter what they intend," Jiraiya concluded gravely.