Bang!
Jiraiya, as he left, slammed the door shut violently, using it to vent his inner rage.
But, unfortunately.
Since he was merely Danzo's successor, and not Danzo himself, Utatane Koharu angrily slammed the table the moment Jiraiya left.
"Hiruzen, look at your good student!"
"He shows us too much disrespect. Does he have a problem with us?"
"He must be severely punished!"
"We need to make him understand what awe and deference mean!"
Utatane Koharu was extremely furious.
As an Elder of the Village, being ignored by a young person made her incredibly displeased.
Even Homura Mitokado looked displeased: "Hiruzen, you really need to rein him in."
"He lacks even the basic respect for his elders. It's hard to imagine how arrogant Jiraiya will become later. We must quickly set some rules for these young people, or else who will put us old folks in their eyes later on?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned deeply.
He naturally understood what his two companions were thinking.
To put it bluntly.
He was getting older, and there were no juniors in his clan capable of shouldering the burden. Even under the best circumstances, the rudder would likely be handed over to Jiraiya or Tsunade.
Judging by Jiraiya's current behavior, who knew how this guy would treat them, the elders, once he took power.
Therefore, whether for the sake of their descendants or fear of losing power when the new generation took over, they all hoped to set some rules for Jiraiya.
However, the problem was.
With the rise of Uchiha Jin, the Village's situation had completely spiraled out of control, and even Danzo had run away.
Facing this complex situation, even he had no choice but to rely on Jiraiya!
Setting rules for him under these circumstances?
Heh heh.
Are you trying to die faster?
So, alas!
After a helpless sigh, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately spoke.
"Both of you quiet down for a moment. If you have the ability to solve the problems, I can even hand this Hokage seat over to you!"
"If you don't have that ability, then don't cause trouble for me. If you genuinely anger Jiraiya into leaving, can you handle the Uchiha?"
"If you can't, then shut up!"
At this moment, his tone was chilling.
If it were during normal times in the past, indulging these two a little wouldn't matter; after all, he needed them to help him maintain his position as Hokage.
But what about now?
The Uchiha's relentless pressure, the lack of a solution for the Police Force issue, and now the traitorous actions of the major Ninja Clans—all of it left him mentally exhausted.
So at this critical juncture, he truly had no interest in wasting time arguing with these two!
Either provide a concrete solution, or immediately shut up. Otherwise, if you can't help at all and still manage to drive Jiraiya away, be careful—he might summon Enma to pole-vault you out of Konoha.
Yes.
Just like he skewered the Nine-Tailed back then!
Utatane Koharu: "..."
Homura Mitokado: "..."
Feeling Hiruzen Sarutobi's fury, the two instantly wilted.
Yes!
They wanted to maintain their power, but they simply lacked the capability.
On one hand, they needed Jiraiya to handle things, yet on the other, they expected others to obey them completely.
Therefore, finally.
Facing the enraged Hiruzen Sarutobi, they chose discretion, leaving the Hokage Office with great dissatisfaction.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes were fierce.
Only after his two old friends left did he let out a deep sigh, an air of weariness radiating from him.
He was old!
He had long lost the ambitions of his youth. Furthermore, he was surrounded by incompetent allies, his carefully groomed eldest son had died in battle, and his second son was utterly useless... Now, he truly wanted to resign as Hokage!
But, he couldn't.
His prestige had been greatly diminished. If he stepped down at this juncture, the one who would definitely take power was Uchiha Jin.
So, he currently had to persevere!
He had to wait for someone qualified to become Hokage. Until then, he had to hold up Konoha's banner... Meanwhile, on the other side.
Jiraiya, unaware of Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts, quickly arrived at the Uchiha side. After a series of strict inspections and gaining Uchiha Jin's permission, he once again stepped onto the Uchiha Clan Compound.
Yes!
Due to the mass relocation of the major Ninja Clans, tension between the Uchiha and the Village was increasing. It was naturally impossible for a powerful figure like Jiraiya, who leaned toward the Village, to be allowed into the Uchiha Clan Compound casually.
After all, the entire Uchiha Clan and the families of the major Ninja Clans were now living there. If Jiraiya truly chose to go berserk, who knew how many people would be instantly killed or injured.
However... Uchiha Jin still agreed. Even knowing the purpose of the visit, he was confident he could control the overall situation!
Therefore.
He merely dispatched an elite squad to 'escort' him throughout, in addition to three Jonin squads monitoring secretly, and then he stopped bothering to pay attention to Jiraiya.
"Seriously, how infuriating!"
"I, Jiraiya, returning to my own Village, am actually being monitored?"
Jiraiya was visibly displeased, crossing his arms and muttering to himself.
But, unfortunately.
The Uchiha squad accompanying him still had cold, serious eyes, and showed no intention of explaining anything, even when faced with Jiraiya's complaints.
On the contrary.
They were fully alert and ready to activate their Sharingan at any moment!
Seeing this, Jiraiya realized he was getting nowhere. After making some quick inquiries, he headed straight for the temporary residence of the Aburame Clan.
Aburame Shimi received him. After the two arrived at the tea room, Aburame Shimi began brewing tea.
However.
He spoke very little!
Aside from greeting him with 'Lord Jiraiya,' he completely lost the desire to speak.
Jiraiya was helpless and had no choice but to start the conversation: "Shimi, go back."
"No," Aburame Shimi shook his head.
Jiraiya said: "The order you received was Danzo's arbitrary command. The old man didn't mean it, and he has now revoked the order. Root will not forcibly conscript members of the Aburame Clan in the future!"
"Go back and live well. Don't get involved in this mess. The stability of the Village is paramount."
Jiraiya was very serious.
Although he didn't say it explicitly, his meaning was very clear.
Although he didn't agree with the methods of the Village's higher-ups, he had already come to view the Uchiha as a destabilizing factor.
But, unfortunately.
There was no fluctuation in Aburame Shimi's eyes; he merely shook his head slowly.
"No!"
Jiraiya suppressed his anger: "Why?"
"The Uchiha are good!" Aburame Shimi remained calm.
Nonsense!
Facing a leader who didn't suppress Ninja Clans and was willing to help the Aburame Clan develop—this was the only chance that the Aburame Clan had waited for all these years since joining Konoha.
Give up?
Do you think I'm stupid?