With no one else around, Kawasaki and Jiraiya stood facing each other. Kawasaki was the first to move, raising a single finger to form the Seal of Confrontation.
Eh? Jiraiya's expression changed, and he too formed the Seal of Confrontation.
Kawasaki seized the initiative, his hands flashing through seals. A massive fireball rushed toward Jiraiya, and Kawasaki charged forward behind it.
Jiraiya brought his hands together.
Ninja Art: Needle Jizo.
Jiraiya's white hair grew long and curled around him, shielding him from the flames. At the same time, his hand seals changed, and he unleashed the Wild Lion's Mane Technique, his hair extending forward in a sweeping attack.
Kawasaki drew a kunai to parry, but the clash produced a series of sharp, metallic clangs. He tossed the kunai aside just as Jiraiya's kick sent him flying.
Kawasaki immediately shot forward again, meeting Jiraiya head-on.
Bang!
The powerful kick was blocked by Jiraiya's forearm. Pushing off with his feet, Jiraiya swung his arm, and Kawasaki used the momentum to fly backward, throwing shuriken as he sailed through the air.
Swish! Swish! Swish! The continuous volley caused the shuriken to collide with each other, altering their trajectories to seal off Jiraiya's escape routes from multiple angles.
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed. The Uchiha's shuriken techniques, is it?
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Poof!
The purple toad, Gamaken, appeared on the field. He retrieved the shield from his back and instantly protected Jiraiya.
Kawasaki threw another wave of shuriken while his hands formed new seals.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Claw Crimson!"
Flames clung to the spinning shuriken, imbuing them with intense heat as they rained down on Gamaken like a shower of fiery blossoms. Gamaken leaped with all his might, his sasumata becoming a blur as he barely managed to deflect the burning projectiles.
Jiraiya took the opportunity to jump clear, a blue sphere of chakra already spinning in his hand.
Rasengan!
Kawasaki ducked low and charged at Jiraiya's chest, only to be blocked by a wall of white hair. He then drove a kunai straight for Jiraiya's chin. If Jiraiya's Rasengan hit him, the kunai would pierce his jaw.
Jiraiya pulled his stomach in and lowered his head, kicking Kawasaki away.
By now, Gamaken's steel fork was riddled with notches from the shuriken impacts, and the shield on his back was covered in scars.
"I was careless."
With a puff of smoke, Gamaken vanished.
As Kawasaki was kicked away, Jiraiya's cheeks swelled. He opened his mouth and unleashed his attack: Fire Style: Flame Bullet!
A torrent of fire engulfed Kawasaki.
Poof!
"Caw... caw... caw..."
With a cry of crows, Kawasaki's body dissolved into a countless flock, his true form hidden among them. The swarm of crows descended upon Jiraiya.
Jiraiya's hands flew through seals.
Summoning Jutsu!
Poof!
A green toad wielding twin blades burst from the smoke, slicing through the crows one by one.
Kawasaki reappeared from within the dissipating smoke.
Fire Style: Dragon Fire Technique!
A torrent of searing flame erupted from Kawasaki's mouth. However, the moment he landed, his footing gave way. The Jiraiya he had targeted dissolved into a clump of mud.
The real Jiraiya was behind him, having activated the Earth Style: Swamp of the Underworld.
Kawasaki's Mangekyo Sharingan spun wildly. Susanoo!
A first-stage Susanoo materialized with a crash. Kawasaki broke free from the swamp and climbed out, but a stream of oil had already been sprayed onto his Susanoo's frame.
"Fire Style: Great Flame Bullet."
The flames ignited the oil covering Kawasaki's Susanoo. He immediately deactivated the technique, escaping through a gap in the skeletal frame.
Kawasaki used the Body Flicker Technique to retreat and held up his hand.
"I surrender."
He looked exhausted, his chakra clearly depleted.
Jiraiya dispersed the Great Rasengan in his hand, a hint of dissatisfaction on his face. "Can't your Susanoo get bigger than that?"
Kawasaki plopped onto the ground without a care. "Where would I get that much chakra?"
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed slightly. Kawasaki had used several powerful jutsu in rapid succession, especially the Crow Clone and Dragon Fire Technique, which were incredibly draining. His chakra consumption had to be immense. The Susanoo consumed not only chakra but also visual prowess. Kawasaki's reserves had to be nearly empty.
Jiraiya estimated that Kawasaki had been holding back, just as he himself had not entered Sage Mode. If they had both fought without restraint, he was confident he would have won. The Susanoo demanded an enormous amount of chakra, and its duration would be extremely short in an all-out battle.
Jiraiya walked over to Kawasaki, lost in thought.
Kawasaki got to his feet and formed the Seal of Reconciliation. Jiraiya mirrored him. Then, Kawasaki flopped onto his back with a complete lack of decorum.
"If you could kick that habit of peeping on the women's bathhouse, we might actually be able to be friends," Kawasaki said, folding his hands behind his head and lying back comfortably. His gaze shifted to Jiraiya. The man was still a lecherous, lazy, and irresponsible individual. If he had genuinely dedicated himself to capturing Orochimaru, his former teammate would have been caught long ago, or at least he wouldn't have been able to hide in one place for so long.
Today's bout with Jiraiya had also been a test of his own strength, different from the dream-battles he had with Shisui and the others. Jiraiya's attacks were powerful and wide-ranging, often forcing a clash of jutsu and lacking the subtlety of the Uchiha. He had to admit, his own handling of the battle wasn't refined enough.
The experience proved that even though he was faking his exhaustion, in a battle between Kage-level opponents, facing a chakra powerhouse meant that if he couldn't secure a quick victory, the probability of defeat was extremely high. Kawasaki knew Jiraiya hadn't used Sage Mode or even summoned the two great sage toads. But in a life-or-death struggle, Kawasaki would have activated the second form of his Susanoo—the flesh and blood version—or even a more advanced stage from the very beginning. Even without any unique Mangekyo abilities, he could still bulldoze his way through with a Susanoo for a short time. His chakra was sufficient for ordinary jutsu, but the Susanoo was a massive drain. He had to find a way to deal with that.
After sparring with Kawasaki, Jiraiya had gotten a feel for his fighting style and temperament. He didn't seem like an ambitious man at all, and Jiraiya felt no particular animosity toward him. The fight had tired him out as well, so he sat down cross-legged on the ground.
"What do you think of Konoha?"
Kawasaki shook his head. "It has nothing to do with me. Whether Konoha thrives or withers is none of my concern, so don't ask me questions like that. As long as no one provokes the Uchiha, we just want to develop our businesses and improve the lives of our clansmen. After all, the Uchiha clan still has many civilians."
Having rested enough, Kawasaki stood up and started walking back toward the Uchiha compound. "I have things to do. See yourself out."
Jiraiya frowned, watching Kawasaki's departing figure as if trying to figure something out.
Inside the Hokage's office.
"Old man."
Jiraiya climbed through the window.
The Third Hokage put down his documents. "How is Kawasaki?"
"I won, but I feel like he was holding back," Jiraiya said.
Hiruzen calmly took a puff from his pipe. "And what about you?"
Jiraiya shook his head. "I didn't use Sage Mode."
Hiruzen raised his eyebrows. "Oh? Did he not use his Susanoo?"
"He did, but only for a very short time. It seems the Susanoo requires a massive amount of chakra and can't be maintained for long."
Hiruzen paced back and forth, muttering to himself, "Can't be maintained, can't be maintained... Good, that's a relief. Thank you for your hard work, Jiraiya."
Jiraiya shook his head. "After fighting him, I don't think he's an ambitious person. Maybe he really does just want to protect his little corner of the Uchiha clan."
"Is that so?"
If anyone else had made a judgment based on a feeling, Hiruzen would have scolded them. But Jiraiya was different. His training at Mount Myoboku and his long-term exposure to natural energy gave him a unique ability to sense a person's disposition. Therefore, his words carried significant weight. Besides, Hiruzen himself had never fully witnessed the true extent of Jiraiya's power in Sage Mode.
Since Jiraiya said there was no problem, Hiruzen felt much more at ease. Uchiha Kawasaki had always been an unpredictable factor, constantly doing the unexpected. This time, he had ruined Jiraiya's reputation, which, ironically, suited Jiraiya just fine. Now, Hiruzen could no longer force the Hokage position on him. What village would have a known peeping tom as its Kage?
Speaking of which, if Orochimaru wasn't the one who stole the infants, then...
"Old man, I'm preparing to leave." Jiraiya's voice interrupted Hiruzen's thoughts.
Hiruzen frowned. "Leaving so soon?"
Jiraiya spread his hands. "There's nothing for me to do in the village anymore. You've disbanded Root, returned power to the Uchiha, and Kawasaki isn't an ambitious schemer. What's the point of me staying?"
Hiruzen eyed him suspiciously. "It couldn't be because you can't peep at the bathhouses anymore, could it?"
Jiraiya's face darkened. "Absolutely not! I received some intel on Orochimaru and have to check it out."
"Really?" Hiruzen's tone was strange, but Jiraiya didn't notice. He just nodded earnestly.
"Yes. I got a lead that Orochimaru has been spotted in the Land of Rice Paddies to the north."
Hiruzen pondered for a moment. "Then go. You don't have to go out of your way to bring him back."
Jiraiya looked at the Third Hokage in surprise. "Old man, what are you saying?"
Hiruzen looked slightly embarrassed and took another puff from his pipe. After a long moment, he sighed. "It doesn't matter if he comes back or not anymore. Just help me deliver a message to him."
"Old man?" Jiraiya was deeply moved. He understood the meaning behind Hiruzen's words. It meant he was no longer pursuing the past, and he still considered Orochimaru his student.
Hiruzen waved his hand wearily. "According to the information Kawasaki brought, Danzo was responsible for the infant kidnappings back then. Orochimaru, at most, assisted with the experiments. Although I don't know where Kawasaki got his information, he has no reason to lie."
Jiraiya's eyes lit up. To be honest, his bond with Orochimaru was not a shallow one. Otherwise, he wouldn't have dragged his feet for so long, claiming to be pursuing Orochimaru while actually just traveling the world. If the infant kidnapping case hadn't been so heinous, Jiraiya would never have accepted the mission.
Now, he was being told that the mastermind was Danzo. A great weight lifted from Jiraiya's heart. He was well aware of the complicated feelings between Hiruzen and Orochimaru. Orochimaru had been a brilliant prodigy since childhood, mastering any jutsu he learned. He was his master's star pupil, and they shared a deep bond. It was only because of Orochimaru's rebellious nature that his master had chosen Minato instead.
What Jiraiya didn't know was that Hiruzen had initially intended for Orochimaru to become the Fourth Hokage. However, Danzo had pushed for Orochimaru, and their collaboration ran deep. Orochimaru was too powerful and fiercely independent, impossible for anyone to control—not even the Third Hokage. In the end, Hiruzen chose Minato Namikaze, a commoner with no political background. Minato was easier to control.
But Hiruzen had never expected Orochimaru's pride to be so great. Unable to bear the slight, he turned directly to the darkness in pursuit of his own truth. When the infant kidnapping case broke, Orochimaru never offered an explanation. His departure from the village was less about the Hokage position and more about his inability to tolerate Hiruzen's lack of trust in him.
Even Orochimaru's so-called Konoha Crush plan was like a child showing off his achievements to his parents. Or perhaps, he simply couldn't bear to watch the Third Hokage die a slow, decaying death in the village. Even as he killed Hiruzen, he shed tears.
Jiraiya had dealt with Kawasaki, and though the experience was unpleasant, he trusted this piece of intelligence.
"Alright, then. I'll deliver the message to Orochimaru." The usual lazy expression on Jiraiya's face shifted slightly.
The Third Hokage waved his hand. "Go see Naruto before you leave. The kid's in the Ninja Academy now."
Jiraiya nodded and vanished from the office.
...
Jiraiya left the Hokage's office and used the Transformation Jutsu to avoid causing a commotion, turning into an unremarkable Konoha ninja.
It was afternoon, and the Ninja Academy hadn't let out yet. After a brief word with the Anbu monitoring Naruto, Jiraiya found a good vantage point.
He looked out and saw Naruto, with his messy blond hair and whisker-like marks on his cheeks, practicing diligently on the training grounds. The students started with running, then had to overcome obstacles, jump over pits, and cross rope bridges—all basic exercises to build stamina and coordination.
Iruka led the way, explaining as he ran. "When you graduate and go on missions, you'll encounter all sorts of difficult terrain. You need to get used to it now."
Right behind him was Sasuke, running at top speed with a serious expression, executing every part of the training with meticulous care. From jumping over pits to crossing the ropes, his movements were standard and fluid. It was obvious he had been practicing at home.
The other students were a mixed bag. The children from major ninja clans were mostly at the front of the pack, while those from civilian families struggled with the training. Some fell into the pits and cried, while others tumbled off the ropes and couldn't get up for a long time. It was a common sight. Of course, there were also children from major clans who were slow, like Choji Akimichi.
Among the commoners, Naruto stood out the most. He was exceptionally dedicated to his training, always remembering the expectations that Senior Kawasaki had for him. So, even though he often fell into pits or slipped from the ropes, he would quickly scramble back up and desperately chase after Sasuke and the others.
After three laps, only half the students had completed the course. Naruto, through sheer willpower, managed to squeeze into the back of the first group, finishing in ninth place.
Watching from the trees, Jiraiya felt a sense of pride. Naruto was truly working hard and was a sensible kid.
After the training, Iruka announced the rankings and let the students have free time. He walked over to Naruto. "Naruto, are you okay?"
Naruto had given it his all, taking quite a few tumbles and was covered in scrapes. He looked up at Iruka and smiled. "I'm fine, Iruka-sensei! They're just minor scratches."
Iruka patted Naruto's shoulder gently. "You did very well this time, Naruto. But be more careful next time. Don't push yourself too hard."
Naruto gave a thumbs-up. "Don't worry, Iruka-sensei! I'll definitely get first place in the next training session!"
"Naruto, come play with us!" a voice called from a distance.
"Iruka-sensei, I'm going to go play now!" Naruto ran off before Iruka could finish. Seeing that Naruto was truly fine, Iruka could only shake his head with a helpless smile.
"Let's play capture the villain!"
"I'll be the police!"
"Me too!"
"Then I guess I'll have to be Jiraiya! You guys can try to catch me!"
Up in the tree, Jiraiya silently thanked Kawasaki, then left the Ninja Academy.
He didn't want to stay in Konoha for a second longer.
...
With the disbandment of Root and Jiraiya's departure, Konoha seemed to return to its former state. Without the Uchiha Police Force, the village remained orderly under the management of the Hyuga clan.
Many people failed to notice that on Konoha's Eighth Street, all the Uchiha-owned small eateries had quietly closed their doors for renovations.
Meanwhile, news occasionally trickled in from the Land of Water. The powerful Yuki clan, possessors of a bloodline limit, had grown dissatisfied with the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, and attempted to assassinate him. The attempt failed, and a severely injured Yagura went into seclusion. What followed was a brutal purge of all bloodline clans within the Land of Water. Many Mist Village ninja began to flee, becoming rogue ninja. The Land of Water was remote, and after closing its borders, news became even scarcer. The outside world had little idea of what was truly happening in the Hidden Mist Village.
In the Hidden Sand Village, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, had been hastily appointed during the Third Great Ninja War, and his foundation was initially unstable. But after the war, he solidified his position through his own power and dedicated himself to developing the village's economy. Using his Magnet Release Gold Dust, he panned for gold in the desert, bringing considerable income to the village. The Hidden Sand entered a period of stable development.
In the Hidden Rain Village, located at the crossroads of several nations, Hanzo of the Salamander had grown old and lost his fighting spirit, indulging in pleasure. He had already been dealt with by Nagato. From then on, the Hidden Rain entered an era under Nagato's control...