Over the next few days, the two became regulars in the medical room.
"Wuwuwu, it's too fierce, it's really too fierce!"
"I never expected there to be such a dangerous place in the Shinobi World!" Jiraiya was lying on a bed in the infirmary, holding a mirror in his hand. The mirror reflected Jiraiya's weathered, stubble-filled face. "To think that I, the magnificent Gama Sennin (Toad Sage) Jiraiya, would be harmed by wine and women, looking so haggard!"
Crack!
The sound of shattering glass came from Jiraiya's hand, cutting his palm and calming his heart.
"Starting today!"
"Call for backup!"
In Konohagakure, in the Hokage Office, Sarutobi Hiruzen was reading the intelligence Jiraiya had sent.
But the content of the intelligence seemed very bad.
Sarutobi Hiruzen clenched the intelligence tightly with both hands, his body trembling. Even the lingering smell of smoke in the office had faded considerably.
"Greeting staff in rabbit costumes, with drooping ears. Front desk staff dressed as slugs, glowing brightly!
Foxes!
Wolves!!
Toads!!!
And monkeys!!!!
And the second floor that I still haven't been able to reach!!!!!"
"Ah!!!"
Two streams of blood shot out from Sarutobi Hiruzen's nose, knocking him violently to the ground!
"Dangerous... it's truly too dangerous!"
"Hiruzen!"
"Hiruzen!!"
"Ah! A ghost!!!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen had a beautiful dream, dreaming of many monkey women surrounding him, inviting him to play.
Then.
He heard someone calling him.
When he opened his eyes, he saw a wrinkled face pressed close to his own.
"Hehe... so it's Koharu, hehe... don't get so close to me next time! I'm afraid Biwako will misunderstand."
Ignoring the gloomy-faced Koharu, he quickly changed the subject and asked Mitokado Homura, who was beside him.
"What happened to me? Why am I in the hospital again?"
"That's what we'd like to ask you. When the Anbu found you, you were lying in a pool of blood. We all thought you were attacked, it scared us!"
"So what exactly happened? You were clutching a piece of intelligence in your hand, but it was completely soaked in your blood. The Intelligence Division could only decipher that it was intelligence from Jiraiya, with words like 'wolf', 'toad', 'monkey', etc.".
Mitokado Homura's words brought Sarutobi Hiruzen's memories flooding back.
[I remember, I remember everything!]
"Yes, it's Jiraiya. He's trapped in a very, very dangerous place, he's lost too much blood and has no fighting power left."
"That intelligence... wuwu... that intelligence was sent by Jiraiya at the cost of his life... wuwu..." Halfway through, Sarutobi Hiruzen had buried his head deeply in the quilt, his exposed hands white from clenching them so hard.
Seeing such a vulnerable Sarutobi Hiruzen, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura couldn't help but show sad expressions and began to comfort him.
"I'm sorry, Hiruzen! But you must pull yourself together. Jiraiya wouldn't want his sensei to blame himself so much for his departure!"
"That's right, Hiruzen, you must pull yourself together!"
"Yes! Koharu! Homura! Thank you! But he is still my most beloved disciple. Although he's a bit mischievous and a bit lecherous, he is still my disciple."
"So! I've decided!"
"I will personally go and bring him back!"
"Hiruzen, you mustn't!"
"That's right, Hiruzen! You must be cautious!"
Hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's decision, both of them were startled and tried to dissuade him in unison.
"Hiruzen! This journey will undoubtedly be very dangerous. If something were to happen to you, what would Konoha do?!"
"With my two close friends here, and many strong shinobi clan members, Konoha will be fine! But my disciple, at this moment, is helpless and alone. I'm sure he greatly wishes I could be by his side right now!"
"As the Hokage of Konohagakure, and as Jiraiya's master, I have the duty and responsibility to bring him back! Alive, I want to see him; dead, I want to see his corpse!"
"Hiruzen! You..."
"Alright, Koharu, let him go!"
"Homura! Even you!"
"Hiruzen is right, this is what he must do as Hokage!"
"Sigh~"
Seeing that Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura no longer objected, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally breathed a sigh of relief. He reached his hands into the bed, pinching himself hard to keep from laughing.
"In that case, Konoha will be entrusted to..."
"Wuwuwu, Hiruzen! My good brother! How could you just leave like this! What am I to do! Wuwuwu... hehehe... I... I can be Hokage now!"
"Eh! Hiruzen... you're not dead!"
It was still information coming from the corridor, still Danzō, who was always late.
At this moment, the three people in the ward had faces as black as charcoal.
"Hehe! I almost forgot about you!"
"Koharu! Homura! Take him!"
"Mm-hmm! Don't worry, Hiruzen!" x2
Shimura Danzō: "???!!!"
I thought you three were playing a trick on me!
And I even have proof!
Shukaku's Strongest Shinobi Village.
At this moment, Jiraiya was still lying on the hospital bed.
As for Hatake Sakumo.
He had already been trained into a dog in the psychology room!
Three days had passed since the intelligence was sent out.
During these three days, Jiraiya, with sheer willpower and an indomitable spirit, successfully infiltrated the casino, exchanged all his worldly possessions, and successfully enjoyed a one-on-one companion service.
However, even greater dangers awaited him.
"Fierce, too fierce, this white is too much!"
"Jiraiya! Jiraiya!"
Jiraiya, still in a daze, felt someone shaking him, and the voice was familiar, so he opened his eyes to see who it was.
"Sen... Sensei, you've finally come!"
"That's right! Jiraiya, your sensei is here!"
The person who arrived was none other than Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had rushed from Konoha. To quickly see his beloved disciple, he hadn't dared to rest for a second!
"Jiraiya, you've suffered!"
Looking at Jiraiya, who was already on an IV drip, his once robust physique now considerably thinner, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt an inexplicable pang in his heart.
"If I had known this, I shouldn't have let you take on this mission."
"No! Sensei! For Konoha! Someone has to do this mission! So, this mission! I have no regrets!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Hehe!"
"Then you rest well. I'll go see what could make my precious disciple so haggard!"
Hearing that his sensei was going alone, Jiraiya quickly grabbed Sarutobi Hiruzen's hand and said.
"Sensei, this journey is dangerous, do not be careless!"
Looking at his disciple's concerned eyes, Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart warmed. Then he turned and grasped Jiraiya's large hand, saying.
"Don't worry, I've seen everything. For decades, I've been through thick and thin. You rest here and recover. I'll be back shortly."
With that.
He forcefully pulled his hand away from Jiraiya's and walked out without looking back.
Ten minutes later.
On the bed next to Jiraiya's.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was lying there, muttering.
"Dangerous, it's truly too dangerous! They ambushed me! They tricked this Old Man! Which Old Man can resist such temptation!"