Capítulo 247: Chapter 246: The Incident
Two years ago, Obito was captured and imprisoned. During those few days, Konoha listed a whole slew of charges against him. Among them was the crime of "desecrating the First Hokage!"
He had his right side crushed during the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, and only through the use of First Hokage's cells was he able to continue his shinobi career.
This secret remained sealed by Konoha, but Itachi and Sae were both rising stars in the ANBU and deeply trusted by Shisui. Naturally, they were aware that Hashirama's cells could regenerate limbs.
"Obito was the one who helped Jiraiya-sama, and he let Obito go," was a plausible deduction based on the facts.
'Of course, given the talents of the Fifth Hokage, it was entirely possible for him to regrow legs. But the question remained... If it truly were the Hokage who helped Jiraiya-sama, why would he not even inform the inner circle of ANBU?' Sae and Itachi exchanged a subtle glance and silently stood behind Jiraiya, gripping the handles of his wheelchair as they walked forward.
"This is an electric one, you don't need to push," Jiraiya demonstrated the button that controlled the wheelchair's movement. "You two walk ahead. I'll follow."
"Jiraiya-sama, you're one of the Legendary Sannin; you should be at the front," Sae smiled cautiously as he chose his words with care. "While the electric chair is convenient, it's too slow. If we push, we can get back to the village faster."
"Suit yourselves… Sigh, it's been one problem after another lately." Jiraiya leaned back lazily in his wheelchair, tilting his head upward, his neck fully exposed to the two boys behind him. "The Akatsuki, the Phantom Organization, Yuto, Obito... all major threats to Konoha."
While Itachi pushed the wheelchair, he calmly asked, "Jiraiya-sama, who do you think is the village's most dangerous enemy?"
Sae's heart skipped a beat. He knew this was a test from his companion.
He quickly grasped Itachi's thinking—
If Jiraiya had truly betrayed the village and allied with Obito, then his return to Konoha had a far deeper meaning, and they absolutely couldn't let him reach the village gates so easily!
'I am only nine years old, and Itachi is ten. Even combined, our ages don't add up to half of his. Are we really going to face off against one of the Legendary Sannin in the middle of nowhere?'
'Damn it, who am I kidding, I'm the traitor here...'
Sae almost laughed at the absurdity of it all. Yet despite the humor, he felt no fear, only a slight thrill at the thought of battle.
Deep down, a part of him longed to die a hero's death.
At that moment, after a brief contemplation, Jiraiya answered Itachi's question.
"Speaking purely in terms of the village, the greater threat is undoubtedly Obito. But if you look at the world as a whole, Yuto might overturn everything we know today."
"I've dealt with both of them. Yuto is always the most unpredictable one. A few days ago, I heard that a golden light descended upon the ruins of the Uzumaki Clan's land in the east. It might be Murakumo Slash."
"But even if we have an idea of Yuto's movements, no one knows his true goal."
"Obito, on the other hand, is easier to understand. Because of what happened two years ago, he views Konoha as a thorn in his side. While I'm not sure what his plans are, at least we can predict his next move. If it comes to a clash of arms, the village can withstand it!"
"If we can't sever the chain of hatred, all this fighting is meaningless, Jiraiya-sama," Itachi sighed. "Yuto was once the ANBU Commander, and Obito was the Fourth Hokage's disciple. Yet both betrayed the village. Such things are all too common in the shinobi world. Blood feuds are part of life here. Who knows when true peace will ever come?"
Jiraiya responded with surprise, "Itachi, huh? I've heard Orochimaru mention your name. He said that despite your young age, you possess a level of thought that even many veteran shinobi lack."
Sae frowned slightly, detecting no flaws in Jiraiya's words.
Both in speech and subtle expression, this white-haired man seemed sincere, with no hint of deception. Every action and word seemed to be from the perspective of Konoha's interests, with no sign of a traitor's intent.
'Was he just that good at hiding it? Or...'
It seemed Itachi had come to the same conclusion. He nodded slightly and was about to speak again when—
Boom!
A massive scythe slammed down from the sky, embedding itself into the forest floor. A figure in a crimson cloak appeared, interrupting the conversation—Hidan, The Immortal Butcher.
"Hahaha… Jashin-sama truly blessed me; you're actually heading in this direction!" Hidan pulled on the chain attached to his scythe, swinging it idly as he grinned maniacally. "Now, drown in the blood and darkness!"
'Damn it... It's the lunatic, and at a time like this too!' Sae cursed, stretching out a hand to form a seal. But just before completing it, he froze.
He and Itachi exchanged a look, both seeing the difficulty and frustration in each other's eyes.
Fighting a shinobi of this caliber without using the Byakugan or Sharingan would be tantamount to suicide.
But... once they activated their abilities, it would mean admitting to Jiraiya that they knew his secret about his legs!
The consequences of shattering that final illusion were beyond their control.
"What's the matter with you two?" Jiraiya suddenly burst into laughter in the tense atmosphere. "Don't tell me, the top talents of the Hyuga and Uchiha clans are a couple of kids who can't even activate their eyes. Or... is it that you're afraid of seeing something you shouldn't?"
The illusion was broken.
Sae and Itachi vanished using the Body Flicker Technique, putting distance between themselves, Jiraiya, and Hidan.
"Jiraiya-sama," Sae said, veins bulging around his eyes. In his Byakugan's vision, the white-haired man's legs were fully intact, his chakra and vitality surging through his chakra pathway like a raging river. "You and the Hokage are truly good at keeping secrets… It was the Hokage who helped you restore your legs, wasn't it?"
"Sae Hyuga, you're a sharp kid," Jiraiya gave a thumbs-up, casually tossing aside the blanket covering his lower half and patting his legs. "Maybe you're hoping I'll confirm that, but the truth and your ideals rarely align."
Before the eyes of the Uchiha and Hyuga, the white-haired man closed his eyes. "These Mokuton legs are thanks to Obito."
Bang! Bang!
The sound of swift movement echoed as Sae and Itachi, with no more doubts, bolted away. They instinctively split up, racing towards Konoha's secret outposts.
Hidan, exaggeratingly making a telescope gesture with his hand, yelled, "It's you! Jiraiya! I thought your silhouette looked familiar."
"It is indeed me," the white-haired man stood up, glancing in the direction where the two boys fled.
"Well, well, well. Since you're also with the Phantom Organization, why don't we…" Hidan began.
"That's enough, you loudmouth." Jiraiya shifted his gaze back to Hidan, laying out a pre-prepared sealing scroll on the ground. "You're an immortal, huh? We'll see about that..."
(End of Chapter)
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