章 196: Chapter 195: Jiraiya**
**
Sasuke eventually followed Kakashi.
He vaguely remembered that Itsuki had once said something: "Sasuke and Kakashi are a good match. If Kakashi can mentor Sasuke, his growth will be much faster."
And now, Kakashi had arrived! This made Sasuke suspect that Itsuki might have some arrangements within Konoha.
Is it really just a coincidence? First, someone says Sasuke would benefit from Kakashi's guidance, and then Kakashi shows up. It's almost too convenient, isn't it?
In reality, Kakashi had come on orders from the Third Hokage.
The Third Hokage had achieved some success in matters related to Itachi, but things had unexpectedly gone wrong at the last minute—or so the Third believed.
So, now he wanted to try using Sasuke as a new avenue for breakthroughs. Even if he failed, nothing would be lost.
The jutsu Kakashi would teach Sasuke was up to him. After all, Sasuke was still just a genin, albeit a strong one at the level of a chunin. He posed no real threat to the bigger picture.
Whether Kakashi taught him or even if there were another Kakashi, it wouldn't impact the grand scheme of things.
The only ones who could truly change the course of a battle on their own were the Kage-level shinobi! Kakashi himself was slightly below that level—let alone a twelve-year-old kid like Sasuke.
The Third Hokage and Danzo, who thought this way, clearly forgot about Itsuki.
At the age of twelve, that guy had already been able to carve through an entire battlefield.
But still, if Kakashi could truly influence Sasuke, it would be a huge win for Konoha.
Sasuke might not be much now in terms of strength, but his status was incredibly sensitive.
Uchiha Fugaku, the previous leader of the Uchiha clan, had his position usurped by Itsuki.
This was the Third Hokage's perspective.
Itachi Uchiha, another impressive ninja of the Uchiha, was Sasuke's older brother and had adored him since childhood.
If Sasuke could really be brought to their side...
The Third Hokage couldn't help but get excited at the thought!
If Itsuki knew what he was thinking, he'd probably laugh.
Excited just thinking about it? Then think a little more.
Better yet, think until you're thrilled! Forget about just Sasuke—bind up Sasuke, Fugaku, and Itachi together, and see how many punches Itsuki needs to knock them all down.
Instead of trying to manipulate others, they should be focusing on getting stronger.
As for the other protagonist, Naruto—at this moment, he was facing off with an old man with white hair.
Both of their expressions were serious, like two masters in a heated duel.
Anko, passing by, twitched at the sight of this.
She suddenly recalled something Itsuki had said: "Jiraiya is Minato's teacher. There's no way he'd really ignore Naruto."
Alright then! Jiraiya had shown up in Konoha once again.
Things were getting lively.
Anko felt a headache coming on and quickly headed toward the Forest of Death.
She wanted nothing to do with it! Forget clothes or anything else—she wasn't even going to bother with the money she had saved up in Konoha.
She would go to the Hidden Fire Village and ask Itsuki for it instead.
After all, she was already his woman, so there was no way he wouldn't give her at least a little bit of money, right?
Right now, Konoha was experiencing beautiful, sunny weather, with not a cloud in the sky.
Yet, a chill was settling in people's hearts.
A slight misstep could easily cost someone their life.
The only place Anko felt safe was by Itsuki's side.
For Anko, aside from Orochimaru, it seemed like everything else was the same.
So she wasn't too conflicted.
But!
When she arrived at the Forest of Death and found the small cabin using the signs Itsuki had left, she immediately broke out in cold sweat as soon as she stepped inside.
"You have a grudge against Temari, huh? Are you trying to kill her?"
Seeing Temari twitching on the floor with a blank look on her face, Anko was terrified.
Itsuki just chuckled. "You showed up at the right time. Come here, Anko."
"No!"
Anko screamed and bolted out of the cabin.
She had never seen a ninja like Uchiha Itsuki before.
He was more tyrannical than the aristocrats!
But unfortunately, trying to escape from a Flying Thunder God user was nothing short of a dream.
Before long, strange sounds echoed through the forest.
…
Meanwhile, back in Konoha!
The Third Hokage and the others were still preparing vigorously.
To deal with Uchiha Itsuki, they had put everything on the line this time.
Not only had they invited jonin from other villages, but they had also made sure that Konoha had all the resources they needed.
They were practically draining Konoha's potential to its limit.
Itsuki, meanwhile, was still fooling around in the Forest of Death.
From time to time, he would leave the woods to buy some daily necessities in Konoha.
He really seemed like just a genin participating in the chunin exams—but a rather lazy one.
This behavior, naturally, raised suspicion from Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others.
They couldn't believe that Itsuki Uchiha hadn't caught wind of their plans at all.
Even if he hadn't, was he really not concerned, despite being in Konoha? Was he that confident in himself?
The Third Hokage and Danzo were both starting to feel uneasy.
But at this point, there was no turning back.
They had no choice but to see things through.
Fortunately, the Third Hokage found some comfort in the fact that Jiraiya had returned.
Although Jiraiya didn't want to see him, at least he was back. That was enough to give the Third Hokage some confidence.
Danzo, on the other hand, was furious.
With Jiraiya back, if they succeeded, who would take the Hokage's seat?
Danzo and the Third Hokage argued for several days, until the Third finally relented.
However!
Danzo, being naturally distrustful, didn't believe the Third Hokage's verbal promise. So, in his usual paranoid fashion, he created a backup plan within the Third's original scheme.
…
Late at night.
After Naruto had fallen asleep, Jiraiya walked into a small inn.
Inside, a dark-haired boy was eating fried radishes and drinking some sake.
Jiraiya frowned and let out a mocking laugh. "Hey, kid, are you even old enough to drink?"
Itsuki responded casually, "You remember not to let kids drink, but when children under ten go to war, you don't stop them?"
Jiraiya's face changed.
The First Hokage had established Konoha largely to prevent children from being sent to war.
With the creation of the one village, one country system, this goal was largely achieved.
That's why the First Hokage was often called "The Senju Who Brought Peace to the Chaos."
Then came the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, who further refined the village's regulations.
Though war resumed after the First's death, the Second maintained the policy of keeping children off the battlefield.
Until...
Sarutobi Hiruzen became the Third Hokage!
At first, the Third Hokage did a great job.
But!
As time went on and the pressure increased, children were sent to war again.
Jiraiya's fists slowly clenched, his face twisted with emotion.
Itsuki watched with great interest until Jiraiya calmed down again, before speaking:
"Jiraiya-sensei, would you say the Third Hokage betrayed the legacy of the First and Second Hokage?"
"By the way, you probably didn't meet the First Hokage, but you should have met the Second. What impression did he leave on you?"
Jiraiya's face, which had just regained its composure, twisted once again.
Itsuki Uchiha, you bastard.
You're doing this on purpose.
(End of chapter)
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