CHAPTER 18

"In the face of the Sharingan's strangeness, even the Sannin can be deceived."

In the exam space, Deidara's voice carried a faint hint of sarcasm.

"Besides, Orochimaru is one of the Sannin too, and he still got caught. As long as they don't have time to summon their beasts, their strength is drastically reduced."

Uchiha Itachi's eyes shifted slightly. He almost felt like explaining that the difference between Sharingan users was as vast as the gap between elite Jonin and Kage.

Defeating the Fifth Kazekage doesn't mean you can beat the Fourth Raikage.

Such simple logic—and Deidara still doesn't get it?

And what—do you think the Sannin earned their fame only because of their summoning beasts?

---

"Jiraiya, what've you been up to lately?"

"Me? I write books. Collect stories…"

"If you don't tell the truth, I'll take Akatsuki for a stroll through Konoha."

Pain's voice was calm, but the threat landed like a thunderclap.

Several Akatsuki members smiled oddly. So their cold, calculating leader could issue threats like a true villain now.

We like this version of you, Nagato.

"You bastard, Nagato!"

Jiraiya's face twisted. He and Orochimaru may have diverged long ago, but he still held the village above all else.

If Nagato really meant that…

---

"Keep your eyes open during patrols," Sarutobi Hiruzen instructed with a dark expression. He didn't even look at the three elders behind him. In his mind, he calculated Akatsuki's strength against Konoha's.

Seventeen members originally, minus Orochimaru… Sixteen now.

And frankly, he already considered Itachi more an ally than enemy.

Even if Konoha had to defend with everything, what could a dozen rogue ninja really do?

He chuckled coldly inside. Just from the Sarutobi clan alone, Konoha had a formidable number of Jonin.

And that's not even counting Ino-Shika-Cho, the Hyuga clan, the Anbu, or Root.

Unless these Akatsuki members were all on the same level as Itachi—there's no way they'd survive a head-on confrontation.

Let them come. They'll be buried here.

---

Jiraiya's expression wavered.

He knew Hiruzen's style too well. The current Konoha was older, wearier… more politicized than when Minato led.

Maybe that's why all three Sannin had eventually left the village—there were just some things they didn't want to see.

"I've been investigating Akatsuki. The trails you left behind were suspicious."

Jiraiya's gaze met Nagato's.

"I'm returning to Konoha for the Chunin Exams."

He never imagined that his offhand words would be broadcast to the entire ninja world.

---

Danzo exploded.

"Idiot! To announce Konoha's security plans so carelessly—Hiruzen, this is the student you taught?"

If Jiraiya weren't so respected, Danzo might've had him silenced right now.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's face was ashen. He couldn't tell if he was angrier at Jiraiya's slip or Danzo's rebuke.

"Wait…" one of the Hokage advisors muttered. "They… don't seem to know they're being watched by the entire ninja world."

Everyone stiffened.

---

"Seriously? This is Konoha's Sannin?"

"This is the great Jiraiya of the Leaf?"

"HAHAHAHA—"

In the Sand Village, gathered shinobi erupted in laughter.

Even the Kazekage, Rasa, looked scornful.

You just revealed your village's security details and movements. Bravo, Sannin.

The Chunin Exams this year were supposed to be low-key, mostly involving allied smaller villages—Sound, Grass, Taki, and Rain.

Among the Five Great Nations, only the Sand participated.

Because Orochimaru had approached Rasa ahead of time.

Now… Rasa's frown deepened. While the plan was already to leak the Chunin Exam's location eventually, this changed everything. It was now a free invitation.

---

"Report! Lord Kazekage! A Cloud and Stone shinobi appeared on the border and left scrolls!"

"Scrolls?"

Elder Chiyo narrowed her eyes. The puppet behind her retrieved the scrolls.

Using chakra threads, she opened one from a safe distance. After confirming no traps, she had the scrolls returned.

"One from Tsuchikage: he'll be visiting Konoha in three days and invites Kazekage to join."

"The other is from Raikage… less polite."

'I, Fourth Raikage A, will arrive in Konoha in three days. Rasa, you coming or not?'

Rasa laughed and crushed the scrolls.

"Reply: The Fourth Kazekage accepts."

He turned to Chiyo with a grin.

"Looks like things are about to get… very interesting."