Chapter 48: Flyers

(Last week, we hit 50+ Power Stones—huge thanks to everyone who supported! 🙌

This week, our new goal is:🔥 100+ Power Stones📝 5+ Reviews)

Chapter 48: Flyers

Root Headquarters

"What do you eat!?"

Danzo slammed his hand down and covered his face in frustration, glaring at Nakamura Kazuya, who was

kneeling before him. He scolded harshly,

"I told you not to let them catch any evidence, and now a few of you have been exposed and fired!"

"What are we supposed to do now!?"

Nakamura Kazu looked grim.

"Our men were just trying to cause some trouble for Hinata, but unexpectedly, they ended up killing Uchiha Kaien. I believe Kaien set a trap—it was premeditated."

Danzo struck his cane hard against the ground.

"Do you need to say more? Now, all over Konoha, people are calling you a pervert. Even Hiruzen's reputation is plummeting. They're saying, 'If the top is crooked, the bottom will be as well.'"

Danzo sighed. He had to admit, Kaien always acted with precision, like a sharpened blade. But his results, however unorthodox, were undeniably effective.

The Third Hokage had even summoned Jiraiya back, intending to push him out as a public figure—a façade to stabilize the village. But before that plan could begin, Jiraiya's reputation was already stained.

A disgraced façade was no good. At least, not for now.

Danzo's right eye ached again. He hadn't found a spare Sharingan, and he didn't know how much longer the current one would last.

Ever since that freak Kaien emerged from the Uchiha, things had been spiraling out of control. Hiruzen was being publicly ridiculed. And once, there were still Root agents within the Police Force; now, it was a pile of scattered sand.

Danzo exhaled again.

"From what's left of the Police Force, pick someone capable to temporarily fill your position."

"Root must lie dormant for now. But once it absorbs enough nourishment… it will break through the soil again."

Nakamura Kazu nodded firmly. "Yes, sir."

Danzo was seething.

The Third Hokage had already issued several orders, demanding that this base be vacated within three days. Although Root was officially disbanded, its loyal members remained at Danzo's command.

But the losses were heavy. The funding, equipment, and support from several ninja clans had all been severed. After all, Root had now been shut down on official record.

Danzo looked toward the skylight. The white sunlight filtering through made his face appear even more shadowed.

"This old man… will return…"

Although he resented Kaien deeply, the Third Hokage still honored the promise he made to him: Root was disbanded.

The official announcement marked a complete public break between Hiruzen and Danzo.

Danzo accused the Third Hokage of taking his Root members without permission. In turn, Hiruzen condemned Danzo for attempting to steal Kakashi's Sharingan and called him a madman. He ordered all Root operations terminated.

Now, Danzo held no official position. The Shimura Clan had been forced into retreat under the Hokage's pressure.

No other ninja clans supported Danzo, and public opinion was fully against him. He could only watch as his entire Root organization was dismantled by ANBU.

Even expensive equipment that couldn't be moved was confiscated by the village.

With his damaged eye and no replacements available, Danzo had no choice but to grit his teeth and accept Root's disbandment for now.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, for drastically altering the trajectory of Shimura Danzo's life.]

You have obtained: Izanagi ×1

It seemed that dismantling Root had truly broken Danzo's momentum. Though many old followers remained loyal, this blow would make him lie low for a while—just enough for the Uchiha to weather the storm.

Now, only one problem remained: Jiraiya.

During the chaotic half-month in Konoha, sources were detained, and Root's forces were pulled out.

Regarding the prior incident involving the Hyuga, the Third Hokage sent a diplomatic explanation to Kirigakure. But the Hidden Mist didn't respond at all. In fact, the entire Land of Water sealed itself off.

Given the distance and poor relations with Konoha, the issue was dropped.

Time passed. As public opinion began to settle, Jiraiya was released from the garrison's holding cell.

The one who came to release him in person was none other than Hiashi Hyuga's cousin, Hizashi.

"Jiraiya-sama, your detention period is over."

Jiraiya scratched his head awkwardly.

"Ahaha… Hizashi, why come in person?"

Hizashi's expression was distant, businesslike.

"Jiraiya-sama, the Garrison is now under Hyuga control. If something like this happens again, it will bring trouble to our clan."

Jiraiya's old face flushed, and he gave an awkward laugh.

"Don't worry. It won't happen again."

Hizashi didn't say much else. He simply escorted Jiraiya out and left.

Outside, sunlight bathed Jiraiya's face. He felt relieved—how long had it been since he saw the sun?

But after more than ten days without a bath, he stank.

"I need to freshen up. A bath sounds great."

He walked toward Konoha's commercial street. But people still remembered what had happened half a month ago.

He hadn't changed clothes. His distinctive red outfit, white hair, and forehead protector with the kanji for "oil" made him instantly recognizable.

Women screamed and fled. Men stopped and muttered among themselves:

"Look, it's Jiraiya!"

"The pervert who spies on the baths."

"I heard he even tried to peek at Tsunade-hime… almost got killed."

"One of the Sannin, huh? Tch."

"Isn't he the Third Hokage's apprentice?"

"I heard he's been a pervert since childhood. These incidents have happened before, but were always covered up because of the Hokage."

"The only reason he got away with it was because of his connections."

Though the voices weren't loud, with Jiraiya's strength, he could hear every word.

Many people were holding flyers and comparing them to him.

His scalp tingled. He snatched one of the flyers.

On it was a detailed breakdown of his identity, his flirtatious nature, and previous offenses—all of which were previously brushed under the rug. It even suggested there was a higher-up protecting him.

It specifically highlighted his hobby of drawing women he spied on into his erotic novels.

No wonder women screamed upon seeing him. No one wanted to be drawn into his books.

Men spat when they saw him.

Jiraiya was furious. Smoke practically shot from his ears. He used the Body Flicker Technique and dashed away.

On the way, he passed by Hyuga Yuto, who was handing out flyers with great enthusiasm.

He was livid.

"These flyers! What nonsense is this!? When did I ever draw the woman I peeked at!? I was collecting material! Material!"

He'd liked peeping since childhood, but he didn't even know why. He just grew up with that interest.

"Stupid brat! Who told you to spread this!?"

Jiraiya's voice boomed. His white hair bristled with rage.

But Yuto didn't back down. With Kaien's support—and even the approval of the Hyuga head—he had no reason to be afraid.

"This is Konoha. You can't do anything to me."

Yuto puffed out his chest.

"Good afternoon, Jiraiya-sama! Lord Kaien instructed us to hand out these flyers so the women of Konoha won't fall victim again. It lists your deeds and warns them to stay away from you."

"Warn them!? Specially made!? Distributed today!?"

Jiraiya was shaking with rage.

"That damn Uchiha Kaien wants to ruin me!"

Yuto hesitated slightly, but with more villagers gathering and staring, he stood tall.

"Please don't interrupt my work."

With that, he walked around Jiraiya, handing out more flyers.

"Uchiha Kaien!!!"

Jiraiya roared, crumpled the flyer in his hand, and stormed off, straight toward the Uchiha Clan compound.

…

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Translated By – Ancient Lores

TL Note:If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to show your support by leaving a review and letting us know what you think!

And if you'd like to see more chapters released faster, send us some Power Stones for extra chapters—your support really helps us keep the translations coming!

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more!— Ancient Lores Translation Team