Chapter 127: Warnings and Whispers

Tsunade and Orochimaru exchanged a glance upon hearing Jiraiya's unexpected words, but it didn't take them long to understand why he wanted to leave.

Before Tsunade could speak, Orochimaru stepped forward, his usually cold voice unusually earnest.

"Jiraiya, I understand your motives. But for your sake—and the teacher's—I advise you not to do this. Running away won't solve anything. It'll only make things worse."

He may have often insulted the fool, but deep down, they shared a bond that time couldn't break. Orochimaru didn't want to see Jiraiya alienated from Konoha, from Gin, from their generation. If that happened, he'd eventually end up on the wrong side of everything.

And with Gin—who held no affection for the Third Hokage, nor the noisy toads of Mount Myōboku—there would be no happy ending for him.

Even before aligning with Gin, Orochimaru had disliked the toads. Especially their so-called prophecies that had wrapped Jiraiya in delusions. "The Child of Prophecy," "Fate's Chosen"—what nonsense.

To Orochimaru, the future was not foretold. It was built—with blood, sweat, and choices.

After partnering with Gin and glimpsing what might've been, he saw the truth: the toads had used Jiraiya, exploiting his loyalty to influence Konoha and the entire shinobi world.

"Who gave them the right to shape destinies?" Orochimaru thought with disgust.

Had Gin not interfered, Jiraiya's fate would've been tragic—a life wasted chasing myths, dying far from home, never understanding how deeply he had been manipulated.

Now, Orochimaru feared if Jiraiya stayed tied to the toads, they would push him into direct conflict with Gin. And that would not end well.

"No," Orochimaru said firmly. "You can't leave now. You must return to the village. Face what's coming. We are students, yes, but this moment is greater than any teacher. If I, who once desired power above all, can recognize that—so can you."

Tsunade nodded in agreement. She understood Gin's intentions better than anyone. She'd even heard his quiet hope that Jiraiya wouldn't stray.

That hope… was not a good sign.

"Orochimaru? Tsunade? You two…" Jiraiya looked at them, puzzled by their sudden seriousness. It was as if his simple wish to avoid witnessing the trial of his old mentor would cause disaster.

Was that really so bad?

"Shut up," Tsunade snapped. "You're coming with us. Willingly—or bound and gagged. And don't even think about running. I've already marked you with the Flying Thunder God seal. No matter where you go, I can teleport to you instantly."

She raised her fist menacingly.

"What? Flying Thunder God seal?! When? Where?!" Jiraiya's expression morphed from confusion to panic. He checked his body frantically but found no trace.

"Isn't that a little too cruel?" he muttered. "I'm not going anywhere, I swear!"

Suddenly, escaping didn't seem like a good idea. If Tsunade really had marked him, his life was under constant threat. What if she teleported to him during one of his… "research" sessions?

The thought of Tsunade appearing mid-act was horrifying enough to make him pale.

"Don't even think about it," she said smugly. "I'll be watching." She pointed two fingers at her eyes, then at him—I'm watching you.

Of course, she hadn't marked him. She hadn't even mastered the technique yet. But thanks to Gin, she could teleport to anyone using the teleportation scroll system. This bluff was more than enough to rein in the pervert.

Orochimaru chuckled at the sight.

"You…!" Jiraiya pointed a trembling finger at her. "Fine! You win! I'll come!"

He muttered under his breath.

"Unbelievable. Surrounded by traitorous friends. And for what? To see an old man in shackles? Just depressing."

He wasn't planning to defend the Third anyway. After learning the truth, even his lingering sense of loyalty couldn't justify interceding.

The old man didn't deserve it. And it wouldn't matter if someone did.

"Good!" Tsunade crossed her arms triumphantly. "Then it's settled. Pack your things—we leave tomorrow morning!"

"Yeah, yeah…" Jiraiya grumbled, resigned.

"Oh, right," Tsunade turned to Orochimaru. "We'll need to leave some units behind to guard the camp and the border. Is that arranged?"

"Yes," Orochimaru replied. "I've already stationed five squads to monitor the borders and keep an eye on Iwa and Suna."

"As for Amegakure—they've been pacified. They won't dare attack our forces."

"Good. Then I'm going to rest." Tsunade nodded and walked toward her tent.

The next morning, she departed with Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Sakumo, Shikaku, and a massive army of Konoha shinobi, marching home.

At the same time, in the other hidden villages…

News of the political shift in Konoha spread like wildfire. The Third Hokage—Sarutobi Hiruzen—was captured. His clan placed under arrest. A public trial loomed.

The shock hit every major village.

In the Iwa camp…

"Damn it!" Ōnoki slammed a fist on the table. "Just days ago—days!—this happens in Konoha?"

He stared in disbelief at the intelligence scroll.

"Sarutobi Hiruzen not only lost power—he and his entire clan are in custody?! That old fool didn't even fight? No rebellion? No civil war?"

If Konoha had been plunged into chaos, Ōnoki could've seized half the Land of Fire by now.

"What a waste! A perfect opportunity—gone!"

He paced, fuming. "And now they say Uzumaki Mito is alive? Not just alive—young again? Stronger?"

"And Uchiha Hikari too! What's going on in Konoha?! Do our spies know anything? What about the secret of those nutritional pills from the Uchiha?"

"I'm sorry, Lord Ōnoki," said the head of Iwa's intelligence division. "We have no solid information. Not even Sarutobi's inner circle seems aware of what's truly happening. Only Uchiha Hikari and Uzumaki Mito appear to be in the know."

"What about the other rumor?" Ōnoki said in a low voice. "Did they really bring back Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara?"

"That's… unconfirmed," the intelligence chief said uneasily.

Ōnoki nearly jumped. "Are you serious?! Hashirama and Madara?! Do you know what that means?!"

Just the thought of Madara chilled him to the bone.

"Was it the Reanimation Jutsu? Has Konoha started playing with the dead again? Why would they do this now, when they've already crushed us and Suna? What are they planning?!"

"There are no confirmed sightings yet," the officer said quickly. "Only rumors. Some claim they were seen walking together through Konoha, but nothing more."

"Get me proof!" Ōnoki shouted. "I want full surveillance on Konoha—spare no expense! I need to know what they're doing and why!"

"Yes, Lord Ōnoki!"

Ōnoki turned to the window, seething.

"No. This needs to go beyond us. Kumo, Kiri—we must inform all of them. If Madara and Hashirama truly walk again, we must pressure Konoha. Demand answers. Force them to undo whatever foul resurrection they've performed."

"The dead belong to the dead. Letting those two roam freely? My heart won't survive it."

"…Um, Father?" Kitsuchi stepped forward, hesitant. "So… are we still attacking Suna?"

"Of course we are!" Ōnoki barked. "What does putting pressure on Konoha have to do with punishing Suna?"

He pointed to the map. "With Konoha's army in retreat and Suna's still mobilizing, now is the time. We'll take what we can before it's too late. The daimyo expects results—and I've got too many mouths to feed in Iwa."

"Prepare everything. We move tonight."

"Yes!" Kitsuchi saluted and rushed off to make the final preparations.