Without much hesitation, the Third Hokage shook his head. "For now, don't act rashly. We'll decide once the Intelligence Division has more information!"
Jiraiya hesitated. "But…"
"The village can't afford to lose you right now!"
Leaving only those words, the Third exited the meeting room.
Unlike the original timeline, the Land of Grass war had made the Akatsuki's strength painfully clear to the five great shinobi villages. The seasoned Third would never allow Jiraiya to venture alone to Hidden Rain Village.
Moreover, how much affection Jiraiya's former disciples in Hidden Rain still held for him was anyone's guess. Rashly entering Hidden Rain could easily be a one-way trip.
Jiraiya sighed and left the Hokage Building alone.
He had once believed that Nagato, with his Rinnegan, was the 'Child of Prophecy' foretold by the Great Toad Sage, destined to reshape the shinobi world.
When he later heard that Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan had gone missing, he assumed all three had perished, leaving him wracked with grief and guilt.
During the recent Land of Grass war, seeing Nagato and Konan shocked him more than anyone else.
He never imagined his disciples could be the masterminds behind the Akatsuki, the organization the five great shinobi villages had been hunting.
Looking up at the deep night sky, Jiraiya murmured, "Nagato, Konan, what have you been through all these years…?"
Root Base.
Leaning on his cane, Danzo coldly stared at the subordinate before him. "Have you confirmed the situation with Hanzo in Hidden Rain?"
The kneeling Root shinobi braced himself and replied, "I'm sorry, sir. Hanzo has been reclusive for years, rarely appearing in public, and Hidden Rain has remained sealed off. We haven't been able to confirm whether he's alive or dead."
Danzo's gaze grew icy. "Useless fools!"
"Please punish me!"
The Root shinobi bowed his head deeply.
In the past, Danzo's ruthless nature would have ensured harsh punishment for such failure. But with Root officially disbanded by the Third on the surface and his forces heavily depleted from recent operations, he could only suppress his murderous intent for now.
His thoughts shifted, and he asked, "Any new progress with Orochimaru?"
The Root shinobi shook his head. "Orochimaru hasn't reported any developments. Lord Danzo, should I go confirm now?"
Danzo waved a hand impatiently. "Go!"
After dismissing his subordinate, Danzo stood alone in the dark Root base, his mind drifting back to the moment he and Hanzo had joined forces against the Akatsuki.
"Damn it! If I'd known Hanzo was so incompetent, I would've eliminated them all back then!"
The Akatsuki's rise was a nightmare for Danzo.
It was his attempt to meddle in Hidden Rain, instigating internal strife, that led to the conflict between Hanzo and the Akatsuki.
Nagato's power, displayed in that desperate moment, had left a deep impression on him.
But to keep the so-called 'Demigod' in check and plunge Hidden Rain into endless chaos, Danzo had withdrawn, choosing to watch from the sidelines.
Later, the Akatsuki went silent, its core members either dead or scattered.
Upon receiving this intelligence, Danzo felt a twinge of regret, thinking the Akatsuki had collapsed too quickly to cause Hanzo more trouble.
Given Hanzo's strength, he hadn't questioned the report and shifted his focus away from the Akatsuki.
Yet, fate was unpredictable. He never imagined the organization he had schemed against would rise from the ashes, not only reappearing on the shinobi world's stage but becoming a terrifying force that made the five great shinobi villages tremble.
After the Land of Grass war confirmed Nagato and Konan's identities as Akatsuki survivors, Danzo realized he was in deep trouble!
He and Hanzo had orchestrated that ambush against the Akatsuki. Uncovering his role in it wouldn't be difficult.
There was no room for reconciliation between him and the Akatsuki.
Even if the Akatsuki didn't come for him, the news of his past plot to destroy them would bring condemnation from all sides.
The blame for the Akatsuki's hostility toward the five great shinobi villages would be pinned squarely on him.
At that point, not only would he suffer, but the entire Hidden Leaf Village could face significant criticism from other villages.
A fleeting moment of regret crossed his mind, but his face hardened, and he thought, Everything I did was for the village. I wasn't wrong! The fault lies with Hanzo and those Akatsuki scum who should've died long ago!
Orochimaru's Secret Laboratory.
"Let me go! Release me, or I'll kill you all!"
A demon, bound by several chains inscribed with sealing jutsu, roared furiously in the laboratory.
Orochimaru glanced at the demon, then lowered his head, studying the data from recent tests on it with keen interest.
Having disguised himself as a Hidden Leaf Anbu during the Land of Grass war, Orochimaru had a deep appreciation for the demons' power.
At that moment, Kabuto Yakushi entered, adjusting the glasses on his nose. "Root's people came by earlier, asking about your progress. I sent them away."
Orochimaru nodded, handing the data to Kabuto.
Kabuto glanced at it and exclaimed, "This is incredible! This monster's cellular activity surpasses even the First Hokage's cells?"
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed. "Indeed, this creature's cellular structure is a treasure trove!"
The chained demon, sensing Orochimaru and Kabuto's fervent gazes, shuddered involuntarily.
Orochimaru then asked Kabuto, "What's the progress on Tsunade's side?"
Undoubtedly, Orochimaru was well aware that the village had captured a demon and assigned Tsunade to lead its research.
Kabuto smiled. "Lady Tsunade is still collecting various poisons. She likely hasn't made any critical breakthroughs yet."
Orochimaru knew Tsunade's research focused on countering the demons' rapid regeneration, but he had no interest in that. He cared only about acquiring the demons' near-immortal bodies.
Just then, another figure entered the laboratory, bowing before Orochimaru. "Lord Orochimaru!"
Orochimaru looked them over. "Kimimaro, how's your body holding up?"