Chapter 162 – The Secret Room Opens, and the Treasure Appears
Jiraiya bolted off like a gust of wind—and returned not long after, his arms stacked with as much food as Tsunade had brought.
Tsunade took a bite, raised an eyebrow, and gestured for him to continue where they'd left off.
Jiraiya gave a weary smile. "Honestly, I think the village is doing fine as it is. There's no need to bother Uchiha Fugaku. Besides…" —he scratched his head— "I doubt I could even beat him anymore."
Tsunade nodded in agreement. "You're right about that. Fugaku's strength isn't normal. He's nearly at Uchiha Madara's level. You wouldn't stand a chance. Even if you dragged Orochimaru along, the three of us together wouldn't make a difference."
Jiraiya gave her a curious look. "So why are you here then?"
"I was still in the village when Fugaku sent someone to find me," Tsunade said, sipping her tea. "He wanted me to accompany the mission as a medical ninja. So, I came."
"Just like that?" Jiraiya smirked. "You don't do anything for free. What did he promise you?"
Tsunade laughed lightly. "You know me too well. Fugaku promised me eight percent of Kumogakure's total assets. How could I say no?"
Jiraiya froze mid-bite. "Eight percent—of Kumo's assets? You've got to be kidding. That's… astronomical. Fugaku really is generous."
Tsunade's grin widened. "Now you see why I didn't refuse."
Jiraiya sighed, shaking his head. "What a world…"
Then, his tone softened. "By the way—your hemophobia. Is it cured?"
Tsunade hesitated. "Probably. Or maybe it's better."
"What kind of answer is that?" Jiraiya grumbled. "Either it's better, or it isn't."
"I don't know," she admitted. "The symptoms aren't as bad now. I can handle blood without losing control."
"Then I'd say you're almost cured," Jiraiya concluded with a grin.
Tsunade tapped his rice bowl with her chopsticks. "Eat up, then let's get to work. We're opening all the underground vaults tonight. Who knows—there could be treasure down there. When Fugaku gives me my share, I might even toss you a cut."
She winked playfully.
Jiraiya pouted. "Keep it. I don't need that much money. Just enough to get by."
Tsunade snorted. "Hopeless as always. You really don't understand—money is power."
He wisely chose not to argue, quietly finishing his meal under her glare.
---
When they were done, Jiraiya was volunteered—under Tsunade's unmistakable persuasion—to assist with unlocking the seals.
Fugaku was already waiting at the old Raikage Building's ruins. "Jiraiya," he greeted, "I appreciate your help."
Jiraiya sighed. "Don't thank me. I'm only doing this because Tsunade insisted."
He examined the massive stone door in silence, fingers brushing over the intricate web of sealing formulas. Then, in a swift sequence of precise hand signs, his chakra flared—and the lock clicked open in less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea.
"Everyone, be cautious," Uchiha Sihu ordered crisply. "Sensory unit, check for traps."
The jonin team nodded, remaining alert. After a few moments of concentration, the sensory ninjas reported no traps or hostile chakra.
Only then did the group file inside.
Rows upon rows of sturdy green wooden crates filled the chamber. Hyūga Hiashi pried one open and called out, "Hokage-sama, these are military-grade supplies—kunai, senbon, explosive tags. This entire chamber is an armory."
Fugaku nodded. "Good. Seal them up and move to the next room."
Sihu ordered his team to begin transferring the supplies into storage scrolls. Fugaku, Jiraiya, and the others proceeded deeper underground.
The second vault opened even faster than the first. Within half a cup of tea's time, the massive seal unraveled beneath Jiraiya's hands.
No orders were needed this time—the sensory team was already moving. Once cleared, they entered. More crates. More weapons.
By the time they reached the fifth vault, however, the contents changed.
Instead of weapons, there were only ten smaller sandalwood boxes, each one covered in dense sealing script—clearly protecting something valuable.
Jiraiya's expression grew serious. "Now this," he muttered, "looks interesting."
The unlocking process this time took longer—far longer. Sparks of chakra flickered across his fingertips as he carefully dismantled the layered seals. No one spoke. The silence in the underground chamber was almost reverent.
Finally, after a stick of incense's time, a faint cracking sound echoed. The final seal dissolved into blue embers.
"It's open," Jiraiya announced.
Everyone leaned in. Hiashi, Sihu, and Uchiha Setsuna were the first to approach. Inside the box were several old, weathered scrolls bound in red thread.
Setsuna reached out instinctively—
"Don't touch it!" Jiraiya barked.
Setsuna froze, scowling. "What's your problem?"
Jiraiya exhaled. "Those are Uzumaki Clan Sealing Scrolls—authentic ones. They contain sealing techniques that even Konoha doesn't have. One wrong move, and the contents could destroy themselves."
Setsuna's eyes widened. He quickly retracted his hand, realizing the gravity of what lay before them.
The Uzumaki Clan's sealing arts were legendary—and their extinction had erased countless jutsu from the shinobi world. If even a portion of their secret archives had survived here, then they had just uncovered something priceless.
Hiashi's Byakugan shimmered faintly as he examined the box. "There are more," he murmured. "Each of these sandalwood chests contains similar scrolls."
Fugaku's eyes gleamed with quiet satisfaction. "Then we've found something far more valuable than gold."
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To be continued…
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