The women who had been peeped on immediately informed the approaching Uchiha patrol squad about Jiraiya spying on them while they were bathing. They pleaded with the officers, "Please arrest this peeping Tom immediately and lock him in prison!"
The members of the Uchiha Clan Police Force were somewhat stunned. "Are you sure it was actually Jiraiya?"
"Of course! With that long white hair, that red coat, and his stature, there's no way I could be mistaken," replied the woman who had recognized him.
The members of the Uchiha squad and their captain were speechless. Hearing such a certain description, it really was likely to be him. Jiraiya had actually returned to the village, and the first thing he did upon his return was peep at the women's bathhouse. It certainly fit his personality.
However, the Uchiha squad captain frowned. Like the current Fifth Hokage, Lady Tsunade, Jiraiya was one of the Sannin. He was a hero of the Second Great Ninja War, and his personal prestige was very high. Most importantly, with the strength of their small group, they might not actually be able to capture him. In fact, it would be extremely difficult. It was obvious that Jiraiya wouldn't exactly go along with an arrest willingly.
Seeing the Uchiha members hesitate despite their report, the women grew dissatisfied. "This happened right under your jurisdiction. Are you saying you don't dare to deal with it? Don't you usually enforce the village's Police Force regulations strictly?"
The Uchiha squad members frowned upon hearing these words. It seemed they had to take action; otherwise, the Police Force would lose its authority. The captain spoke up. "Rest assured, as long as the Police Force regulations are violated, the Uchiha Clan will inevitably arrest the perpetrator. Everyone, follow me. We are going to capture Jiraiya."
The other squad members looked at each other as their captain walked away, and they could only follow. As the village's law enforcement personnel, if they attempted to arrest Jiraiya according to the regulations, surely he wouldn't resist, right? Even if he did, it wouldn't matter; if they couldn't handle him, there were others in the Uchiha Clan who could.
Meanwhile, Jiraiya, who had already fled the bathhouse, was eating at Ichiraku Ramen. He planned to head to the Senju Clan compound after finishing his meal. Calculating the time, Tsunade should have already returned to the Senju compound from the Hokage building.
But just as he was enjoying his ramen, several people wearing Leaf Village flak jackets walked into the shop. It was the Uchiha Clan Police Force squad. The captain at the lead said with a grim face, "Lord Jiraiya, someone has reported you for peeping at the women's bathhouse. Please come with us."
The women from before had provided clues, mentioning the long white hair and the red coat. Seeing Jiraiya dressed exactly like that, it was almost certain. It was definitely Jiraiya's doing. It aligned perfectly with his reputation.
When Jiraiya heard that these people were here to arrest him—and that they were from the Uchiha Clan Police Force—he sighed inwardly. 'Ever since the old man, the Third Hokage, passed away, even the Uchiha Clan dares to come after me.'
He could only say helplessly, "Actually, this was all for the sake of artistic research. Please don't arrest me." This was no longer the era of the Third Hokage, and since Tsunade had become the Fifth Hokage, he naturally didn't want to start a conflict with this clan.
The Ichiraku Owner was somewhat dumbfounded by Jiraiya's response. He was truly talking nonsense; if that were the case, then there would be quite a lot of people out there "seeking research."
The Police Force members all had dark expressions. The captain said sternly, "Lord Jiraiya, stop joking. Since you did it, please follow us back to the Leaf Village Police Force building and accept your punishment according to the village regulations."
Jiraiya was unhappy. They actually wanted to punish him, even after he had essentially asked for leniency. He quickly finished the ramen in his bowl and took a large gulp of the broth. Turning back, he smiled. "Fine, I'll go with you."
How could he possibly agree to go with them? The moment they left Ichiraku Ramen, he would make his escape.
The Police Force members didn't expect things to go so smoothly, or that Jiraiya would choose to accept punishment. Perhaps the prestige of the Uchiha Clan had intimidated this member of the Sannin. "Since Lord Jiraiya is willing to cooperate, that is for the best. We can consider a lighter punishment."
Jiraiya sneered in his heart. 'A lighter punishment? Don't make me laugh. If I get locked up in prison, how will I, the Toad Sage, show my face again?' He turned and walked out the door.
Seeing Jiraiya stand up and leave, the Police Force members immediately followed. The Ichiraku Owner was a bit surprised. Was the chronically peeping Jiraiya finally going to face the law? He was well aware of Jiraiya's peeping habits; the title of Pervy Sage had even spread throughout the Land of Fire.
Suddenly, he remembered something. The man hadn't paid yet! Just as he was about to step out to ask for the money, he heard a shout. "Uchiha guys, bye-bye!"
The Ichiraku Owner hurried outside only to see Jiraiya's distant figure. He was stunned. Jiraiya had actually run away—what about the money for the ramen? 'Forget it. It's rare for him to come back; I'll consider it my treat. But Jiraiya probably won't find it so easy to run away.'
The public security in the Leaf Village was much better than before. 'I hope he has some luck.' There was still someone in the village who could deal with him, and that person also frequented his shop for noodles.
The Uchiha squad members were left staring blankly at the spot where he had been. They hadn't expected Jiraiya to actually trick them and bolt the moment he stepped outside. One of the members asked angrily, "Captain, what do we do?"
The squad captain's face was cold. "We chase him, of course!" He had been decieved; how could he save face after this? He immediately performed the Body Flicker Technique to chase after Jiraiya. The other members followed suit, their figures vanishing instantly as they all used the Body Flicker Technique.
After running a certain distance, Jiraiya was about to stop when he felt the people behind him. He felt a bit helpless; those Uchiha fellows were catching up again. In the past, he would have taught them a deep lesson. But times were different now; if he actually struck them down, it wouldn't be a minor incident.
'It looks like I'll have to let Tsunade settle this for me.' He had already intended to visit the Senju Clan. But then he thought better of it. 'If Lady Tsunade finds out I was peeping at the women's bathhouse, she might just beat me to death herself.'
But on second thought, now that Tsunade had become the Fifth Hokage, her temper should have mellowed out a bit. Considering their many years of friendship, she would surely help.