Seven or eight years ago, Hanzo of the Salamander had already been killed!
This also means that everything Uehara Naraku said is a lie!
Over the years, Uehara Naraku's actions have generally been carried out under the guise of Hanzo of the Salamander, acting like a trusted confidant of Lord Hanzo.
Whenever in negotiations, Uehara would unfailingly mention Lord Hanzo in every sentence, acting as if Hanzo's word was law, which was quite intimidating.
Tsunade more than once expressed her envy that Hanzo of the Salamander could have such a loyal and powerful genius ninja, especially since Uehara Naraku was skilled in Medical Ninjutsu.
Damn it...
This guy is such a good actor!
If Make-Out Paradise were adapted into a movie or drama, Uehara Naraku could definitely play the male lead!
Jiraiya couldn't help but recall Hanzo of the Salamander again.
Over the years, Tsunade's complaints about Hanzo of the Salamander had increased significantly. Before he set out, Tsunade was still criticizing Hanzo for being selfish and not seeing the bigger picture.
The deeds of Hanzo never aligned with their interests, and everyone in Konoha thought it would be better if Uehara Naraku were the leader of The Hidden Rain Village...
Thinking about it now...
It really is a disservice to Hanzo!
The Hidden Rain Village is a charade, a plot orchestrated by Uehara Naraku, no wonder the emissary from The Hidden Rain Village was always Uehara Naraku; he was probably worried that the secrets about Hanzo might be leaked, right?
This is indeed shocking.
No, it should be said, it's astounding!
Jiraiya began to recall again, why did Hanzo of the Salamander's murder go unnoticed?
Even though Uehara Naraku mentioned it many times, no flaws were ever shown; was it the title of Ninja Demigod that made them think such a thing would never happen?
This guy, during the Chunin Examination, innocently spoke about the troubles their internal conflict with the Akatsuki present, lamenting tragically about how he could never disobey the orders of Leader Hanzo of the Salamander!
Jiraiya recalled the scenes of Uehara Naraku from the past...
"I'm someone whom Lord Hanzo greatly trusts!"
"I will never disobey Lord Hanzo's orders!"
"Without securing this agreement, how could I face Lord Hanzo?"
"Our leader is none other than the Ninja Demigod Hanzo of the Salamander!"
"No one can defeat Lord Hanzo; he can single-handedly destroy the Akatsuki and drive them out of the Land of Rain!"
No...
Still feel like cursing.
If Hanzo of the Salamander was killed seven or eight years ago, then everything that happened later, like the assassination of the Third Hokage and grabbing the Land of Grass territory, combating the Akatsuki, these Hidden Rain Village actions were all actually decided by Uehara Naraku and that Angel.
Truly terrifying... Uehara Naraku!
Jiraiya slowly controlled the shock on his face, a sense of admiration and awe rising in his heart, given that Uehara Naraku could still calmly claim not to disappoint Lord Hanzo even in the most dangerous moments of battle...
Uehara Naraku, truly a talent.
The waters of the Ninja World run deep.
Many secrets are buried within it.
Yet Uehara Naraku continuously spoke of Hanzo of the Salamander without showing any cracks.
Such excellence... Uehara Naraku!
While others go undercover to steal intelligence, that kid managed to steal The Hidden Rain Village right under everyone's noses.
However, The Hidden Rain Village undoubtedly faced multiple invasions over the years, so why did no one discover this secret all along?
Jiraiya began pondering this question.
Were other ninjas who infiltrated The Hidden Rain Village killed?
If he left now, would he be the first to escape The Hidden Rain Village successfully? And if he didn't leave, what danger would he encounter?
But since he's here...
Jiraiya had a faint feeling that if he continued investigating, there would definitely be more discoveries, for Uehara Naraku surely isn't hiding just that one secret!
That kid...
Is definitely plotting something big.
After all, the truth behind Hanzo of the Salamander's demise has been covered up all these years, and they've used countless means to conceal this secret.
"Tegami, a message from your husband has arrived!"
The plump woman sitting beside Jiraiya heard a call from outside and couldn't help but frown and say, "What? A letter from hubby? Wasn't he supposed to be patrolling the lowest part of the village today?"
"..."
After hearing Tegami's chattering, Jiraiya left the brothel having realized the information he acquired was too limited. Better to capture a ninja for interrogation.
He also needed to confirm if what Tegami said was true or not.
Regardless, a brothel woman's intelligence is too lacking, better to catch a ninja for more detailed information, right?
In the tea room.
Uehara Naraku slowly sipped tea, watching Jiraiya leave the brothel with a grim face, quickly heading towards the underground passage area of The Hidden Rain Village.
"Seems like he knows part of the truth now!"
Uehara Naraku placed the teacup down with a smile on his lips, speaking softly, "But how much of the truth can you really know? Even if you think you've uncovered a lot of information, you're merely seeing the tip of the iceberg..."
Uehara Naraku leisurely shook his head, loudly instructing, "Note down today's tea expense, send the bill to the Angel's office."
"Yes, Lord Uehara."
The teahouse attendant quickly nodded.
The villagers of The Hidden Rain Village were mostly used to this; any expenses by Lord Uehara in the village would be paid by the Angel.
After nodding, Uehara Naraku accepted an umbrella from the attendant and stepped into the pouring rain of The Hidden Rain Village, heading toward the underground passage area.
As Uehara Naraku walked down the street, a paper crane landed on his shoulder, and Konan's voice came out, "Uehara, have you determined Jiraiya-sensei's location yet?"
"Yes."
Uehara Naraku nodded, spoke softly, "Jiraiya-sama has just left the brothel in the village, heading towards the underground passages. Conveniently, there are few villagers there; we can deal with him there."
"....."
The paper crane was silent for a while.
Moments later, a flock of origami paper cranes flew quickly coming together next to Uehara Naraku, swiftly forming into the figure of Konan.
Konan glanced up at the brothel sign, frowned, and slipped under Uehara Naraku's umbrella.
"These establishments in the village need to be shut down."
"Uh..."
Uehara Naraku shook his head helplessly, moving closer to Konan to avoid the rain from wetting her, speaking softly, "We should go meet Jiraiya-sama first! It's been a long time since Teacher Konan saw him, right?"
"Hmm..."
A touch of longing flashed across Konan's face.
Back then, the three years studying under Jiraiya were happy and carefree because they didn't need to worry about starvation or too much danger.
Also, Jiraiya was a very kind teacher to his disciples.
If it weren't for keeping the secrets of The Hidden Rain Village and the Akatsuki, Konan really didn't want to confront her own teacher.
"Alright, let's go!"
Uehara Naraku reached out to wipe the water droplets from Konan's hair, smiling lightly, "Taking down Jiraiya-sama won't be that easy!"
Especially with him here, so it won't be easy at all.