"This...."
Jiraiya hadn't had any direct contact with the underground bounty organizations. Even though he had gathered some information, most of it pertained to the Land of Tea and the Land of Water. To suddenly fabricate a lie related to the Land of Rain was impossible for him.
Seeing Jiraiya's expression, Hatake Sakumo realized something was wrong and asked, "What's wrong, Jiraiya? Is it inconvenient to talk about?"
"...Sakumo, can I handle this on my own?"
Jiraiya remained silent for a while before speaking.
Upon hearing this, Hatake Sakumo realized Jiraiya was lying earlier. However, he didn't want to pressure his comrade too much, so he asked, "Is this a personal matter or related to the village? If it's personal, I won't interfere. But if it involves the village...."
Jiraiya understood Sakumo's stance; however, he didn't want to involve the village concerning Nagato...
On the side, Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke up, "Sakumo, let me handle this matter."
"So the Third Hokage knows too?"
Upon hearing Hiruzen's words, Hatake Sakumo felt a bit frustrated but still said, "It's fine for the Third Hokage to handle it, but at least let me know what's happening. If something threatens the village later, how can I, as the Hokage, not know why?"
Upon hearing Sakumo's comment, the room fell silent. Namikaze Minato, standing aside, also felt troubled for his teacher Jiraiya, but he believed the Fourth Hokage was already being considerate enough.
"This is about my apprentice. During the Second Ninja World War, I stayed in the Land of Rain for three years and took on an apprentice...."
In the end, Jiraiya decided to speak, slowly recounting the events: the mishap where Danzo's Root accidentally killed his apprentice, and Nagato's Rinnegan, from which he suffered severe injuries.
Listening to the continuous flow of information left Hatake Sakumo somewhat stupefied.
The information about the Rinnegan, Danzo's stealthy actions, Jiraiya's secret maneuvers, and then being grievously injured by the Rinnegan. The crux being that the leader of the Akatsuki Organization, which wields the Rinnegan, bears a grudge against Konoha due to Danzo.
Fortunately, he had inquired today. If he had let Jiraiya slip by earlier, would they later face an enemy with the Rinnegan?
Just hearing about Jiraiya's encounter with the Rinnegan's abilities made Hatake Sakumo feel a sense of helplessness.
Instantaneous Sealless Ninjutsu, reflecting all attacks, generating strong suction that Jiraiya couldn't resist, and transforming himself for mechanical firepower attacks... and this wasn't even the full scope of the Rinnegan's abilities.
Jiraiya hadn't fully tested it before being knocked out by the Rinnegan.
"Let the village take over this matter."
After a moment of silence, Hatake Sakumo made his decision. Seeing Jiraiya's anxiousness to speak, he interrupted, "Jiraiya, you can be involved, but you must follow the village's decisions. Being able to rely on the Rinnegan at such a young age to defeat you, he may not be any less of a...."
As he said this, Hatake Sakumo glanced at Uchiha Yoichi, not explicitly stating, but his meaning was clear enough.
If left unchecked, with the potential of the Rinnegan and its user's animosity towards Danzo, it might end up causing trouble for Konoha Village.
"And Danzo, Fourth Hokage."
Uchiha Yoichi spoke, "It's fine to do a little privately, but to foolishly involve the village is unforgivable. Moreover, weren't all the Root ninjas incorporated into the Anbu? How does Danzo still have a Root division, and he's privately allied with Hanzo..."
"Third Hokage, have Danzo return immediately, along with all his subordinates outside; this is a direct order from the Hokage Office."
Hatake Sakumo addressed Sarutobi Hiruzen, showing no leniency; he didn't oppose village ninjas doing personal tasks outside because such actions couldn't be prohibited.
At the very least, they should be like Uchiha Yoichi, not causing trouble for the village, and perhaps even occasionally aiding it.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed inwardly, "Understood, I'll signal Danzo shortly."
"A high-level meeting at the Hokage Building tomorrow."
After saying this, Hatake Sakumo left the room, and Uchiha Yoichi didn't linger either.
Once they had left, Sarutobi Hiruzen showed his frustration, pointing at Jiraiya, "You fool, why didn't you come to me first?"
"You never relayed a message to me, I had Minato ask you."
"I instructed Minato to notify you to come back; would you have returned then? I initially thought that by not sending you a message, you would take the initiative to ask me, but instead, you impulsively went to the Hidden Rain Village, causing such a huge ruckus...."
Sarutobi Hiruzen stated angrily, then, with a humph, continued, "Now, how to resolve this issue..."
After finishing, he left the room; rather than quarreling with Jiraiya here, it was better to discuss matters with Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.
After Sarutobi Hiruzen left, Namikaze Minato asked with an awkward smile, "Jiraiya-sensei, do you need anything?"
"No, Minato, you can go back. I'm mostly recovered."
Jiraiya gestured with his hand, his mind occupied with thoughts of Nagato, feeling like he had been impulsively foolish ever since hearing the news.
After reflecting for a moment, Jiraiya could only conclude that he was overly worried about the Rinnegan. Even now, he was deeply concerned; if the Rinnegan were to fall into the hands of someone with immense ambition, it could cause severe damage to the Ninja World.
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The next day, Hatake Sakumo gathered Konoha's high-ranking officials in the Hokage Office.
The Anbu Captain, the leaders of the Interrogation Team and Intelligence Team, Jiraiya, Sarutobi Hiruzen, among others, and even Orochimaru from the laboratory had arrived.
"The reason for gathering everyone today is to discuss an important matter, starting from half a month ago when...."
After Sakumo explained the events, the Hokage Office fell silent, much like the hospital room the day before.
Orochimaru cast a glance at Jiraiya, surprised at how well he had hidden... The Rinnegan had piqued his research interest again.
"Let's discuss my decision; yesterday, I spoke with the Third Hokage about immediately recalling Danzo and his Root subordinates, who must return within five days; otherwise, those outside will be treated as missing-nin."
Today was perhaps the day Hatake Sakumo stood firmest as Hokage; his previously peaceful demeanor had shifted, confronting this as if facing an enemy on the battlefield.
"Fourth Hokage…"
Utatane Koharu wanted to say something but was interrupted by Hatake Sakumo, "Advisor Utatane, let's first finish deciding the actions; concerning the Akatsuki leader Nagato with the Rinnegan, we can now determine that due to Danzo, he harbors significant animosity towards Konoha, therefore releasing a mission to hunt down Nagato and Konan, temporarily rated S-Class."
Hearing this, Jiraiya became anxious.
But just as he was about to speak, Uchiha Yoichi interrupted, "Jiraiya Jonin, there's no need to hastily defend. When even you, his master, were severely injured, who can guarantee survival among the other Konoha Ninja?"
This statement made Jiraiya swallow his words. The threat Nagato posed to Konoha Village was indeed substantial.
"The mission primarily aims to capture them alive; whether to eliminate them depends on Nagato and Konan's future actions. I plan to send six Anbu teams and ten Jonin teams to execute this task. Jiraiya, you should participate too."
"I understand, Fourth Hokage."
Jiraiya agreed, recognizing that this was an opportunity granted by Hatake Sakumo. Only by bringing Nagato back could he ensure his survival; otherwise, Konoha would determine those threatening enemies as targets for elimination.
"There's another matter. Hanzo might also have become aware of the Rinnegan news, and I'm unsure if he will take it seriously, but we must also consider our relationship with the Hidden Rain Village...."
Pausing briefly, Sakumo continued, "Deploy a Ninja Corps to Chuanhe Town, remaining vigilant about Hidden Rain Village's movements."