Though Andrew had always respected Jiraiya's strength, he couldn't help but feel disappointed in the man's personal behavior. When Jiraiya died in the previous life, Andrew had genuinely felt a sense of regret—for all his greatness, the man's flaws were equally legendary.
"You want to watch women? Fine. Just pay and go to a custom shop like everyone else. But no, you prefer to sneak around like a pervert."
Even worse, Jiraiya had picked the Uchiha's bathhouse as his latest target.
Uchiha Industrial Street had become one of the most popular commercial areas in the village, and the bathhouse in particular was a favorite among Uchiha families. Even Andrew hadn't seen the women's section himself—yet Jiraiya was trying to get a peek? Outrageous.
In the interrogation room, Andrew stood before Jiraiya with his arms folded, looking more like a disappointed father than a police captain.
"Master Jiraiya," Andrew said sternly, "even if you're the Hokage's disciple, you can't be peeking at women's baths in broad daylight. Don't you think that's a little... beneath your status?"
Jiraiya blinked in surprise. "You... you know who I am?"
Andrew gave a half-smile. "Of course. You're one of the legendary Sannin of Konoha. I'm not arrogant enough to ignore the veterans of this village. In fact, you're kind of a personal benchmark for me."
Jiraiya tilted his head, unsure if this kid was complimenting or insulting him.
"A benchmark for what?"
Andrew's tone sharpened. "For what not to do."
The air grew heavy.
"In my previous imagination," Andrew continued, "you were the type of person who could become a future enemy. Not out of hatred, but because we'd be standing on opposite sides."
The playfulness in Jiraiya's eyes faded completely.
He had already been briefed by the Third Hokage about the Uchiha situation, and most notably about Andrew—the young genius shaping the direction of the entire clan.
Now hearing Andrew say these words, he realized just how wide the gap had become.
"So even I'm considered an enemy now," Jiraiya muttered. "Looks like Uchiha really has no intention of repairing ties with the village."
Andrew's gaze didn't waver. "If it weren't for me, Uchiha and Konoha would've been at war already. Why it's come to this... you already know. You were gone, but not disconnected. You know what was done to us."
Jiraiya winced internally. He had hoped to act as a bridge. But the bridge had already burned. Andrew wasn't just warning him—he was closing the door.
"But your mindset is too extreme," Jiraiya said finally. "Seeing the village as your future enemy? That's dangerous."
"Dangerous?" Andrew's tone remained calm. "What's more dangerous is trusting people who wanted to wipe us out. You think we're being dramatic? When Shisui's eyes were taken, the Third Hokage mobilized 80% of Konoha's forces to surround the Uchiha compound."
Jiraiya's heart dropped.
"What? 80%? You're saying Sarutobi Hiruzen almost initiated a war against his own people?"
Andrew leaned forward. "Do you think I'm making this up?"
For a long moment, Jiraiya said nothing.
He had returned to the village thinking he could help restore order, maybe mediate between the Uchiha and Konoha. But now? That fantasy shattered before it even began.
Andrew gave a soft sigh. "Jiraiya-sensei, the situation between Uchiha and Konoha can't be fixed with a chat over tea. Whatever goodwill you think you carry... it won't change anything."
He added bluntly, "We've shown restraint by not burning the village down. That's more than you should expect."
And just like that, the conversation pivoted back to Jiraiya's reason for being detained.
"As for your peeping incident—according to Konoha's public order regulations, you'll be detained for three full days."
Jiraiya coughed awkwardly, scratching his head. "Hey now, can't we let that slide? It's not like I caused a scene."
"Not happening." Andrew's voice was iron. "Let me put it this way—if even the Hokage himself were caught peeking at our baths, he'd spend three days in here too."
"Okay, okay!" Jiraiya waved both hands. "I get it. No more peeping. Don't tell the old man. He'll lecture me for a week."
Andrew smirked. "You're lucky I haven't filed a formal misconduct report. You'd be explaining this to the Council by now."
Jiraiya tried to laugh it off, but the next thing Andrew said made him freeze.
"By the way… Weren't you looking for Orochimaru?"
That name alone caused Jiraiya to sit up straighter.
"You… know something?"
Andrew leaned in, his voice low.
"Ever wonder why he defected? Or why he was allowed to do those experiments for so long without interference?"
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes. "Are you saying... someone gave him permission?"
"Dig into Konoha's upper echelon—especially those who like to work from the shadows."
Andrew said no more, but the implication was obvious.
Danzo.
And likely, with the Third Hokage's silent approval.
Jiraiya slumped back in his chair, lips pressed into a tight line. If that was true—if the village's leaders had knowingly allowed Orochimaru's atrocities to continue—then what else had they hidden?
Andrew, meanwhile, felt satisfied. If Jiraiya pursued that line of investigation, he might unearth truths that even he hadn't dared touch.
"Let him uncover the filth that festered under the surface. Let him be the one to confront Danzo. Better he wrestles with it than we do."
Back in the Hokage's office, the report had arrived.
Jiraiya—detained for peeping on the women's bathhouse. Sentence: Three days.
Sarutobi Hiruzen read the scroll silently. The corners of his mouth twitched.
"You were supposed to be my trump card… and you got caught within a day."
He sighed. "Let him stay there. Maybe he'll learn something."
Just as he leaned back in his chair, a masked Anbu agent appeared beside him.
"Lord Hokage—one member of the Cloud Shinobi delegation is missing."
Sarutobi's tired eyes instantly sharpened.
"What?!"
"Gone without a trace, sir."
The old Hokage stood up immediately. "Sound the alert. Mobilize every available shinobi. No exceptions. Find that person. Now."
His heart pounded. He had known from the beginning that Cloud Shinobi came with hidden motives. That was nothing new. But for them to make their move now—while Konoha was fractured, and Jiraiya was in detention—was more than coincidence.
"I knew those bastards wouldn't play fair," he muttered, as the room erupted into urgent motion.
Elsewhere in the village, Andrew had returned to his office, calmly writing a report on Jiraiya's detainment.
But even he could sense the growing tension outside.
Cloud Shinobi had started to act.
And Konoha's fragile balance was about to collapse.
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