"The situation is actually that complicated?"
Inside the Hokage office
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Kakashi, who was still listless, and Jiraiya, whose face was solemn. He rubbed his own temples.
He was startled when he saw Jiraiya return, and at the same time, he was extremely happy.
Konoha currently has a bit of a generational gap. Although the younger generation like Kakashi has grown up, Konoha still lacks some pillars.
In fact, his three disciples were perfect for that role.
But one defected, and the remaining two?
Either gambling or 'researching'.
He was naturally happy about Jiraiya's return, but the news he brought back made him feel a bit of a headache.
"Yes, old man."
Jiraiya nodded, and said, "If it wasn't that complicated, I wouldn't have come back to find you. Although everything is still just speculation, that place is too sensitive, so I need your help."
"You know it's sensitive too?" Sarutobi Hiruzen glared at Jiraiya in annoyance.
"That's Kirigakure. It's across a vast ocean, and it's extremely difficult to send people over. Moreover, due to their policies, it is almost isolated from the rest of the world. It's hard for anyone to know what's really going on inside. How do you expect me to investigate?"
Kirigakure an island, which makes intelligence transmission extremely difficult.
Later, because of the Blood Mist policy, they had essentially entered lockdown, making it very difficult to obtain information.
Especially since it's also related to that organization...
'Itachi is inside. He has been a spy for two and a half years and still doesn't have any news?'
Sarutobi Hiruzen silently puffed on his pipe. He was also a bit confused now.
"Lord Hokage, there should still be Anbu members in Kirigakure, right?" Kakashi, who had been silent, pondered for a moment before asking in a low voice.
"Although it's difficult, can they be mobilized to provide some information?"
"This..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was a bit hesitant, which made Jiraiya very unhappy.
Jiraiya said, "Hey, old man, if this matter is really that troublesome, I'll just go and see for myself. That way, it won't make things difficult for you."
"Haaa... You don't know the stakes involved."
Sarutobi Hiruzen rubbed his temples and sighed after a moment of contemplation.
"Alright, I'll handle this matter. You absolutely must not act recklessly. Although you're good at gathering information, you can't compare to professionals."
"Stay in Konoha for now and don't run around. I will complete the investigation as soon as possible."
"Tch, even if I wanted to leave, it would probably be difficult, right?"
Jiraiya pursed his lips and nodded lightly before continuing, "Don't worry, I won't act recklessly. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come back. If there's nothing else, I'll take Kakashi to the hospital."
"Later, I also need to help Kakashi's student celebrate the success of his first mission. It's really troublesome..."
As he spoke, Jiraiya took Kakashi and walked outside, while Kakashi nodded apologetically to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Fortunately, Sarutobi Hiruzen his disciple's personality and didn't mind. After the two left together, he sighed helplessly.
"Truly troublesome..."
Kakashi's suggestion did bother him a bit. Although the Anbu also collects intelligence, the Root's infiltration into external areas is deeper.
Much of the more secretive information about many villages is basically provided by the Root, but the Root has been nominally disbanded now.
Unless it's restarted, even he has no other way.
"Forget it, since the matter has become this serious, I'll go see Danzo. Besides, I haven't seen him in a while..."
After a long period of silence, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally made a decision. He stood up and walked to the window.
Looking at the bustling Konoha outside, he murmured after a long while, "Fortunately, Jiraiya's return isn't all bad news. At least he's back, at least..."
"It seems another genius has appeared in Konoha..."
.....
"Actually, that easy?"
Feeling the changes in himself, Takemi was somewhat surprised.
Even though he had guessed that learning Sage Mode wouldn't be difficult, it still wasn't a simple matter.
Look at Jiraiya, it took him many years of training to succeed.
And he still needs the help of Fukasaku and Shima and needs some preparation time to successfully enter Sage Mode.
And although Naruto had it easier, he also took a beating on Mount Myōboku before he could learn Sage Mode.
But Takemi? He only had Jiraiya's knowledge, and didn't even use auxiliary tools. He successfully entered Sage Mode on his first attempt.
"Bloodline... It really is the ultimate cheat..."
After a while, Takemi gnashed his teeth and cursed.
Thinking back to his miserable 13 years, he felt even more dejected. How great would it have been if the beginner package had come earlier?
"Forget it, Naruto and Sasuke also endured many years before completely getting access to their cheats."
Rubbing his temples, Takemi comforted himself, but soon he couldn't hold back again.
Naruto and Sasuke's cheats were a one-step process, while he had to accumulate slowly.
"But at least now, I finally have a stronger attack!"
The power of Sage Mode has been fully demonstrated by Naruto and Senju Hashirama.
Coupled with the Purple Lightning he is constantly improving, as long as he doesn't encounter some monsters, he will have a chance of winning.
And with the continuous development of his bloodline, he firmly believed that in the future, he himself would be one of these 'monsters', and even far surpass them.
"But I still need to find a way to launder this technique. Forget it, let's go prepare for the party tonight first."
Since he had been sitting for a long time, Takemi stretched, feeling a little numb.
"Hmm?!"
But at this moment, he suddenly felt something. He suddenly realized that the Chakra in his body was surging too violently.
Not only that, he even felt that his physical strength had increased.
In addition to that, he also vaguely felt a subtle Chakra constantly flowing into his eyes, as if something was being nurtured.
"Could it be..."
Takemi hurriedly opened his panel, and he was stunned when he saw the information on it.
[Name: Kitagawa Takemi]
[Age: 13]
[Bloodline: Ōtsutsuki Clan (5%)]
[Total Chakra: S- (Between Elite Jonin and Kage, Kage level)]
"There's such an effect?"
Takemi's breathing became a little rapid. He had just learned Sage Mode and was still a bit clumsy with it, but he unexpectedly increased the development of his bloodline?
Even though the development level was just five percent, that was still great.
"So, is Natural Energy also a power of the Ōtsutsuki?" Takemi frowned, but quickly shook his head.
"Not necessarily, perhaps the Ōtsutsuki who possessed the power of the Ten-Tails indirectly obtained Natural Energy!"
Thinking of this, a hint of excitement appeared in Takemi's eyes.
Originally, he was worried about whether his plan to collect things related to the Otsutsuki would work and if they would cause some side effect.
But now he knew that as long as he didn't act too recklessly, his bloodline seemed to be able to handle it.
"It's just that there are too many things to do..."