Chapter 151: Jiraiya, Where Were You When Naruto Was Starving?
Not only that. "Hiruzen Sarutobi even used a jutsu to regain his position as Hokage! He used a jutsu."
Jiraiya's expression slightly darkened. "Jutsu?"
"That's right. Developed by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, and classified as an S-rank jutsu... Edo Tensei."
Jiraiya's face became very grim. "That jutsu, which defiles the dead!" Edo Tensei. It was an evil ninjutsu that desecrated the dead and toyed with souls.
"To ensure my foolproof assassination, he resurrected 5 deceased individuals to participate in my encirclement and killing. The First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, and the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama. Also, Danzō Shimura, Uchiha Kagami, and Konoha's White Fang!" It was too insane.
After a long pause, Jiraiya asked again. "So... That's why… you killed him?"
Uchiha Akira chuckled softly. "Killing him had nothing to do with whether he used Edo Tensei. I killed him simply because he had become a cancerous tumor on Konoha's body, reaching a point where he had to be removed. Greedy for power, stuck in his ways, and willing to drag the entire Village into an abyss just to maintain his pathetic rule. A Hokage like that, keeping him around, would be the greatest harm to Konoha."
"How is that possible!" Jiraiya retorted. "The old man… he dedicated his entire life to Konoha! How could he be a tumor!"
"Is that so?" Uchiha Akira countered. "If he truly was as great as you say, then tell me, Jiraiya... Why do you rarely return to Konoha? And Tsunade, why doesn't she return to Konoha, instead indulging in gambling? All 3 of you Sannin have now left the Village."
Yes. Why? The Third Hokage had indeed protected Konoha in the past. But in that process, he also sacrificed too much and caused too many people to feel disappointment and despair.
Jiraiya couldn't refute him. Because what Uchiha Akira said was the truth.
"The old man… he did… make mistakes in many areas."
Uchiha Akira shook his head. "Mistakes? Jiraiya, you're looking at things too optimistically. It's not a matter of right or wrong, but a matter of life or death. Ever since the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Incident, after Minato Namikaze and his wife died in battle, Danzō conspired with Hiruzen Sarutobi to direct all suspicion and doubt towards our Uchiha Clan. They used the pretext of protecting the Village to forcibly relocate our entire clan to a corner of the Village, establishing 24-hour uninterrupted surveillance. Completely isolating us from Konoha's center of power. Danzō's Root secretly carried out various persecutions against my clansmen, and Hiruzen Sarutobi turned a blind eye to it, even tacitly approving it."
Jiraiya's face became increasingly grim. He had heard about the conflict between the Uchiha and the Village, but he had never imagined it had reached such a critical point.
"And that's not all." Uchiha Akira's voice grew colder, making the temperature in the entire office seem to drop by several degrees. "They implemented a clan annihilation plan. They planned to slaughter the Uchiha Clan, from top to bottom, regardless of gender, age, or youth, leaving no one alive."
Jiraiya suddenly looked up. "Clan… clan annihilation?"
"That's right. If I hadn't seen through their conspiracy in advance and led the Uchiha in a desperate counterattack, the Uchiha would probably have been annihilated by now. Jiraiya! I ask you, just because he's the Third Hokage, should the Uchiha just wash their necks, extend their hands, and let him annihilate the clan? It was Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzō who pushed us Uchiha to a dead end. We merely broke that blade before they could swing it."
Jiraiya fell completely silent. He had always thought that his teacher was just old, a bit stubborn, a bit weak. He had never imagined that beneath that kind face, such cold and vicious intentions were hidden.
"Give him the item." Whoosh. A dark shadow appeared silently behind Jiraiya, kneeling on one knee. It was an Uchiha Anbu. He presented a scroll with both hands.
Jiraiya mechanically turned around and took the scroll. "What is this?"
"Evidence of the Sarutobi Clan secretly contacting Kumogakure after your teacher was removed from office." Uchiha Akira's tone was indifferent. "They planned to defect to Kumogakure with their entire clan during Konoha's internal strife. This is the Third Hokage you respect so much, and the Sarutobi Clan he led."
Jiraiya's hand slowly unrolled the scroll. On it were detailed records of interactions between core members of the Sarutobi Clan and Kumogakure's secret envoys.
After a long time, Jiraiya said nothing. He simply remained silent. That silence represented an acknowledgment.
Uchiha Akira looked at Jiraiya's distraught appearance and shook his head. "Now, let's talk about something else."
Jiraiya suddenly looked up, a hint of bewilderment in his eyes.
"You've been away from the Village for so many years. But, Jiraiya, I ask you. While you were pursuing the so-called Child of Prophecy, while you were running around for your ridiculous ideals of peace, do you remember that there was still a child in Konoha Village?"
Jiraiya's body trembled violently.
"Before I became Hokage and took Naruto as my disciple, Naruto drank milk that had already expired every day! He couldn't even afford instant noodles, only the cheapest instant cup noodles! The Third Hokage allowed rumors to spread to control Naruto! Making Naruto treated as a monster by the entire Village, isolated by everyone. He himself then came out to play the good guy! It's truly disgusting!"
Uchiha Akira paused, then continued to question him. "Jiraiya! While Naruto was enduring loneliness and hunger, you!" Uchiha Akira pointed at Jiraiya. "The great Toad Sage, Lord Jiraiya, one of the Sannin. Where were you? Were you gathering material in the women's bathhouse? Or were you living a dissolute life in some bar?"
Jiraiya's face instantly turned a liver-colored, filled with shame. "I… I thought the old man would take good care of him…"
"It's Hiruzen Sarutobi again?" Uchiha Akira let out a sneer. "You entrusted the Fourth Hokage's orphan to such a person! Jiraiya, are you foolish, or naive? Or perhaps, you simply don't care about his life or death!"
"That's not it!" Jiraiya roared in pain, clutching his hair tightly with both hands. "I…" He wanted to explain, but found that no words could explain the fact that he had neglected Naruto all these years.
"Fortunately, I've taken him as my disciple now. Otherwise, what you would see if you came back now might not be a genius who took first place in the practical test. Now, he has me as his teacher to guide him. He can eat hot meals every day and no longer has to worry about food expiring."
Jiraiya looked dejected. After a long time. "I… am not worthy… to be Naruto's godfather."
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