Uchiha the Madman: He embodies truth and obliterates reality.

...

In the conference room of the Hokage Building.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was discussing with Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado how to deal with the meteorite impact.

“Even if we keep the meteorite incident a secret from the public for the time being, we still have to do the preparatory work,” Mitokado Homura said with a hint of unease.

Hiruzen Sarutobi made a decision, "In that case, let's mobilize the village's resources now to gather supplies and stockpile rations. No matter how the situation develops, they'll come in handy."

“That’s right, Hiruzen is right,” Koharu Utatane agreed.

“Okay, let’s do it that way!” Mitokado Yan nodded in agreement.

The two of them had no objection to Hiruzen Sarutobi's decision; accumulating supplies and stockpiling rations would eventually come in handy. It wouldn't be a wasted effort.

"By the way, hasn't Danzo arrived yet?"

Koharu suddenly realized something. She looked around, but couldn't see Danzo Shimura anywhere.

Mitokado Homura looked puzzled. "Yes! We've been talking for so long, hasn't Danzo arrived yet?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi explained for Danzo, "I've already sent people to look for him, but he's probably busy maintaining order on the streets! He probably can't spare the time right now."

"Huh? Did you assign the Uchiha clan job to Danzo?" Koharu Utatane asked, looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Upon hearing the name Uchiha, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt as if he had been stabbed in the heart, and he fell silent instantly.

The Uchiha incident was considered by Hiruzen Sarutobi to be one of the stains on his record as Hokage. Therefore, he didn't want to mention the Uchiha too much; ultimately, the Uchiha affair was a dishonorable act by Konoha.

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Mitokado Haru quickly changed the subject, "Let's not talk about that. Let's discuss what to do next."

After a moment of silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi told the two his plans, "What I mean is that I want to wait until Jiraiya and the others return before making any further plans."

"Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha? If he comes back, there might be hope."

"Indeed, if Jiraiya were here... he might have a solution."

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado exchanged a glance. If Jiraiya really did return to the village, they could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Jiraiya had a close relationship with the toads of Mount Myōboku, and perhaps he could find a way to resolve the meteorite crisis.

"Okay, let's get ready before Jiraiya comes back." Koharu Utatane and Homura Minato stood up and went to the door of the conference room.

Hiruzen Sarutobi rose from his seat to see the two off, saying, "Well, I'll leave it to you two."

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado nodded emphatically and left the Hokage Building.

They were busy mobilizing the resources of Konoha Village to gather supplies, and the stockpiling of soldier rations also needed to be put on the agenda.

After seeing the two off, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat back down in his chair, rubbing his temples. He felt unusually tired and anxious.

Soon... the meeting room door opened, and Danzo walked in.

"Danzo, you're here?" Hiruzen Sarutobi greeted Danzo upon seeing him.

Danzo did not answer, but stared intently at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Excellent, only Hiruzen is here. Now is the perfect opportunity!" Danzo thought to himself.

Upon seeing the sealing artifact on Danzo's right hand, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked puzzled. "Danzo, what happened to your arm?"

"Hiruzen, you should think about what I said before. You need to know that time is of the essence."

Before taking action, Danzo decided to give Hiruzen one more chance. If Hiruzen did as he was told, he wouldn't need to use Shisui's Sharingan to control him.

"Hmm... I still think we should wait until Jiraiya returns before making any moves," Hiruzen Sarutobi said cautiously.

Upon hearing this, Danzo was very disappointed.

Hiruzen is still the same old Hiruzen! Indecisive and lacking decisiveness. I can't count on Hiruzen anymore. There's no other way; for the sake of Konoha, I have to do it myself.

Danzo no longer hesitated. He thought fiercely: "I've given you the chance, so don't blame me. It's not that I disregarded our relationship; it's just that you, Hiruzen, are too incompetent!!"

"Hiruzen, forgive me."

After making up his mind, Danzo slowly unwrapped the bandage on his right eye, revealing a scarlet Sharingan.

"Danzo, what are you doing?!" Upon noticing Danzo's actions, Hiruzen Sarutobi abruptly stood up from his seat.

"I did all this for Konoha! Don't blame me, Hiruzen."

Danzo's eyes gleamed, and the pattern on his eye suddenly changed, displaying the name "Kotoamatsukami".

Hiruzen Sarutobi was shocked when he saw the pattern on Danzo's eyes.

Oh no! Damn it! It's Shisui's Sharingan!!!

When Hiruzen Sarutobi saw the pattern on Danzo's eye, he immediately understood what was going on. He had seen Shisui's eyes before, and now Danzo possessed them; it was obvious what he intended to do to him!

These thoughts flashed through Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind, and he was about to reach out to form hand seals, but it was already too late.

With a flash of red light, Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze became vacant.

Looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo silently apologized: "For the sake of Konoha, I had no choice but to do this. I'm sorry, Hiruzen."

After expressing his apology in his heart, Danzo remembered the time when the meteorite would fall and muttered to himself, "There are still 52 days until the meteorite falls... I must hurry."

Akatsuki is not trustworthy now! Konoha must take the lead in convening the Five Kage Summit and making the meteorite incident public. Then, using this event, they can unify the entire ninja world.

Finally, they will unite the power of the entire ninja world to face the crisis of the falling meteorite.

We can't delay any longer! This matter is extremely urgent!

Then, Danzo gave an order to the dazed Hiruzen Sarutobi: "Hiruzen, from now on, obey all my orders. My orders shall prevail."

"Yes, we'll do Danzo as you said."

Upon receiving the command, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately regained consciousness. He was completely unaware that he had fallen under Danzo's Kotoamatsukami genjutsu, only feeling in his heart that Danzo's words made a lot of sense.

Time is of the essence; it's time for Konoha to convene the Five Kage Summit and reveal the truth about the meteorite impact. Danzo was right!

Hiruzen Sarutobi wholeheartedly agreed.

Chapter 57 Something's Wrong

The Land of Fire, Konoha Village.

The guards at the gates of Konoha were chatting idly.

"Hey! Have you guys heard about the meteorite fall that's been circulating lately?" Chunin said in a low voice.

"A meteorite fell, what is that?" someone who didn't know asked.

The chunin continued with a serious expression, "I just heard about this news myself. It's said that the source is in the black market."

"Oh dear! It's obviously just a rumor! The details don't hold up to scrutiny at all! There's no way such an absurd thing could happen in reality." Some people dismissed it with disdain.

"Hey! Don't be so sure. This may sound absurd."

The Chunin added, "But this news has been circulating wildly in the black market recently, and it sounds quite plausible, not like it's made up. It's said to have spread throughout the entire ninja world."

Upon hearing this, someone exclaimed in surprise, "Really? Could this news be true?"

"No way, that's unbelievable." Some people also raised objections.

"In my opinion, someone must be stirring things up behind the scenes and spreading the news," someone said with certainty.

Just as the group was discussing this, four figures appeared in the distance.

The group stopped talking and turned their attention to the group of four.

Upon seeing that the leader was a middle-aged man with white hair and red clothes, the Konoha ninjas at the door widened their eyes, wondering, "Could it be...?"

Although they thought of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha, they were not sure, since the so-called Legendary Sannin of Konoha were too far removed from their lives.

Immediately afterward, several Konoha ninjas turned their attention to the dashing blonde woman beside the man. This woman also bore a striking resemblance to Tsunade, one of the legendary Sannin.

Seeing the two people's appearances and attire, and recalling the legendary Sannin, the ninjas were immediately filled with excitement.

"Are you Jiraiya-sama and Tsunade-sama?" The Konoha ninjas dared not be negligent and stepped forward to greet them.

After receiving confirmation from Kakashi in the group, the ninjas at the gate rushed back to the village with great joy, spreading the news: "Hey! It's Jiraiya-sama and Tsunade-sama! They're back!!!"

"Quickly report this to the Hokage!!"

The four people who had finally arrived at Konoha Village reacted differently as they looked at the village's gates.

Looking at Konoha Village so close at hand, Kakashi breathed a sigh of relief: "Hokage-sama, I've brought Jiraiya-sama and Tsunade-sama back. I haven't let you down!"

Shizune held the little pig, Tonton, her thoughts were actually very simple. Wherever Tsunade was, she would be there too. For her, ever since she followed Tsunade out of the village, she had been bound to Tsunade; wherever Tsunade went, she would go.

As for Tsunade and Jiraiya, their feelings were rather complicated as they looked at the main gate of Konoha Village.

"When I left the village, I thought I would never come back," Tsunade suddenly said, her voice very soft. "I never imagined that I would return here today."

"Hahaha!" Jiraiya turned to Tsunade and laughed after hearing this, "This proves that you still can't let go of the village!"

"Idiot...you're so talkative." Tsunade blushed and said softly.

...

...

In the conference room of the Hokage Building.

Due to the sudden return of Jiraiya and Tsunade, Hiruzen Sarutobi urgently convened a meeting in the conference room.

Besides Jiraiya and his group of four, the attendees included Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, who served as elders and advisors and listened in. Finally, Danzo Shimura was also present.