Konoha: Naruto, trained by Aizen

If he were still alive, he would surely have just as strongly desired to return to Konoha and become Hokage.

after all.

He dreams of becoming Hokage.

just.

Naruto.

This place was filled with a stench.

During the Third Hokage's reign, Tsunade watched helplessly as the Senju clan declined and the Uchiha clan was suppressed.

Sitting in the Hokage's seat, the Third Hokage transformed into a pure politician at a visible speed.

I don't know when, but my original aspirations have been lost.

All I want is to stay in this position forever.

Naruto.

Ha ha.

I wouldn't even be a dog.

"I've been away from Konoha for so many years. It's the same whether Konoha has me or not." Tsunade's tone was full of despair.

“It’s different.” Jiraiya’s voice rang out as he jumped out of the window with a swollen face, his usual jovial demeanor gone, replaced by a serious expression.

"Konoha is currently facing a huge crisis."

"Under the Konoha Crush plan, Konoha not only suffered great losses, but also discovered a new species."

"A new species?" Tsunade frowned and looked at Jiraiya. "Is it a summoning beast?"

Jiraiya shook his head and said in a deep voice, "That is a monster that is completely black, about 2 meters tall, with a sturdy body, and can spew out something like a tailed beast cannon from its mouth."

"Tailed Beast Bomb?!" Tsunade exclaimed in shock.

In their minds, the tailed beasts were terrifying beings capable of shaking an entire village.

"They can become miniature Tailed Beast Bombs, but they are numerous and their strength is comparable to that of a Jonin. They are fearless of death and pain, and they become stronger the more they fight." Jiraiya's eyes showed a deep sense of apprehension as he recounted his previous battles with Hollows.

According to his description, a phantom image came to life in Tsunade's mind.

"Such a monster couldn't have been born that way, could it?" Tsunade's expression darkened as if she had just realized something.

“That’s what I think. This might be a monster created through human experimentation.” Jiraiya nodded. “I guess it might be Orochimaru.”

"Based on my understanding of Orochimaru, he is not the kind of person who would destroy Konoha unless something scientific research attracts him."

"You mean, Orochimaru is the mastermind behind that monster?"

“That’s right, turning Konoha into an experimental ground for monsters, that fits Orochimaru’s personality very well.” Tsunade’s eyes showed some sadness, but also a hint of determination.

The quiet but surprisingly reliable partner in my memory has completely embarked on the path of hostility towards Konoha.

From now on, they will be enemies.

"I think you're aware of Danzo's ambition for the Hokage position," Jiraiya sighed. "After the old man stepped down, Danzo's ambition swelled even further. And I suspect Danzo might be behind this monster as well."

"Danzo, you rotten bastard." Tsunade sneered, her eyes filled with cold light.

She had no good feelings towards Danzo to begin with.

This is a root hidden in the darkness, constantly sucking blood.

It is undeniable.

The existence of Root has indeed helped Konoha through many shady and underhanded means.

But at the same time.

It is also constantly assimilating Konoha.

One of the reasons Tsunade left Konoha was because of Root.

"That's why we need you. Under Danzo's oppression, we've been forced to let Naruto join Root. Without your appointment, Danzo will be lawless. I know you harbor resentment towards Konoha's higher-ups, but I believe you don't want to see Konoha fall into Danzo's hands, after all, it's our home."

Under Jiraiya's passionate persuasion, Tsunade wavered.

"This is really... annoying. Why do so many people want to be Hokage?" Tsunade sighed, her eyes full of helplessness. "I'll go back with you for now."

Chapter 148 Heading to the Sound Village, Tsunade Returns!

Almost unseen for decades

Tsunade and Jiraiya talked for a long time.

Some topics were about Orochimaru, some about their own lives, and some about Konoha.

Tsunade realized that Jiraiya was still the same Jiraiya.

Despite his carefree and easygoing nature, he still deeply loves Konoha and, like himself, is filled with disappointment towards Konoha's leadership, yet he still chooses to silently protect Konoha.

Over the years, Jiraiya has gathered countless pieces of intelligence from the outside world.

Despite being a highly respected Kage-level powerhouse, he was extremely lecherous, spending his days among women of pleasure.

Tsunade understood.

This was also a special intelligence network established by Jiraiya.

The information network of women in the pleasure quarters is not much worse than that of ordinary intelligence organizations.

However, Tsunade has requirements for both mental and physical loyalty from her partner.

She knew Jiraiya's feelings for her.

But I can't accept it.

Jiraiya may have known this, which is why he hesitated to express his feelings.

He would look at Tsunade with a lecherous gaze, putting on a wanton act, but in reality, there were unspeakable emotions deep in his eyes.

They were destined not to be together, but they both harbored feelings for each other.

"Hey, Tsunade, I'm telling you, we're all practically half-buried, and we're all still single. How about we just get together? We can't be without an heir, can we?" Jiraiya joked casually, then scratched his head under Tsunade's rather complicated gaze and laughed foolishly.

"Hahaha, I was just kidding. If you really want to marry me, that's fine too, hahaha." Jiraiya laughed loudly, but there was also a hint of melancholy in his voice.

It may seem like a joke, but it's actually the truth.

He knew that Tsunade always harbored feelings for Dan Kato.

Everyone knows that the Toad Immortal is a womanizer, but few know that all his deep affection was given to someone who was impossible for him.

Jiraiya had secretly loved Tsunade since he was a child.

He watched Tsunade grow up, watched her find a boyfriend, and personally offered his blessings.

He buried this feeling deep in his heart.

Before we knew it, several decades had passed.

"Tsunade, if—I mean, if," Jiraiya said, his lips moving as he looked at the still beautiful Tsunade by the lake under the moonlight.

Tsunade looked at Jiraiya quietly; the years had left their mark on them.

The once naive boy has unknowingly entered middle age.

Jiraiya looked at Tsunade with a complicated expression, then turned to look at the shimmering lake, which reflected their faces.

"Never mind, it's nothing." Jiraiya's inner thoughts ultimately turned into a sigh.

"By the way, when you return to Konoha, I'll take you to see Naruto. He looks a lot like Minato, you'll be very surprised," Jiraiya said, changing the subject.

"Naruto Uzumaki? I heard that his upbringing wasn't very good." Although Tsunade frequented casinos, she still kept track of news about Konoha.

She learned from some ninjas that Naruto's life was not good, and could even be considered very bad.

"Yes." Jiraiya nodded with a guilty expression.

"The old man's actions are getting more and more disgusting. Perhaps it's a good thing that he abdicated," Tsunade criticized mercilessly.

"That's why Konoha needs you now."

Upon hearing Jiraiya's words, Tsunade gave a noncommittal shrug.

"How is Naruto Uzumaki doing now?" She had already accepted the identity of the Fifth Hokage in her heart and asked.

“He joined Root.” Jiraiya sighed, looking as if he had aged ten years.

"Heh, he really has been used since he was a child," Tsunade mocked.

"Danzo was able to steal the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, so it seems that this has caused really great damage to Konoha."

"Not bad." Jiraiya nodded, recalling the details of his battle with Hollow, and still felt a chill run down his spine.

It's hard to imagine how terrifying the oppression would be if such a monster grew to the level of a Kage.

Judging from the current situation, there are still quite a lot of monsters.

The good news is that the Konoha Anbu have also captured two monsters and are currently conducting various experiments on them.

However, the research department of Konoha lacks the strength, and the research progress is relatively slow.

“I’m worried that the Root might be connected to these monsters,” Jiraiya pondered.

"That's possible. Danzo is completely rotten," Tsunade said expressionlessly.

"By the way, what about that last remaining member of the Uchiha clan?"

"You mean that brat Sasuke?" Jiraiya couldn't help but smile when Sasuke was mentioned.

I thought back to the time when I first met Sasuke and gave him some simple guidance afterwards.

"That kid has quite a bit of potential, he's quite interesting," Jiraiya said with a smile.

"If I hadn't already taken Naruto as my disciple, I might have taken that brat as my disciple."

"To receive such a compliment from you, I'm quite interested in that brat." Tsunade smiled, and the atmosphere immediately relaxed, the previous tension and solemnity gone.

"The Root shouldn't have any designs on him, right?"

"Not yet."