Uchiha's personal opinion

Otherwise, the powerful figures since the Warring States period would have already tried to find the so-called sacred site and "plowed down the den."

"That's absolutely impossible!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu coldly said, "The great sage of Mount Myōboku must have been sleeping for a while, right? How dare you say such a thing!"

"By bullying the ninja village like this, aren't you afraid that one day the entire Konoha army will sweep them away and exterminate your kind!"

"Jiraiya, were you aware of this requirement beforehand?!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu's spear was aimed at Jiraiya, whose face was filled with fear and unease.

"This has nothing to do with Jiraiya, and the master asked for it to be kept secret beforehand, so he didn't tell Jiraiya about it."

The other toad, Shima, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up to explain under the pressure of Uchiha Tokumitsu's words.

However, Uchiha Tokumitsu clearly did not accept its explanation and continued to stare at Jiraiya, who looked troubled.

What's with that oily-colored forehead bandage on your forehead?

Uchiha asked again, "Is your identity as a Konoha ninja really that embarrassing?"

Upon hearing this, Jiraiya immediately covered his modified headband with his hand, looking embarrassed.

"You weren't wearing a headband either, so why are you talking about Jiraiya like that!"

Shima muttered in dissatisfaction.

Its mate quickly pulled it back, telling it not to provoke Uchiha Tokumitsu's brow.

"I am an Uchiha, and a high-ranking one at that!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu said matter-of-factly.

"So what if you're in high positions? You have special privileges!"

Shima, who was being held back by Fukasaku, still muttered under her breath in dissatisfaction.

"That's right! The higher-ups are indeed impressive and have special privileges!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu said confidently.

They then turned their attention back to Jiraiya: "Sakumo-kun and I have been very lenient with your dissolute behavior, so please be more considerate and stop causing trouble!"

After making those harsh words, Uchiha Tokumitsu prepared to get up and leave.

Since the two sides couldn't see eye to eye, there was no need to waste time on irrelevant chatter. In any case, given his special status, he didn't expect to obtain any immortal techniques from the Myoboku lineage. Getting too close to these mystical toads might even expose his reincarnation.

Jiraiya and the two toads could only watch helplessly as Uchiha Tokumitsu left, locked in by the auras of numerous Jonin outside the hall. They dared not make the slightest move, for fear of being misjudged as having ulterior motives and incurring a heavy blow.

"Oh, right..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu seemed to have thought of something and stopped at the entrance of the reception room. He turned around and said, "The village's public security and sanitation regulations will only be strengthened, not abolished. And don't even think about throwing those random toads into the village!"

"Otherwise, if the village investigates, you'll be in deep trouble!"

After saying that, Uchiha Tokumitsu strode away.

Jiraiya looked dejected, while the two toads stared at each other in bewilderment.

Although they knew from the start that their great sage's request was unreliable, the two toads still came as instructed. Although they knew from the beginning that the ninja village would not agree to such a request, they did not expect that Uchiha Tokumitsu would be so disrespectful.

With Uchiha Tokumitsu's departure, the Red Guards, who had been deployed on the perimeter, also withdrew, and the man and two toads inside the hall finally breathed a sigh of relief.

No expert could remain calm and composed when surrounded by hundreds of Uchiha and Jonin who used the Uzumaki Sealing Technique.

"Unsurprisingly, I messed it up."

Fukasaku shrugged and said, "Old woman, shall we go straight back?"

They set the coordinates on Mount Myōboku from the beginning, so as long as there is no interference, they can return directly through the spirit communication technique without having to climb mountains and wade through rivers to get back.

"...Jiraiya, what do you plan to do?"

Shima's gaze fell on Jiraiya.

"I……"

Jiraiya looked conflicted, and for once, he seemed somewhat at a loss.

"I do not know either……"

Jiraiya touched the oil-colored forehead protector on his forehead, feeling a mix of emotions.

There's not much to say about the death of his teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi; it's just a matter of the victor taking all the blame. It's already quite magnanimous that Tokumitsu Uchiha didn't launch an internal purge to eliminate all those involved. So, although Jiraiya was also very dissatisfied with Tokumitsu Uchiha, he cleverly pretended to be deaf and dumb and continued to wander around the ninja world.

However, the decree from the Great Sage of Mount Myōboku disrupted his plans.

"Then come with us and leave this place."

Shen Zuo said, "This isn't a good place either, and we really don't feel comfortable leaving you here."

The aura of the Uchiha clan carries a strong sense of bloodlust and killing intent, which makes the toads of Mount Myōboku, who are close to nature, very uncomfortable.

"All right……"

Jiraiya, whose mind was a complete mess, left in a daze with the two toads, and the Tokugawa Shogunate did not interfere.

It wasn't until he left the Land of Whirlpools and landed on the eastern coast of the Land of Fire that Jiraiya came to his senses.

"Two immortals..."

Jiraiya said slowly, "...I plan to go back to the village. Let's part ways here."

"...Just don't do anything stupid."

Fukasaku observed him for a while, and after confirming that Jiraiya was in good condition, he nodded, then activated a summoning jutsu and transformed into a wisp of smoke before departing.

After watching the two sages leave, Jiraiya took a deep breath to compose himself and then headed towards Konoha.

……

"Master..."

After returning to Mount Myōboku, Fukasaku and Shima immediately went to the main hall to pay their respects to the lord of Mount Myōboku, the Great Toad Sage.

"...Uchiha Tokumitsu disagrees, is that right?"

The enormous toad sage slightly opened his eyes and asked in an aged voice.

"Yes……"

He bowed deeply in reply.

However, he secretly thought to himself, "It would be a miracle if Uchiha Tokumitsu agreed to such a request!"

"Jiraiya can just go back to Konoha..."

The Great Toad Immortal slowly closed his eyes and fell asleep again.

Somewhat bewildered, Fukasaku and Shima slowly backed away after confirming that the Toad Master was asleep and nothing was wrong.

"I knew it! The master is already so sleepy he can't tell the difference between dreams and prophecies!"

Fukasaku's wife, Shima, muttered to herself.

"...It was indeed a prophecy."

An aged voice echoed from inside the hall, startling Fukasaku, who had just made those outrageous remarks, into stiffening.

Chapter 259 Looking Back

Jiraiya couldn't remember how long it had been since he last returned to the village.

Since the end of the Second Shinobi World War, Jiraiya, who appeared indifferent, stayed in the Land of Rain under a pretext after his dream girl Tsunade and Dan Kato officially confirmed their relationship. He also took the opportunity to teach his two apprentices.

He had originally planned to find an opportunity to bring the two back to the village and join Konoha, but with the Konoha civil war and his teacher Hiruzen Sarutobi's death at the hands of Tokumitsu Uchiha, he had to give up on the matter.

After being verbally attacked by Uchiha Tokumitsu, he suddenly felt homesick and had the idea of ​​going back to the village to visit.

It's only natural to feel apprehensive when you're near home.

Standing on a small hill about three kilometers away from Konoha, Jiraiya gazed at the distant, indistinct walls of Konoha, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

In what condition did he return to Konoha?

A disciple of the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi?

One of the so-called "Three Ninjas" bestowed upon him after being defeated by Hanzo the Salamander?

Or was he just an ordinary Konoha Jonin?

Just as Jiraiya was feeling bewildered, a patrol swept in.

The Uchiha ninja in the lead clearly recognized Jiraiya, a former big shot, so he only asked a few casual questions before leading his team away.

Jiraiya touched the oil-colored headband on his forehead, feeling even more confused.

Although he was somewhat prepared for his current awkward situation, being ignored like this still left Jiraiya a little bewildered.

Although Jiraiya appeared approachable in the past, that was just his appearance. In reality, most Konoha ninjas held him in high esteem due to his status and strength.

Jiraiya was somewhat unaccustomed to being treated like an ordinary person all of a sudden.

But Jiraiya quickly composed himself and strode toward Konoha.

……

Konoha remains as prosperous as ever.

Despite the fact that the Konoha central business district is full of illegal buildings, it is still bustling with people.

Jiraiya concealed his presence and walked silently down the street.

Like a reclusive hermit suddenly entering a bustling metropolis, he seemed somewhat out of place.

Konoha is more prosperous than it used to be.

Jiraiya looked around and saw that everyone in the crowd was full of energy and high spirits. Whether they were wealthy merchants dressed in gold and silver, or Konoha villagers dressed simply but neatly, or Konoha teenagers running around, they were all full of energy and high spirits.

This seems somewhat different from the Konoha that Jiraiya remembered.

He originally thought that Konoha might experience a period of martial law after the civil war, and the village streets would be somewhat desolate, but he did not expect it to be more prosperous and lively than before.

So where exactly does the problem lie?

Jiraiya stood still and observed carefully, but still couldn't figure it out.