I, Konoha’s Sage of Life

Chapter 122 - 122: Jiraiya – How Dare You Tarnish My Innocence Out of Thin Air?

The Kusagakure Ninja weren't particularly strong.

Kyoichi had just done a quick round, estimating that he alone could make them too scared to poke their heads out. But considering the alliance between them, barging in to take people outright didn't seem appropriate.

He looked back.

If worst came to worst, having Nagato and the others step in was also an option.

There were always more solutions than problems.

"Sensei, they really aren't chasing us? Feels like they're even more resolute than we are."

"Small ninja villages don't have much choice."

Kyoichi shook his head.

When he returned to the frontlines, he noticed some commotion ahead. He hurried over and, after some inquiries, learned that—

The Iwa Ninja had retreated.

Of course...

Not too far. They had only pulled back from the Kusagakure Ninja border to the outskirts of the Land of Earth. But the attitude behind their move was questionable.

Just as he arrived at the Konoha camp, a Chūnin approached.

"Kyoichi-sama, Hokage-sama and Jiraiya-sama request your presence in the command tent immediately to discuss the next steps."

"Understood..."

Kyoichi glanced at Asuma and the others before using Body Flicker to head toward the tent.

Inside, several figures were gathered.

Most of the high-ranking Jōnin assigned to this front were present—people like Inoichi Yamanaka and Chōza Akimichi.

"Hokage-sama..."

"Kyoichi, report on your situation first."

"Yes. The Kusagakure Ninja didn't make any clear stance, just kept being vague. I told them that if they don't cooperate with our counteroffensive within three days, we will withdraw from the frontlines."

Kyoichi laid out his decision.

Then, he recounted everything he had observed along the way, without embellishment.

The tent immediately erupted in discussion.

Shikaku Nara wasn't present.

Though his intellect was invaluable at the frontlines, Tsunade wasn't the Hokage yet. Having just taken over administrative duties, she needed a capable assistant.

Shikaku was the best choice.

With no one else to consult, the Third Hokage scanned the room before settling his gaze on Inoichi Yamanaka.

"Inoichi, what's your take on this?"

"Uh, I think Kyoichi's plan is feasible. As for the Kusagakure, if they won't support our counterattack, there's no reason for us to waste resources fighting the Iwa Ninja here."

Inoichi said.

The Third Hokage pondered briefly and nodded slightly.

The Kusagakure Ninja leader would likely come to negotiate, but the outcome was predictable—joining Konoha in an offensive against the Iwa Ninja was highly unlikely.

Most of the Kusagakure Ninja sought opportunities, not war.

With that mindset, they weren't reliable allies. In fact, Konoha had to worry about them switching sides mid-battle.

Jiraiya had been silent until now.

But after Inoichi finished speaking, he chimed in.

"I think the real issue isn't the Kusagakure Ninja. We already know where they stand, so there's no need to waste energy on them. The real concern is the Iwa Ninja."

"Agreed. The Iwa Ninja's retreat is likely due to Kyoichi wiping out four of their squads. They're probably gathering intelligence now."

Inoichi said.

There was no need to elaborate on how they were gathering intelligence—everyone knew.

The Kirigakure.

Selling information was nothing new for them.

So...

The plan remained largely unchanged.

But after some thought, Kyoichi spoke up.

"Hokage-sama, I'd like to attempt another infiltration—this time to assassinate their demolition squad leader."

"They're on guard now. If you go again..."

The Third Hokage frowned.

Too risky!

"Last time, I had to watch out for Shisui and the others. This time, I'll go alone. If it works, great. If not, I'll retreat. They won't be able to catch me anyway."

Kyoichi said.

With the Sword of the Thunder God, and without the burden of Asuma and the others, he wasn't afraid of the Iwa Ninja's numbers.

After all...

The Iwa Ninja might have numbers, but their attack styles were limited, and their speed was hardly impressive. They were like a bunch of heavily armored turtles—not something to fear.

Numbers alone weren't enough.

The room fell silent.

Since the Third Hokage hadn't spoken, no one else dared to comment.

But then—

Someone stepped forward.

"I'm going with you."

"Huh?"

Kyoichi turned in surprise to see Jiraiya. He then looked toward the Third Hokage with a strange expression.

"Aren't you supposed to be commanding the eastern battlefield?"

"Orochimaru and Minato are there. Nothing to worry about. As for the east, I doubt there's much to fear. With what's left of Kirigakure, they wouldn't dare attack us now."

Jiraiya said.

And he wasn't wrong.

He had already received reports from the Third Hokage. Although three members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had been released in the end, they were already broken in spirit.

Fight again?

With what?

The Kirigakure wasn't like Konoha. Internal conflicts among their clans were severe. The Third Mizukage was sick and losing power, while Yagura had suffered a defeat and hadn't yet solidified his authority.

Attack Konoha?

Jiraiya figured that even if Yagura had three times the courage, he wouldn't dare.

If anything, Yagura would likely turn his attention north—toward the Kumogakure.

Kumo's army was locked in a brutal fight with Konoha, leaving their rear vulnerable. The Kiri forces still had a chance against them.

If they lost again, Yagura could kiss his Fourth Mizukage ambitions goodbye.

But this battlefield was different.

The Iwa Ninja were tough.

The forces currently deployed were only a fraction of Iwagakure's full might. If Ōnoki acquired enough intel from Kirigakure, he would send far more reinforcements.

That's why Jiraiya wanted to go along.

Kyoichi considered for a moment, then nodded.

"With Jiraiya-sama, success is almost guaranteed. Let's move now."

"Be careful. I'll have Owl assist with extraction."

The Third Hokage had nothing else to add.

He was realizing how little control he had over the battlefield now. Even at the frontlines, he felt more like a symbolic figure—of course, that was just his own impression.

For everyone else, he was still highly respected.

Kyoichi and Jiraiya left the tent.

Asuma and the others saw them move out but remained silent. They knew that during the previous infiltration mission, they had only slowed Kyoichi down.

This time...

"Sensei left with Jiraiya-sama." Asuma muttered.

"We need to get stronger. Otherwise, we'll be useless in infiltration missions."

Shisui said, then turned to train.

Using the Sharingan last time had nearly drained his chakra.

Next time...

That wouldn't happen again!

...

"Your students are impressive—not like Minato's. Just thinking about them gives me a headache. Good thing his students weren't my responsibility."

Jiraiya grumbled.

Kakashi, huh?

Kyoichi chuckled. "What did they do this time?"

"Nothing too bad. Obito's finally following orders, so that's progress. The problem is Kakashi."

Jiraiya didn't elaborate.

But Kyoichi could guess—Kakashi was probably struggling with something again.

He shook his head, packed his things, and was about to leave when something crossed his mind.

The Telescope Jutsu.

As long as he remembered his target's chakra signature, this technique could be useful. He had gotten close enough to Gari earlier to imprint his chakra signature.

If he brought a crystal ball, it might work.

After weighing the idea, he said, "Wait a moment. I need to borrow a crystal ball from Hokage-sama."

"Why?"

Jiraiya blinked, then widened his eyes in shock.

"Wait... You—you—you figured out Sensei's secret technique?!"

"Ahem. I just thought it was useful in combat, so I studied it."

Kyoichi said.

"That's right! I think it's useful too! Hehehe, Kyoichi, forget borrowing—how about sharing that technique with me?"

Jiraiya grinned knowingly.

He reached into his pouch, unsealed a scroll, and pulled out a bunch of miscellaneous items—

Ink, brushes, paper... and after rummaging around—

A small crystal ball.

"Ahem, don't get me wrong. What I mean is, if I learn this technique, I could use it on the battlefield to monitor the situation at all times as a commander."

"Monitor the situation? Yeah, right. I'm not even going to bother calling you out on that one."

Kyoichi picked up the crystal.

Jiraiya really came prepared—he hadn't even learned the technique yet, but he already had all the necessary tools.

So it's "prepare the supplies before sending the troops," huh?

Classic.

Like master, like student.

Jiraiya trailed behind, trying to sweet-talk his way into learning the technique. He even offered to trade it for his Wild Lion's Mane Jutsu.

Unfortunately...

The Wild Lion's Mane Jutsu was something Kyoichi hadn't bothered studying yet, but with Needle Jizō as a foundation, mastering it wouldn't be difficult at all.

Seeing that his usual tricks wouldn't work, Jiraiya could only sigh in frustration.

Damn it!

Just a tiny little hobby...

But in the end...

It was just a passing thought.

Though he really wanted the Telescope Jutsu, the real priority was assassinating the Explosion Corps captain, Gari.

After listening to Kyoichi's description of Gari's abilities, Jiraiya immediately decided the man had to die.

Explosion Release...

Not a threat to them, but against ordinary Konoha shinobi, it was a devastating weapon.

"Jiraiya, this is a stealth operation. Even you have to follow my orders. Otherwise, I'll report to Tsunade that you've been sneaking off to peep at the bathhouse while she's not around."

"You! How dare you slander me out of nowhere!"

Jiraiya panicked.

Damn it...

When have I ever—

Okay, fine. Maybe he had done it.

But how could this brat go and tattle to Tsunade?

"Slander? You even tried to drag me along last time!"

"Bro, you're my big bro! I'll listen to you, you're the expert here. How could I not follow your lead?"

Jiraiya immediately surrendered.

If Tsunade only found out that he'd been peeping, at worst, he'd take a punch. But if she learned that he almost roped Kyoichi into it too, he'd probably end up in the hospital after the war.

"Ahem, Jiraiya-sama, I was only establishing command authority. No other meaning. Let's head to the Land of Earth first. Once we get there, I'll try using the Telescope Jutsu."

Kyoichi said calmly.

Jiraiya nodded.

However...

What he didn't know was that when Kyoichi had gone to retrieve his supplies, he had also left behind a Shadow Clone.

While the real Kyoichi and Jiraiya set off for the Land of Earth, the clone quietly slipped away, avoiding attention and traveling along the river using the Water Instantaneous Body Technique—its destination: Kusagakure.

It wasn't necessarily going to act immediately, but given the current situation in Kusagakure, the Uzumaki survivor there could be in danger at any moment.

If things turned critical, the clone might have to step in ahead of schedule—

Even if it was just a clone, against the Kusagakure ninja... it was more than enough.

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