Night in Konoha's commercial district, bustling and vibrant.
In a newly opened Izakaya, Jiraiya was bored, drinking by himself.
He knew Orochimaru must be conducting a deep investigation at the Shimura Clan.
Tsunade had run off somewhere, so even if he wanted to drink, he couldn't find anyone to accompany him.
The newly opened Izakaya was well-decorated, featuring unique, soft-cushioned booths and a very retro wooden bar.
The entire hall had many four-person open dining areas, which were about two-thirds full.
A group of people were chatting noisily about different topics.
But the conversation at one table caught Jiraiya's attention.
"Did you hear? The Uchiha Clan wiped out the Shimura Clan." The speaker lowered their voice, sounding mysterious.
The friend drinking with him was unimpressed. "Don't spout nonsense. I just read the Konoha Evening News; the SandaimeHokage issued a Hokage order. It was to investigate Danzo's criminal activities, and the Shimura Clan was supposed to cooperate. They suddenly attacked the investigation team, which was clearly an act of rebellion against the Village, so they were almost wiped out."
"Tch, do you think the newspaper is as accurate as my information?"
This piqued the curiosity of his drinking buddy. "What? You have inside information?"
"Of course. My younger brother's wife's second sister's husband participated in the investigation mission. They all said the Shimura Clan was arrogant and domineering this time, which made the Uchiha Clan head very angry, so he directly ordered the Konoha Military Police ForceNinjas to storm the Shimura Clan compound. It's said that over a hundred Uchiha Ninjas participated in the battle."
"Is it that exaggerated? According to you, the newspaper is lying?"
The person leaking the information took a drink with satisfaction. "It's not that the newspaper is lying. If you look closely at the newspaper, the content is similar to what I said. But it attributes all the credit for taking down the Shimura Clan to the Anbu. I suspect the Uchiha Ninjas killed too ruthlessly this time, so they didn't dare release the news."
"Is it that terrifying? Usually, I see those Uchiha in the Konoha Military Police Force, and while they are a bit serious, they don't just kill people at the drop of a hat."
The guy chatting about inside information shook his head in disdain.
"Tch, you really don't understand anything. The Uchiha Ninjas are the Konoha Military Police Force. Do you understand what the Konoha Military Police Force does? They are officials, and they catch thieves. If you haven't committed a crime, why would they kill you? You can ask your relatives who are Ninjas; just ask them how terrifying the Uchiha are on the battlefield."
"But the Shimura Clan is, after all, a major clan in Konoha, one of the best..."
Hearing this, Jiraiya tilted his head back and finished his drink in one gulp. He felt he needed to have a talk with Uchiha Fucheng.
Since returning from Stardew Valley, he had been very worried that Nagato's Rinnegan was some kind of "special layout" by the Uchiha Clan.
Nagato's Rinnegan confirmed the Toad Sage's prophecy, and he didn't want to let anyone else take charge of nurturing this "Child of Prophecy"!
Jiraiya's visit was a probe, but also an act of sincerity.
He made his true thoughts clear to Uchiha Fucheng.
Jiraiya got straight to the point.
They chatted about Stardew Valley first, then directly discussed the three: Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan.
Facing Jiraiya's request to take them as apprentices, Uchiha Fucheng frankly stated, "I do not restrict the development of orphans. As long as you are willing to take them as apprentices, I am very happy to facilitate this."
Moreover, Fucheng assured Jiraiya that the Uchiha would not restrict the three children's freedom to take on a master, now or in the future.
Fucheng set up a smokescreen, diverting the topic. "I know Nagato possesses the Bloodline Limit of the Uzumaki Clan; this can be easily seen from his mother's Uzumaki heritage. Jiraiya-sama, there is no need to overthink it. It is just some UzumakiBloodline Limit; the Uchiha will not interfere with Nagato's choice."
Fucheng's attitude served as a reassurance for Jiraiya.
Jiraiya thought to himself, "Only the Uzumaki heritage? That's true. Nagato should have just awakened the Rinnegan. Nagato himself doesn't even know of the Rinnegan's existence; Fucheng seems to be unaware of the inside story."
This deliberately feigned ignorance by Fucheng made Jiraiya relax quite a bit.
He had previously worried that Uchiha Fucheng knew about the Rinnegan long ago and that the Uchiha Clan might have designs on this special bloodline that once belonged to the Six Paths Sage.
Currently, it seemed the Uchiha Clan head had far more magnanimity than he had imagined.
Fucheng intentionally guided the topic. "Jiraiya-sama, as for you, returning to Konoha this time, you are likely here to replace Danzo and become Konoha's fifth Advisor, right?"
Jiraiya shook his head with a smile. "Even Orochimaru doesn't want to be an Advisor, so why would I? Hiruzen Sarutobi-sensei did want me to take over as the Jonin Commander and concurrent Anbu Captain in the Village, but I have more important things to do."
Fucheng looked at Jiraiya and smiled as he brought out a stack of large-denomination banknotes.
Just by looking at the face value, one could tell that this cash amounted to over ten million Ryo.
"Jiraiya-sama, after all, the three of them—Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan—are still members of my Uchiha Clan. I cannot be too stingy with their apprenticeship to you. Consider this money a gift for taking them as apprentices, a token of my gratitude to you, Jiraiya-sama."
Jiraiya shook his head.
Just as he was about to refuse, Uchiha Fucheng pushed it back to him.
"Jiraiya-sama, please do not refuse. If you are not taking on Ninja missions these next few years, you will need some appropriate compensation for your income. My Uchiha Clan is not short on this bit of money. I mean, if it is convenient for you, I would be very grateful if you could find the time to give some public Ninjutsu classes to the other orphans in Stardew Valley to broaden their horizons."
Although this was a bit of flattery towards Jiraiya, the attitude was very sincere.
Jiraiya helplessly retracted the hand he had used to push the money away.
Jiraiya's visit made Uchiha Fucheng realize the importance of the "person of destiny" to Jiraiya.
"Could the [Child of Prophecy] mentioned by the Toad Sage, the one who can change the Ninja World, not be Naruto?" Uchiha Fucheng pondered to himself.
He highly suspected that his own appearance had caused the Toad Sage's prophecy dream to be influenced and deviate.
A notification suddenly appeared!
Uchiha Fucheng was immediately alert.
[Change the fate of Samui]
"Samui? Isn't that the blonde 'big-chested' female Cloud Ninja from the Land of Lightning? Did something happen over in the Land of Lightning?"
Uchiha Fucheng quickly ruled out several possibilities.
Finally, he focused his gaze on Uchiha Kagami's team.
First, the name Samui appearing in the notification meant that a Ninja from the Land of Lightning had interacted with the Ninjas under his command.
Second, the current mission involving the Land of Lightning was only being handled by Uchiha Kagami and Uchiha Shinji's group, who would come into contact with Cloud Ninjas. They were dealing with the Chinoike Clan in the Land of Lightning, and there must be Cloud Ninjas around the nobles.
Third, perhaps some of their mission actions accidentally affected some relatives of this Ninja named Samui.
"The Land of Lightning, interesting!"
Originally, he had said he would leave everything to Uchiha Kagami and his son, but since there was a notification, Uchiha Fucheng didn't hesitate. He might as well go to the Land of Lightning, his favorite place for causing trouble, and wander around as he pleased.
He thought he might as well cause some more trouble for those Cloud Ninjas.
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