Chapter 425: Rōshi: "It's My Turn to Take the Stage"
"Uh…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked awkward.
He hadn't expected his little scheme to be seen through by Jiraiya so quickly, nor had he expected Jiraiya to give him no face at all.
Not even pretending to play dumb.
"Jiraiya, I can't betray Biwako…"
"You weren't saying that when you were spying on the women's bath with your crystal ball."
Jiraiya cut him off with a look of disdain.
"…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression grew even more awkward as he frantically searched for a way to wriggle out of this.
And he actually came up with one.
"Jiraiya, we need to stop Uchiha Madara's scheme without alerting him. That means we need a legitimate reason to separate them. So what about this—separated by life and death?"
"One is alive, the other is dead. They're fundamentally not the same kind of existence. Uchiha Madara might be satisfied with spiritual affection, but Granny Chiyo wouldn't be!"
"As the saying goes: at thirty, a woman is like a wolf; at forty, like a tiger; at fifty, unstoppable; at sixty, Universal Pull; at seventy, Planetary Devastation…"
"Didn't Granny Chiyo recently have rumours with Hatake Kakashi, saying she wanted him to give her a son? We can use that as our reason to stop Madara!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke righteously. After saying all that, he felt a bit relieved, inwardly praising his own quick thinking for coming up with such a perfect excuse on the spot.
He then added, "Since we're trying to stop this 'love between the living and the dead,' we must lead by example. As someone who is already dead, I naturally can't pursue Granny Chiyo."
"Besides, Jiraiya, you should know that Impure World Reincarnation isn't a big deal anymore. I've been thinking of having that traitorous disciple Orochimaru revive Biwako so we can enjoy life together again."
"At the same time, we can set a proper example—living people should be with the living, and the dead should stay with the dead. I can't betray Biwako at a time like this."
Sarutobi Hiruzen appealed with both emotion and logic, and for a moment, Jiraiya really couldn't refute him.
But he wasn't willing to just accept it like that.
Why should he be the only one going after an old lady?
"Old man, how about this—we work both in the open and in the shadows. You stay hidden and disguise yourself as Shimura Danzō, revived by Impure World Reincarnation. If I get restricted in what I can do out in the open, you can step in and use some… unconventional methods."
Jiraiya proposed.
"That doesn't sound very good… Not many people know about Danzō's death, and no one knows he didn't leave behind any cells, so disguising him isn't an issue, but…"
"Old man, if you keep trying to dodge this, I swear I'll slit my own throat and go to the afterlife. Then I'll have Orochimaru revive me. Worst case, I'll become a dead man too—then let's see who takes the lead!"
Jiraiya looked thoroughly displeased.
He had already compromised this much, and the Third Hokage still wanted to refuse.
"…Fine."
With no other choice, Sarutobi Hiruzen agreed.
Thinking about it, since he'd be using Danzō's appearance, as long as he was careful not to be exposed, any loss of reputation would fall on Danzō.
And did Danzō even have a reputation left to lose?
So it didn't matter.
After agreeing, Sarutobi Hiruzen used a Transformation Jutsu and took on Danzō's appearance.
As one half of the infamous duo "I scheme, you regret", the Third Hokage perfectly captured Danzō's expression and mannerisms.
"Alright! Old man, let's go! Heh, we'll go show Granny Chiyo what 'the Root of Darkness' really means."
As Jiraiya spoke, a lewd grin spread across his face.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression stiffened.
The way he said that… Why did it feel like the one in the "dark" was actually taking the lead?
But there was no time to worry about that now. They had to move quickly—any delay could cause problems.
Sarutobi Hiruzen created a shadow clone to inform the Second Hokage.
Then the two of them found the Flying Thunder Formation four-man squad and headed to the Sunagakure Village.
---
Kazekage's Office Building.
"May I ask where Granny Chiyo is?"
Jiraiya approached Gaara alone and asked for her location.
Then he turned and left.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, disguised as Danzō and hiding in the shadows, followed behind him.
---
At the same time.
Iwagakure Village.
A furious Rōshi had come knocking.
Rōshi was a man of strong emotions, with a fiery temper and no filter. Otherwise, he wouldn't have left the village after arguing with Ōnoki.
So upon learning that his image had been tarnished like this, he immediately sought them out.
Kurotsuchi naturally shifted the blame, claiming she knew nothing about it.
She also made it clear that she was now the Tsuchikage, not her grandfather Ōnoki.
As long as Rōshi was willing to return to the Iwagakure Village, she could grant him status and position.
She could even help him take revenge on Ōnoki.
Yes, that's right.
According to Kurotsuchi, it was Ōnoki who had sold Rōshi's image to unscrupulous advertisers.
Rōshi hadn't expected Ōnoki's granddaughter to help him. He was surprised—and curious.
Of course, he was also somewhat suspicious.
Then Kurotsuchi told him about how Ōnoki had gone to the Sunagakure Village to pursue Granny Chiyo and engage in a twilight romance.
Rōshi didn't believe it at all.
In his impression, Ōnoki was not that kind of person.
"Rōshi-senpai, my grandfather already has one foot in the grave, and he's stepped down as Tsuchikage. What he wants now is to make up for past regrets."
"This isn't really his usual style, but then again—was selling your image to advertisers his style? And yet he still did it."
"Right now, he's trying to fill the emptiness in his heart and make up for regrets. He's starting to let himself go."
"Senior Rōshi, let me explain. I understand your anger—your image has been ruined by my grandfather. But from another perspective, this might actually be a good thing. Hear me out first."
"Because you've endorsed… that kind of product, your image across the ninja world has become that of a 'macho man.' That gives you a natural advantage in this area. Didn't my grandfather treat Granny Chiyo as his 'white moonlight,' the love of his life?"
"Then you can use your powerful 'macho' image to swoop in and steal her away—make my grandfather lose his beloved and suffer unbearably! What do you think of that kind of revenge?"
The more Kurotsuchi spoke, the more excited she became.
"…"
After her relentless persuasion, Rōshi's simple-minded brain was finally convinced. He prepared to head to the Sunagakure Village.
At the same time, Kurotsuchi didn't forget the bigger picture. She asked Rōshi to make contact with the Kazekage, Gaara, who was also a Jinchūriki.
She informed him that mysterious individuals were attempting to seize the power of the Tailed Beasts, and that it was time for them to unite.
And just like that, Rōshi also arrived at the Sunagakure Village.
"As for matters concerning the Jinchūriki, I will discuss them with the Kazekage-dono after I've handled my business. For now, tell me—where is Granny Chiyo?"
The Kazekage's office welcomed yet another visitor asking for Granny Chiyo's whereabouts.
(End of this chapter)