The third stage of the Chunin Exams proceeded as scheduled, and as per tradition, the leader of Amegakure, Yahiko, arrived in Konoha to witness the event.
However, before entering the venue, he was summoned for a private meeting with the Hokage.
Inside a lounge at the Chunin Exams arena, Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato were all present.
"Lord Hokage, may I ask what this is about?"
"Mr. Yahiko, do you still remember what happened three years ago?" Makoto asked without preamble.
Three years ago?
Yahiko was momentarily stunned.
Many events had occurred in the past three years, especially within Amegakure.
But since the Hokage had brought it up, it was likely related to Konoha.
He hesitated before replying, "I would appreciate it if you could clarify, Lord Hokage."
Makoto spoke slowly, "Three years ago, Konoha gained two S-rank rogue ninja."
Yahiko's heart skipped a beat.
It's about Jiraiya-sensei again...
Konan and Nagato, standing nearby, also tensed up.
Makoto continued, "And the reason those two S-rank rogue ninja managed to escape Konoha was because they had an accomplice assisting in their escape."
Yahiko asked, "And who is this accomplice…?"
Makoto turned his gaze to Konan and Nagato, then suddenly smiled and said, "Miss Konan and Mr. Nagato met with her not long ago."
Tsunade!
Yahiko immediately understood.
He had already heard about this from Konan and Nagato after their return.
Steadying his mind, he said, "Apologies, Lord Hokage. Konan and Nagato were unaware of Lady Tsunade's situation when they interacted with her."
Makoto chuckled lightly. "Mr. Yahiko-san, don't misunderstand. I'm not here to hold anyone accountable. It's just that woman is full of lies. I'm simply concerned that Miss Konan and Mr. Nagato might be deceived by her."
Konan also spoke up, "Please rest assured, Lord Hokage. Tsunade did speak to us at the time, but we are very aware of our position and understand what we should and should not do."
Makoto took a few slow steps forward, coming close to Yahiko.
He reached out and patted him lightly on the shoulder, smiling warmly. "That's good to hear. I know that you three once had a teacher-student relationship with Jiraiya, but he is now a wanted criminal of Konoha. I trust Amegakure will prioritize the friendship between our two villages."
Yahiko's expression stiffened for a moment before he replied, "Of course! Please rest assured, Lord Hokage."
..............
After the Chunin Exams
On their return journey, the Ame ninja group traveled together, but Yahiko seemed uneasy the entire time.
"What's wrong?" Konan noticed his concern and asked.
Yahiko replied, "I have a bad feeling about this. Lady Tsunade might have been telling the truth—Hokage could really be planning to act against Jiraiya-sensei."
Konan asked anxiously, "Will Jiraiya-sensei be in danger?"
"If it were just the regular Anbu pursuing him, it wouldn't pose much of a threat to Jiraiya-sensei… But do you both remember Hyuga Hakumen?"
Yahiko furrowed his brows, deep in thought.
Why had the Hokage gone out of his way to warn them?
Was it to discourage them from interfering?
After contemplating for a long while, he finally let out a deep breath.
"I have to go see Jiraiya-sensei."
"We're coming too!" Konan and Nagato immediately said.
Since this concerned Jiraiya-sensei, they couldn't help but feel deeply worried.
Yahiko refused outright. "No, I have to go alone. You two need to stay in the village and lay low."
Nagato couldn't help but ask, "Why?"
"The Hokage went out of his way to warn us today. He might already suspect that we have connections with Jiraiya-sensei. If they discover our involvement, it'll only make things more troublesome."
Nagato said unhappily, "This is our own matter, and we are all Jiraiya-sensei's disciples. Does the Hokage think he can control even this?"
Yahiko sighed. "The rapid development of Amegakure over the years is at least half due to the support from Konoha and the Land of Fire. If we want to continue growing, we cannot sever ties with Konoha. The Hokage understands this well, so whatever he says goes."
After speaking, he reassured Konan and Nagato, "Don't worry, I will find a proper way to protect Jiraiya-sensei."
Konan and Nagato remained silent.
.............
In the Land of Birds, inside a tavern that wasn't particularly busy.
A figure suddenly took a seat across from Jiraiya, who was drinking alone.
Seeing the newcomer, Jiraiya grinned. "Long time no see, Yahiko."
"Jiraiya-sensei."
Yahiko took a seat and nodded slightly in greeting.
"How have you been?"
Jiraiya replied casually, "There's nothing good or bad about it. It's the same life as before."
Yahiko pondered for a moment before asking, "Has Konoha made any unusual moves against you recently?"
"The same as before—they keep trying to catch me, and they keep failing."
Jiraiya propped one hand against the table and poured a cup of sake for Yahiko as well.
"Don't worry, they won't catch me. I won't be taken so easily."
Saying this, he burst into hearty laughter.
"I am the Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku, the great and legendary Jiraiya!"
Seeing his master's optimistic attitude, Yahiko showed a helpless expression.
He then asked, "Are you not with Minato?"
Jiraiya took a sip of sake and said indifferently, "He has his own matters to attend to."
"I see."
Yahiko hesitated for a moment before saying, "You should still be extra careful in the near future. I have a feeling the Hokage might make a serious move against you. I can arrange a safe place for you to stay."
Jiraiya teased, "What's this? You're not afraid I'll drag you all down with me?"
Yahiko's face showed a mix of embarrassment and guilt. "I'm sorry, Jiraiya-sensei."
Jiraiya let out a long sigh before chuckling. "There's nothing to apologize for. I understand—Amegakure is your dream. I'm your teacher; how could I stand in your way? If that were the case, I'd rather let myself be taken back to Konoha."
Hearing these words, Yahiko's guilt deepened.
He fell silent for a moment before saying, "Please, at least think about what I said."
Jiraiya laughed. "Why is everyone suddenly so worried about me? Don't tell me Hyuga Makoto is coming after me himself?"
But the moment he finished speaking, his expression changed drastically, and the hand holding his cup tightened.
Yahiko's expression tensed. "Jiraiya-sensei?"
He hadn't noticed anything unusual, but seeing Jiraiya suddenly on high alert, he instinctively became wary.
Jiraiya's sharp gaze flickered, pausing on Yahiko for a moment.
"Speak of the devil… Yahiko, it looks like you've been followed."
Yahiko's pupils shrank. "The Hokage is here?!"
Jiraiya set his cup down. "No, not him… but still a familiar face."
Yahiko's gaze immediately snapped toward the entrance of the tavern—there, standing quietly, was a figure whose silhouette was eerily familiar.
His heartbeat skipped a beat.
He looked at Jiraiya again and gritted his teeth.
"Jiraiya-sensei, you need to leave now!"
Jiraiya gazed at Yahiko, his eyes deep and unreadable, before giving a slight nod.
He reached a hand into his robe—
Boom!
In an instant, his entire body transformed into a puff of white smoke, vanishing from his seat.
The tavern fell into a brief silence, broken only by the occasional murmurs of conversation in the background.
Yahiko took a deep breath, steadying himself.
Just as he stood up, his vision blurred for a moment—before he could react, the figure that had been standing at the entrance was now right in front of him.
"Hakumen, what a coincidence," Yahiko said, forcing a calm tone.
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