"Lord Soushu, recently Jiraiya's movements have seemed somewhat suspicious."
Uchiha Takahiro, head of the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation's intelligence system, delivered a new intelligence report and said, "Moreover, he appears to be maintaining unusually close contact with those Ronin."
"He hasn't made contact with the Ronin yet, has he?"
Hyuga Soushu asked casually.
Though Uchiha Takahiro had brought important intelligence, what Soushu held in his hand was still a medical examination report from a medical ninja—the most recent prenatal checkup results for Mahiru Uchiha.
To Hyuga Soushu, nothing mattered more at this moment than Mahiru-chan's health and the condition of his unborn child. Although Jiraiya was marked as a secret fugitive within the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation system, Soushu simply didn't have the mental space to focus on his movements right now.
"Not yet," Uchiha Takahiro replied immediately. "We've merely gathered some basic information by tracking the Ronin's movement patterns."
He continued, "Furthermore, the western region seems excessively negligent too. According to post-operation trajectory reconstruction, their patrols passed Jiraiya multiple times directly but completely failed to detect his presence or any signs of his activity."
Now, Uchiha Takahiro had fully pledged himself to Mahiru-chan and thus aligned his fate with Hyuga Soushu. Therefore, he felt no guilt whatsoever when criticizing his own clansmen.
Besides, as head of intelligence, he had every reason to be furious—how could the Uchiha stationed in the west grow so lax in such a short time? It's fair to say the Uchiha really weren't built for long periods of peace!
"For now, ignore them."
Soushu responded absentmindedly, all his attention fixed on the medical report.
In about a month, Mahiru Uchiha would reach her due date.
Although medical ninjutsu in the ninja world had developed unevenly and lacked equipment like X-ray technology, after physical examinations by medical ninja combined with accumulated experience, certain prenatal patterns had been identified.
The medical report submitted by the medical ninja mentioned one particular issue—Mahiru's unborn child possessed unusually strong vitality. The baby passively absorbed nutrients directly from the mother's body, causing Mahiru noticeable physical discomfort.
The medical team's recommendation was straightforward: increase intake of high-energy foods to support the baby's nutritional needs.
Frankly, this medical report got Soushu thinking.
He had lived two lives yet becoming a father was something entirely new to him—well, aside from being playfully called "Papa" at night, which definitely didn't count.
Therefore, none of his memories from his previous life could guide him here—he truly lacked any experience in this realm.
After reading and re-reading the medical report, Soushu finally set it aside and picked up the intelligence file from Uchiha Takahiro.
"Jiraiya… Mount Myoboku…"
Soushu murmured thoughtfully before asking, "Has Orochimaru shown any abnormalities lately?"
"He hasn't."
Takahiro Uchiha felt somewhat surprised but quickly retrieved the relevant intelligence from his mind: "He hasn't left the laboratory area since entering. Also, the Uzumaki Ninja we dispatched there to assist with experiments have recently expressed complaints due to excessive workload."
"Just assign more personnel for shift rotations," replied Hyuga Soushu without objection.
After all, Orochimaru's research achievements were shared with him, and those Uzumaki and Hyuga Ninja assigned there were full-time ninjas supported by him. Thus enduring hardship was considered a form of blessing bestowed upon them.
"Oh right, recent priority must focus on eliminating abnormal creatures around the lab."
Suddenly inspired, Hyuga Soushu continued instructing: "Whether they're snakes, frogs or Summoned Slugs—even ants—none of them should be allowed near the controlled perimeter of the laboratory!"
"At once!" Takahiro Uchiha responded promptly.
Currently within Orochimaru's laboratory, surveillance and covert learning were handled by ninja dispatched from both the Uzumaki and Hyuga clans. Although their abilities varied greatly, their loyalty was unquestionable—they belonged to the core elite under the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation and were also Soushu Hyuga's most trusted subordinates.
As for performing external defense duties, they were carried out by shinobi from two prestigious dojutsu clans—the Uchiha and the Hyuga. With dual scanning provided by Sharingan and Byakugan, theoretically nothing within the ninja world could escape their notice.
Moreover, a sealing barrier had cut off potential space-time summoning techniques, making the laboratory virtually impregnable and impossible to infiltrate.
"In that case, let's conclude here," said Hyuga Soushu as he set aside the intelligence file. "Concerning Jiraiya, just keep track of his list of associates temporarily without exposing ourselves. However, prepare at all times to close the net [capture the target] when needed!"
"Understood!" Takahiro Uchiha deeply bowed.
Only after confirming there were no further instructions did he slowly back away and leave.
Supported by Lord Minamoto, the former Fire Daimyo who had since reclaimed his original family name, Jiraiya's Dawn Organization had grown even more smoothly than expected.
It was precisely because the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation had let the horses graze on Nanshan mountain (a metaphor for relaxing military readiness during peacetime) that Jiraiya could move through the regions unchecked, as if they were his own private domain.
Although initially suspecting this might be an intentional ploy by the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation to play a long game fishing for bigger catches, multiple rounds of probing eventually convinced him otherwise—not out of any deliberate lenience—but simply because patrol teams sent out by the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation were too weak!
More importantly, being an economic and military organization integrated together, bound by bloodlines defining hierarchy and relationships, these ninja factions lacked capabilities to cultivate high-quality ninja externally.
In other words, they had no real interest in pursuing such development either.
Therefore, those patrol shinobi dispatched outward naturally possessed only low-level strength as mere genin. Under these circumstances, detecting Jiraiya would be practically impossible unless something truly bizarre happened—like Jiraiya suddenly losing his senses.
Therefore, the intelligence network established by Jiraiya—who roamed freely as if in an uninhabited land—quickly expanded to cover the eastern region of the former Land of Fire, currently under the control of Hizashi Hyuga.
While pleased with his success, Jiraiya couldn't help but look down on the Root Division even more.
According to Tatsuma Aburame, the Root Division had gradually reduced its operational territory due to repeated attacks and assassinations from the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation, forcing them to shrink their reach out of necessity.
Yet after experiencing it firsthand, Jiraiya found that the so-called all-encompassing net described by Tatsuma wasn't all that impressive. It was nowhere near as tightly woven or effective as he'd been led to believe.
Thus, his contempt for the Root Division only deepened. "With pests like the Root Division around, no wonder the Great Ninja World War was such a struggle!"
Unaware of the full reality, Jiraiya began boasting, "If my teacher had left all the intelligence work to me back then, maybe the Great Ninja World War wouldn't have dragged on for so many years!"
Standing quietly beside him, Tatsuma watched Jiraiya as if he were a fool.
After all, anyone who believed they could independently build an organizational framework—spending large amounts of money in the process—yet still end up with something as weak, slow, and inefficient as Dawn would naturally seem ridiculous to members of the Root Division.
Such work, involving only expenditure without any return, was simply not something the Root Division would ever do unless completely insane!
Considering both sides were still in a cooperative phase, Tatsuma held his tongue and allowed Jiraiya to rant about the Root Division from head to toe.
Besides, the Root Division itself was slowly spreading its tendrils outward through the so-called Dawn organization. In this case, it was better not to interfere with the convenient scapegoat who felt so good about himself.
"Huh?"
Just as Jiraiya was busy boasting, he suddenly sensed an unusual chakra surge.
It was the mark of the reverse Summoning Technique practiced by Mount Myoboku.
"I'll be right back!"
Without another word, Jiraiya vanished instantly in response to the summons.
"A fool controlled by monsters!"
Only after confirming that Jiraiya had completely disappeared did Tatsuma mutter these words between clenched teeth.
Ninjas stood above all non-human beings—an article of faith long upheld by members of the Root Division.
Upon arriving at Mount Myoboku, Jiraiya followed Senior Fukasaku's guidance straight to the palace of the Great Toad Sage, just as before.
Along the way, he saw rows upon rows of Ninja Frogs undergoing formation training.
This was one of the changes Mount Myoboku had implemented after the battle with the Land of Water—a bitter but necessary lesson learned.
Although individual Ninja Frogs were stronger than human ninja, when required to fight in formations, their natural recklessness and lack of discipline became glaring weaknesses.
So, when facing large-scale ninja forces using Combined Ninjutsu and launching Ninja Tools Barrages, the numerous yet undisciplined frogs—who focused solely on solo combat—inevitably found themselves at a disadvantage.
So, compared to the usual ninja army organization and training methods seen in the Ninja World, Mount Myoboku was clearly behind. And until their training improved, they wouldn't recklessly send their valuable Ninja Frogs into the bloodbath of the Ninja World.
That's why Jiraiya had so much free time to travel across the Ninja World, even wasting cash setting up a big but useless organization. It was simply because the Holy Place was still in its adjustment phase and hadn't yet trained enough strong Ninja Frogs for an attack on the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation.
But this time, while waiting outside the Senior Toad Sage's private chambers to report in, Jiraiya caught a strange sweetish scent in the air.
"This is…"
Jiraiya hesitated.
The smell seemed to be a mix of bloodstained aura and some kind of special poison gas — something completely foreign to the sacred and pure Mount Myoboku.
"Say nothing for now."
Senior Fukasaku shook his head. "You'll find out soon enough once we go inside."
Jiraiya nodded, temporarily suppressing his inner doubts.
After ten minutes of waiting, the chamber doors swung open on their own. Led by Senior Fukasaku, Jiraiya stepped inside.
"Hail Great Sage!"
As he entered the main hall, Jiraiya immediately bowed respectfully.
Before him, aside from the ever frail-looking Senior Toad Sage, stood a seemingly frail old woman on the left side.
The source of that sweetish scent was indeed radiating continuously from this old woman!
Jiraiya's eyelid twitched violently; his suspicions grew heavier.
"Has Orochimaru contacted you recently?"
Her voice sounded like two iron plates scraping together — sharp and grating.
Jiraiya hesitated for a moment, but instead of answering directly, he glanced at the drowsy-looking Senior Toad Sage.
"Just tell us. It'll be fine," Senior Fukasaku reminded him.
"He hasn't," Jiraiya replied promptly. "Since Orochimaru left the village, I've heard absolutely nothing from him."
"Is that so?"
The old woman's tone grew even shriller, irritating those who listened:
[Ryuchi Cave!] [Chijinkai!] Indeed, she carries herself with great presence!
Jiraiya instantly picked up on these two key terms.
With that, he became even more certain about his initial suspicion — this old woman could only be the White Snake Sage Master from Ryuchi Cave!
Though Jiraiya couldn't tell if the visiting White Snake Sage Master was really here or just a clone, knowing who she was already gave him the chills.
Was it finally time for true collaboration between the two Holy Places?
At this moment, Jiraiya couldn't help but think of Tsunade, who had remained inactive at Konoha's gates for so long.
If they could bring in Shikkotsu Forest, which was bonded with Tsunade, then all Three Sacred Places of the Ninja World would unite as one — the odds of victory would skyrocket!
Gulp!
Jiraiya swallowed hard, pushing aside the chaotic thoughts swirling in his mind.
"My boy… Jiraiya."
The Senior Toad Sage spoke slowly: "The responsibility upon your shoulders grows ever heavier."
"This is the Holy Place's trust in me, and my honor as well."
Jiraiya bowed respectfully. "It's nothing compared to the future of the Ninja World."
"Hm." Senior Toad Sage slowly nodded, then fell into silence.
Jiraiya remained in a bowing posture, continuing to wait for Senior Toad Sage's instructions.
However, after waiting for three or four minutes, all he heard was a faint snore.
"Great Sage!"
With a sigh, Senior Fukasaku raised his voice to rouse Senior Toad Sage, who had dozed off unexpectedly.
Senior Toad Sage then continued speaking, "Ryuchi Cave has begun preparing to intervene in the Ninja World, but progress is stalled—we've lost contact with Orochimaru for now."
Jiraiya continued waiting for clear instructions.
"You established an organization on the surface. Then assist Ryuchi Cave accordingly. They will require support within the Ninja World."
Senior Toad Sage said slowly.
"As you command."
Even if he wasn't thrilled, Jiraiya still agreed.
"Hmph!"
The White Snake Sage clapped his hands, and smoke immediately rose around him.
A young woman emerged from the smoke and bowed deeply to both sages.
Jiraiya was instantly taken aback with wide-eyed surprise.
Tamayu, one of the Sanjinki—the Three Goddesses of Ryuchi Cave—and ranking equally with us, Senior Fukasaku answered Jiraiya's unspoken question.
"Hiss!" Jiraiya drew in a sharp breath through his teeth.
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