Jiraiya looked at the Third Hokage with a grin. Despite the old man's flaws, he was still Jiraiya's esteemed teacher.
He had returned because the Umbrella Organization hadn't been particularly active lately—their focus was more on steady development.
Besides, Jiraiya had already risen to the rank of an Ace Pilot.
At the organization's base, his skill level was considered among the very best.
Jiraiya wasn't the most naturally gifted shinobi, but with sheer determination, he had achieved a level worthy of respect. That, in itself, was his form of talent. Some people never soared immediately, but given time, they could still reach great heights.
Inside his storage scroll now lay an aircraft gifted by the Umbrella Organization. As an Ace Pilot, Jiraiya was naturally set apart from others.
The scroll itself was also crafted by Umbrella. He didn't possess an advanced storage ring like the higher-ranking members, but Umbrella's modified scrolls were superior to standard ones—easier to use and capable of holding much more.
"Why have you returned now?"
The Third Hokage gently set aside the crystal ball on his desk.
Moments before Jiraiya arrived, Hiruzen had been observing the village through it, focusing on certain key areas. Such burdens were his alone to carry.
"I heard about the Chūnin Exams," Jiraiya said as he plopped onto a stool with a playful smile.
"Thought I'd come back and take a look."
He began to share stories from his travels over the past few years.
The shinobi world had changed. Of course, he never once mentioned the Umbrella Organization. Instead, he spoke at length about the Seven Colors Trading Company, which had become a rising power across the Five Great Nations.
"The world isn't as peaceful as it looks," Hiruzen said gravely. "Beneath the surface, undercurrents are stirring."
"This Seven Colors Trading Company is troublesome. At first, I thought Kirigakure was backing it, but the more we investigate, the more elusive it becomes. It's spread across every nation, and we still don't know its true origin."
The Third Hokage's expression hardened.
"They use their own secret communication methods, and the leadership grants authority to countless middlemen. Because of that, there are many who operate under their banner. Some have even grown wealthy, escaping poverty thanks to them. That makes it all the more difficult to track."
Trying to uproot such an organization would consume endless manpower and resources with little result.
Besides, many clans already had their own industries, some even working with the Seven Colors Trading Company. To Hiruzen, commerce was trivial.
True power came only from strength.
A fist was power.
And power was the fist.
Within the clans, only those considered unfit for battle were left to manage businesses.
Jiraiya felt a twinge of guilt. Umbrella forbade exposing its existence, yet within it, he had found a sense of belonging he hadn't felt in years.
He truly believed this organization could bring peace to the world.
Their ideology taught that revolution was never instant. Perhaps they would not see success themselves, but they could pave the way for those who came after.
It wasn't just empty rhetoric. Umbrella had principles, doctrine, and a vision that examined the shinobi world from every angle—war, economy, culture, and beyond.
The world could not be remade overnight. Reform would take time.
But it could offer hope to those who had none.
Not everyone would understand, but there would always be a few who realized this path was real.
"…It's quite impressive," Jiraiya muttered before abruptly shifting the subject.
"Anyway, I'm off to watch the Chūnin Exams."
He leapt out the window, leaving only the curtains swaying in his wake.
Hiruzen had wanted to ask him about Orochimaru, but hesitated. He thought he could ask later.
He didn't know this would be his last chance. If he had asked, he might have noticed inconsistencies in Jiraiya's words.
During the Chūnin Exams, Sasuke was the first to step into the arena. Unlike in the original timeline, where the Cursed Seal hindered him, this time he effortlessly overpowered his opponent.
Meanwhile, Naruto approached Neji.
"Neji, how are your preparations coming along?"
"Almost finished," Neji replied, his expression grave.
"I've already arranged for the branch family members to start leaving Konoha. In about a month, everything should be ready."
Most of the branch family had already defected. Those who remained were the few brainwashed by the main family; even their memories of contact with the others had been erased.
Some members had taken missions outside the village and planned never to return. The rest were waiting for the signal to leave when the plan began.
If too many left at once, suspicion would fall on them.
Careful arrangements had to be made to ensure their families could retreat safely.
This progress was thanks to Naruto. His mastery over Earth Release was becoming increasingly refined. Yamato could build houses with his Wood Release, and Naruto had discovered he could accomplish the same with Earth Release. With practice, he was already capable of incredible feats.
Evacuating Konoha under the cover of a small barrier would be no problem at all.
Naruto smiled with satisfaction. The Hyūga Clan had proven invaluable—perfect reconnaissance specialists who covered the organization's weaknesses. The few scouts they had sent out earlier were no longer enough for such a rapidly growing force.
Soon, the Konoha 12 began entering the arena one by one. To Naruto's surprise, Sakura and Ino once again fought to a draw.
Sakura's strength had grown by several times compared to the original timeline, yet she still ended up even with Ino. Naruto didn't think much of it. Perhaps in the past, Ino had been holding back, unwilling to embarrass her friend. As the heiress of the Yamanaka Clan, it wasn't shocking for her to have hidden depths.
Or maybe she had simply been working harder during this time.
Either way, it didn't concern him anymore.
When Neji faced off against Hinata, Naruto's eyes locked on him from the stands. Neji gave a wry smile. He knew all too well—if he struck Hinata too hard, Naruto wouldn't let him off so easily.
Not that Neji would do so anymore.
Their match quickly caught the audience's attention. Many sneered at Hinata's seemingly slow and cautious taijutsu, but they were soon silenced. To their shock, Hinata fought evenly with Neji—the Hyūga clan's genius.
Hinata understood what this meant. This wasn't just her battle; it was tied to the Hyūga Clan's reputation. Naruto often spoke to her about politics, and she had grown far more perceptive in such matters.
After a flurry of strikes, Hinata eventually conceded. But no one dared look down on her again. The strength displayed by both was already beyond that of an ordinary chūnin.
The subsequent battles passed quickly, leaving Naruto a little bored. His own fight ended cleanly and decisively.
With the preliminaries over, the finals were set for one month later. During that time, Naruto encountered someone he hadn't expected.
One of the Three Legendary Sannin—Jiraiya.
Jiraiya already knew Naruto's true identity. This time, he intended to take him as a student. The boy standing before him had grown strikingly similar to the Fourth Hokage—less carefree brightness, but with a sharper determination in his eyes.
Looking at him, Jiraiya thought, I have to guide this child… train him to inherit the Umbrella's ideals, with values strong enough to carry the future.
In Jiraiya's heart, the Umbrella ideology had already surpassed the Will of Fire.
But Naruto ignored him completely. With his current strength, he had no need for Jiraiya's instruction. He respected him, even admired him as a person, but involvement with him right now was best avoided.
What Naruto didn't realize was that Jiraiya had already joined the Umbrella Organization.
Over the next few days, their paths crossed again and again on Konoha's streets. Naruto could only sigh in exasperation. Jiraiya wasn't just watching him—he was practically pestering him.
...
TN:
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