Chapter 135 – Surrounding Pansi Cave and Preparing to Act
Itachi accepted Naruto and Sasuke from his Shadow Clone, then dispelled the jutsu.
As the clone's memories flowed back, a strange glint flickered in his eyes while he studied Naruto.
"Itachi-aniki, where are we going?" Naruto asked curiously.
"To a secret chamber," Itachi replied calmly. "We'll be there soon."
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Asakusa Old Street
Uchiha Sihu arrived swiftly with his squad, spotting Nara Shikaku waiting ahead.
"Apologies for the delay, Assistant Nara."
Behind Shikaku stood dozens of ninja, their presence filling the street. After both groups merged, the crowd thickened even more.
Sihu cast his gaze toward Pansi Cave. "How should we proceed? Do we strike now?"
Shikaku, thoughtful as always, gave a firm answer. "First, surround the cave. Evacuate everyone inside and in the surrounding district. No civilians can be allowed to get caught in this."
"Understood."
At Sihu's signal, the Jonin moved like shadows across the rooftops, encircling Pansi Cave. Every one of them knew their target: Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin. And there was the possibility that Jiraiya might intervene.
Once, they had all served under those two giants of the shinobi world. But that was in the past. Orochimaru was now a rogue, and if Jiraiya chose to stand at his side, then he too would be treated as an enemy.
Sihu realized why the evacuation had been delayed until now: moving too early might have alerted the Sannin. But with the cave fully surrounded, it was finally safe to act.
Even if Orochimaru and Jiraiya tried to slip out among the civilians, escape was impossible. Both had infiltrated Konoha unnoticed, bypassing its barrier. Allowing them to vanish again would only invite disaster.
If they dared another infiltration in the future, Konoha would be placed in an even weaker position. That risk could not be allowed.
Even if it meant endangering villagers, Orochimaru had to be caught here.
Thankfully, the evacuation proceeded smoothly. Civilians from the surrounding streets and within the cave were guided out in waves.
The first to emerge was Uchiha Ryoichi, carrying a message from the Great Elder. Behind him came the hostesses and workers of Pansi Cave, dressed in flamboyant attire that drew the unwilling stares of several Jonin.
Some muttered inwardly. The rumors about Pansi Cave's beauty weren't exaggerated—it was indeed the most popular establishment in Konoha.
Finally, when the last group of patrons fled, a tall figure stepped leisurely from the entrance.
Jiraiya.
He walked out without a hint of urgency, raising an eyebrow at the sight of the armed shinobi surrounding the district.
"Well, well…" He exhaled slowly, his eyes sweeping the encirclement, noting many familiar faces.
The Jonin who met his gaze couldn't hide the conflict in their eyes. Jiraiya smiled faintly and lifted a hand in casual greeting.
No one returned it.
Their movements stiffened, hands tightening into fists. None dared to answer.
Shikaku's words echoed in their minds: If Jiraiya sides with Orochimaru, he too must be eliminated.
To greet him now, under Shikaku's watchful eye, would be to invite suspicion. No veteran wanted that trouble.
"How dull," Jiraiya muttered, lowering his hand. His expression hardened as he faced Shikaku directly. "Shikaku—no, Assistant Nara. What's the meaning of this?"
He didn't need sensory jutsu to know. The sheer killing intent in the air made it obvious: nearly every ninja surrounding him was Jonin-level.
Shikaku's voice was steady, though heavy. "Jiraiya, I won't hide it from you. Circumstances have changed. We received news from Hokage-sama—Uchiha Fugaku has slain the Fourth Raikage."
"…What?" Jiraiya's eyes narrowed.
The Fourth Raikage… slain?
He had never faced A directly, but he'd read countless intelligence reports. Even Minato had once admitted the Raikage was a formidable opponent—someone not easily taken down.
Yet now Fugaku had killed him.
This wasn't just victory—it was a statement.
Jiraiya understood perfectly well what it meant. With this one act, Fugaku's position as the Fifth Hokage was unshakable. No Jonin in Konoha could deny his strength now. His prestige would surge beyond question.
Many of the shinobi gathered here had fought Cloud ninja on the Kumogakure front. They knew firsthand the terror of the Raikage.
And now, seeing the restless energy ripple among them, Jiraiya frowned deeply.
This was troublesome. Very troublesome.
"…Is Fugaku already returning in triumph?" he asked in a low voice.
He remembered Shikaku mentioning the Cloud incursion at Fire Country's border outpost, and Fugaku leading reinforcements. Now, with the Raikage slain, he must already be on his way back.
That meant this operation was not only to root out Orochimaru—but also to present results before Fugaku's arrival.
Jiraiya's desire to confront Fugaku wavered.
The Raikage's death proved Fugaku's strength. Stronger than A. Perhaps even the strongest among the Five Kage. As long as Fugaku stood at Konoha's head, the village had nothing to fear from outside threats.
And unlike his teacher, Fugaku led from the front. Jiraiya found himself, despite everything, respecting that.
Perhaps more than he had ever respected Hiruzen.
After all, if he had not grown disillusioned with his teacher, he would never have stayed away for so long.
His return now was for the village's stability—not for Sarutobi Hiruzen's memory.
He clenched his fists.
For the village. Always for the village. Anyone who threatened its peace was his enemy.
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