Chapter 289: Jiraiya Gets Cucked
In his moment of satisfaction, a strange smile unknowingly crept onto Fire Release clone—Fugaku's face.
Hiruzen, noticing that strange smile, felt an odd chill in his heart. But Fugaku quickly returned to a calm expression and stated his agreement to deploy Uchiha personnel according to the provided battle list.
"Good. Then I'll leave the Kirigakure front to you, Fugaku."
Seeing Fugaku agree, Hiruzen smiled. Whatever discomfort that odd smile had caused was promptly forgotten.
"I won't fail you, Lord Hokage," Fugaku replied with a respectful bow.
The two then discussed Kirigakure front strategies and the specific areas Fugaku would be responsible for.
Once the discussion ended, Fugaku excused himself and left.
"Hiruzen… isn't this too risky?" Homura Mitokado asked the moment the door closed.
"Are you really sure about sending those Uchiha who oppose us to war?" Koharu Utatane echoed the concern.
Both of them had lived through Madara Uchiha's wars with the First Hokage. They knew better than anyone how dangerous a Mangekyō Sharingan user could be.
Their power was not something ordinary people could contend with.
If an Uchiha awakened the Mangekyō in this war—given their twisted personalities—it would put all of Konoha in danger.
"Don't worry," Hiruzen replied with a confident smile. "The Uchiha won't have the opportunity to awaken Mangekyō."
He had specifically curated the deployment list for the Uchiha.
Anyone with close bonds—siblings, spouses—had been separated. One would be sent to the front, while the other remained in the village.
That way, there would be no traumatic trigger from watching a loved one die before their eyes.
Based on years of studying the Second Hokage's notes on the Uchiha and their eyes, Hiruzen knew that merely hearing about a relative's death wasn't enough to awaken the Mangekyō.
Furthermore, Uchiha being sent to the Kirigakure front had been ordered to split up and never operate in the same unit.
This minimized emotional triggers that could awaken their eyes.
Plus, the Kirigakure front was ideal to counteract the illusionary powers of the Sharingan.
And let's not forget—Danzo was there too.
If any Uchiha did awaken the Mangekyō, Hiruzen trusted that Danzo would know exactly what to do.
Be it assassination or poison.
As the supreme commander of the Kirigakure front, Danzo would not let him down.
In truth, though sending the Uchiha into battle was a last resort… Hiruzen also saw it as a perfect chance to weaken them.
He smiled to himself at the thought.
…
In the blink of an eye, two days passed.
Early in the morning, a crowd had gathered at Konoha's main gate. Ninety percent were children under twelve—many were as young as five or six.
Their faces lit with excitement, completely unaware of war's brutality.
The jōnin present felt heavy-hearted.
Many of these children were their own sons and daughters.
Though filled with anxiety, all they could do now was give last-minute instructions on battlefield survival.
The rest would be up to the children themselves.
"Hey, Kakashi, do you think we can go with your dad, Lord Sakumo?"
Next to the ever-cool, silver-haired Kakashi, goggle-wearing Obito stared excitedly at the powerful figure with white hair emanating overwhelming presence—Lightning Release clone—Sakumo .
Others might criticize Sakumo for his infamous mission failure, but Obito admired him.
He failed because he chose to protect his comrades—there was nothing shameful about that.
If it were him, and Rin were in danger, Obito would make the same choice.
To him, Sakumo was a hero—even if his son was also his greatest rival.
"No idea. But I won't be placed on the same team as my father anyway," Kakashi replied, rolling his eyes.
"Why not?" Obito asked in confusion.
"Because Kakashi is Lord Sakumo's son," Rin answered helpfully.
"Huh…?" Obito still didn't get it.
"Ugh, you're so slow, Obito," Rin sighed. Her soft face serious, she explained, "Think about it. If you were the enemy and you knew Kakashi was Sakumo 's son, wouldn't you try to capture him and use him to threaten Lord Sakumo?"
Without hesitation, Obito answered, "Of course not."
Even if it were an enemy, he would never use someone's child as leverage. He would only fight face-to-face on the battlefield.
"…Sigh." Rin shook her head at his idealism and said no more.
Kakashi rolled his eyes again and looked away. No point in explaining the cruelty of war to someone so naïve.
"Sakumo!"
The call of his father's name snapped Kakashi's attention back.
From within the village gates, a well-endowed woman was rushing over at full speed, nearly bouncing out of her top as she shouted.
"That's Lady Tsunade—one of the Sannin, right?"
Kakashi frowned. Why did she sound so… familiar with his father?
Sakumo saw her and greeted her with a soft smile, walking toward her.
Tsunade grabbed his arm and pulled him into a corner. Kakashi's scalp tingled.
Wait… no way…
A sudden, dreadful feeling hit him. Being unusually mature for his age—and having seen Obito and Rin's open flirtations—he knew what this meant.
"Sakumo, this is a custom antidote I made for you," Tsunade said, handing him a scroll. "It works against most poisons used by Sand's puppet users. Even if it can't cure them, it will suppress the effects long enough for treatment."
Inside the scroll were fifteen vials of antidote—crafted the day before and sealed after an overnight effort.
"Thank you, Tsunade."
Sakumo accepted the scroll, his expression shifting from surprise to touched. As if overcome with emotion, he gently pulled her into a hug.
Seize the moment. Strike while the iron's hot.
Sakumo knew when the moment was right.
Tsunade froze. Her cheeks turned red, but she didn't push him away.
He had read the timing perfectly.
The two simply stood there, holding each other—one broad and powerful, the other warm and soft.
They thought no one noticed.
They were wrong.
Countless jaws dropped.
"It's over. Lord Jiraiya just got cucked!"
Everyone in Konoha knew Jiraiya had long held feelings for Tsunade. It was common knowledge. Many people even hoped they'd end up together someday.
After all, only another Sannin—another disciple of the Third—could be worthy of her.
But now… seeing the two embrace in the corner, everyone's heart collectively ached for Jiraiya.
Out fighting for the village, while the woman he loved fell into another man's arms.
That kind of betrayal could only be understood by those who'd lived it.
"Poor Lord Jiraiya…"
"But if it's Lord Sakumo, I guess Jiraiya's loss isn't so unfair."
While they sympathized, many also admitted that Sakumo 's reputation rivaled the Sannin. His name had once echoed across the Second Shinobi War battlefield.
He had been married and even had a son…
But that white hair, that face, that charm—he easily outclassed Jiraiya in looks.
So it made sense Tsunade would fall for him.
Who wouldn't want a strong, mature, handsome man?
"Still, it's a shame for Lord Jiraiya and his years of unrequited love."
The crowd sighed collectively.
"…I'm not the person Father loves the most anymore."
Kakashi stared blankly at the sight of his father embracing Lady Tsunade. A strange feeling of loss filled his chest.
But what could he do? It's not like he could object to the two being together.
(END CHAPTER)
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