Chapter 68 – The Princess Becomes a Pirate, the Toad Leaves, the Snake Arrives
Unknowingly, the distance between the two sides shrank dramatically.
Hiashi had long since figured out Aike's intentions.
And silently approved.
The sect-main and branch-family conflict had haunted him for years.
Ever since his younger twin died in his place, Hiashi had tried countless times to abolish the cursed seal tradition.
Every attempt was shot down by the main-family elders.
Hanabi's talent practically guaranteed she would become clan head one day.
But Hiashi refused to let Hinata be sent to the branch family and branded with the caged-bird seal.
He had racked his brain for a solution and found none.
Then Aike appeared—an elegant way out.
"You're saying the Hyuga are getting very cozy with that group?"
Hokage Tower. Jiraiya's brows were knotted tight.
Honestly, he wanted nothing to do with the unfathomable five.
Word of Konoha's near-destruction was already leaking.
The other hidden villages would smell blood soon.
Another enemy of that caliber was the last thing they needed.
So the Hyuga clan's unusual behavior had his full attention.
Shikaku nodded gravely.
"For the past few days, Hyuga Neji has been their personal tour guide."
"And the clan head's eldest daughter is constantly with them. From what we've seen… they're getting along extremely well."
He paused before choosing the word "extremely well."
Extremely well…
Jiraiya didn't reply. He turned to the window and stared at the distant Hyuga compound.
After a long silence, he let out a tired sigh.
"I'll talk to Hiashi myself. But if we can turn them into allies instead of enemies… that's a win."
Shikaku nodded in full agreement.
"By the way, we found Tsunade."
"I'm leaving at noon to drag her back. The Hokage seat belongs on her head, not mine."
Jiraiya rubbed his temples again.
Two days of damage reports had come in.
Sarutobi, Koharu, Homura, and Danzo clans: effectively extinct, only scattered survivors.
Residential districts: two-thirds obliterated.
Civilian deaths: nearly half the population.
Hospitals heavily damaged, medical supplies and secret techniques stolen—treatment efficiency at rock bottom.
Even the ever-optimistic Jiraiya was stunned silent by the numbers.
Three shinobi world wars hadn't hurt Konoha this badly.
He hadn't slept in days, just endless paperwork and panic control.
So he pulled every favor to track Tsunade down.
Shikaku completely supported the plan—Tsunade, last of the Senju line, taking the hat would shut up any power-hungry fools and stabilize the village fastest.
That very noon,
after leaving the Hyuga compound, Jiraiya slipped out of the village in secret.
Only Shikaku—and Aike's group—noticed.
"He left? Earlier than I expected."
Aike munched on dango, teasing Hinata until her face was scarlet, while casually tracking Jiraiya's chakra signature.
"One last target left…"
Meanwhile,
using the Myoboku reverse-summoning network, Jiraiya quickly located Tsunade in Tanzaku Town's casino district.
After hours of pleading, several beatings, and promises to cover her massive debts, he finally convinced her to come home.
(Okay, mostly the debt part.)
While Jiraiya and Tsunade made their way back,
the third Sannin—who had
been watching from the shadows for days—finally stepped forward.
He appeared right in front of Aike.
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