Chapter 229. Konoha... Is it Still There?
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"…"
After hearing about everything that had happened in Konoha recently, Jiraiya's eyelids twitched, the corner of his mouth tightened, and his whole face twisted in discomfort. He didn't even know what to say or how to respond.
He clutched his chest, bitterly raised his head, and looked at Yuto. "Konoha… is it still there?"
"Why are you asking that?" Yuto gave Jiraiya a strange look, then nodded. "We just held the Mahjong God Cup a while ago! Tsunade-sama even participated. And the new movie that the Third Hokage and the others filmed should be releasing soon. The village is doing great—thriving, even!"
"Really? That's good, that's good!" Jiraiya patted his chest, letting out a sigh of relief. He shook his head helplessly and sighed with emotion. "I can't believe so much happened in just the few days I've been gone."
He had thought that something catastrophic had happened to the village and that's why the old man hadn't sent him any messages. But… it was just about filming a movie?!
The Third Hokage embezzling funds, Konoha's Advisor involved in bribery and corruption, the Fourth Hokage's trip to the red-light district being reported, and his close friend… attacking fellow villagers over money… The entire Konoha leadership had fallen!
No wonder—
After hearing what Yuto said, it was only natural for him to think Konoha was gone!
Otherwise—
Why else would he, one of the Legendary Sannin, have received no news about such major events?
You know, when he was traveling, the old man would always find a way to get in touch with him every few days, urging him to come back. But this time… so much time had passed, and he was only now learning about it from Yuto.
What the hell is going on?!
The old man could've at least sent a message before filming the movie so he could've taken the chance to gather information on Orochimaru.
"Forget it. As long as Konoha's fine, I'm relieved. What about Tsunade?" Jiraiya returned to his usual cheerful expression and looked at Yuto. "Is she still in the village?"
"Nope~ She left after the tournament." Yuto sighed with a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "It was… intense. Even thinking about it now gives me a stomachache."
"???" x2
Jiraiya and Hyuga Hanabi both looked at him in confusion.
It was just a mahjong match, right?
Could it possibly kill someone?
However—
"You can check it online if you're curious. There's a full recording of the match." Yuto didn't seem interested in explaining further. He shook his head, then turned to Jiraiya. "By the way, when are you planning to go back to the village?"
"Go back?" Jiraiya shook his head with a helpless smile. "Since the village is fine, I don't plan on going back."
He sighed bitterly. "And Orochimaru…" A wry smile spread across his face. "I can't believe he's fallen so low. Just for a measly one… cough, cough, I mean, one billion isn't exactly a small sum. Even after writing for so many years, I haven't saved up that much." He cleared his throat righteously. "But still, how could he attack his fellow villagers?!"
"I see."
Yuto had originally intended to ask Jiraiya about Orochimaru's situation. But from the way Jiraiya spoke, it was clear that he had been traveling in some remote area recently and hadn't received any news from Konoha. In that case, Jiraiya probably had no idea where Orochimaru was either, so asking would be pointless.
But if Jiraiya planned to search for Orochimaru—
That would save him the trouble of doing it himself.
However—
Yuto pondered for a moment and said, "Minato seems to be looking for you. The village tracked you down to Amegakure and has already sent ninjas to find you."
"Who?" Jiraiya's eyes widened in surprise. "Why are they looking for me? Don't tell me the village really is in trouble?"
"It's probably Kushina…" Yuto hadn't even finished speaking when three figures walked through the door.
After they arrived at the milk tea shop, he had already sent someone to inform them upon Jiraiya's arrival—the timing was perfect.
"Well, they're here now. You can just ask them yourself."
…
"You're from Konoha?" Hyuga Hanabi frowned as she looked at Yuto. "Where exactly did you save me that day?"
At this moment—
The more she thought about it, the more confused she became.
This illusion was just too strange. What exactly was it based on?
Although, overall, no tragedies seemed to have occurred… the fact that Konoha's leadership had fallen so far and Orochimaru defecting from the village for money…
Who could have imagined this!!!
The only thing to be thankful for was probably that Jiraiya-sama still seemed relatively normal~
That's why she felt even more confused and even more lost about this world.
"Where did I save you?" Yuto seemed to think for a moment. "In the Land of Wind. That place is full of sandstorms and strange, corroded ruins. I happened to have some business there, so I went to the Land of Wind. Then, on the road, I saw you lying there—so I saved you!"
"I see…"
Is it because of these eyes?
Hyuga Hanabi pondered for a moment. Judging from what Jiraiya said earlier, it seemed like Yuto had some unusual connection with the Hyuga clan. So maybe… he saved her because of these eyes.
But—
Recalling what she heard before going to the internet café… Could it be that Yuto-san really knows something?
[Looks like I'll have to visit Konoha after all.]
But Konoha… Just thinking about the information she had found earlier made the corner of her mouth twitch.
She sighed helplessly.
[I just hope I don't run into any more weird stuff when I get there.]
At that moment—
The four people who had been discussing things in the milk tea shop walked out.
"Hehe~" Jiraiya chuckled. His face was filled with emotion as he casually threw an arm around Yuto's shoulder. "I didn't expect Minato to be having a child. Looks like I really do have to make a trip back to Konoha."
After all, no matter what, he was Minato's teacher. And since Minato was an orphan, how could he, as Minato's elder, just leave after hearing this kind of news and pretend he didn't know?
Besides… it wouldn't hurt to delay his travels a bit.
After saying that, Jiraiya's eyes flicked briefly toward the Hyuga girl standing beside Yuto. His brow twitched for a moment.
To be honest, he had already found it strange earlier.
That clear Byakugan and her extraordinary presence—this girl was clearly no ordinary person. She looked like she came from the Hyuga main family.
But—
As far as Jiraiya remembered… there was no such girl in the Hyuga main family.
[Forget it. It's none of my business. Even if Yuto likes white eyes, that's his private matter.]
Still—
Thinking about what had happened with Minato… As Konoha's senior, a handsome man who had roamed countless flower fields without ever getting caught, he figured it was his duty to pass on some wisdom to the younger generation.
Jiraiya patted Yuto's shoulder. "Be careful, okay? Don't get caught! If you want, I could teach you a few tricks for covering your scent later."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Yuto rolled his eyes at Jiraiya's knowing look—the kind that said, "I've been there, too."
Then, he turned his head with a gentle smile toward Obito, who had already taken off his mask. He had probably taken it off because he got hit by a few kunai earlier and was worried about being misunderstood again.
"Since I'm here…"
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