Inside the Hokage Building, a sudden distortion in space flared, and Jiraiya's figure materialized in the corridor. His sudden appearance instantly alarmed the patrolling ninja, whose startled shouts echoed as they swiftly surrounded him in defensive formation.
Fortunately, Jiraiya's identity was unmistakable—his long white hair, red markings on his face, and flamboyant clothing were as iconic as ever. Moreover, word of his return had already preceded him, relayed from the front gate by messenger hawks.
The guards, realizing who stood before them, promptly halted their aggressive stance. Had they reacted any slower, their weapons might have been drawn against one of the Legendary Sannin.
"So this is the Hokage Building?" Jiraiya muttered, sweeping his gaze over the familiar interior. "Didn't expect to arrive here instantly… Seems like that kid's power is beyond anything I imagined."
He paid little attention to the salutes of the now-respectful guards. Instead, his mind weighed heavily with the implications of what had just happened. As the former mentor of the Fourth Hokage—Namikaze Minato—Jiraiya was no stranger to space-time ninjutsu. He deeply understood the complexity of the Flying Thunder God Technique.
But unlike Minato's method, which required specially marked seals, Yue had transported him across the village without even the briefest sign—no tag, no hand sign, no contact. Jiraiya hadn't had time to react, much less resist.
It was clear now: Uchiha Yue's mastery over space-time techniques might not only rival Minato's—it might surpass it.
Moreover, unlike Minato, whose combat prowess leaned heavily on the Flying Thunder God and Rasengan, Yue's abilities felt broader, deeper, and more layered, amplified further by his Mangekyō Sharingan. This thought cast a shadow over Jiraiya's usually carefree demeanor.
The words Yue had uttered just before sending him away echoed in his ears, heavy with unmistakable warning. For the first time in a long while, Jiraiya felt a creeping pressure he couldn't shake—an oppressive sense of power so immense that he couldn't even envision a viable counter.
"Jiraiya-sama," one of the guards finally spoke up again, a bit hesitant. "The Hokage has been seeking your audience ever since he learned of your return. Since you're already in the building, you should proceed to the Hokage's office."
Snapped from his thoughts, Jiraiya gave a small nod. "Yeah, got it. Carry on with your duties."
Without further delay, he climbed the stairs with practiced ease. The halls had not changed much. Within moments, he stood before the door of the Hokage's office.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
After a brief knock, he didn't wait for permission. He simply pushed the door open and walked in.
"Hm? Jiraiya? Through the door this time, not the window?" Sarutobi Hiruzen raised an eyebrow, momentarily caught off guard by his student's uncharacteristic approach. "That's rare."
"Don't get used to it," Jiraiya quipped, letting the door swing shut behind him. "I visited Uchiha Yue first. He's the one who warped me straight to the building—otherwise, I'd have taken my usual route."
At that, Hiruzen's casual demeanor shifted. His eyes sharpened behind his glasses. "You've already met Uchiha Yue? How did it go? And what do you mean by 'warped'?"
"Unfathomable," Jiraiya replied grimly. "Stronger than I expected—even more than what you mentioned in your last report."
"As for how I got here—it had to be a time-space jutsu, but not like Minato's. I didn't notice any Flying Thunder God marks, nor did I have any physical contact with him. He may have used a new application of his Mangekyō, or maybe he developed a different space-time method altogether."
Hiruzen's brow furrowed deeply. "Developing a new version of the Flying Thunder God in just over ten days? That's unlikely. Even with the Scroll of Seals in his possession, the jutsu requires complex formulas and precise chakra control. But if it's his eye technique… The Uchiha do possess unique space-time dojutsu—like Obito's Kamui."
"Exactly," Jiraiya nodded, arms folded. "It could be a Mangekyō ability unique to him. Whatever it is, it's terrifying. Might already surpass Minato in that field."
He paused, then added more solemnly, "Old man, are you sure you want to go down this road? You really think it's wise to force a confrontation with Yue and the Uchiha? Even with me on your side, the odds aren't in our favor."
"You should also know," he continued, "the other villages have surely caught wind of what's been happening in Konoha. If a full-scale conflict erupts here, they'll seize the opportunity. It could spark another Shinobi World War."
Jiraiya's voice, normally carefree and teasing, was now low and heavy with concern. His encounter with Yue—and his earlier talk with Uchiha Kuro Iron—had shaken him. Yue's overwhelming power and calm ruthlessness had cut through his optimism.
In Jiraiya's mind, peace was still attainable through dialogue. After all, if they could achieve the same goals without bloodshed, what was the point of fighting? He couldn't bear to see Konoha suffer again… or worse, become the catalyst for another global catastrophe.
"Hmph," Hiruzen finally said, exhaling sharply. "You're still the same naive idealist. After all the years you've spent traveling the world—seeing the wars, the betrayal, the cruelty—you still think peace comes from words?"
"Even if I wanted reconciliation," he continued, voice hardening, "do you think Uchiha Yue would allow it? If that were possible, he wouldn't have sent you away like that."
The disappointment in Hiruzen's eyes was evident. He had trained Jiraiya himself. He knew his student had always sought the "Child of Prophecy," the one who would bring peace to the ninja world.
But there was no time left for prophecy now.
The ambitions of the Uchiha Clan had already ignited. As Hokage, Hiruzen knew he was the first target—and with every step Yue took, the balance of the village shifted.
Now, more than ever, he needed resolve.
And to his eyes, Jiraiya's hesitation was no longer just idealism—it was a liability.
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