Hiruzen persuaded me to die

Konoha Village – Village Square

A cluster of villagers stood in animated discussion, the air buzzing with excitement as tales from the front lines spread like wildfire.

"I heard Hyūga Naraku-sama crushed Cloud Shinobi's AB combo group! Just like that!"

"It was like watching the Fourth Hokage all over again—Minato reborn!"

"And that three-thousand-strong Cloud Shinobi assault team? Wiped out!"

"Good! Teach those Cloud fools Konoha's not to be messed with!"

A proud voice cut through the clamor.

"You're all behind! The latest report says Lord Naraku stood at Cloud Shinobi's gates, forcing them to open their barrier—then dared them to come out!"

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"What happened next?!"

The man dragged out the suspense before grinning.

"Then Lord Naraku unleashed a terrifying jutsu. He split two mountains and used one to smash into Cloud Village!"

The air froze. Everyone drew in a sharp breath.

He used a mountain… as a weapon?!

"Just how strong is Hyūga Naraku?!"

A White-Haired Man in a Red Cloak Approaches

"Excuse me," the man asked, eyes scanning the crowd. "This Naraku you're talking about… is he the one who led the expedition?"

The villagers turned. The man's long white hair, toad-patterned cloak, and deeply weathered face marked him unmistakably.

"Uncle, you just return from a long mission or something?" a young man asked, blinking. "You've never even heard of Naraku-sama?"

"Heh… Guess I've been gone too long," Jiraiya said, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

"Naraku-sama's a Hyūga genius," the youth said proudly. "He was chosen to lead the mission to confront Cloud Shinobi."

"He's easily on par with the Fourth Hokage—maybe even stronger!"

"With just two thousand shinobi, he held down Cloud Village itself. Their ninja didn't dare leave their barrier!"

"Could Sarutobi Hiruzen have done that?! That old fossil?"

Jiraiya's chuckle faded. His smile stiffened.

That… bad, huh?

Angry Voices Rose Around Him

"That damn Sarutobi—he was only good at targeting our own!"

"He forced Lord White Fang to take his own life!"

"Naraku-sama will end that traitor Sarutobi Hiruzen for good!"

Jiraiya's expression froze.

Wait… what did they just say?

Footsteps Approached

"Let me explain," said a broad-shouldered man as he stepped into the gathering.

Jiraiya's eyes widened.

"Uncle Akamichi Torifu?"

The former comrade of the Second Hokage, and Sarutobi Hiruzen's junior, nodded grimly.

Time Passed Slowly

Jiraiya stood like stone, his face pale as Torifu explained everything.

"The old man… defected?"

The words escaped Jiraiya's lips like a whisper.

He had returned to the village expecting to charge straight to the frontlines—but the war was already over. And in its place, something far worse had unfolded.

Akamichi Torifu Sighed

"It wasn't just Hiruzen."

"Danzo was publicly executed for illegally transplanting First Hokage cells, defiling his corpse, and countless other crimes. Naraku delivered justice."

Jiraiya blinked. He hated Danzo… but this?

Good riddance, he couldn't help but think.

"Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu have also been dismissed. They're rotting in Konoha's prison now."

"Only I remain… of the Second Hokage's disciples."

Jiraiya's Voice Trembled

"So the old man was impeached… because he tried to hand Naraku over to Cloud Shinobi?"

"Not just that," Torifu answered, tone heavy. "He ordered assassinations. Tried to forcibly replace the Hyūga clan head. All to silence Naraku."

"The final straw was the truth about the White Fang incident—it was all a scheme by Hiruzen."

Jiraiya clenched his fists.

"Kakashi's father…"

His heart twisted.

If this was true, then even a quiet death in prison would've been too kind.

But Still… That Was His Teacher

The man who once believed in him. Who gave him the Will of Fire.

And now… a traitor?

Torifu Continued

"Before Naraku set out, he entrusted me to manage village affairs."

"He also left you a message."

Jiraiya looked up, hollow-eyed.

"What is it?"

"He asked you to look after Fourth Hokage's son… Uzumaki Naruto."

Torifu's voice wavered with emotion.

"Naruto…" Jiraiya repeated softly.

Minato's child. Left alone in a broken system, while Hiruzen turned a blind eye.

A Resolve Rekindled

Jiraiya's gaze hardened, filled with quiet fire.

The village was no longer poisoned by old ideals. Those who had dragged it into darkness were gone.

And now, he had a new mission—to raise the son of the man he once called Hokage… and protect him.

"Alright," he said firmly.

"It's time I met Minato's boy."