In the Third Hokage's office.

"Konoha's Scarlet Yu infiltrated the Land of Earth and engaged in battle with the Third Tsuchikage Onoki of Both Scales and hundreds of Iwa shinobi?"

"Konoha has dispatched multiple espionage ninjas to infiltrate Iwagakure for years to gather intelligence, and the other four major nations of the shinobi world are on high alert?"

Looking at the latest information brought by a young genin on the desk, filled with recent news and happenings in the ninja world, the Third couldn't help but furrow his brows deeply. "That brat really doesn't give these old bones of mine any peace..."

"However, the matter of dispatching espionage ninjas to infiltrate Iwagakure for intelligence gathering, that must have been done behind my back by that guy, Danzo, right?"

Paying attention to the recent events that have caused a stir in the ninja world, the Third pretended to ponder for a moment, but in his heart, he immediately grasped the general situation.

"Scarlet Yu... that's Yakushi Yu, the little devil, right?"

"Speaking of which, old man, it's been so long, and I still haven't met this new disciple you've taken in!"

At this moment, another deep voice resonated in the Hokage's office. Besides the Third, there was another man present.

With long white hair cascading like a hedgehog's spines down to his waist, he was exceptionally tall, estimated to be over six feet three inches. Instead of the standard Konoha ninja forehead protector, he wore a frog-shaped headband engraved with the character '油' (oil). Beneath his eyes were marks resembling red tear stains. He wore a tea-colored ninja outfit with a red overcoat. Rather than the typical ninja sandals, he casually wore a pair of wooden clogs with red soles.

Although his demeanor appeared wild and unrestrained, the aura emanating from him involuntarily revealed that he was at least a Kage-level ninja.

"In these past few years, while I've been traveling and gathering material, I've often heard stories about that little devil."

Leaning casually against the nearby wall, the tall man with white hair showed interest as he rubbed his chin. "For someone to catch your eye, old man, and be taken in as a student in your later years, I believe they must be far from being a simple little devil."

"I just wonder, compared to the rumors, what kind of person my little junior will be in reality."

It was none other than one of Third's disciples, the elusive senpai of Yu, the legendary 'Perverted Hermit' Jiraiya.

"That kid... just mentioning him gives me a headache. He's someone who loves to stir up trouble..."

Hearing Jiraiya mention Yu, Third rubbed his temples with a hint of a serene smile on his face. "But Jiraiya... you've been out there all these years. Why suddenly decide to come back now?"

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"Have you finally made up your mind? Planning to come back and inherit the position of the Fifth Hokage?"

For decades, under the command of Third, who shook the ninja world, there were originally three outstanding disciples. Orochimaru, with his remarkable talent, had always been his favorite, but he veered off into the path of evil, contrary to Third's teachings.

Tsunade, the granddaughter of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama was highly suitable in both fame and strength to become the Hokage of Konoha. However, since her brother Nawaki and her lover, Dan, died in the Second Great Ninja War, she held a disdainful attitude towards those who spoke of becoming Hokage, believing that only those who hadn't experienced hardship could aspire to such a position.

Jiraiya, inheriting the will of fire and serving as the sensei of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, treated Minato as if he were his own son, deeply loving the village of Konoha. He was undoubtedly the most suitable candidate to become the Hokage.

However, in the incident where Orochimaru defected, Jiraiya regretted not detecting his comrade's malice in time and stopping Orochimaru, so he continuously declined the offer to become the Hokage.

As for Yu...

Thinking about his fourth disciple in his later years, Third couldn't help but sigh.

In terms of talent, Yu was even more gifted than Orochimaru. In terms of intelligence, judging from the outcome of the Cloud Ninja incident, one could completely see the extraordinary wisdom of this young man.

In terms of strength, not to mention. To reach such a level at this age, besides the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, and Uchiha Madara, any so-called genius would pale in comparison to this young man.

But his feelings for Konoha...

This, to Third, was the only obstacle in his heart because based on Yu's experiences and past actions, he couldn't ascertain whether this young man truly inherited the will of fire like Jiraiya and Tsunade, swearing to defend the village of Konoha to the death.

Boom!!

Just then, a violent explosion erupted outside, interrupting Third's thoughts and conversation with Jiraiya.

"That's... the Root's base?!"

Gazing out the window towards the direction of the explosions in the distance and the turmoil erupting in Konoha, Third's eyes widened in shock.

"No... this isn't good! Hokage-sama!!"

At the same time, a ninja suddenly burst into the office from outside.

"Yu-sama... he... he killed hundreds of ninjas from the Root and is fighting with Danzo-sama!!"

The ninja who entered couldn't even catch his breath before hurriedly reporting the current situation outside to Third.

"What?!"

Upon hearing this, Third stood up from behind his desk in its entirety.

"That kid... has he gone mad?!"

Although the Root ninjas belonged directly to Danzo's underground forces, ultimately they were part of Konoha's ANBU organization. Killing fellow village ninjas had always been the most taboo and serious matter in Konoha's eyes.

Moreover, Danzo was an Elder of Konoha regardless, a comrade of Third and the other two Konoha Elders from their youth. Third hadn't expected Yu to act so impulsively, to the point of attempting to kill Danzo within Konoha.

"Why such impulsiveness... Jiraiya, come with me to check it out!!"

Realizing the severity of the situation, Third directly grabbed the white Hokage robe nearby and vanished from the Hokage's office with a Body Flicker.

"That old fox Danzo..."

"I didn't expect Yakushi Yu to pick a fight with him..."

Watching his sensei, Third, leave the Hokage's office in haste, Jiraiya's mouth curled slightly, but his gaze turned serious. "I return and such a big incident happens... truly... interesting!"

"I'm becoming more and more interested in that elusive junior of mine!"

As the words fell, the ninja in the Hokage's office felt a breeze pass by, and Jiraiya had already disappeared in an instant.

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