Naruto: Becomes a Rebel Ninja After Annihilating the Hyuga Clan - Chapter 95

The retreat plan was thus finalized.

Outside, the tents were being dismantled.

A force of several thousand people couldn’t just move on command, nor could they return in a day or two. Route planning, troop arrangements, logistical support, and managing the various mercenary groups all required coordination and organization.

Amid the hustle and bustle, Jiraiya watched the Konoha personnel working in the rain and mist, lost in thought.

“Jiraiya-sama, are you worried about Konoha’s situation?” Yamanaka Inoichi asked, approaching quietly.

Jiraiya shook his head lightly. “Just like our pre-war strategic planning, we’ve achieved our strategic goal of keeping Iwagakure out of the Land of Fire. Even with the unexpected attack by Kumo through the Land of Wind, Sarutobi-sensei isn’t weak. They will buy us and Tsunade time to return. I’m not worried about that.”

Inoichi’s eyes flickered. He hesitated before asking, “Then are you concerned that the Akatsuki won’t be able to complete the rear guard task you’ve entrusted them with?”

Jiraiya glanced at him, understanding dawning.

He brushed the rain off his hair, saying matter-of-factly, “It’s not reasonable to leave such an important task entirely to outsiders. I’ll lead a small group to cooperate with the Akatsuki in the rear guard action. Don’t worry.”

Then, with a joking smile, he added, “As for you and Shibi, just lead your advance units to support Konoha quickly… Inoichi, between you and Shibi as Hokage candidates, I actually think you have a better chance. So remember to retreat swiftly. Being the first to respond to the call to defend the village will not only bring hope to the desperate people of Konoha but also serve as a great opportunity to stand out.”

Inoichi’s face turned red. He waved his hands vigorously, trying to explain, “This… no… it’s not about credit or exposure… I really don’t mean that… Jiraiya-sama, you…”

“Alright, I’ll be honest with you. I don’t care about the Hokage position. Our Ino-Shika-Cho trio’s senior members pushed me out not because they genuinely want me to be Hokage but to justify using our clan’s resources to help Konoha through this crisis.”

“We know Konoha is in a tough spot, but our clan’s assets, funds, and connections can’t just be handed over at will. Some people don’t recognize Konoha as strongly. They have dealings with mercenaries outside and have made a lot of money through smuggling. They could hand over these resources for the clan’s future but not for Konoha. They’d rather flee Konoha with these assets and establish a new branch elsewhere.”

“The Hokage position, that piece of meat dangled before all the clans, makes them willing to contribute these resources. I’ve told them that whatever they invest, I’ll repay them tenfold once I become Hokage. Of course, many clan members don’t expect anything in return, but that’s a lie. I can’t actually become Hokage, but that doesn’t matter as long as it helps Konoha.”

Inoichi spoke at length.

Initially, Jiraiya didn’t pay much attention, but by the end, he felt unexpectedly moved. It was like seeing a person clearly for the first time. He looked at Inoichi, sensing a peculiar brilliance emanating from him.

Konoha had many ninjas from various clans, and most of them valued their clan over the village. If the interests of Konoha and the clan aligned, it was fine. But often, their interests diverged.

For example, the Uchiha clan often had conflicting interests with Konoha.

In times of crisis, many Konoha ninjas from clans had minor loyalties but lacked greater allegiance. They might not betray Konoha outright, but their loyalty wasn’t absolute.

This was human nature, and Jiraiya understood it.

Even though he didn’t care about being Hokage, seeing people like Inoichi striving for credit and power left him with an indescribable disappointment.

Especially since Inoichi’s unit didn’t follow his orders closely. Members of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio sometimes eyed him with a subtle hostility, which Jiraiya knew was just a competitive mindset.

Now that Inoichi had spoken openly, Jiraiya found it amusing.

Just like how he was forced into the Hokage candidacy by Hiruzen Sarutobi, this guy was being pushed by his subordinates for their own interests.

“Whose idea was this?” Jiraiya asked.

“Isn’t it the Hokage-sama’s original intent? The idea that the ‘one with the most merit becomes Hokage’ was just a way to motivate the clans to contribute,” Inoichi said with a hint of self-mockery.

“Isn’t that true?” Jiraiya frowned. “And I meant, who suggested putting you forward?”

“Who else but Shikaku?” Inoichi shook his head. “Even if it is true, do you really think we can compete with you and Tsunade-sama?”

Jiraiya understood. He laughed, patting Inoichi’s shoulder. This guy might have had ambitions for the Hokage position but knew his chances were slim and didn’t bother trying seriously. Half of his efforts for the Hokage position were for show, the other half truly for Konoha.

Inoichi furrowed his brows, speaking earnestly to Jiraiya, “Jiraiya-sama, please don’t share what I just told you. The younger members and clan leaders have been working hard to support me as Hokage. Let’s not discourage them.”

“Plotting? Has anyone suggested undermining your main competitor, like—me?” Jiraiya joked.

“Of course not, Jiraiya-sama,” Inoichi shook his head.

Of course, they had.

But there was no need to reveal such dark truths.

“And is Shibi in a similar situation?” Jiraiya asked curiously.

“They’ve allied with the Inuzuka clan and seem serious about the Hokage position…” Inoichi said with concern.

With the decline of the Hyuga clan, the remaining sensory ninjas in Konoha were more burdened but also more valued.

Among them, the highly perceptive Yamanaka clan.

The Inuzuka clan, known for their sharp sense of smell and ability to command ninja dogs.

And the versatile Aburame clan, adept in combat, medical, and sensory skills.

They were now prized on the battlefield.

Seeing Jiraiya’s silence, Inoichi continued to comfort him:

“Jiraiya-sama, regardless of these internal politics, we are united in our goal to protect Konoha. No matter the strategy, the safety of our village is paramount.”

### Chapter 97: Scheming for the Eight-Tails

“I’m telling you this, Jiraiya-sama, because I want you to know there’s no need to worry too much. While there may be some divisions within Konoha, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio is always willing to stand with Konoha.”

Jiraiya glanced at Inoichi.

These words clearly represented Inoichi’s own stance. He indeed always aligned with Konoha’s leadership, but the Yamanaka clan, as well as the other two clans in the trio, might not share this sentiment.

But there was no need to dissect this further; everyone understood the underlying truths.

Jiraiya then smiled and said, “Don’t worry, when the time comes, I won’t hesitate to call on you. But the reason I want you to lead the advance unit isn’t out of any sentimentality. I just want to get close to the leader of the Akatsuki.”

Inoichi was puzzled and then asked, “You want to contact the Akatsuki leader? What do you mean, Jiraiya-sama, do you not trust them?”

“Inoichi, have you ever considered why the Akatsuki is capturing tailed beasts?” Jiraiya sighed, counter-questioning. “Have you ever thought that we, Konoha, also have a tailed beast—the most powerful one, the Nine-Tails? What if one day, the Akatsuki targets us to capture our tailed beast?”

Inoichi pressed his lips together, defending, “Right now, Konoha’s survival is hanging by a thread. Isn’t it too early to think that far ahead?”

“The Akatsuki probably thinks the same way. They assume that because Konoha’s survival is at stake, we’ll agree to whatever they say…” Jiraiya squinted, recalling Konan’s proposal during the meeting.

We are using the Akatsuki, but isn’t the Akatsuki also using us?

The Eight-Tails would be theirs, and the responsibility would fall on Konoha.

In the future, if Kumo wants the Eight-Tails back, they will turn to Konoha.

But whether Konoha has a future is uncertain. Regardless of whether this apple is poisoned, we must first fill our stomachs.

Especially since the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki is said to have a deep connection with the Raikage. If something happens to the Eight-Tails, the conflict won’t end easily.

It’s not that Jiraiya underestimated Konoha, but the most likely outcome was that Konoha wouldn’t withstand the pressure, would break the agreement, and expose the Akatsuki. Then Kumo would go after the Akatsuki, and Konoha would completely sever ties with them.

“If we survive this crisis, there’s a high possibility that Konoha will clash with the Akatsuki. I intend to use this chance to gather detailed information about them,” Jiraiya said, narrowing his eyes.

Inoichi hesitated.

The leader of the Akatsuki is your student. They’ve helped us a lot, and we still owe them a significant amount for their services. Are you preparing for a fallout because you think Konoha will eventually break ties with the Akatsuki, or because we plan to default on this large debt, causing a rift?

Sensing Inoichi’s questioning gaze, Jiraiya smiled and explained, “It’s better to be prepared.”

Inoichi found Jiraiya’s reasoning excessive, but Jiraiya was serious.

Inoichi wasn’t privy to Jiraiya’s concerns, which was understandable.

About why the Akatsuki was collecting tailed beasts.

About why Nagato’s Rinnegan was on Yahiko’s face.

Konan hadn’t explained these to him.

This led Jiraiya to his worst fears—that the child prophesied to save the world might have been killed.

And the culprit was the Akatsuki, led by Yahiko!

“Let’s hope I’m wrong…” Jiraiya murmured.

In the distance, alarm sounds echoed, signaling a small probing attack from Iwagakure. They seemed to have sensed Konoha’s odd movements. To avoid suspicion, Jiraiya adjusted his gear, put on an arrogant expression, and led his subordinates to engage the enemy.

The more hollow the situation, the more one needed to bluff, and Jiraiya excelled at this.

“Tremble in fear, you Iwa scum!”

“Behold, the invincible, peerless in all directions, the legendary Sannin, the gallant Toad Sage, Jiraiya-sama!”

…

When Konan returned to Amegakure, seeing the distant smoke and hearing the wails of the people, she frowned.

She found Pain in the tower:

“What happened? Did Iwagakure attack?”

Since the Akatsuki became Konoha’s mercenary group, Amegakure had leaned towards Konoha, frequently facing retaliatory attacks from Iwagakure. But Pain’s Rain Tiger at Will Technique always detected and neutralized these attacks.

Konan thought this time was also due to Iwagakure, and her eyes flashed with anger.

“No, it’s the rebel faction within Amegakure, ninjas from Hanz?’s lineage disguised as disaster victims causing trouble,” Pain said calmly. “But as we tighten our control over Amegakure, these rats have fewer places to hide.”

Nothing could be done about it; these rogue ninjas were original inhabitants of Amegakure, long-time foes of the Akatsuki. Since Pain killed Hanz? and took over Amegakure, the conflict had been ongoing.

Konan nodded. This group of rats was essentially a result of their insufficient control over Amegakure, leaving loopholes for them to exploit. Now that they had switched tactics to attacking civilians, they were like cornered rabbits, biting in desperation.

She didn’t dwell on it but mentioned the day’s results: “Konoha has agreed. We’re preparing to capture the Eight-Tails.”

“Did Jiraiya-sensei ask any questions?”

“Konoha’s situation doesn’t allow him to have too many questions, but there are likely hidden probes,” Konan said softly. “The Eight-Tails is a perfect Jinchuriki, with many Kumo ninjas around for support. I should accompany you on this mission.”

“No, Konoha’s forces aren’t mere bystanders. I can handle it alone,” Pain shook his head, looking at Konan. “Besides, you have a new task.”

“What is it?” Konan asked curiously.

“Zetsu reported that Neiki has appeared in Kirigakure, along with Madara. You should make contact,” Pain instructed.

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