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Naruto: IY Ch. 16
🕑 Added 2025-07-25 00:06:21 +0000 UTC"Only two point?"
Late at night, Yahiko and the others were gathered around Jiraiya's test paper, along with the letters Jiraiya had written to each of them.
In the letters, he expressed his concern over the past year, saying things like, "You've probably had a hard time working for the village," and lamented that because of the ongoing war, he couldn't be with them, but he was fighting for peace.
The moment they read those words, they were all deeply moved. Yahiko almost used his authority to release Jiraiya. But at the last moment, reason triumphed over emotion.
A failing score? Did he get a toad to write it for him?
Konan asked, "What should we do?"
Yahiko rubbed his brow and said, "Let's keep him locked up a bit longer. He has really lost touch with the people."
Then he asked, "Nagato, how's the Shadow Division coming along?"
"There's still a lack of ninjas in the village," Nagato replied. "For now, the Shadow Division is mostly made up of ordinary civilians helping me gather intel outside."
Shadow, hidden from sight. Yahiko admitted, the idea was inspired by Root.
Of course, he couldn't be as ruthless as Hiruzen and Danzō.
To be honest, he thought Root was a decent concept, but the problem was that the leader lacked vision.
Danzō earnestly acted as the root, sneaking into other villages to steal talents, grab populations, and brainwash them into becoming weapons for Konoha.
Even if the methods were cruel or despicable, hardcore supporters of the Hokage system would still understand.
Where there's light, there must be darkness. Everything is for the village.
But instead, Root kept reaching out its dirty hand to harm Konoha's own people, and wouldn't stop. Truly worthy of the name Danzō.
"But even ordinary people have their uses. It's easier for them to stay hidden," Nagato added.
"Recently, there's been a piece of news from Konoha."
He thought of the news, a look of surprise on his face.
"What is it?" Yahiko and Konan asked, puzzled.
"That famous White Fang actually failed a mission."
"Nagato," Konan interjected, "Yahiko had you create the Shadow Division to recruit talents from the shinobi world for our village. We don't need to waste time gossiping about someone failing a mission, do we?"
"You're missing the bigger picture." Yahiko gave her a look, then turned to Nagato and said, "You did well this time!"
Konan heard this and looked at Yahiko in disbelief.
Nagato chuckled lightly, "It's all for the village."
"Alright, go home and get some rest. Nagato and I have to go out of the village for a bit."
Yahiko put on his coat, grabbed a few of the books they had secretly copied, and prepared to leave with Nagato.
Usually, he might joke around, but at critical moments, he had to act like a proper leader.
"Got it. Be safe and come back soon."
Konan helped straighten Yahiko's wrinkled clothes.
Seeing their warm interaction, Nagato felt a tinge of envy. Ever since his parents had been killed by Konoha ninjas, he had lost the warmth of a family.
He always longed for someone gentle to stay by his side.
As for Kana, he already considered her like a younger sister. He wasn't really used to being constantly followed by a little girl.
"Ha ha ha..."
Yahiko and Konan were both baffled. What is Nagato thinking about? Why's he suddenly laughing like an idiot?
With Yahiko gone, the major affairs of the village were naturally left in Konan's care.
The things she couldn't handle would wait for his return.
---
"The 33rd day since Pain-sensei stopped writing... I miss him."
Hiruzen never imagined that in his entire life as a ninja, someone in the shinobi world could actually make him call someone "sensei" without a second thought.
That title was sincere, out of deep respect for the way Pain had made significant changes to the harsh life of the shinobi world.
Holding his long-stemmed pipe in hand, he took a melancholy puff.
One puff for him, one puff for the wind... Perhaps the wind, too, carried its own worries.
Knock knock knock.
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in."
He skillfully swept a few well-worn books off his desk and into a drawer.
"Hokage-sama, the leader of Yoake wishes to meet with you."
The ninja in charge of receiving foreign guests knelt on one knee and reported.
"Yoake?" Hiruzen paused in thought. Where did this village pop up from? Why had he never heard of it?
The ninja noticed his Kage's confusion and explained, "Their village lies at the intersection of the Land of Fire, the Land of Rain, and the Land of Grass. Their leader is... a twelve-year-old boy."
At this, the ninja looked a bit puzzled himself. Nowadays, anyone can call themselves a village leader?
The heads of the five great villages were called Kage. Other villages with a certain level of strength referred to their heads as Leaders, sometimes as Kage as well.
Yoake... Forgive him, but he had never heard of it before.
"A twelve-year-old child?" Hiruzen thought for a moment and then said, "To establish a village at the intersection of Fire, Rain, and Grass... that takes some real capability. Let Homura meet with him."
"Yes."
After the ninja left, Hiruzen casually pulled a book from the drawer and chuckled bitterly. He had already memorized the plot by heart.
Still, he chose to read it again.
Moments later, Knock knock knock, the ninja returned.
"What is it now?"
"That Yoake leader insists on meeting you personally."
"Ridiculous. Tell him I'm busy with official duties. The fact that Homura could spare time to meet him already shows we respect how far he traveled to come to Konoha."
Under normal circumstances, he would have met the visitor personally to show magnanimity and even offer encouragement.
But not today.
He wanted to read.
"Well... the thing is... he said..."
"Whatever he said, it doesn't—"
"He said he has Pain's latest work!" the ninja suddenly shouted with excitement.
From the way he said "Pain's latest work," it was clear this ninja was also a loyal fan.
Pain's latest work.
At that moment, Hiruzen leaped from his chair, eyes gleaming with joy, his breathing slightly rushed.
Then, realizing his outburst, he sat down again, coughed twice, and solemnly said, "Bring him in. I want to see what he wants from me."
"Yes!" The ninja's face was trembling with excitement.
While the ninja was away, every second felt like a year to Hiruzen. Each minute dragged on, unbearably slow.
Faster, faster!
Ugh, can't he just use Body Flicker Technique to get here faster?
"Hokage-sama, they've arrived!"
Two boys, one with orange hair, one with red hair, were suddenly brought in by the ninja's Body Flicker Technique.
Their hair was still settling from the wind, eyes full of shock. Was Konoha's Body Flicker Technique always this intense?
Cough cough.
"I am the person you wanted to meet," Hiruzen said, regaining his serious tone.
"Oh, oh! Hi, Hokage-sama!" the orange-haired boy replied excitedly.
