Chapter 97: The Chaotic Village, Hiruzen Sarutobi

Uchiha Jin nodded at Tsunade’s price.

This point requires no consideration!

Leaving aside the shock her joining Uchiha would cause among the villagers, even a top-tier medical master alone is worth this price.

Money?

He had never considered such things!

Even though the Uchiha now seemed to be living off past glory, he had never thought of running any business—but if he wished, he could acquire endless wealth.

As for developing the economy, talk about it once Itachi’ve seized the Hokage’s seat!

“No problem.”

“Starting tomorrow, select some promising talents from among the Uchiha clan and other ninja clans, and quickly establish your medical framework.”

“As for everything else, Itachi need not concern yourself!”

Uchiha Jin spoke calmly.

After settling the matter outright, he raised his teacup, signaling for her to leave.

Yes!

He had nothing to discuss with Tsunade; even though she now appeared stunningly beautiful, seemingly possessing the art of eternal youth, she was essentially old enough to be his mother—he had no interest in developing any relationship beyond friendship with her.

And yet, for this.

Though Tsunade did not understand the meaning behind Uchiha’s action, her sharp mind instantly grasped it.

So.

Her expression turned grim; she had lived her entire life and had never before been ignored.

Nevertheless, likewise.

She said nothing more, only snorted coldly and left.

…

Meanwhile, on the other side.

While the Uchiha clan grounds remained calm, the entire village had instantly descended into chaos, filled with the sounds of smashing, looting, and roaring flames.

It’s chaotic!

Utterly chaotic!

Especially because Hiruzen Sarutobi, to preserve his dwindling facade of kindness, had resorted to ineffective persuasion against the villagers’ extreme actions, leaving the Anbu hamstrung—and naturally, the situation spiraled into this.

There was no choice.

The Police Force was now merely a decoration; under Hiruzen’s orders, the Anbu could not attack villagers without cause.

At first, even if the villagers had been incited, their actions remained restrained.

But later, it changed!

Many opportunists, sensing the chaos, began exploiting it for personal gain, and soon the entire situation became uncontrollable.

Fortunately.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was a seasoned veteran; with the Police Force defying his orders and Black Glove Danzo absent from the village, with no one to take the blame, he quickly regained his legendary resolve.

Under his command, the Anbu immediately moved!

Ultimately.

The Anbu, now fully unrestrained, forcibly expelled rioters—and those who defied orders were slaughtered outright—only barely containing the chaos by around two in the morning.

Jiraiya’s clothes were filthy, his face scorched with soot and burns, his white hair wild and disheveled, faint traces of blood visible on his body…

Yet his eyes now brimmed with sorrow.

Seeing the village reduced to ruins and chaos, he trembled with rage.

But finally.

After a sigh, he reluctantly returned to the Hokage Tower.

“Jiraiya, have Itachi contained the situation?”

Hiruzen Sarutobi still sat behind his desk, smoking incessantly, his eyes heavy with gloom.

Only when he saw Jiraiya enter did he reluctantly greet him.

And yet, for this.

Jiraiya stared at his teacher’s aged face and the shattered window glass in the Hokage’s office; he opened his mouth several times but could not utter a single coherent sentence.

He truly could not understand how things had come to this.

After a long silence, a soft sigh.

“Relax, old man.”

“The situation is barely under control; those deliberately causing trouble have been arrested or killed.”

“But I don’t know how to handle what comes next.”

Jiraiya’s voice was low, his eyes filled with despair.

There was no choice!

Because after tonight’s events, the village could never again speak of the Will of Fire.

Of course!

Tonight’s events had been brutally suppressed.

Who would believe in the Will of Fire after this?

But likewise.

He understood his teacher—tonight’s crisis was too great; if it hadn’t been forcibly suppressed, the chaos would have been far worse.

If we must blame someone, it’s the Uchiha!

Even though no Uchiha appeared tonight, Jiraiya knew better than anyone that the Uchiha had surely orchestrated this.

Yet.

Even though his anger burned fiercely, he could not storm the Uchiha compound.

To do so would mean tearing all ties open.

If both sides truly clashed, Konoha would become a wasteland—and not only would they not be a match for the Uchiha, even if they somehow destroyed the Uchiha, how would the shattered Konoha face the other ninja villages?

So, sigh.

He could only sigh helplessly, with no idea what else to do.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent.

Because the situation had reached this point, even he did not know how to handle it.

Black Glove Danzo had completely left the village; clearly, unless Hiruzen fixed this mess, Danzo would never return.

Transferred Shizune and Mizumon En were useless; countless ninja clans had now defected to the Uchiha; the only people he could rely on were Jiraiya and Tsunade.

Thinking of this, he spoke directly: “Where is Tsunade?”

“I—I don’t know!” Jiraiya was awkward but answered plainly: “Should I go find her?”

Clearly.

Because of tonight’s chaos, neither of them knew Tsunade had already, drunk, defected to the Uchiha.

In Jiraiya’s mind, Tsunade was either at a tavern or gambling with dice.

Finding her, in his view, would not be difficult.

And yet, for this.

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.

“Yes, bring her back!”

“We have no other options—we must rapidly elevate Tsunade to the position of Fifth Hokage.”

“And Itachi need not worry; Shizune has already gone to the Daimyo’s palace; the Daimyo will surely agree.”

“The Jonin Council requires no concern either!”

“Even if all the ninja clans have defected to the Uchiha, we still hold four-tenths of the Jonin.”

“I will urgently promote some Jonin from among the Anbu who performed well tonight and the border guards.”

“Once approved by the Jonin Council, Tsunade will be the Fifth Hokage!”