"If you want to save them, the Hyuga clan can lend you some money."
Two days ago, the identities of the two hostages were revealed—both were Chunin around fifteen or sixteen years old. Their companions were about the same age, at a stage where loyalty meant everything.
Of course they wanted their friends to make it out alive.
Yet ever since they became ninja and stepped onto the battlefield of the war, they'd begun to grasp bits and pieces of society's rules. This time on the battlefield, they had even come to understand the true nature of villages, clans, and individuals.
The world never gives a free lunch.
"Then, what's the price?" one cautiously asked.
Hikaru Hyuga shook his head. "No loyalty, no promises, no gratitude required. Just return the exact amount we lent you after returning home."
"...Why?" Everyone was stunned.
"Everyone goes through hardship at some point."
A single sentence from Hikaru Hyuga, spoken casually yet powerfully, struck deep into their hearts.
In that moment, everyone's look toward him shifted slightly, as if seeing someone truly admirable. Alongside it, the image of the Hyuga clan also grew grander in their minds.
One million ryo wasn't exactly a small sum for average ninja, but it wasn't unattainable either.
For D-rank missions, the reward ranged between five thousand to fifty thousand ryo. For C-rank, three hundred thousand to one million. B-rank missions paid between eight hundred thousand to two million ryo. A-rank missions offered anywhere from one point five million to ten million.
As for the highest difficulty S-rank missions, bounties exceeded ten million ryo.
Although each mission's payment had to be split with teammates, for ninja, there was always a clear path to wealth—as long as they stayed alive, they had a future.
With a bit of hard work, repaying one million ryo would come quickly. After all, their futures held more than just a single million.
They happily accepted the help from the Hyuga clan.
With hands behind his back and a calm expression on his face, Hikaru Hyuga quietly walked away.
Although he kept emphasizing that he didn't require loyalty, promises, or gratitude...
The very loyalty, commitment, and appreciation silently rooted deeper in those people's hearts. Who could ever forget someone who lends a hand when you're at your lowest?
The next day, two more captured comrades returned safely, surprising many ninja present.
Could it be… that Danzo Shimura had changed his mind?
The rescued ones told them it was their own comrades who saved them.
Their saviors then humbly let everyone know how much credit belonged to the Hyuga clan.
Ninja marveled again—ultimately, strength was important, or at least having a wealthy and powerful clan behind you.
If your strength fell short and you lacked funds, being captured without the means to buy yourself out meant hoping for some reliable friends.
Carrying Hiashi Hyuga's Gold Card, Hikaru Hyuga moved smoothly through the crowd.
We are the Hyuga clan! Wealthy, handsome, powerful fighters who can heal and fight on both offense and defense. Reliable and worth sticking with for life! Unlike those lowlifes scheming in the shadows…
Danzo Shimura coldly watched this unfold, eyes flashing continuously with icy light.
Maybe it's time for the Hyuga to be weakened too...
Meanwhile, on the fifth day after receiving the letter, Jiraiya finally arrived in Konoha.
The moment he stepped into Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi received the news and waited for him in the Hokage's office together with Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.
Jiraiya, who had returned to the village, first visited every hot spring establishment across Onsen Street, grinning happily with a satisfied expression on his face. Then he pulled out his notebook to jot down the sudden flashes of inspiration that struck him.
"Nothing beats Konoha's environment when it comes to producing beauties! Looks like none of these spots have moved — still full of gorgeous girls like always."
Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi and his group had already waited for him in the office for three full hours.
After thoroughly enjoying the sights along Onsen Street, Jiraiya wandered around other parts of the village and happened upon Naruto Uzumaki squatting on the ground.
He looked visibly distressed, frantically looking around like he was trying to hide from someone.
This sight surprised Jiraiya greatly.
"Kid, what are you doing here?"
Naruto lifted his head at this sudden stranger wearing stage-like facial paint.
Never seen him before — must be from outside the village. If that's the case, he probably doesn't know who I am. That should be fine.
Thinking thus, Naruto replied openly: "I'm waiting in line."
"Waiting in line? For what?"
"In line to eat."
"...Eat? You must have someone cooking for you back home," a complicated look flickered across Jiraiya's eyes.
"...Yeah, but I don't like it."
At that moment, a dark-haired Anbu ninja approached them. "Jiraiya-sama, the Hokage has been waiting for you for quite a while now."
"Mm."
Jiraiya gave a brief nod, his expression turning serious. He followed her away and entered the Hokage's office.
After a brief exchange of greetings, Hiruzen handed over intelligence reports from the frontlines to Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya..." Homura Mitokado began, wanting to say something else.
Jiraiya waved him off. "I've already heard most of it. I can handle facing Orochimaru alone, but asking me to take on three opponents at once is expecting too much."
His expression couldn't hide a hint of wistfulness by the end.
Never would he have thought that now, the entire village only had himself left to rely on.
"The three of them are just rogue ninja."
"Rogue ninja who might betray us anytime — they won't place all their hopes on us. Likewise, they won't risk everything fighting for Kumogakure."
Upon hearing Hiruzen's assessment of Orochimaru, Jiraiya remained silent.
Seeing he did not reply, Hiruzen continued, "Moreover, even if negotiations occur, we must show our strength to Kumogakure."
"Only through equal power can we have peaceful dialogue."
Jiraiya nodded slightly. "So Master, you've already decided on your plan?"
Hiruzen nodded.
"Well then, I'll go."
"Hiruzen, has Sunagakure shown no response at all?" Homura asked.
"They're likely overwhelmed themselves by internal matters."
"Will we not hold them accountable? After all, Sasori of the Red Sands was a rogue ninja from Sunagakure," Jiraiya questioned.
Hiruzen paused briefly, nearly choking on his smoke as he coughed several times, shaking his head afterward.
Konoha couldn't afford to take on anyone these days — it was lucky enough nobody else was coming after them.
Five more days passed before Hiruzen Sarutobi assembled a unit for Jiraiya and finally sent them out of Konoha.
He also included the heads of the Ino–Shika–Cho triad clans—Inoichi Yamanaka, Choza Akimichi, and Shikaku Nara.
Since Shikaku was sharp-minded, Hiruzen assigned him to lead the negotiations, aiming to end the war as soon as possible.
Of course, his intention wasn't to crawl on his knees and beg for mercy like a defeated child. At the very least, he wanted Jiraiya to restore some honor to Konoha.
At the same time, Kaguya learned of Jiraiya's appearance.
"The heir from Mount Myoboku has made his move."
"And?"
Hiroki Hyuga naturally understood her desire to eliminate the Frog lineage completely, but killing them outright would risk tipping them off.
"If we can learn their techniques for using Natural Energy, they'll be no different from ordinary beasts," Kaguya said.
"What's the difference between Natural Energy and Chakra?"
"Natural Energy is the world's most fundamental and primal force. It exists in everything, wherever there's life, there's Natural Energy. Chakra, on the other hand, was created when the God Tree absorbed and transformed Natural Energy."
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