Chapter 73: Discussion
Konoha – Ninja Archives
Jiraiya stared at the photo in his hand, comparing it with the black-cloaked shadow ninja. Finally, he confirmed:
"…It's him. Konoha genin, Ayaan. That shadow ninja is from Konoha."
The boy in the photo was ten—just after graduating from the Academy. He looked serious, even dull, and didn't stand out.
His file was equally unimpressive: slightly above-average grades, mature for his age, and known for self-learning basic medical ninjutsu like bleeding control.
His mission history showed a few basic D- and C-rank missions before he mysteriously disappeared. After vanishing during a battlefield assignment, he was declared dead.
Though his appearance had changed after his time in the One Piece world—he was now taller, more refined—if you looked closely, the resemblance remained.
After thorough investigation and some intuition, Jiraiya had uncovered the truth. But upon reading Ayaan's file, he felt a knot in his chest.
Both his parents—dead. His classmates—dead. His sensei and short-term teammates—also dead.
Ayaan had no ties to Konoha anymore. No wonder he attacked without hesitation.
---
"Jiraiya, did you find anything?" came a familiar, gentle voice behind him.
Jiraiya turned to see Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage.
"I found it… Sensei," Jiraiya said with a heavy sigh.
The Third Hokage's face changed. He hadn't believed the Shadow Ninja was from Konoha. His fighting style was too alien. But out of faith in Jiraiya, he'd authorized the search.
Now it seemed his worst fears were true. A traitor—and not just any traitor. A Konoha-born shadow that brought ruin.
And if there was blame to place, it would fall on him—not Minato, who had only served briefly as the Fourth Hokage.
Seeing his teacher's changing expressions, Jiraiya felt bitter.
Still so self-centered…
"Don't worry, Sensei. No one else can link the two identities," Jiraiya reassured, handing over the file.
Hiruzen studied it and was stunned. He had seen underdogs rise before. Even Jiraiya himself had bloomed late.
But Ayaan wasn't an underdog—he was cannon fodder, a weakling. And now he'd become someone capable of razing an entire village.
That didn't fit any logic of the ninja world.
"Could this be… some human experiment?" the Third Hokage whispered. "Jiraiya, has Orochimaru made any moves?"
Jiraiya frowned. He understood immediately. "I haven't found him. But I doubt this is Orochimaru's work."
The Hokage looked confused, so Jiraiya continued. "Back when Orochimaru defected, he hadn't yet progressed so far in his research. Since then, he's lost data, lost equipment, and has been constantly hunted. He couldn't have achieved this level in so little time."
Besides, Ayaan's personality and knowledge were far beyond Orochimaru's control. He had access to future events and secret lore. If Orochimaru had that, he would've already turned the world upside down.
But Jiraiya kept that part to himself. His teacher was old and no longer the decisive powerhouse he once was. Hesitant, cautious, insecure.
And if Danzo got wind of the truth, Konoha's decline would only accelerate.
The Hokage finally nodded. If this wasn't Orochimaru's doing… then how did Ayaan become this strong?
Before he could say more, Jiraiya stepped in.
"Sensei, what we should be asking isn't how he got strong. It's what we're going to do about it."
"He wants to change the ninja world—to set new rules. That means he'll confront the Five Great Nations. Sooner or later, we'll face him."
The Third Hokage frowned. "Even so, I doubt he alone can fight the entire ninja world."
"You're still thinking of the Ayaan from two years ago," Jiraiya said. "Don't forget, he stole countless secrets from Konoha. He's far stronger now."
"Even if I enter Sage Mode… I can't scratch him."
The Third Hokage looked more troubled than ever. If Jiraiya, their strongest card, was helpless… Konoha had no true counter.
"I still have Dead Demon Consuming seal," he finally said.
Jiraiya considered mentioning that Ayaan already knew about the Shikigami Sealing Technique, but held back.
Even if he did, what would change? His teacher was no longer the legendary shinobi he once admired—just a tired old man.
Then the Third Hokage asked quietly, "Jiraiya… are you still unwilling to become Hokage? Haven't you been searching for the Child of Prophecy all this time?"
Jiraiya hesitated. Thanks to Ayaan's spoilers, he already knew who that child was. The search had become meaningless.
But Hokage… that title didn't suit him. Staying in Konoha would already change things politically. Even if he declined the title, his influence would ripple.
"…Let me think about it."
The Third Hokage smiled faintly. "Good. Stay in the village for now."
---