152. Jiraiya, the Fourth Hokage

In the Land of Rain, within Akatsuki’s hidden base.

The cold corpse of Yahiko lay in a coffin. Nearby, Nagato lay on a bed, unconscious from chakra exhaustion, his emaciated frame resembling little more than a skeleton.

Countless paper talismans fluttered in from outside, converging to form Konan’s physical body.

She had been on guard outside the base earlier, ensuring no enemies discovered their location before returning to the room to tend carefully to Nagato.

Although both had momentarily escaped danger, Konan knew they were far from safe.

As Yahiko had warned before his death, Nagato was being targeted by at least three factions:

The Fifth Mizukage, Kisame Hoshigaki; the rogue Leaf ninjas Danzo Shimura and Orochimaru; and a mysterious figure named Uchiha Obito.

Remaining within the Land of Rain would be perilous. Once Nagato awoke, it was best to leave as soon as possible.

But then again, without sufficient strength, where in the vast ninja world could one ever truly feel safe?

With this thought, Konan looked out anxiously as the rain intensified.

...

In the Land of Fire, Konoha Village.

Konoha was enduring the greatest storm in its over forty years since founding.

In the battle against Kirigakure, Konoha had lost nearly five thousand ninja, and its homeland was devastated by Kisame Hoshigaki. It was a catastrophic defeat.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, hailed as the “Strongest Hokage in History,” faced the wrath of the villagers following the humiliating peace treaty with Kirigakure. He had no choice but to abdicate, plunging the village into its weakest era.

Yet, Konoha could not exist without a Hokage.

Thus, a fierce contest for the Fourth Hokage’s position erupted within the village.

Representatives from many clans vied for the role, with over thirty candidates—an unprecedented spectacle in the history of Hokage elections.

This situation arose partly due to widespread dissatisfaction with Konoha’s leadership among the clans, and partly because several prominent candidates were no longer in the running.

Orochimaru had once been a leading candidate for Fourth Hokage, but after his gruesome experiments on villagers and orphans were exposed, he defected alongside Danzo Shimura.

Uchiha Fugaku and Hyuga Hizashi also had chances, but following the failed assault on Kirigakure, they were imprisoned and had yet to be released.

Among all candidates, Minato Namikaze held the greatest promise.

Before encountering Kisame, Minato, the “Yellow Flash,” had never been defeated in battle, stunning the entire ninja world. His charisma and personality earned him widespread support.

But after losing to Kisame, Minato’s undefeated legend shattered. Moreover, as a trusted subordinate of the “criminal” Sarutobi, many suspected him of being Sarutobi’s puppet.

Consequently, Minato faced universal opposition upon entering the election and became the first candidate to withdraw.

What remained were a group of mediocre contenders, none willing to concede to the others, resulting in a stalemate.

Days passed in this deadlock.

Eventually, the Fourth Hokage was chosen—not from the official list, but a figure both unexpected and fitting—

Jiraiya.

Jiraiya was a rogue, uninterested in the Hokage title, and thus had initially refrained from running.

But now, with Konoha at the brink of survival and the legendary “Three Legendary Sannin” reduced to him alone, he was the only one capable of bearing the mantle.

Under Sarutobi’s covert endorsement, clans such as the Uzumaki, the Inuzuka, and the Nara, as well as the Myoboku Mountain, lent him full support. The couple Shizune and Fukasaku were assigned to assist him.

Most importantly, Jiraiya’s strength was undeniable.

When Kisame invaded Konoha and no one could stop him, Jiraiya emerged, utilizing Sage Mode to repel Kisame, instilling fear in the latter.

The visage of Sage Jiraiya was witnessed by many Konoha ninjas and earned universal respect.

A Hokage must possess the power to protect the villagers.

Despite some resistance, Jiraiya smoothly ascended as Konoha’s Fourth Hokage.

On his first day in office, with his eloquence, he delivered an impassioned speech that greatly uplifted the villagers’ morale.

Under his leadership, Konoha began the arduous process of rebuilding.

The good news was that civilian casualties in the war were minimal and economic losses negligible, with the treasury still holding a surplus.

Moreover, Myoboku Mountain dispatched numerous toads to aid reconstruction and serve as guards.

With Myoboku’s backing, the Sand, Stone, and Cloud villages, who had contemplated exploiting Konoha’s vulnerability, were forced to abandon their plans.

Thus, Konoha weathered its darkest days.

During this period, after the Great Toad Sage Gamamaru personally intervened, Myoboku formally extended an olive branch to Konoha, leading to an alliance.

The red Uzumaki clan swirl on the Konoha ninja uniforms was replaced with the “oil” symbol of Myoboku.

...

In just a few days,

the ravaged Konoha was partially restored. Though not as prosperous as before, it had regained some semblance of its status as the foremost of the Five Great Ninja Villages.

The only source of discomfort for the villagers was the new Hokage Rock.

The reconstructed monument no longer bore statues of previous Hokage; instead, a massive head sculpture of Kisame Hoshigaki dominated the cliff.

The statue featured sharp, neat short hair; a chiseled face marked by three distinctive gill-like slits on each cheek; furrowed brows; and piercing eyes.

It was strikingly handsome and imposing.

Standing before it, one felt minuscule, overwhelmed by an immense sense of oppression.

The statue stood atop the former Hokage Rock, looking down on Konoha as a victor.

For Konoha, it was a profound humiliation, but that very statue symbolized the peace they now enjoyed.

Therefore, despite their resentment, the villagers endured.

One night,

Konoha was brightly lit. With the reopening of night markets, many shops resumed business, bustling with activity. People seemed to have forgotten the wounds of war.

“Not bad, Konoha’s recovery is quite impressive,”

Kisame fanned his fins, hovering in the night sky. Seeing the statue on Hokage Rock, he was pleased; it seemed the Uchiha and Hyuga clans had diligently followed his orders.

Satisfied, he decided to release the prisoners.

He retrieved Fugaku and Hizashi from the Box of Paradise, bound them with chakra threads, and gently dropped them near the village entrance.

Thud! Thud!

The two landed.

“Who’s there?!”

Konoha ninja on guard immediately became alert, cautiously approaching. Upon recognizing the two men, their faces drained of color.

Looking up into the sky, they saw a burly man with folded arms, hovering with wings extended. Behind him, a bright full moon framed his figure like a god.

Under the fearful and reverent gazes of the ninjas, Kisame slowly turned and flew toward the moon, soon disappearing as a mere black dot.

“Quick! Inform the Hokage!”

The guard regained composure, shouting to comrades, sweat breaking out across his brow.

Shortly after, the Fourth Hokage Jiraiya arrived hastily, accompanied by members of the Uchiha and Hyuga clans.

Upon meeting their clan leaders, neither group paid much respect to Jiraiya as Hokage and silently turned to leave.

“Wait!”

Jiraiya called out to the Uchiha, producing a test tube.

Inside was a Sharingan eye preserved in nutrient fluid.

“This was found at the secret Root base we raided. It’s another Uchiha Mirror Sharingan. Now it’s being returned to its rightful owners—the Uchiha clan.”

Jiraiya bowed apologetically.

“Thank you, Lord Hokage,” Uchiha Mikoto accepted the eye and bowed in return.

However, other Uchiha scoffed, suspecting Jiraiya’s gesture was mere pretense.

The Uchiha clan harbored deep resentment toward Konoha leadership and would have long ago rebelled if not for saving their leader Fugaku.

Once Fugaku recovered fully, both he and Konoha’s upper echelons would settle their scores.

The Hyuga clan was somewhat more conciliatory, having not suffered the same oppression, and their leader’s Byakugan remained intact.

After watching the two clans depart, Jiraiya sighed and gazed up at the night sky.

“Kisame Hoshigaki, I hope you honor your promise of peace to Konoha. Otherwise, even if it costs me my life, I will kill you.”

He silently vowed.

As Hokage, he swore never to be as weak as Sarutobi had been.

His confidence stemmed from his own strength, the support of sages Fukasaku and Shizune, and the Great Toad Sage’s prophecy regarding Kisame:

Kisame would die by his own hand within a few years.

Jiraiya believed this prophecy without doubt.

After lingering briefly at the village entrance, he turned back toward the Hokage building, prepared for a long night with much work ahead.

...

Several hours later, deep into the night, in the Uchiha clan’s territory.

Inside a room, Uchiha Fugaku—now blind—awoke from unconsciousness and was undergoing an eye transplant surgery.

Outside in the courtyard, many clan members gathered silently, waiting.

Among them were Shisui and Itachi.

Not long ago, when Kisame secretly infiltrated Konoha to abduct Shizune, he encountered and injured Shisui, tossing him into a roadside trash bin.

Shisui ended up hospitalized, missing the Kirigakure battlefield—a fortunate escape, though he also missed the chance to awaken the Mangekyo.

“Itachi, are you worried? Don’t fret; Lord Fugaku will be fine,” Shisui said, placing a hand on Itachi’s shoulder in comfort.

Unexpectedly, Itachi lifted his head, his expression serious.

“Big brother Shisui, you’ve fought the Fifth Mizukage Kisame Hoshigaki. Can you tell me about him in detail?”

“Itachi, you’re only three years old. You don’t need to know this yet.”

Shisui ruffled Itachi’s hair, shaking his head. He believed Itachi was too young to bear the weight of such hatred.

Itachi bit his lip, wanting to say more.

At that moment, the door creaked open. Fugaku, supported by his wife Mikoto, emerged.

He had received transplanted Uchiha Mirror Sharingan eyes—not his own Mangekyo, but a pair of three-tomoe Sharingan, barely sufficient.

During the war with Kirigakure, Fugaku had wielded the Mangekyo Sharingan on the battlefield, employing Amaterasu and Susanoo—techniques that shook the ninja world.

Though ultimately defeated by Kisame, he retained the clan’s respect; losing to a monster like Kisame was no disgrace.

Especially compared to Hyuga Hizashi, who had been humiliated as if trampled like a dog, bringing shame to the Hyuga clan.

As Fugaku stepped out, the Uchiha clan in the courtyard stirred.

They urged him to lead a full-scale assault on the Hokage building to avenge the death of the Uchiha Mirror and years of oppression.

Fugaku raised his hands, signaling for calm.

“I know what’s happened. I will personally negotiate with the Fourth Hokage, but do not act rashly.”

His voice was firm as he urged restraint.

“For the Uchiha clan, peace has come at great cost. We must not stir conflict with the village now.”

Fugaku saw clearly.

The proud Uchiha lacked the strength to oppose Konoha, especially with him, their leader, deprived of the Mangekyo.

If they rebelled and were expelled, the clan’s future in the ninja world would be bleak.

Endurance was their only option.

“Go home.”

With the authority of clan head, Fugaku quelled the restless crowd, sending them back.

He then beckoned Shisui and Itachi inside.

Temporary patience did not mean eternal submission.

The future of the Uchiha lay in the hands of geniuses like Shisui and Itachi.

...

Meanwhile, in the Hokage’s office.

Jiraiya watched a crystal orb on his desk, displaying the events unfolding in the Uchiha territory.

It was Sarutobi’s Telescope Technique.

The former Third Hokage stood behind Jiraiya. Though planning retirement, he had been persuaded by his disciple to remain at the Hokage Tower.

Wearing a monkey mask, Sarutobi had chosen to become an Anbu operative, abandoning his name for a code, wholeheartedly supporting Jiraiya as Hokage.

Seeing Fugaku’s wise decision, Jiraiya exhaled in relief.

Had the Uchiha chosen rebellion, he would have ordered their eradication, erasing their name from the ninja world.

Such a catastrophe was unwanted by both sides.

Ultimately, the Uchiha did not revolt. As Fugaku said, peace was precious and must be cherished.

Grateful, Jiraiya personally visited Fugaku and Hyuga Hizashi, seeking to win them over to his newly formed Konoha Elders Council.

As for the former supporters Tsunade and Mito Uzumaki, they were naturally dismissed.

Under Jiraiya’s leadership, Konoha’s upper echelons shifted from suppressing the Uchiha to courting them, expanding the police force and granting the clan greater authority.

The same applied to the Hyuga.

Through the Fourth Hokage’s efforts, discord within Konoha was gradually subdued, and the village began to return to stability...