(Last week, we hit 50+ Power Stones—huge thanks to everyone who supported! 🙌
This week, our new goal is:🔥 100+ Power Stones📝 5+ Reviews)
Chapter 46: Vaccination (Part 1)
In the detention room of the Konoha Garrison, the Third Hokage glared at Jiraiya through the iron bars, his face clouded with frustration.
He had called Jiraiya back to help balance the rising influence of the Uchiha clan.
But instead of restoring order, Jiraiya's antics had worsened their standing.
"Jiraiya! What the hell were you thinking?!" the Third barked. "How are you supposed to show your face in Konoha now!?"
Jiraiya, clearly flustered, tried to defend himself.
"How was I supposed to know I'd run into Kaien Uchiha of all people? If it were anyone else, I would've gotten away clean!"
The Third slammed his palm against the railing with a dull thud.
"I don't care what you do outside the village—but here, in Konoha, keep your perversions to yourself!"
Jiraiya grumbled under his breath, "As if you don't peek with your Telescope Jutsu…"
"Ahem!"
The Third coughed loudly, cutting him off.
A few ANBU guards, stationed at a distance, glanced over but said nothing.
Straightening up and putting his pipe to his lips, the Third Hokage feigned solemnity.
"Anyway, you're staying here for fifteen days. Lay low until the heat dies down."
"If you try sneaking out again, you'll only make things worse. Just bear with it."
Jiraiya knew he didn't have much say in the matter. He had already heard about Kaien's involvement—his arrest was inevitable.
"…Old man, at least get me some sake."
"Yeah, yeah…" the Third muttered, already walking away.
After the Hokage left, Kaien arrived at the Garrison.
But he wasn't there to see Jiraiya. He came to meet Hiashi Hyuga.
Since Hiashi had taken over from Fugaku as captain of the Garrison, he had been much more hands-on, often reviewing reports and overseeing operations personally.
Kaien arrived just as Hyuga Yuto was exiting after giving a report.
"Good work, young man," Kaien said, patting him on the shoulder.
Yuto scratched his head, clearly a little embarrassed.
"Thank you, Lord Kaien. I'll take my leave."
Kaien's eyes gleamed mischievously.
"Wait a moment."
He whispered something into Yuto's ear.
Yuto nodded seriously.
"Leave it to me, Lord Kaien."
Kaien waved him off and pushed open the office door without knocking.
Inside, Hiashi was immersed in a pile of paperwork.
Kaien smirked.
"Well, well, Hiashi. You're taking this job seriously."
Hiashi looked up, smiling slightly when he saw Kaien.
Their first meeting had been formal—Kaien had called him "Hiashi-sama" with a respectful bow. But over time, that formality had vanished. Kaien, in his usual blunt and casual way, treated everyone the same, noble or not.
Hiashi didn't mind. Especially now, during this fragile peace between the Hyuga and Uchiha clans.
And truthfully, had it not been for Kaien's timely intervention during the Yugakure-Kumogakure incident, the Hyuga clan might've been plunged into a crisis. Hiashi himself or his brother could've lost their lives.
"Kaien, you've made quite a scene today."
Kaien shrugged.
"Total accident. Who knew Jiraiya would pull that stunt on his return? I was just doing what's right for the villagers."
Hiashi raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.
Yeah, right. As if you're some righteous crusader. You're a Uchiha—you're anything but simple.
"I bet you're here for that approval scroll," Hiashi muttered.
Kaien smirked.
"You know me too well."
Hiashi sighed.
Jiraiya's bad reputation preceded him. He traveled, drank, and flirted—rinse and repeat. Nearly every bathhouse he visited had blacklisted him.
Sure, he was a talented writer. His novels were serious (mostly). His comics? Debatable.
Hiashi used to laugh off rumors about Jiraiya's scandals. But now, as the Garrison Captain, it was his job to handle such cases seriously.
Doing those things outside the village was one thing. But pulling that kind of nonsense inside Konoha was crossing the line.
Even worse, one of the victims this time was from the Hyuga clan.
If this had been swept under the rug, it would've been a disaster. But thankfully, Kaien had taken the lead—and probably gave Jiraiya a lifelong trauma while he was at it.
The great Toad Sage, peeping in a woman's bathhouse, getting caught and publicly humiliated. How the mighty fall.
"…So tell me," Hiashi asked. "Why'd you do it?"
Kaien sighed.
"It just felt wrong. That kind of behavior disgusts me—even if it's someone like him."
Hiashi stared at him for a moment, then gave a small nod.
"…Fair enough."
"Oh, and one more thing," Kaien added. "I caught Nakamura Kazuya from the Root Division interfering with my operation today."
Hiashi's expression sharpened.
"Use this chance to get rid of him. Without a leader, the rest of Root won't be able to do much."
Hiashi nodded.
Nakamura had been trying to meddle with the Garrison for a while now. But the Hyuga clan's strict internal hierarchy and loyalty had made it impossible for outsiders to sway them.
Now that Kaien had provided solid grounds for dismissal, it was time to clean house.
Kaien handed over a scroll.
"Captain Hiashi, the Garrison's fun, but I'm busy with other matters. Time to resign from my post."
Hiashi chuckled.
"Everyone knew you were just playing around here anyway."
Some thought Kaien had done all this to discredit the Hokage faction.
But only Kaien knew his true reason.
He just didn't want Naruto to be led astray.
That kind of vulgar behavior—treating women as mere jokes—was, in Kaien's view, utterly pathetic.
As Kaien walked through Konoha, he heard whispers and gossip on every corner.
"Did you hear about Jiraiya?"
"Yeah, caught in the women's bath!"
"By Kaien Uchiha, no less!"
He arrived at the Ninja Academy, but it looked like school had ended for the day.
One of the guards nearby, a Hyuga, quickly greeted him.
"Lord Kaien!"
"Where's Sasuke?"
"He and Naruto went toward Eighth Street just a little while ago."
"Good. Carry on."
Kaien strolled down the road and soon spotted two familiar figures.
Both boys were walking side by side, munching on skewers of octopus balls.
Naruto looked cheerful and full of energy, no longer weighed down by loneliness or shame.
Money wasn't a problem for him anymore—and more importantly, neither was self-worth.
"Yo, Naruto! Sasuke!" Kaien called out.
Naruto's eyes lit up.
"Senior Kaien!"
Sasuke stood straighter.
"Master."
Kaien chuckled and placed a hand on Sasuke's forehead.
"I heard you scored top marks again on the weekly quiz. As expected of my Uchiha pupil—good job, Sasuke."
Sasuke's face twitched between embarrassment and pride.
Trying to maintain his cool, he replied with a smug expression:
"Of course. As your disciple, I can't bring shame to you."
Naruto, watching from the side, looked a little envious.
Sasuke had told him before—he was officially Kaien's disciple.
Naruto had many friends now, but few adults he could look up to.
Few who truly stood by his side were like family.
…
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Translated By – Ancient Lores
TL Note:If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to show your support by leaving a review and letting us know what you think!
And if you'd like to see more chapters released faster, send us some Power Stones for extra chapters—your support really helps us keep the translations coming!
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more!— Ancient Lores Translation Team