While Seiryu and Kakashi led their team to sweep up rogue Mist ninja on the border, Jiraiya's seven-day detention ended.
After being politely escorted from the new prison by two Uchiha, Jiraiya headed straight for the Hokage's office.
He found Hiruzen busy with paperwork. As soon as Jiraiya entered with his usual goofy grin, Hiruzen lost his temper: "Look at what you've done! One of the Sannin, arrested for peeping!"
"Hey, old man, you think I wanted this? I told you to give me that crystal ball, but you wouldn't."
"The Crystal Ball Jutsu isn't for peeping!" Hiruzen fumed.
"Come on, you've used it to peep too!" Jiraiya retorted.
Hiruzen sighed, rubbing his forehead—Jiraiya had always had a way of getting under his skin.
"So, old man, what did you call me back for?" Jiraiya asked.
"You can learn the Crystal Ball Jutsu, but—" Hiruzen began.
Jiraiya's face instantly turned lecherous: "You've finally come around! I knew I was your true heir in this field!"
Ignoring him, Hiruzen continued, "The Crystal Ball Jutsu was created by the Second Hokage to monitor the village. Only the Hokage can learn it. As long as you—"
"I'm out!" Jiraiya interrupted and turned to leave.
"Get back here!" Hiruzen slammed the table.
Jiraiya sighed and stopped. "Old man, you know I'm not fit to be Hokage."
"Jiraiya, I'm getting old. I can't protect the village much longer," Hiruzen said.
"Sensei, I really can't. You had my student as Fourth Hokage, now you want to be Fifth? It's not right." Jiraiya grew serious but made it clear he wouldn't agree.
Hiruzen lit a cigarette and took a long drag.
"Old man, if you know you're old, cut back on smoking," Jiraiya advised. "How about I bring back Tsunade for you?"
"Jiraiya, now's not the time to pass the buck. The village needs you to step up," Hiruzen said. "Do you know why I rushed you back?"
Jiraiya shook his head.
"You've seen the new Uchiha clan head while in the Police Force, haven't you?" Hiruzen asked.
"Of course," Jiraiya nodded. "Clan head Seiryu is quite the character."
Though detained, Jiraiya had been well treated, and he'd enjoyed talking with Seiryu, so he had a good impression of him.
"Oh right," Jiraiya slapped his forehead, "I think Seiryu would make an excellent Fifth Hokage. Young, already clan head, strong, and with a great war record. He's perfect."
"If only it were that simple. He's not what he seems," Hiruzen said. "His Sharingan is Mangekyo—the same eyes as Madara."
Jiraiya was stunned.
Hiruzen then told him everything Seiryu had done recently: seizing Shisui's Mangekyo, all his moves. Jiraiya listened in surprise, never expecting the mild-mannered young man to be so shrewd.
"Both Shisui and Itachi told me he has great ambition, so I can't just hand the village over to him," Hiruzen said. "But now, he's gathered a formidable force—even Kakashi is with him."
"Speaking of Kakashi, old man, isn't that your own fault?" Jiraiya smirked.
"Yes, I admit I'm responsible for what happened to Kakashi," Hiruzen said. "So, I'll step down as Hokage. But Jiraiya, I need you to stand up and stop Seiryu's ambition."
There was even a hint of pleading in his voice.
Seeing his sensei like this, Jiraiya couldn't refuse.
"Let me think about it," Jiraiya sighed. "By the way, give me a photo of Seiryu."
Hiruzen found Seiryu's ID photo and handed it over. Jiraiya took it, opened the office door, and Hiruzen called after him:
"Are you going to consult Mount Myoboku?"
Jiraiya paused, then hurried out.
As the office door closed, Hiruzen wondered if he'd made the right choice.
Jiraiya, heavy-hearted, booked a room at an inn. He summoned a messenger toad.
"Tell Head Fukasaku I want to see the Great Toad Sage."
The toad departed, and Jiraiya waited patiently for the reverse summoning.
Soon, he felt the space-time fluctuation and responded. With a soft sound, he disappeared from the inn.
…
Arriving at Mount Myoboku, he was greeted by Fukasaku and Shima.
"Jiraiya-chan, what's the matter? Why so glum, wanting to see the Great Toad Sage?" Fukasaku asked.
"I have some questions for him," Jiraiya replied.
"Don't know if he's awake, but come with us," Fukasaku said, leading Jiraiya to the Sage's chamber.
At the door, Fukasaku had Jiraiya wait, then went in alone.
After a while, Fukasaku returned. "He's awake and wants to see you."
Jiraiya followed Fukasaku and Shima to the Great Toad Sage, who—as always—started with his "Who are you?" routine.
Normally, Jiraiya would humor him, but today he was in no mood.
Shima barked, "Old man! Jiraiya's here on serious business. Stop fooling around!"
"Oh, I remember now—Jiraiya. I just happened to want to see you," said the Great Toad Sage.
"Has the prophecy changed?" Jiraiya asked urgently.
"Yes," the Sage said slowly. "After I last fell asleep, the future I saw became chaos. The original prophecy is shifting toward the unknown—something that's never happened before."
"The unknown?" Jiraiya was stunned. "Why? What about the child of prophecy?"
"I don't know. I can't see through the chaos," said the Sage.
Jiraiya's face grew grave. This upheaval coincided with Seiryu's rise.
"Great Toad Sage, can you tell me if this man can become Hokage?" Jiraiya showed him Seiryu's photo.
The Sage didn't take the photo, only shook his head. "Jiraiya, I can't answer that. That's Konoha's own matter."
"I see." Jiraiya took the photo back. After a moment, he asked again, "Great Sage, according to the old prophecy, the child of destiny would bring lasting peace, right?"
"That's under ideal circumstances," said the Sage. "If you fail to guide him, he'll bring terrible calamity."
"I understand." Jiraiya nodded, making up his mind.
If the future's chaos was caused by Seiryu, then I must stop him and restore the original path, Jiraiya thought.
Compared to the chaotic unknown, Jiraiya instinctively chose the once-clear future. This man, unafraid of battle or death, lacked only the courage to face the unknown—why he clung to the prophecy and searched for its child. What he sought was always a certain future.
After escorting Jiraiya out, Shima returned to the Sage.
"Old man," Shima called.
The Sage didn't respond, seeming to doze, but Shima continued, "I know you're still awake. Are you hiding something from Jiraiya? You seemed off when you spoke to him. Jiraiya's done a lot for Mount Myoboku—don't harm him."
She left, unconcerned with his reaction.
After she left, the Great Toad Sage slowly opened his eyes and muttered, "Is it that obvious?"
Clearly, Shima was right—the Sage was hiding something. His dreams had indeed become chaos, but it wasn't the first time.
Even before the Sage of Six Paths was born, after mastering senjutsu and founding Mount Myoboku, he'd encountered such chaos in his visions. At first, he thought it a mistake in practice, until soon after, two visitors from beyond the stars arrived in the ninja world.
"I wonder what's happening this time?" the Sage sighed.
…
That evening, Jiraiya returned to Hiruzen's office.
"Old man, let's make this clear—I'll help for a while, but as soon as there's a suitable candidate for the Sixth Hokage, I'll step down," Jiraiya said bluntly.
"Alright." Hiruzen, seeing Jiraiya so serious, nodded. "You'll be Hokage's advisor for now. Once you're familiar with village affairs, I'll recommend you for Fifth Hokage."
"I understand," said Jiraiya.
"If you have questions, ask Shikaku. And now that you've decided, tone down your hobbies," Hiruzen instructed.
"Enough, enough, I get it. I'll start tomorrow," Jiraiya waved.
After Jiraiya left, Hiruzen summoned Nara Shikaku.
"Lord Hokage, what are your orders?" Shikaku bowed.
"Sit down," Hiruzen gestured.
Once seated, Hiruzen said, "Shikaku, I intend to have Jiraiya take over as Hokage's advisor."
Shikaku's eyes flickered, but he quickly masked his thoughts. "Has Lord Jiraiya returned?"
"Yes, just recently," Hiruzen replied. "He's been wandering long enough—it's time to help this old man."