"So eager to get rid of me, huh? You must be desperate. Well, that works just fine for me."
Jiraiya thought to himself, fully aware that Danzo had sent him on this mission to create an opportunity to eliminate him. He nodded slightly, not showing any resistance to the task.
"I'll head to Tetsuishi Town alone and scout the situation there," Jiraiya announced.
Danzo's lips curled into a cold smile. How naïve. Seeing Jiraiya agree to go alone only confirmed his belief that Jiraiya was foolish. Jiraiya clearly understood Danzo's malicious intentions, yet he still agreed to act alone. Danzo assumed that Jiraiya believed he wouldn't dare attack during wartime.
"Lord Jiraiya, going alone is too dangerous. You should bring backup," a civilian jonin suggested.
"More people will only risk exposure. I'll go alone," Jiraiya replied firmly, rejecting the offer.
Since Danzo was so determined to walk into his own death, Jiraiya was more than happy to oblige.
After resting at the base for an hour, Jiraiya departed alone for Tetsuishi Town. Tsunade had wanted to accompany him, but he turned her down. He had also ordered all Anbu to stay at the base unless he commanded otherwise—a statement made deliberately in front of Danzo to mislead him.
Jiraiya already had a fully-formed plan to eliminate Danzo.
The Konoha base was a fair distance from Tetsuishi Town.
...
"Kakuzu, what's your position in Tetsuishi Town?"
Not long after leaving, Jiraiya used his communication ring to speak to Kakuzu. Before leaving the village, Jiraiya had already instructed Kakuzu to lie in wait around Tetsuishi Town.
"I'm in a valley to the right of Konoha's outpost," Kakuzu's voice sounded through the ring moments later.
"Prepare for battle. There's an elite jonin, three jonin, and four elite chunin," Jiraiya said, revealing the strength of Danzo's forces. As for Danzo himself—Jiraiya would handle him personally.
"Understood," Kakuzu answered curtly.
Jiraiya headed toward the valley where Kakuzu was hiding.
"Danzo has already led his Root operatives out of the base," Isamu's voice echoed through the ring shortly after. Jiraiya had secretly given Isamu a communication ring as well.
"Leave the base in a little while. Come alone. Head to the right side of the outpost," Jiraiya instructed.
"Danzo, two elite jonin should give you a little surprise," Jiraiya murmured with a smirk.
While Danzo was scheming against Jiraiya, Jiraiya was doing the same in return. Danzo didn't know about the communication rings and believed Isamu would obediently stay at the base without interfering.
Jiraiya only called for Isamu because he and Kakuzu were more than enough to wipe out Danzo's subordinates. More importantly, he wanted as few witnesses as possible. If too many people knew Danzo had been killed, it would increase the risk of exposure.
Jiraiya still aimed to become Hokage. Even if Danzo was in the wrong, news of this event could damage his reputation. Besides, he didn't need that many people to deal with Danzo.
Danzo wasn't as powerful as he would be in the original story—Orochimaru hadn't started his research yet, so Danzo didn't have the enhanced arm that made him so dangerous. Jiraiya was confident in his ability to defeat him alone.
"I'm leaving the base now," Isamu's voice came through the ring.
"I got it," Jiraiya replied.
When Jiraiya reached the base of the valley where Kakuzu was hiding, he stopped and waited for Danzo and his forces to arrive. He remained outside the valley since one of Danzo's operatives was from the Hyuga clan. If they used the Byakugan, they might detect Kakuzu, ruining the ambush.
Using the Eye of Insight, Jiraiya saw Danzo and his Root operatives approaching quickly. Among them was a member of the Aburame clan, one of the three jonin. They had placed a tiny insect on Jiraiya to track his movements. Jiraiya had noticed the insect immediately but pretended not to.
Soon, Danzo and his operatives reached the base of the valley.
"Well, Danzo, you're truly cautious. Lacking confidence in yourself?" Jiraiya taunted with a grin. His sarcasm was unmistakable.
Danzo chuckled darkly. "Jiraiya, I'll give you one last chance to join the Root. If you agree, you can return to the village unharmed. Otherwise, this will be your grave."
Danzo still hoped to recruit Jiraiya. With someone of Jiraiya's talent in his faction, his chances of becoming Hokage would greatly improve.
"You think you and your men can kill me? You're overestimating yourselves, Danzo. Today will be your end," Jiraiya declared coldly, drawing the Lightning Flame Blade and pointing it at Danzo.
Danzo's face darkened. "Jiraiya, if you insist on being stubborn, don't blame me for what happens. Attack!"
At Danzo's command, two jonin and the elite jonin rushed at Jiraiya. The remaining operatives spread out, forming a barrier of interlinked purple light to trap Jiraiya.
Danzo was taking no chances. He needed to ensure Jiraiya couldn't escape. If Jiraiya managed to flee, Danzo would lose his chance forever—and if this plan were exposed, even Danzo's place in Konoha would be in jeopardy.
Danzo would do whatever it took to kill Jiraiya today.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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