Chapter 270 The clouds are gathering

In the Hokage Building, the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen sat behind his desk, flipping through scrolls. The sunlight from the window shone on his slightly tired face. He sighed slightly and was about to continue working when he heard a familiar sound of footsteps coming from the door.

"Old man, how long have we not seen each other? Are you okay?" Jiraiya pushed open the door carelessly and walked in with his usual relaxed smile.

Sarutobi Hiruzen raised his head and saw his long-lost disciple, a relieved smile appeared on his face: "Jiraiya, you are finally back. You are still the same as before, running around."

Jiraiya laughed, casually hung his cloak on the back of a chair beside him, and strode to Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Yeah, I looked around and collected some information. I didn't expect to see your old face when I came back. I feel a little familiar."

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and shook his head: "You are still so talkative, kid. But it's good that you are back. Sit down and tell me what you have seen this time."

Jiraiya pulled a chair over and sat down, crossed his legs, and began to talk: "Old man, I went to many places this time and saw many strange things. You don't know that on the border of the Land of Lightning, there is a village where all the people have learned a strange ninjutsu, which is said to be related to some ancient contract..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen listened with great interest, nodding from time to time. His eyes were gentle and focused, as if he was listening to the narration of an old friend, not just a conversation between the Hokage and his subordinates.

"By the way, there is also the Water Country, you should remember it, right? There's a grand festival going on there right now, it's so lively..." Jiraiya spoke excitedly, gesticulating, as if he had personally taken Sarutobi Hiruzen to those places.

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and said: "It seems that your journey is quite exciting. However, I hope you can come back more often, after all, Konoha still needs your help."

Jiraiya nodded, with a complex emotion flashing in his eyes: "Old man, you know that I can't sit still. I always feel that there are many things worth exploring in the outside world."

"I know that." Sarutobi Hiruzen patted Jiraiya's shoulder gently. He had also seen a lot of Jiraiya's meticulous work.

"But it's always good to come back and see old friends."

Jiraiya smiled slightly: "That's true. By the way, old man, there is something I want to tell you..."

Before he finished speaking, Jiraiya's face turned serious, with a deep light flashing in his eyes. Sarutobi Hiruzen also realized the important information he was about to hear, frowned slightly, and looked at Jiraiya more intently.

There was a hint of tension in the air, as if the entire room was waiting for the next words.

Jiraiya's expression became solemn, and he whispered, "Old man, I came to see you this time not just to reminisce about the past. The Great Toad Sage recently gave me a prophecy."

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned, and suddenly had an ominous premonition in his heart: "What prophecy?"

Jiraiya took a deep breath and said slowly: "The Great Toad Sage said that a destroyer who will end the ninja world is about to appear, and it will be soon."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression suddenly became serious. He pondered for a moment and asked, "Destroyer? Did he say who this destroyer was?"

Jiraiya shook his head: "No, the Great Toad Sage only mentioned this vaguely. The specific people and details were not made clear. However, I thought of the upcoming Konoha Chunin Exam. This is a major event that brings together ninjas from various countries, and it is very likely to become the target of the saboteur."

Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered for a moment and said slowly: "Indeed, the Chunin Exam is an extremely important event. Ninjas from all over the world gather together, and any disturbance will cause huge waves. We must take precautions in advance."

Jiraiya nodded in agreement: "Yes, I think we should strengthen our vigilance, especially those who come from unknown backgrounds. At the same time, we must also pay attention to internal security. After all, some threats may come from within."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded slightly, and looked at Jiraiya with a firm look in his eyes: "Your concern is justified. However, we cannot let this affect the normal progress of the Chunin Exam. This is not only related to the reputation of Konoha, but also to the stability of the entire ninja world."

Jiraiya understood Sarutobi Hiruzen's concerns, and he said seriously: "Old man, I will stay and assist you in dealing with possible crises. We must ensure the smooth progress of the Chunin Exam, and at the same time, we must prepare for the worst."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded and said with relief: "I feel much more at ease with you here."

The two smiled at each other, and the tension in the air seemed to ease a little.

Jiraiya stopped smiling and said seriously, "Old man, I want to see Minato's son. How is this kid now?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed and nodded: "Naruto is now in Kakashi's Team 7. You can go to Kakashi to find out the details."

Jiraiya asked thoughtfully, "How is Naruto now? Is he doing well?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned slightly, his expression somewhat complicated: "Naruto's life is not easy. He is rejected and misunderstood by the villagers because he has the Nine-Tails sealed in his body, but he has always faced everything strongly and worked hard to make himself stronger."

Jiraiya nodded, a trace of relief flashing in his eyes: "This child really has his father's tenacity and perseverance."

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, "Yes, Naruto's existence is of great significance. He is not only the son of Minato, but also the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. His growth is crucial to the future of Konoha."

Hearing this, Jiraiya looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, remained silent for a moment, and asked in a low voice: "The Nine-Tails in his body has caused him a lot of trouble, right?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, his expression heavy, "Yes, the Kyuubi's power is extremely strong, and extremely dangerous. Naruto is still young, and will need more time and guidance before he can fully master this power."

Jiraiya's eyes became firm: "I understand, old man. In this case, I will pay attention to Naruto's growth and help him master the power of the Nine-Tails. At the same time, I will also keep a close eye on the destroyers in the prophecy to ensure the safety of Konoha."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Jiraiya with gratitude: "Jiraiya, you have always been one of the pillars of Konoha. Your contribution to the village is immeasurable, both in the past and now. I hope you can continue to protect Konoha and our future."

Jiraiya smiled slightly and patted Sarutobi Hiruzen's shoulder: "Don't worry, old man. Konoha is our home, I will do my best to protect it."

In the rainy country, the whole country seemed to be covered by an endless curtain of water. The sky was covered with dark clouds, thunder roared, and rain poured down like a waterfall. In this atmosphere, the secret base of the Akatsuki organization seemed even more gloomy and mysterious.

In the meeting room, Pein stood in the middle, his cold face looked even colder under the illumination of lightning. Konan stood behind him like a shadow, with a serious expression. Deidara and Sasori were in one group, Itachi and Kisame were in another group, and Fei (Uchiha Obito) stood in a small corner, trembling. Everyone had arrived and was quietly waiting for Pein's speech.

Pein's eyes swept coldly over everyone present, and his voice was low and cold: "The whereabouts of Kita (Kakuzu) and San (Hidan) are unknown."

Everyone's expressions changed slightly when they heard this. Scorpion frowned slightly, There was a sharp flash in Itachi's eyes, and Deidara crossed his hands in front of his chest with a slightly disdainful look on his face.

Payne continued, "According to Haku (Konan)'s intelligence, their last mission is to kill an elite jonin named Jie. But based on the current situation, it is very likely that the opponent is a ninja with the strength of a shadow."

Kisame sneered, and the Samehada in his hand shook slightly: "Kage-level strength? Interesting. It seems that our Akatsuki organization has encountered some not-so-simple opponents."

Payne's voice was still cold: "This ninja named Jie has an unknown background. He is likely a powerful man hidden in a ninja village in one of the five major countries. Someone is attacking our Akatsuki organization, so you should be careful recently."

Konan stood behind Pein, her expression calm and serious, "The disappearance of Kakuzu and Hidan cannot be ignored."

Itachi nodded slightly, a trace of deep thought flashed in his eyes. Now is the time for him to express his position: "The ninja villages of the five major countries have been plotting in secret. We must be more careful. The current situation is not in our favor."

Deidara snorted disdainfully: "No matter who the opponent is, they can't stop our plan. The goal of the Akatsuki organization will not change because of a few opponents."

Everyone knew that Deidara's words were deliberately targeting Itachi, and no one paid any attention to him.

Scorpion whispered, "But we do need more information to find out who this so-called Jie is."

Payne's eyes were as cold as ice: "The intelligence department will continue to investigate. Each of you must be vigilant and don't take it lightly."

Everyone nodded, and the atmosphere in the conference room became more solemn.

The rain continued to pour and the thunder grew louder.

After the meeting, Fei (Uchiha Obito) came to his room alone, the dim light in the room reflected his gloomy face. The figure of Black Zetsu quietly emerged in the corner, and he brought the latest information.

"Any news?" Uchiha Obito asked coldly.

Black Zetsu nodded slightly, his voice low and cold: "Konoha's Chunin Exam is about to begin, and the Sand Village has sent a large-scale team to Konoha. In addition, the living environment of the Sand Village has undergone tremendous changes recently."

Uchiha Obito frowned, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes: "Changes in living environment? Tell me in detail."

Black Zetsu showed a strange smile and continued, "The changes in Wind Country and Sand Village, especially the improvement in electricity usage and living environment, are very abrupt. According to intelligence, these changes may be related to the mysterious figure named Jie."

"Zed?" Uchiha Obito's brows furrowed even more tightly, his voice low and threatening, "Are you saying that Zed and the forces behind him are controlling the Sand Village?"

Black Zetsu nodded, and his eerie voice echoed in the room, telling a possible conspiracy theory: "That's right. The appearance of Jie is not accidental. There is probably a powerful force hidden behind him. This force not only affects the Sand Village, but may even have an impact on Konoha's Chunin Exam."

Uchiha Obito's eyes flashed with a hint of ruthlessness, and his voice was cold and resolute: "In this case, you should pay more attention to the situation in the Sand Village. I want to know everything."

Black Zetsu smiled slightly and then disappeared into the shadows.

Uchiha Obito stood alone in the room, thinking about Black Zetsu's words in his mind. The changes in the Sand Village and the mysterious power of Jie made him feel a little uneasy.

The situation was changing dramatically, and he had to be more cautious to ensure that his plans were not disrupted.

The lights in the room were still dim, Uchiha Obito's face was gloomy, and his eyes flashed with a cold light. He knew that the road ahead would be more difficult, but he was ready to achieve his goal at all costs.

"Lin, I will create a world with you in it."