Chapter 133: “Jiraiya, are you still going to stand in my way?” — Fugaku, Lost in Confusion

Yamana Haiichi, Nara Shikaku, and Akimichi Teizou’s sudden arrival left Hiruzen Sarutobi momentarily stunned.

But only for an instant.

He quickly recovered, realizing the reason behind their midnight summons.

They were here to take sides—on Iizumi’s side.

After all, Haiichi had already declared his allegiance to Absolute Justice some time ago. And as allies of the Yamanaka Clan, the Nara and Akimichi Clans naturally followed suit.

The thought darkened Hiruzen Sarutobi’s expression.

But this wasn’t anger toward the Pig, Deer, and Butterfly clans—or even toward Uchiha Iizumi.

No.

His rage was directed at Danzō.

If Danzō hadn’t attacked Iizumi and accidentally destroyed the Yamanaka Clan’s outpost—nearly wiping them out—then the Yamanaka Clan would never have turned their back on the Hokage.

And if Iizumi’s restraint during that battle hadn’t shown he wouldn’t harm them, the Yamanaka Clan wouldn’t have abandoned the Leaf Village’s leader to stand with Absolute Justice.

Hiruzen Sarutobi gritted his teeth, seething inwardly.

But Danzō was already dead.

If he weren’t, Hiruzen would have torn him apart with words—vent his fury, his humiliation, his helplessness.

“Hokage-sama,” a cold yet youthful voice cut through the silence.

It was Uchiha Itachi—finally arriving at the Hiruzen Clan’s residence.

Far behind him, Fugaku Clan Head remained at a distance, standing atop a nearby building. From his vantage point, he could clearly see everything inside the compound.

And what he saw… was overwhelming.

“Hokage-sama, Konoha-shō, Jiraiya, Hatake Kakashi, Kushina, Orochimaru’s Student, Yamana Haiichi, Akimichi Teizou, Iizumi, Nara Shikaku…”

Fugaku’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Too many people…

Add in the swarm of Anbu Ninjas and Root agents, and it felt like nearly half the Leaf Village’s elite forces had gathered.

…

“Kid,” Kushina stepped forward, her tone sharp with suspicion. “What in the world is going on here?”

She shot a glare at Tsunade Konoha, then slapped Iizumi’s shoulder with a careless grin.

“Why’d you drag these two sword-wielding brats to the old man’s doorstep, huh? Zetsu isn’t just a late-night visit—there’s something rotten in the air.”

She turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi, bluntly calling the Third Hokage and her former teacher “old man.”

But Hiruzen didn’t flinch. He’d heard worse.

Kushina swept her gaze across the crowd.

“Bringing all these Anbu and Root guys just to chat? Come on. You’re not making small talk.”

Her eyes flicked back to Jiraiya, who stood with a grim expression.

“And you? What are you doing here? Besides Shizune, was there someone else following me?”

Her barrage of questions cracked the tension slightly.

“Hmph!” Tsunade Konoha sneered. “If this brat hadn’t gone insane tonight, would I really have roused the entire Root force in the middle of the night?”

She wouldn’t have answered anyone else. But it was Kushina—so she gave her the courtesy.

Tsunade clenched her jaw, her face twisted with hatred.

“This kid killed dozens tonight—members of the Tsunade Konoha Clan, Hyūga Menji Clan. Over twenty people. Now he’s coming for the Hiruzen Clan.”

Her voice dropped, icy and venomous.

“If me and the Hokage hadn’t mobilized the Root and Anbu, the Hiruzen Clan would’ve been slaughtered.”

She spat.

“And still—some people support him. This is beyond moral collapse. It’s a total breakdown of values.”

She shot a venomous glance at the Inuzuka-Nara-Yamanaka Alliance, and at Mitarashi Anko.

But her sarcasm fell flat.

None of the targeted clans reacted. No one flinched.

Tsunade’s words only deepened the silence.

Kushina’s brow furrowed. “So I was right. The kid really came to enforce Justice. And he’s doing it with a bang—no regard for anyone.”

Jiraiya, face solemn, stepped past several people and stood before Uchiha Iizumi.

His eyes locked onto Iizumi’s.

“Is what Konoha-shō said true, Iizumi? I may not meddle in Leaf affairs anymore—sometimes I even look away when I see trouble. But this… this is different.”

He exhaled slowly.

“Killing over twenty Leaf citizens in one night? That’s the work of a madman. It undermines the very foundation of our village. Is this your Justice?”

Uchiha Iizumi lifted his eyelids, his gaze cold and unyielding.

“Holding back when you see evil—this is the only choice when Justice is still weak. A fragile thing.”

“But when Justice grows strong—when it wields Zetsu’s might and fears no storm—then to see evil again and do nothing… is to let Justice fade.”

His voice echoed across the courtyard.

“When Justice fades… countless victims, souls who died in silence, will have no one to speak for them.”

The words hung in the air.

Iizumi’s gaze drifted past Jiraiya, landing on a Hiruzen Clan ninja standing behind the Hokage.

“Hiruzen Kyouya.”

The name struck like lightning.

The man froze. His face drained of color. Instinctively, he recoiled, trying to hide behind others.

But it was too late.

As soon as Iizumi spoke the name, heads turned.

Dozens of eyes locked onto the trembling man.

Jiraiya turned, puzzled.

“Nine years ago,” Iizumi continued, “during the Third Ninja War, you sold a critical Leaf Village intelligence report to the Cloud Village for one million ryō. That betrayal caused a defensive collapse, resulting in the death of one Jonin and seven Chunin.”

His voice remained calm.

“Four years ago, you colluded with Cloud ninjas to kidnap Hyūga Hinata. When your plan was exposed, you fled in panic.”

“Twelve months ago, the Third Hokage assigned you to oversee a village infrastructure project, allocating seven million ryō. You stole four million, built a shoddy structure. When the rains came, it collapsed—killing an innocent civilian.”

Each sentence drained another shade of color from Hiruzen Kyouya’s face.

By the end, he was as pale as death, sweat soaking through his clothes.

“Jiraiya,” Iizumi said softly. “Tell me—was it Justice that threatened the village’s foundation… or was it his actions?”

Jiraiya stood frozen.

“Wait!” Kyouya stammered, his voice cracking. “You can’t just—”

“Yamanaka Clan will provide proof,” Iizumi said, cutting him off.

Yamana Haiichi stepped forward, his expression solemn.

“Don’t worry. Our clan’s techniques won’t harm your mind. Just allow us to examine your memories—then everyone will know the truth.”

Kyouya’s mouth hung open. He couldn’t speak.

Hiruzen Sarutobi’s face, once stormy, now wore a mask of weary resignation.

Iizumi spoke again.

“Hiruzen Yozu.”

A civilian woman from the Hiruzen Clan froze.

Her eyes widened, her breath caught.

“Twelve years ago,” Iizumi said, “you gave birth to a daughter out of wedlock, concealing it from your fiancé. Then, in a public restroom, you drowned the infant, dismembered her, and flushed the remains down the toilet.”

A sickening thud echoed as the woman collapsed to the ground, trembling.

She muttered, her voice trembling, “She… she didn’t even remember… a baby that couldn’t even think… wasn’t even a person, right? So… so I wasn’t killing anyone…”

When she looked up, she saw her husband—her “honest” husband—staring at her with utter horror.

She turned to the Hokage, pleading.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi had already turned away, closing his eyes with deep disappointment.

She sat there, paralyzed.

“Jiraiya,” Iizumi asked. “Who is the true monster here—the one who wants to execute her… or the one who killed her own child?”

Jiraiya was speechless.

He could see the truth in her reaction.

“Hiruzen Kazuki.”

The name drew another gasp.

The man—Hiruzen Yozu’s husband—shook with fear.

Iizumi continued.

“Three days ago, after your wife publicly humiliated you in front of everyone, you snapped. In your twisted state, you sneaked into your daughter’s room that night… trying to prove something.”

Hiruzen Yozu, still on the ground, blinked.

Then, realization struck.

She screamed.

“Hiruzen Kazuki! You filthy beast! You’re her father! She’s only ten! What were you doing?!”

She lunged at him, her voice cracking with fury.

“You’re not human! You have no shame! No morality!”

“I’m the beast?” Kazuki roared back, face red with rage. “You hide a child you had with another man! You killed her! You flushed her down the sewer! How is that not worse than me?!”

“You’re the real monster!”

“You’re the one who’s not human!”

Yozu’s veins bulged. With a sudden burst of strength, she scrambled up—grabbed a Kunai from a nearby Hiruzen Clan genin.

She plunged it into her husband’s stomach.

Thwip.

He howled in agony, kicking her away, ripping the blade from his body.

Blood sprayed.

She lunged again, screaming, “Die! Die, you monster!”

He, bleeding, fumbled with the bloodied Kunai—stabbed at her chest.

Thwip.

The scene unfolded in agonizing silence.

Thirty seconds.

No one moved.

No one stopped it.

The Hiruzen Clan ninjas watched, eyes heavy with disbelief.

They saw Yozu collapse, lifeless.

They saw Kazuki fall, clutching his wound, gasping for breath.

Blood soaked the ground.

The stench filled the air.

Hiruzen Sarutobi closed his eyes, unable to bear it.

He couldn’t speak. Couldn’t act.

Because he knew—deep in his soul—that Iizumi spoke the truth.

Tsunade Konoha stood frozen, unable to utter a word.

She had never expected such filth within the Hiruzen Clan.

Had the Hokage been too burdened by duty… to the point of losing control over his own kin?

Then she paused.

Because she realized—her own fallen clan members… they weren’t much better.

Their sins were just different in kind.

“Jiraiya,” Iizumi said, voice calm. “Do you believe my actions align with the Justice I claim?”

Jiraiya opened his mouth.

Then closed it.

No words came.

After a long silence, he exhaled.

Then stepped aside—making space.

Tsunade Konoha’s eyes widened.

“Jiraiya…”

But Jiraiya cut her off, his voice low.

“Konoha-shō. I’m sorry. This… this isn’t something I can interfere with. Iizumi’s methods are extreme. But the Leaf’s tolerance of these people? That’s just as dangerous. Don’t make me choose.”

He looked up at the sky.

And for the first time, he understood why the Ninja World needed a prophesied savior.

Like Iizumi said—this world was twisted. Corrupted.

Every mind, every soul—shaped by a flawed system.

Jiraiya took a deep breath.

The urgency to find the prophecy’s child burned brighter than ever.

The Ninja World needed change.

And he would be the one to guide it.

Tsunade Konoha turned to Kushina.

“Kushina!”

“Don’t call me,” Kushina said, her back turned.

Her skin trembled slightly in the moonlight—her eyes shadowed, haunted by the blood.

She forced her gaze upward, toward the full moon.

“I never thought Iizumi was wrong,” she whispered. “This world is chaos—like a war-torn age. And in chaos, only harsh laws can bring order.”

She paused.

“…Hokage.”

Tsunade Konoha looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

He exhaled deeply.

When he opened his eyes, she saw it—loneliness. Regret.

He’s been broken.

A cold dread settled in her chest.

“Take them… away,” Hiruzen Sarutobi finally said.

To Iizumi.

“Take them to the Investigation Corps.”

He looked older, weary.

“Let them be investigated. If the evidence is real… deal with them as justice demands.”

The words fell like a death sentence.

Several Hiruzen Clan members, who hadn’t been named, stared in horror.

They understood.

Their Hokage… had abandoned them.

“Hokage-sama!” Kyouya cried, desperate.

He pushed through the crowd, sobbing.

“I’m your kin! My cousin’s uncle was your cousin’s husband! We’re family!”

He raged on.

“I’ll return all the stolen money! I’ll pay the family of the dead man! I’ll give you every Cloud spy secret I know!”

“I’ll serve ten years! Twenty! Even thirty!”

If I behave in prison, I can reduce it by half. Fifteen years… I’d still be young.

He didn’t say it aloud.

He couldn’t.

Such desperation would have earned him a slap—right in front of the Hokage.

But then—CRACK!

A sharp, brutal slap echoed.

Kyouya’s head snapped sideways.

A red handprint bloomed across his cheek.

The pain froze him.

“You are not a son of the Hiruzen Clan,” Hiruzen Sarutobi said, voice trembling with fury. “You are a traitor. A man who sells our village for gold.”

He glared.

“Kyouya… you have shamed me. Your actions are no different from a rogue ninja.”

That was the line.

The boundary he’d never crossed—never—to protect Danzō.

But Kyouya had shattered it.

To have summoned the Anbu just to protect a man like this…

And to have done it in front of so many.

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt shame burn his face.

His honor—his authority—was ruined.

Again.

And once more… he had to yield to Iizumi.

“T-traitor…” Kyouya whispered, pale as a ghost.

“Why… why is Iizumi the traitor? He’s killed our people!”

He pointed at Iizumi.

But before he could even lift his hand…

Zing.

A flash of steel.

A finger flew into the air.

It landed on the ground.

“Don’t let your evil hands point at Iizumi-senpai,” a girl said, her voice blank.

She wiped blood from her blade, her eyes filled with disgust.

Kyouya screamed, clutching his bleeding hand.

Hiruzen Sarutobi’s brow twitched.

Even his subordinates… are taking on his extremism.

But then—

“Izumi,” Iizumi said, “the Third Hokage doesn’t seem to want me to take your clan.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused.

He exhaled.

Then gave a single, silent gesture.

The Anbu stepped aside—leaving the Hiruzen Clan exposed.

He turned to Tsunade Konoha.

“Konoha-shō. Have your people… step back.”

She heard the exhaustion in his voice.

She clenched her jaw.

Then nodded.

“Retreat.”

The Root ninjas didn’t argue. They withdrew silently, just like the Anbu.

Iizumi stepped forward.

“Hiruzen Kyouya.”

He approached, pulled handcuffs from the Investigation Corps’ gear pack.

With brutal efficiency, he twisted Kyouya’s bleeding hand behind his back—and locked it.

“Sarutobi Kōno.”

A Hiruzen Clan ninja trembled.

Iizumi didn’t hesitate.

No handcuffs.

He pulled a steel wire from his pouch and bound the man’s wrists.

“Sarutobi Kōji.”

Mitarashi Anko stepped forward, bypassing Hiruzen Sarutobi.

She seized the next target.

When he struggled, her face hardened.

She snapped his wrist with a sickening crack.

“AAAAAHHH!”

His scream didn’t move her.

“Sarutobi Mizuki.”

Anko delivered a swift hand strike—knocking the man unconscious.

Her eyes fell on a pale-faced woman.

A white serpent slithered from her sleeve.

Before the woman could react—hiss—the snake lunged.

It bit her shoulder.

She screamed.

Then collapsed—her body numb, powerless.

“Take them all,” Iizumi said.

…

“Another victory for Iizumi,” Fugaku murmured from afar.

He stared at the scene.

He didn’t understand.

Why did Iizumi always win—standing before the Hokage?

Why did he, no matter how much he compromised… never succeed?

For the first time, doubt crept into his eyes.

Have I been wrong all along?

…

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end