Naruto: The dungeon I developed went viral throughout the entire ninja world.

Chapter 41 A Hero Arrives Late, An Irreparable Seven-Year Gap

The gates of Konoha were wide open, no longer as heavily guarded as before.

Jiraiya received an urgent letter from the Daimyo and a warning from the Toad Sage: Konoha was truly in turmoil.

He ran and sprinted straight to the very center of the village.

A large crowd had gathered there, and Jiraiya finally managed to squeeze to the front.

This hero, known as one of the legendary Sannin, suddenly collapsed to his knees.

Before me was a huge, transparent glass room, like an exhibition hall used to display rare animals.

There are two people locked inside.

A man with a missing arm and blind eyes, huddled in a corner like a dog—Shimura Danzo.

The other one, who had taught him ninjutsu, was known as the "Ninja Hero".

The kind-looking old man who always had a pipe in his mouth, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

He was lying on the ground, his face covered in dirt.

He was clutching a piece of moldy bread and stuffing it into his mouth.

The bread was too dry and he choked. The old man rolled his eyes and pounded his chest.

There were also two cartons of milk next to it.

The box was dented, caused by the struggle earlier, and the liquid inside spilled out, forming a puddle on the ground.

Hiruzen Sarutobi lay on the ground, sticking out his tongue to lick the puddle of spoiled milk.

They have no dignity or bottom line.

"Old man..."

Jiraiya burst into tears.

He had considered many possibilities, perhaps a coup or assassination, but he never imagined that this would happen.

This was an utter disgrace to his teacher. The once-powerful Hokage had fallen to such a state.

"Who did this...?"

Jiraiya gripped the ground with both hands and roared.

"Who did this?!"

The surrounding villagers just watched indifferently, and no one answered him.

The look in his eyes chilled Jiraiya more than any insults; it was as if he were completely indifferent, watching the show as if it were none of his business.

It even carried a hint of vengeful pleasure.

At that moment, a boy walked over, wearing a black, tight-fitting combat suit and with gold and red hair.

He walked straight past the glass room without looking to the side.

The boy didn't even lift his eyelids at the old man licking the floor inside.

Jiraiya saw the boy's profile.

It's so similar, the silhouette and hair color are practically a fusion of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki.

"Who are you……"

Jiraiya stood up and stood in front of the boy.

"Naruto?"

Jiraiya looked at the child who had grown up in front of him.

It's been seven years; he hasn't returned to the village for a full seven years.

The last time I saw Naruto was when he was a newborn baby.

"I am Jiraiya."

Jiraiya wanted to touch Naruto's shoulder.

"I am your father's teacher."

"I am yours..."

The words "Master" were not uttered yet.

Naruto stopped in his tracks.

His eyes were devoid of any emotion, only showing a wary scrutiny of strangers, and even a hint of disgust.

"Father's teacher?"

Naruto replied casually.

"So."

Naruto took a step closer.

Where have you been for the past seven years?

Jiraiya's hand froze in mid-air.

"I……"

He wanted to say that he was tracking Orochimaru, investigating the Akatsuki organization, and gathering material for his book.

But at this moment, all these reasons seem insignificant.

"When I was so hungry that I was rummaging through the trash for food."

Naruto pointed at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was fighting over food in the glass room.

"Where are you?"

"When the villagers threw stones at me, and my head was bleeding profusely."

Naruto pointed at the indifferent villagers around him.

"Where are you?"

"When I hid under the covers and cried, asking why I was the only one without parents."

Naruto pointed to his chest.

"Where are you?"

The three questions were like three bombshells, leaving Jiraiya completely overwhelmed.

He was traveling, secretly watching women's bathhouses, and writing that novel.

He also abandoned the orphans of the Watergate family in this cannibalistic village and ignored them for seven whole years.

Now, the child has grown up and suffered greatly.

He ran back and said, "I'm your grandmaster," which did seem a bit ridiculous.

"If they've come to atone for their sins."

Naruto bypassed Jiraiya.

"Then go into the cage and eat garbage with them."

"If they're here to act like the third generation."

Naruto's voice came coldly.

"Then get lost."

"I don't need belated family affection."

"We don't need an irresponsible elder."

Jiraiya stood there, looking as if he had aged ten years in an instant.

Hokage Building, conference room.

Nara Shikaku sat in the first seat.

In front of him were piles of documents, all of them protest letters from various countries, as well as urging letters from the Daming Prefecture.

Sitting next to him were Uchiha Fugaku, Hyuga Hiashi, and Akimichi Choza, among others.

Konoha's high-level system has collapsed, and it is currently in a temporary state of co-governance by clans, but this will not last long.

Someone has to step forward and take up the mantle of Hokage.

Jiraiya pushed open the door and walked in. He was distraught, with tears still streaming down his face.

"Lord Jiraiya."

Shikaku stood up, and everyone was looking at the legendary Sannin.

He is currently the only candidate who is qualified, prestigious, and capable of succeeding as Hokage.

"Please assume the position of Fifth Hokage."

Shikaku got straight to the point, without any unnecessary words.

"The villagers are in a state of panic, and Daming also needs an explanation. Only you can stabilize the situation."

Fugaku nodded as well.

Although the Uchiha clan obtained the authority to maintain order, they were not qualified to become Hokage.

Electing Jiraiya aligns with the interests of all parties; Jiraiya represents the greatest common denominator, and all the clans would agree to this.

"I?"

Jiraiya gave a bitter laugh.

"Hokage? Don't be ridiculous."

He walked to the window and looked at the glass room where the teacher was locked.

"I can't even persuade my own teacher, and I can't even protect my own apprentice."

"Even the apprentice's orphaned child suffered terribly."

Jiraiya turned around.

"How dare someone as irresponsible as me sit in this position?"

"Making me Hokage will only lead Konoha into an even deeper abyss."

Shikaku was speechless. The most suitable person was unwilling to be the one. At this moment, he rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.

If Jiraiya won't do it, who else can we ask?

Should we let Kakashi go? He's too inexperienced, that won't work either, he won't be able to convince the crowd.

If we go to Fugaku, the other families will definitely object, and the villagers will panic.

Konoha is like a wrecked ship without a captain, spinning in the waves. If the captain isn't found soon, it will sink.

"Since heroes have become dejected, why not just replace them with someone else? Why are they all so dejected and agonizing over this?"

Everyone turned their heads.

All I could see was Roy leaning against the doorframe, holding a new bottle of soda.

He didn't knock, entering the door as casually as if it were his own home.

The darkness and barriers here are useless to him.

"Store manager?"

Shikaku's eyes narrowed.

The mastermind behind all the chaos in Konoha has brazenly appeared here.

However, no one dared to touch him; the fates of the Third Hokage and Danzo were laid bare downstairs.

"Do you have a suitable candidate?" Fugaku asked.

"certainly."

Roy walked into the conference room and, without any hesitation, pulled up a chair and sat down.

He even crossed his legs.

"Let's go find the legendary fat sheep."

"Tsunade Senju."