THE EVIL OF UCHIHA BYAKUYA

Was Sarutobi Hiruzen stupid? Of course not.

Not only was he not stupid, but he was also deeply cunning and politically astute.

If not for his political savvy, Konoha wouldn't have endured decades under his leadership—though many would argue it also suffered under his passive decisions.

Under his rule, the once-powerful Senju Clan—his own clan—dwindled into obscurity. The Uchiha Clan, increasingly alienated, simmered with resentment.

Everything Hiruzen did was calculated, including his decision to allow Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze to visit the Uchiha compound.

Why?

Because he saw an opportunity: a way to retrieve Kushina Uzumaki.

As the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, Kushina was a key military asset. Hiruzen had long kept tight control over who could interact with her. By keeping her isolated, he limited potential influences. Few were ever allowed to grow close—except Minato Namikaze.

Minato wasn't just a friend by coincidence. Hiruzen had deliberately facilitated their bond from a young age. He saw in Minato a loyal, controllable prodigy—someone he could mold into a perfect vessel for manipulating Kushina.

There were even whispers of how Minato and Kushina's "first meeting" had been orchestrated. According to rumor, the supposed abduction of Kushina by Kumo-nin had been nothing more than a setup—staged by ANBU under Hiruzen's command.

After all, could Cloud ninja really infiltrate a heavily guarded Konoha and kidnap the Nine-Tails' host, a future key to national defense?

Unlikely. The very idea stretched credulity.

Minato, a mere Academy student at the time, would've stood no chance against true Cloud jonin. Yet somehow, he had rescued Kushina, earned her admiration, and forged an emotional bond strong enough to influence even the Nine-Tails.

That was the point.

Hiruzen understood the power of emotional bonds better than most. He knew that if anyone could awaken Kushina's will—or provoke her into unleashing the Nine-Tails—it was Minato.

Whether he saved her or failed, Hiruzen benefited. Either outcome would serve as a weapon against the Uchiha.

And then there was Jiraiya.

A living legend. One of the Sannin. A true Kage-level shinobi.

By allowing Jiraiya to appear alongside Minato, Hiruzen sent a message to the Uchiha: Yes, you are powerful. Yes, some of you wield the Mangekyō Sharingan.

But you are not the only elite force in this village.

With Jiraiya's return, the power balance shifted. Hiruzen's side looked stronger than ever.

It was a warning: Don't try anything reckless.

But even the most intricate plans can unravel.

Hiruzen hadn't expected this—Jiraiya, captured by the Uchiha clan.

"Damn it… The Uchiha are too brazen! On what grounds are they detaining Jiraiya?!"

His voice trembled with suppressed fury as he questioned Minato.

"Hokage-sama… they're accusing Jiraiya-sensei of… peeping into the women's bathhouse," Minato replied, visibly embarrassed.

"Peeping!? That again…?"

Hiruzen's face twitched.

As Jiraiya's teacher, he was all too aware of his student's… unfortunate habits. In the past, such behavior had been laughed off.

But now, the Uchiha had used it as a legal pretext—technically valid—to detain him.

"Hokage-sama, what should we do?" Minato said urgently. "We have to save Jiraiya-sensei!"

"Don't worry, Minato," Hiruzen said with a forced calm. "Jiraiya is my student. I'll make sure he's released."

Outwardly composed, but inwardly disturbed, Hiruzen clenched his fists.

He knew perfectly well—this wasn't about bathhouses. This was Byakuya, the head of the Uchiha security force, sending him a message.

If Hiruzen wanted Jiraiya back, he'd have to pay.

And he knew the cost would not be small.

…

On the other side of the village, Jiraiya, who had been captured by the Uchiha, let out a quiet sigh of relief upon seeing Minato Namikaze teleport away. At least the boy was safe.

Then, turning to face Uchiha Byakuya, his expression darkened.

"Hmph... The Uchiha really have the gall to arrest me?" Jiraiya scoffed. "Where do you plan on locking me up? Some dark ANBU cell?"

Byakuya didn't respond to the sarcasm. Technically, Jiraiya had been detained for peeping—again. But for someone of Jiraiya's status—one of the Legendary Sannin and a former student of the Third Hokage—it was more a political message than a criminal matter.

Still, Jiraiya wasn't taking it seriously at all. He was confident in his status and connections. The old man knows what's going on here. He'll come and sort this out soon enough, Jiraiya thought.

But Byakuya had other plans.

"If all we did was toss a shameless pervert like you into a cell, that'd be letting you off too easy," Byakuya said with a smirk. "Uchiha En. Bring a sign. We're going to parade 'Jiraiya the Lecher' through the streets of Konoha."

Jiraiya's face twitched. "You've gotta be kidding me… You want to parade me?! Uchiha Byakuya, don't go too far!"

But Byakuya only narrowed his eyes. "Too far? For a man who sneaks around women's bathhouses? No punishment is too far."

Moments later, Uchiha En returned with a wooden placard.

"Here, Lord Byakuya."

Byakuya took a brush and wrote boldly across it:

[Konoha's Lecherous Sage – Jiraiya]

[Charge: Peeping at Women in the Bathhouse]

"You bastard! There's no way this legendary sage is going on a public parade!" Jiraiya roared and tried to break free. With Minato already gone, he figured the Uchiha wouldn't risk doing anything too extreme.

But Byakuya had anticipated this.

"Fūin jutsu: Chakra Suppression Seal."

In an instant, a sealing formula spread across Jiraiya's body, locking his chakra flow completely.

Jiraiya fell to his knees, his limbs heavy and unresponsive. "W-What the hell? You sealed my chakra?!"

Byakuya ignored his protest, hung the placard around his neck, and gave the order. "Take him. Let the villagers see what happens to peeping-toms, no matter who they are."

"Yes, Lord Byakuya."

Uchiha En signaled two other members of the Konoha Military Police Force. They roughly hoisted the Sannin to his feet.

"Let me go! This is humiliation! I'll report this to the Hokage!" Jiraiya shouted, thrashing uselessly.

But the sealing jutsu had stripped him of resistance. En, annoyed by his yelling, struck him hard in the gut.

"Shut up, pervert. You think being one of the Sannin gives you a free pass?"

The other Uchiha officers joined in, pummeling him with controlled but forceful strikes—not enough to cripple, but more than enough to bruise.

Jiraiya's face was soon swollen and bloodied. He gritted his teeth.

Damn Uchiha... You actually dared to lay hands on me.

"Good. Looks like he's finally quiet," Byakuya said coldly. "Now take him out. The village needs to see that even a Sannin isn't above the law."

With that, the beaten and humiliated Jiraiya was dragged into the streets, a living symbol of the Uchiha's growing authority—and their willingness to challenge even Konoha's untouchable legends.

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