Chapter 2: "Broken Bonds"

In a dimly lit corner of a brothel, Jiraiya, renowned Sannin and prolific writer, found himself lost in his usual activities. The air was thick with the scent of alcohol, sweat, and desire as he indulged in the hedonistic pleasures of the night. His disheveled silver hair and drunken grin were familiar sights in this shadowy world.

Amidst the cacophony of whispered secrets and fleeting pleasures, a figure clad in the distinctive black attire of an ANBU messenger approached Jiraiya. The messenger hesitated for a moment, observing Jiraiya's debauched revelry, before finally stepping forward to deliver a message from the Hokage.

ANBU Messenger: "Jiraiya-sama," the ANBU spoke, his voice laced with urgency, "The Hokage requests your immediate return to Konoha."

Jiraiya, his senses clouded by alcohol and his body languid from his activities, scoffed at the notion.

Jiraiya: "Return to Konoha? You must be out of your mind, Anbu. I'm living the good life here, free from the burdens of the village."

The messenger's tone remained firm as he conveyed the Hokage's message.

ANBU Messenger: "Hokage has made it clear that if you do not return this time, you will no longer receive your salary from your activities."

Jiraiya's anger flared. He had dedicated his life to the village, been a hero during the Second Ninja War, established and maintained their spy network, and even trained the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze himself. He couldn't fathom why he wasn't allowed a semblance of peace.

Jiraiya: "Why can't I have some peace at last?" Jiraiya muttered bitterly. Everything in Konoha reminded him of Minato and the other Sannin. The memory of his student's death weighed heavily on his heart.

But as much as he wanted to avoid returning, Jiraiya knew he couldn't ignore the Hokage's summons. Inwardly, he wrestled with his desires for the carefree life of a wanderer and the obligations that bound him to his past. Reluctantly, he made up his mind to return to Konoha and have a candid conversation with his teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

In Hiruzen's office, Kakashi had just returned from a mission when he received an unsettling message. Hiruzen informed him that Naruto was in a coma at the hospital, his life sustained only by the regenerative powers of the Nine-Tails. The description of Naruto's condition was horrifying, with his face having been mutilated beyond recognition when he was found.

Kakashi: "This... this is horrifying. How could anyone do this to a child?" Kakashi's voice trembled with a mix of anger and sorrow.

Hiruzen's face was etched with regret as he recounted the moment when he had first seen Naruto.

Hiruzen: "His appearance, Kakashi, it was like looking at a dead animal. I was so shocked and angry with myself and the village that I went at the Hokage monument and destroyed my own face."

Kakashi's usually calm demeanor was shattered by the news. He couldn't comprehend the brutality that had been inflicted upon a child, and the guilt clawed at him.

Hiruzen: "Most of the village was so shocked with my actions that they gathered and watched me."

- start of flashback -

Hiruzen: "Today a group of villagers followed a boy and beat him almost to death. Most of you know who is the boy I am talking about. This group of villagers have already been apprehended by the ANBU and will be executed by my hand as traitors. Let me remind you who the Hokage is."

Danzo, watching from the shadows, was shocked by Hiruzen's actions. It had been a long time since he had seen the Hokage like this. His lips curled into a sinister smile.

- end of flashback -

Kakashi was terrified by Hiruzen's words, but the Hokage continued

Hiruzen: "Kakashi, it is time to address your psychological issues. You have stopped improving yourself since the death of the Fourth Hokage, and you are a valuable asset to the village. We cannot afford to waste your potential."

Kakashi, initially resistant to the idea, finally spoke with a heavy heart.

Kakashi: "I... I accept the treatment."

Hiruzen, his gaze unwavering, conveyed the severity of the situation.

Hiruzen: "The three main culprits of Naruto's situation are myself, Jiraiya, and you, Kakashi. I won't be lenient anymore with anyone. I have already recalled Jiraiyaback to the village and I will also recall Tsunade. The Fourth Hokage would be ashamed of us."

Kakashi's tears were a testament to his acceptance of the treatment and acknowledgment of his role in Naruto's suffering.

As Jiraiya returned to Konoha, his footsteps carried the weight of his mixed emotions. He couldn't shake the memories of his carefree wanderings and the reluctance that had gnawed at him upon receiving Hiruzen's summons. Seeking solace and perhaps some liquid courage, he found himself in a dimly lit bar just outside the village gates.

The bar was a sanctuary for those who wished to drown their sorrows or lose themselves in the numbing embrace of alcohol. Jiraiya took a seat at the bar, ordering a drink to calm his racing thoughts.

As he nursed his glass, he couldn't help but overhear the hushed conversations of the patrons around him. Whispers of the village's recent turmoil and the horrific state in which a certain child had been found reached his ears. The details were gruesome, and the anger and disbelief in the voices of the villagers were palpable.

Villager 1: "Have you heard about that poor kid? They say they found him all messed up, barely clinging to life."

Villager 2: "Yeah, I heard they're blaming some villagers for it, calling them traitors."

Villager 3: "And Hokage-sama, he went berserk or something, smashed his own face at the monument."

Jiraiya's grip on his glass tightened as he listened to the disturbing accounts. His heart pounded in his chest as he wondered, "Could it be Naruto?" The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning.

Without a moment's hesitation, Jiraiya rushed to the hospital, his heart heavy with dread. Unbeknownst to him, Hiruzen had learned about his arrival and decided to find him there. When Jiraiya reached the hospital, his heart raced, and he feared what he might find.

As he found and entered the room and saw the child's mutilated form, he couldn't hold back his tears. The realization struck him like a dagger in the heart. It was Naruto, his godson, and he was in a state that no child should ever be in.

Tears streaming down his face, Jiraiya turned to Hiruzen, who had appeared next to him, their grief and despair mirrored in each other's eyes.

Hiruzen: "We have failed him, Jiraiya," Hiruzen uttered softly, the words heavy with the weight of their shared guilt and sorrow.