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"Whoosh, whoosh....."
Amidst the sound of heavy rain, Jiraiya arrived at the tent where Sakumo was located.
Upon seeing Jiraiya's arrival, the two Leaf Village ninjas guarding the tent respectfully greeted him.
"Captain Jiraiya!"
To this, Jiraiya waved his hand and said solemnly.
"You two may leave. I have some matters to discuss with Sakumo."
Hearing his words, the two ninjas hesitated slightly but respectfully left.
Thus, a completely drenched Jiraiya entered the tent and saw Sakumo, pale-faced and exuding an air of decadence.
His gaze first fell on Sakumo's empty sleeve, and his expression darkened slightly.
Hearing the noise, Sakumo slightly turned his head, his eyes deep and bright, contrasting with his otherwise decadent demeanor.
Clearly, Jiraiya was also surprised by this and took a moment before speaking solemnly.
"Sakumo... It's been a long time...."
Hearing his words, Sakumo's expression remained unchanged, and he spoke hoarsely.
"Long time no see... Jiraiya..."
"There are only two of us here... there's no need for formalities... coincidentally, I also have something to ask you."
Jiraiya frowned slightly at Sakumo's words, feeling puzzled and not understanding what he meant.
He slowly sat down in front of him, facing Sakumo, and said solemnly.
"Sakumo, I want to know... why did you choose to infiltrate the Sand Village..."
"You must realize, because of your decision, the Leaf Village suffered heavy losses, Shino and... Sōsuke also sacrificed their lives on that land."
Jiraiya said solemnly, looking intently into Sakumo's eyes.
Hearing this, Sakumo also frowned slightly, puzzled by his words.
He hesitated, wondering whether to reveal the S-class secret mission, and finally spoke hoarsely.
"Don't you know anything about this matter... as one of the Legendary Sannin... you should understand.."
Jiraiya's brow furrowed even more.
Indeed... something was off...!!
He said solemnly.
"What happened, Sakumo, why are you saying this!?"
Seeing Jiraiya's reaction, Sakumo frowned slightly, his eyes lowered, and he spoke hoarsely.
"It seems... you don't understand...."
At this, Jiraiya's expression tightened, and he said solemnly.
"Tell me, what exactly happened, Sakumo."
Sakumo thought for a moment, then as if he had made a decision, spoke hoarsely.
"Due to the secrecy of ninja operations, I shouldn't reveal this, but... Sōsuke is dead... my team members may forever bear this stigma..."
"I hope, after hearing what I have to say, Jiraiya, you can help them gain the honor they deserve..."
"This shouldn't be too difficult for you, as a student of the Third Hokage, Jiraiya."
Hearing Sakumo's increasingly strange words, Jiraiya realized he might have been kept in the dark about a big lie!
He eagerly agreed, wanting to know immediately what had happened to Sakumo.
"If what you're saying is true, I promise, now tell me, Sakumo!"
Jiraiya said solemnly.
Hearing his words, Sakumo showed a faint smile, speaking hoarsely.
"The reason I led my team to the Sand Village... was because it was an order from the village..."
"And the ones responsible for conveying this order... were your three companions, Sōsuke, Tsunade, and Orochimaru..."
Hearing this, Jiraiya was stunned!
Almost without thinking, he blurted out.
"Impossible!"
Upon hearing this, Sakumo showed a bitter smile, his face pale as he said,
"Whether you believe it or not, this is the truth... and a reality I have to face."
"To cooperate with Sōsuke's operation, the village issued such instructions, attempting to deliver a major blow to the Sand Village in one fell swoop..."
Saying this, his eyes slightly lowered, he spoke word by word.
"Who would have thought... the strength of the Third Kazekage was beyond everyone's expectations..."
"The operation failed... and this plan could only be buried in darkness... this stigma... I must bear..."
At that moment,
"Boom!"
A sudden, intense lightning bolt tore through the sky outside, illuminating the heavens.
Inside the tent, Jiraiya listened to Sakumo's words, feeling a chill in his limbs, even a spine-tingling sensation on his back.
It felt as though he was being watched by some terrifying gaze, as if everything he knew was under scrutiny by this unknown observer.
He couldn't believe that his three companions would hide such a thing from him.
He couldn't believe that Orochimaru and Tsunade would choose to keep this fact hidden from him even after Sōsuke's death.
If... all of this was a lie...
Then who is fabricating all this... and how could they so easily deceive Sakumo...
Only someone very familiar with the Leaf Village could do this, so the person behind this must be a member of the Leaf. But who could it be...?
"I will confirm this with Tsunade and Orochimaru... but Sakumo... I will reserve judgment on your words..."
Jiraiya said, his face extremely serious and solemn.
Continuing, his face tensed, he spoke word for word.
"If what you say is true... then... it's very likely that the Sōsuke, Tsunade, and Orochimaru you saw were someone else..."
Hearing Jiraiya's words, Sakumo was also slightly taken aback, then his expression quickly turned ugly.
Who could it be...?
.....
Meanwhile,
In the Land of Fire,
Within the Leaf Village.
In a predominantly white building, a ward was filled with a slight sound of surprise.
"You're saying you initially mastered space-time ninjutsu to escape from the Sand Village!?"
Koharu looked in disbelief at Sōsuke, who was sitting up in bed.
The Third Hokage and Homura also felt a shock.
Space-time ninjutsu, a special technique only a few highly gifted ninjas could master and utilize.
Their teacher, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, also had a formidable space-time ninjutsu.
Sōsuke, sitting on the hospital bed wrapped in bandages, his eyes flickered with a hidden sharpness, said quietly,
"I've only just begun to grasp the most basic applications, unfortunately, I couldn't save Shino..."
Saying this, his eyes slightly lowered, seemingly with a hint of sadness.
Seeing this, Koharu, the Third Hokage, and Homura exchanged glances, seemingly reaching a consensus.
The Third Hokage looked at Sōsuke, speaking solemnly.
"You've done very well... Sōsuke."
"It's rare for a ninja of your age to perform so outstandingly... if there's anyone else, I think... it would only be the First Hokage who once showed such excellence..."
Saying this, his eyes shimmered with reminiscence.
"I dare not accept such praise, Lord Third, compared to the First Hokage, my achievements are too insignificant."
Sōsuke modestly replied.
Hearing his words, the Third Hokage shook his head lightly, continuing to speak solemnly.
"As a ninja raised in the Leaf, Sōsuke, you carry the Will of Fire, which is evident to us all."
"Despite the heavy losses in the Sand Village, due to your exceptional performance there, the village has decided to reward you greatly."
Sōsuke's face showed a hint of confusion.
The Third Hokage looked at him and spoke solemnly.
"The Scroll of Seals, containing forbidden techniques not for ordinary ninja, treasured by the Leaf Village throughout generations!"
"It includes the space-time ninjutsu you mentioned, which the Second Hokage also recorded, including his unique space-time technique. Have a look, it might enhance your abilities."
"This is the village's reward to you, and their trust in you. I hope you will diligently study this scroll."
Hearing the Third Hokage's words, Sōsuke's face first showed astonishment, then uncontrollably revealed a joyful expression, gratefully saying,
"Thank you, Lord Third, for this gift."
The Third Hokage gently looked at him, his voice slightly hoarse,
"You deserve it, Sōsuke, you earned this scroll of forbidden techniques with your performance!"
Koharu and Homura also admired Sōsuke greatly.
The Third Hokage then took out a scroll he was carrying.
"Bang!"
A puff of smoke arose, and a large scroll appeared before everyone.
"Take it, Sōsuke, and study the techniques that suit you."
The Third Hokage spoke slowly and solemnly.
"This matter, even your teacher is not allowed to know, nor can you lend the scroll to others to read. Understand?"
Sōsuke nodded seriously.
Seeing his performance, the Third Hokage and the others slowly left the place.
In the medical ward's corridor, Koharu said softly,
"It seems you've made your decision... Third."
Homura added,
"After all... that scroll is only for the Hokage's eyes... Sōsuke... deserves it."
The Third Hokage didn't speak but pondered over this matter, saying solemnly,
"That boy... for him... power was never the key... what's important is that he has a heart for the village..."
Meanwhile, in the ward,
Sōsuke's lips curved into a slight smile, his eyes slowly scanning the now smaller scroll in his palm, murmuring,
"A forbidden technique only the Hokage can master... finally, I can see the strengths of my predecessors..."