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As the white-haired man stepped into the Ichiraku Ramen Shop, a young man with white hair dining voraciously inside gently lifted his head. Noticing the one-armed man who entered, his gaze grew slightly somber. The golden-haired young man beside him, seeing his expression, was momentarily puzzled and followed his gaze with a hint of surprise.
"Jiraiya-sensei, isn't that 'White Fang' senior?" the young man asked.
Hearing the young man's words, Jiraiya's gaze softened slightly as he nodded and quietly responded, "Yes... Minato..."
The two halted their meal to silently observe Sakumo's actions, watching him finish seven bowls of ramen and then leave with a sorrowful expression, both remaining speechless for a long time. Eventually, Minato lifted his head, his expression somewhat sad, and asked Jiraiya in a youthful voice, "Sensei... why did the White Fang senior choose to abandon his ninja identity..."
He hesitated before adding, "Is it... really as the rumors say, related to senior Sōsuke?"
Clearly, Minato was concerned about this issue. Was the senior he admired truly as terrible as the rumors suggested? He sought the truth.
Hearing Minato's naive question, Jiraiya revealed a bitter smile. He hesitated for a moment, his gaze growing serious as he spoke, "I find it hard to give you an answer to that question, Minato."
"Because Sōsuke was my comrade... even if everyone thinks he did wrong... I still believe in him..." Jiraiya said, his expression complex. "That guy might have had his own plans, and as his comrade, I'm truly a failure for not realizing what he truly wanted in his heart."
"But..." Jiraiya's gaze became resolute as he continued, "I will definitely bring him back, even if it costs me my life. That's the bond between him and me, the true meaning of being comrades."
Hearing Jiraiya's words, Minato gave a small smile and then softly said, "It's really good for senior Sōsuke to have a comrade like you."
Jiraiya, hearing Minato's words, quickly changed his previously serious and somber expression to strike a cool pose, showing off a charming smile with white teeth. However, when he glanced at Minato, his eyes widened in shock.
"Minato! When did you finish eating the ramen?" Jiraiya exclaimed in surprise.
Hearing this, Minato sheepishly smiled and gently replied, "Sorry, Sensei Jiraiya, I was so hungry while you were speaking earnestly, I ate it all..."
Jiraiya, looking defeated and overwhelmed, commented, "Minato, if you always eat so much, it puts a lot of pressure on me as your teacher..."
He slumped over the table, glanced at his wallet, and waved to the shopkeeper, "Another bowl, please!"
Hearing this, Minato's face lit up with a sunny smile, cheerfully saying, "Thank you, Sensei Jiraiya."
Jiraiya made a face, but his eyes held a smile and... a hint of nostalgia. "This kid... you're so much like him back then..." Sōsuke...
And Minato, with a smile, thought to himself, "Sensei, if one day I can reach that level, I will personally ask senior Sōsuke..." "Why, despite having a comrade like you and being the Fourth Hokage, did he still choose to leave the village..."
...
Dark clouds covered the sky, and the air was filled with a dense, moist scent, signaling the imminent arrival of a long-awaited storm.
Within the Rain Country, in the Hidden Rain Village, at the top of a tall building made of black rock, in an office, a young man was slightly squinting his eyes, looking pleasantly at the increasingly prosperous streets of the village below.
In a year, the village underwent tremendous changes. It wasn't just material improvements, but the spirit and demeanor of the villagers themselves had been completely revitalized. People were filled with hope for the future, infusing the entire Rain Ninja Village with an atmosphere of anticipation. Just then, a voice filled with magnetic laughter came from behind the young man.
"Jinnai, it's been a year. You seem quite pleased with the current situation."
Hearing the voice suddenly behind him, Jinnai's pupils shrank suddenly, and he turned around in surprise. There stood a tall figure directly behind him, smiling lightly, his profound eyes twinkling as he looked at Jinnai.
"Sōsuke... Captain..."
Jinnai said complexly, his demeanor becoming respectful. For some reason, after a year apart, Jinnai felt an even stronger sense of pressure emanating from Sōsuke. Just a casual glance from him was enough to send chills down Jinnai's spine. What exactly had Sōsuke experienced to exude such a terrifying aura of deterrence?
Jinnai was secretly astonished. Sōsuke didn't say much, just slowly walked to Jinnai's side, looked out the window at the Rain Ninja Village below, and chuckled.
"The village seems to be developing just as I had hoped. This is your achievement, Jinnai."
Standing beside Sōsuke, Jinnai bowed slightly, respectfully saying, "This is all thanks to the honor you brought, Captain Sōsuke..."
Hearing his words, Sōsuke's eyes twinkled with amusement. He shook his head lightly and said, "Honor? That's nothing. But it doesn't matter anymore. By the way, where is Saki at the moment? Has anything happened during my absence this past year?"
Jinnai respectfully replied, "There have been no issues. Saki took those children to the residence of the Daimyo of Shiji, and they should now be hiding within the Royal City of the Fire Country."
Sōsuke nodded lightly, "Is that so... The Royal City of the Fire Country is a good choice. It's time to fulfill the promise made back then."
Saying this, he slowly turned around and walked away from Jinnai. Jinnai was somewhat puzzled, not understanding what Sōsuke meant.
As Sōsuke walked, he quietly said, "Prepare. If there are suitable seeds within the Rain Ninja Village, perhaps they can be nurtured... In the upcoming war, they might prove somewhat useful..."
As his quiet words faded, Sōsuke's figure vanished into the shadows. Jinnai, hearing these words, furrowed his brows tightly.
A war... is about to begin again? What kind of waves will Sōsuke stir up in the ninja world this time?
Thinking this, his gaze darkened as he ordered firmly, "Send someone to inform Zen to recruit some children with enough talent!"
In the shadows, a ninja finally relaxed from an overwhelming shock. As the guard of Jinnai, he had been unable to move at all when that mysterious person came to see Jinnai. He couldn't even make a sound. He never wanted to experience that feeling of helplessness, akin to an ant, ever again.
Trembling, he managed to say, "Yes..." before leaving the place.
In the office, now left alone, Jinnai looked at the sky that seemed about to rain, murmuring softly, "Father... Mother... I hope... my choice is not wrong..."