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"Jiraiya-sama, where are the enemies?"
"They fled. Quickly, tend to the wounded!"
Jiraiya promptly ordered. The two toads on his shoulders then jumped down.
As they left, the toad features on Jiraiya's body gradually faded away. His face and limbs had nearly fully transformed into a toad.
"Little Jiraiya, this fusion lasted a bit too long. If the enemy hadn't retreated, you would have turned into a toad statue."
Fukasaku warned. Although they could help Jiraiya absorb natural energy and maintain balance, the longer they did, the more pronounced Jiraiya's toad-like traits became.
Shima asked, "Little Jiraiya, why were you fighting that boy with the Rinnegan? Isn't he your disciple?"
Jiraiya had previously bragged about his disciples at Mount Myōboku and even wrote a book about Nagato, though the main character's name was Naruto. The character was based on Nagato, and the book was published.
"It's a complicated story. That disciple might now be an enemy of Konoha. A Konoha ninja mistakenly killed his friend, another one of my disciples."
Jiraiya seethed with frustration, feeling a strong urge to throttle Danzō, who had conspired with Hanzo.
"I see. It seems he's not the Child of Prophecy as the Great Toad Sage predicted. You still have much to do, little Jiraiya."
"After such a long battle, I'm exhausted. There's no food at home; let's head back, little Jiraiya."
Fukasaku and Shima spoke one after the other, preparing to leave now that the battle was over.
"Thank you for your help."
Jiraiya waved them off as they dispelled the summoning jutsu and returned to Mount Myōboku.
Jiraiya then assisted in treating the wounded. The battle had inflicted significant casualties. After providing initial care, they needed to evacuate quickly.
In the Land of Rain, such intense fighting would undoubtedly attract the attention of Rain ninjas. Hanzo might already be on his way.
Thirty-two were dead, thirteen severely injured, but with proper treatment, they could fully recover. The remaining twenty had minor injuries and were nearly out of chakra.
Their only gain was Yahiko's body, which was sealed in a storage scroll that Jiraiya carried. Once back in Konoha, the Intelligence and Medical Departments would analyze it.
Jiraiya felt regretful. Without the masked man who appeared at the end, he could have severely injured and captured Nagato.
"Nagato, you've become an enemy of Konoha."
Jiraiya sighed inwardly. If he had captured Nagato, he would have fought to protect him back in Konoha, even pleading with Orochimaru and fetching Tsunade to help.
But after killing so many Konoha ninjas and escaping, Nagato would now be classified as an S-rank threat, with Konoha relentlessly pursuing him.
With such clear hostility and possessing the powerful Rinnegan, Konoha would not let such a dangerous enemy roam freely in the ninja world.
Shortly after Jiraiya and his team left, Hanzo arrived at the battle site with some Rain ninjas.
The intense battle had devastated several kilometers, even affecting the nearby forest.
Seeing the aftermath, Hanzo's expression darkened. No wonder Konoha had sent an envoy—they had intended to stall him.
"Was it for that Rinnegan kid?"
Hanzo speculated, increasingly convinced. The Rinnegan, the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths, had tempted him too.
However, the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path had been too intimidating. It had slaughtered dozens of elite Rain ninjas and Danzō's subordinates in an instant, and they had no way to counter it.
"Konoha ninjas are truly daring."
Hanzo pondered. This was his territory. If Konoha took the Rinnegan, it would be a significant loss for him.
Upon returning, he decided to capture all Akatsuki members.
However, back in Konoha, Jiraiya reported to the Hokage office after ensuring the injured were taken to the hospital.
Hiruzen, informed of Jiraiya's return through his remaining Anbu, arrived even before Sakumo summoned him. He also notified Minato, who had just completed a mission and was resting at home.
"Fourth Hokage."
Minato scratched his head sheepishly as he entered. Without any official position, he wouldn't normally be summoned, but the Third Hokage had called him, so he had no choice but to come.
"Since you're here, listen in, Minato. You'll likely be involved in this mission later."
Sakumo addressed Minato, generally lenient with the village's ninjas unless it involved a breach of principles.
"Apologies, Fourth Hokage, Yoichi. This mission was a failure."
Jiraiya's face was grim as he recounted the mission.
They hadn't made any mistakes, but intelligence failures had cost them, underestimating Nagato's new ally with space-time jutsu.
"Such heavy casualties."
Sakumo's expression darkened. He had sent a large force to ensure safety but had still underestimated the Rinnegan.
He hadn't expected Nagato to have such a powerful helper.
"Jiraiya, hand over the body you brought back to the Intelligence and Forensics Departments. I find it hard to believe there are two pairs of Rinnegan, and this Yahiko should already be dead."
Sakumo then turned to Yoichi, "What do you think?"
Yoichi pondered briefly, "We should continue searching for them. This encounter provided valuable intelligence on the Rinnegan. Next time, we can send elite squads to capture him. If necessary, I'll go myself."
The room fell silent. Everyone knew that if Yoichi personally intervened, Nagato was as good as dead.
Over the years, Yoichi had never failed a mission, even turning the tide in Konoha's favor during times of adversity.
Any mission he undertook was guaranteed to succeed.
"Fourth Hokage, Yoichi, please let me handle this. I swear I'll capture Nagato next time."
Jiraiya took a deep breath. If Yoichi acted, Nagato would certainly die.
"Jiraiya, you're injured."
"I'm fine. Let Minato and me handle it. We'll capture Nagato!"
Jiraiya looked to Minato for support.
Minato stepped forward, "Fourth Hokage, Yoichi, give Jiraiya-sensei and me one more chance. We promise to bring Nagato back."
Sakumo considered, then asked Yoichi, "Yoichi?"
"Let them handle it. If Jonin Minato and Jiraiya can't capture Nagato, I'll step in."
"Very well. Jiraiya, Minato, the mission is yours."
Sakumo said, "Increase efforts to track Nagato and Konan. Gather intelligence on other Akatsuki members too. If necessary, I'll coordinate with Hanzo and notify you of any updates."
"Jiraiya, your previous mission is on hold."
Jiraiya, feeling a bit embarrassed, agreed. That mission was purely to pursue leads on Ryuchi Cave but had yielded no progress in months.
"Yoichi, about the strong defensive ninja gear of the Uchiha clan—can we purchase it for the village?"
Sakumo asked. Since seeing Kakashi in the armor, he had noticed its effectiveness. Today, many Anbu had been severely injured, but the Uchiha ninjas only had minor wounds.
"That armor is hard to make and rare even within our clan. But if you need it, we can supply ten pieces a month at cost price."
Yoichi pretended to ponder, "You can distribute them as needed."
"Thank you, Yoichi."
Sakumo smiled gratefully, "We'll inform everyone once the Intelligence Department has analyzed the information. If there's nothing else, let's adjourn and rest."
Everyone nodded and left after Sakumo's words.
Leaving a wood clone behind, Yoichi went to handle other matters.
He and Sakumo had clearly defined roles—Yoichi focused on village renovations and coordinating with major merchants in the Land of Fire to boost Konoha's prosperity.
With the Ninja Park completed, several projects were underway, including railroads, new residential areas, and even requests from nobles and merchants to establish a "noble district."
Yoichi hadn't agreed to this yet.
Affluent areas would attract more people, and the average Konoha resident already felt the change, with offers to buy their homes at high prices.
Few sold, preferring to stay in Konoha, hoping their children would attend the ninja academy and become ninjas.
Konoha was becoming more prosperous by the day. Though many credited Sakumo for revitalizing Konoha post-war, the leadership knew much of the credit belonged to Yoichi.
Returning home, Yoichi was greeted by Mina holding Karin, proudly showing off their daughter.
"Look, Yoichi-sama, isn't Karin adorable?"
"Indeed, she is, as expected of my daughter!"
Using the Sharingan and sensing techniques, Yoichi checked Karin, noting her strong life force. She might awaken the three-tomoe Sharingan by ten.
Yugito rolled her eyes at Yoichi's self-praise but couldn't deny Karin's cuteness, often holding her herself.
Mikoto, sitting on the sofa, no longer envied Mina. She gently patted her belly, anticipating Sasuke's birth in a few months.
Mikoto had already told Itachi about his upcoming brother. Itachi, still a child, looked forward to having a sibling, unaffected by other concerns.
...
"You were too reckless today, Nagato."
Back in their base, Tobi scolded, "After we left, dozens more Konoha ninjas arrived. Tobi was reaching his limit, and you'd have faced them alone."
"Yeah, I'm almost done."
Tobi scratched his empty head. Whether he was at his limit was debatable, but he agreed with Tobi.
"Sorry, Konan. I lost Yahiko's body."
Nagato ignored Tobi, apologizing to Konan.
Though saddened, Konan reassured him, "It's okay, Nagato. I'm glad you're safe. Don't be so reckless next time."
"We can't stay here. Konoha's pursuit is relentless. Over a hundred ninjas today, and more will come. We must leave."
Tobi's words were blunt but true.
Nagato and Konan silently agreed.
"Where to?"
"The Land of Earth. Staying in the Land of Rain risks Hanzo hunting you too. Konoha covets your Rinnegan, and so does Hanzo."
Tobi stood to leave, "I've said my piece. Decide for yourselves. But think about how many more assaults like today's you can withstand. If you decide to leave, find Zetsu."
With that, Tobi departed. He realized Konoha's strength needed to be weakened.
Though his Kamui was hard to counter, Konoha's formidable forces, like the Leaf Thunder God, posed a threat.
More intel on Konoha was necessary.
After Tobi left, Nagato and Konan discussed and decided to leave the Land of Rain temporarily.
This place was Yahiko's dream. Nagato vowed to return after mastering the Rinnegan, seeking revenge, reclaiming Yahiko's body, and fulfilling his vision.
(End of Chapter)