"Wh-Where is this? I was just…"
Upon regaining consciousness, Jiraiya found himself inexplicably in a forest. As he recalled his recent memories, he quickly understood what had happened.
"Damn it, Summoning Jutsu!"
Boom! A puff of smoke appeared, but when it cleared, no toad responded to his call; Gamabunta, Gamaken, and Gamahiro had all been summoned before he left, and it seemed that Gamahiro might have died.
The sky had already turned dark, and after some thought, Jiraiya realized that the battle had likely ended a while ago. Still, he refused to give up and summoned every toad he knew, including the Sages, Fukasaku and Shima.
But in the end, none of Jiraiya's summoning attempts were successful.
"Damn it… Damn it…"
Jiraiya slumped down onto the ground, feeling defeated. Konoha was his first home, and Mount Myōboku had been his second home, the place that gave him strength. Now, in the span of a single day, both were gone.
After a moment, Jiraiya pulled out the scroll he had taken with him. He unrolled it fully and found it contained many techniques related to the Sage Mode of Mount Myōboku.
In addition to a secret technique for hiding chakra, there were also two music scores, one accompanied by illustrations of two toads. This music score was a powerful genjutsu.
"So… the inheritance of Mount Myōboku's Sage Arts… Great Elder, it seems you anticipated the destruction of Mount Myōboku and entrusted me to pass on its legacy."
After examining the scroll, Jiraiya made a silent vow. He wouldn't let down Fukasaku and Shima's expectations; he would at least ensure Mount Myōboku's legacy endured.
Jiraiya then stored the scroll, disrupted the barrier on the ground, and left the area.
...
Konoha
Upon returning to Konoha late at night, Yoichi set aside his plans to sort through the scrolls and secret techniques, choosing instead to go home and rest.
Even though he didn't really need rest due to his energy, he wanted to spend time with his wife and children.
However, by the time Yoichi returned, Tsunade had already left. For a while, Yoichi had feigned ignorance, allowing Tsunade to stay, but his space-time ninjutsu left her unable to resist. Still, whenever he was away, her embarrassment would resurface, especially after certain… shared moments.
Mina and Mikoto had been in his life longer, and in the village, they were technically her juniors. Mina had even studied medical ninjutsu under her, which made Tsunade unable to face the situation calmly. So, when Yoichi wasn't around, she left with their child, Yoko.
Upon hearing of her departure, Yoichi didn't attempt to bring her back immediately. He figured she just needed time to adjust; after all, they were all in the same village.
Once his estate by the Naka River near the Forest of Death was complete, these issues would be less concerning.
Using his authority as Hokage, Yoichi arranged to have an electric rail built to his new home, allowing his family easy access to the village—a perk he didn't hesitate to grant himself.
After settling the affairs of Mount Myōboku and returning home, Yoichi found that Karin, Sasuke, and the others had already gone to bed. However, Mikoto was absent that night, prompting him to ask.
Mina stepped forward and replied, "Mikoto went back to rest tonight. Yoichi-sama, I'd also like to rest alone, so I'll head up now."
With that, Mina went upstairs to her own room. While Yoichi was away, she and Mikoto had finally gotten Yūgito to open up. Learning that she had already been involved with Yoichi helped both women come to terms with the situation.
Although Mikoto and Mina felt uneasy, they realized that even with Tsunade's help, they struggled to keep up with Yoichi. Now that both had children, they gradually accepted the reality.
Understanding their intentions, Yoichi naturally headed to Yūgito's room.
Opening the door, he was greeted by the sight of Yūgito's slender, stocking-clad legs. As his gaze traveled upward, he saw her delicate waist and the enticing curves above.
"W-Why didn't you knock before coming in!"
Startled, Yūgito hurriedly covered herself with clothing. She had been changing into something special for him that night, but being caught mid-change made her feel incredibly shy.
"Out! Get out!"
Yūgito tried to push him out, but Yoichi gently brushed her arms aside, pulling her into his embrace.
"Yūgito, it's late. You should rest now."
"But… but I haven't finished changing."
"Who needs clothes for sleeping? Just keep those stockings to protect your ankles."
"You perv… mmph…"
In the night, a pair of white-stockinged feet swayed in the air, while the bed creaked rhythmically without pause.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The next morning, Uchiha Yoichi woke up refreshed, heading to breakfast. Mina had already prepared the meal.
Mikoto didn't join them, likely helping the children in the other part of the house.
"Yoichi-sama, where's Yūgito?"
Yoichi, slightly embarrassed, replied, "Yūgito might need until the afternoon to wake up. She was sleeping quite soundly."
"Honestly, Yoichi-sama."
With a huff, Mina placed Yūgito's breakfast before him.
After eating, Yoichi headed to the Hokage's office, gathering the Intelligence Division and the personnel from the Konoha Library. His priority was to sort through the rare collection from Mount Myōboku.
All non-secret techniques and non-Sage Arts were handed to the library staff for classification, while the remaining materials would be compiled into a few new forbidden scrolls.
Sage Arts were even more challenging to master than forbidden techniques. Most of Konoha's current mastery over Sage Chakra relied on Yoichi's guidance and the assistance of Ryūchi Cave's Snake Princesses.
Yoichi was particularly interested in Mount Myōboku's secret techniques, many of which involved natural energy.
Orochimaru also had no shortage of enthusiasm. His lifelong dream was to uncover the world's truths, and the secrets of Mount Myōboku presented a treasure trove for him.
As they browsed through the Mount Myōboku archives, Orochimaru suddenly asked, "Yoichi-kun, did that fool survive?"
With Mount Myōboku's archives now filling multiple large rooms with scrolls, its fate was clear. Still, Orochimaru wanted to know if Jiraiya had survived.
"The toads sent him away. If he returns, he'll be stripped of his Konoha shinobi status as punishment. But if he has other intentions…"
Yoichi set down a scroll of Mount Myōboku's Frog Kata techniques and continued, "He carries my Flying Thunder God mark. Even if his flesh were to be stripped, it couldn't be erased."
"That fool probably won't ever see reason."
Orochimaru shook his head. It had been a full night since Mount Myōboku's fall. If Jiraiya had intended to return, he would have done so by now. It seemed he had chosen his path.
After a moment, Orochimaru set down his scroll and said, "Yoichi-kun, I'd like to send shadow clones daily to review these scrolls."
"Of course, if you're willing."
"Actually, I'll pass. I still have that giant toad you gave me to study, and I'm already buried in work. Find someone else, Yoichi-kun."
Without giving Yoichi a chance to respond, Orochimaru left. He was so busy that he barely had time to mentor Nawaki, though the latter was now training under the Second Hokage.
After Orochimaru's departure, Yoichi created ten shadow clones and continued searching through the secret techniques.
Midway through, Kurenai and Rumi from the Hyūga clan stopped by, but with plenty of village matters to attend to, they left shortly after.
In the Rain Districts and Sand Districts, order was stabilizing. Those who had caused trouble were detained and sent to work in the desert mines.
For now, Konoha ruled these regions with a heavy hand. In the world of shinobi, ninjas held the ultimate power, and no amount of ordinary people could match a jōnin in strength.
Especially since Konoha, the strongest military force in the shinobi world, was the one maintaining order.
With prisoners now laboring in the three detected mining veins, resource scarcity had significantly lessened. Even those unused to labor could still be put to work.
With these districts under control, Yoichi began considering how to handle matters in his own country.
In truth, he should have acted sooner. Despite using Kotoamatsukami to control key nobles and the daimyō, Konoha's recent actions had left them fearful.
Rather than waiting for them to act, Konoha would take the initiative.
"Found it."
After searching all afternoon with his shadow clones, Yoichi finally located a Yin-Yang technique related to the Pure Land.
Nearly sealing him away, this grudge was one he couldn't ignore. Mount Myōboku was only the beginning; his true enemy was yet to be dealt with.
"It seems Mount Myōboku initially aligned with humans. Later, when those onmyōji were wiped out by Kaguya, Gamamaru couldn't sit still and sought out Hagoromo."
Yoichi speculated silently. Although the details weren't recorded, the scroll's accounts of the Pure Land couldn't have come from a toad's perspective.
The origin of the Pure Land remained uncertain, but it was likely created by a powerful onmyōji from ancient times, later evolving over millennia into a place where souls could be purified for reincarnation.
In addition to this information, Yoichi found a secret technique for contacting the Pure Land—Natural Astral Projection.
By using natural energy, one could separate the spirit from the body and ascend to feel the Pure Land's call. With the protection of natural energy, the spirit could even avoid being bound to the Pure Land.
Upon discovering this method, Yoichi decided not to learn it immediately. Even if he did, he wouldn't visit the Pure Land just yet. That realm belonged to Hagoromo, and venturing there without preparation would be risky.
"At least there's a way now. Perhaps seeking out ancient knowledge will yield more answers."
Yoichi recalled something Kaguya had mentioned: he had seized all the onmyōji techniques she had collected, possibly by using a mystical artifact to return to the past.
Kaguya hadn't been particularly invested in these techniques. They had been gathered by her subordinates rather than her own initiative.
With Karasuki fully charged and capable of traversing time and space, and with no major issues in the shinobi world—Madara, Kaguya, and Urashiki had all been defeated—Yoichi considered unifying the shinobi world as Konoha's task.
With the likes of Hashirama and Tobirama back, alongside many powerful allies, if the village still needed him, then they'd truly be useless.
"Angel-sama!"
"Long live Angel-sama! Long live Konoha!"
"Thank you for your decision, Angel-sama!"
In the Rain District, Konan was greeted warmly by the people whenever she appeared, owing to Konoha's recent decision to reduce taxes for the local populace.
Initially, the people of the Land of Rain had felt little attachment to Konoha, but thanks to Konan's Akatsuki, which had spread benefits and rousing proclamations, they had joined and become residents of the Rain District.
Now, they were experiencing tangible benefits.
The former daimyō of the Land of Rain had taxed them heavily, taking half of all their earnings, while the people had nowhere to turn, as Amegakure fiercely protected the daimyō who funded them.
With the daimyō gone and taxes reduced, the people quickly grew loyal to Konoha.
Seeing the joy and relief on their faces filled Konan with a sense of accomplishment and happiness. Transforming this nation had been her and Yahiko's dream since childhood, and now it was finally achieved—with Konoha's help.
Every time she thought of this, Konan bit her lip, torn by her feelings. She had no choice, though, as Nagato was still imprisoned in Konoha.
After navigating the crowd's cheers, Konan arrived at Konoha's temporary command post in Amegakure.
Upon entering, she addressed Nara Shikaku. "Are there any new assignments?"
"No, you've done an excellent job recently. Your efforts have greatly helped stabilize the Land of Rain. You deserve some rest."
Shikaku continued, "Take some time off. I'll report your performance back to the village."
"Thank you, but… could I return with you?"
Konan asked calmly. With the situation in the Land of Rain temporarily resolved, she wanted to check on Nagato and let him know that Yahiko's dream was finally realized. She hoped this would ease his bitterness.
"You can, but I'll need to communicate with the village first."
After a moment's thought, Shikaku nodded. Konan's influence in the Rain District had grown, so transferring her back seemed wise. "Once I get the village's approval, you'll be free to go."
End of Chapter
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