The Cloud Village, having learned from Naruto's past actions, immediately contained Yugito and Killer Bee within the village while mobilizing their forces to search for the Two-Tails. Recently, this entity had only existed in fleeting glimpses seen by the ninjas. Intriguingly, it no longer seemed to mind the term "small," as its smaller form granted it freedom and reduced conspicuousness.
The Sand Village made no special arrangements. Being the furthest from the Rain Village, and with Gaara, the One-Tails Jinchuriki, now as Kazekage, their security measures have reached peak levels.
Naruto was surprised by the response from the Stone Village. A place he rarely interacted with hadn't dismissed the news either. Tsuchikage Onoki even dispatched a ninja specifically to thank him and provide intelligence related to the Akatsuki, though the information was trivial and didn't advance their strategic position.
Jiraiya arrived only after the Stone Village's envoy departed. "Sorry, Naruto, I'm late," he said, as a shadow clone led him into the temporary residence. Jiraiya paused both his speech and movement as he pushed open the door.
A blond youth, draped in a white haori, stood inside, manipulating scalpels over a headless corpse—prompting a sense of déjà vu across time. If one were to replace "blond" with "black-haired," the likeness would be even more striking.
"Naruto, is this…" Jiraiya's tone grew solemn. "Have you progressed to this point?" Though the notion of "human experimentation" might sound "evil," wasn't such research conducted covertly by every village? Whether in medical ninjutsu or other techniques, advancement required such "sacrifices."
Jiraiya couldn't completely denounce this fact, yet found it difficult to regard it favorably. There was also a concern about Naruto potentially choosing a "wrong path." Naruto's strength was now immense, almost like the "God of Shinobi" reborn, with no one able to restrain him.
Moreover, he seemed to hold no attachments to this world except for "Karin," and the deceased "Minato" and "Kushina." Nothing else seemed to capture his attention.
Orochimaru was once like this. He was solitary, indifferent to relationships, and when his research hit a deadlock, he couldn't help but turn his hand towards the people of the village.
Naruto turned around, smiling at him, "This is the corpse of Hidan from the Akatsuki."
Jiraiya's expression eased a little.
"He has immortality. Even if made into a Jinchuriki and then unsealed, it won't cause his death," Naruto continued. "He's a material that can be used repeatedly."
Jiraiya was astonished, "Immortal?"
Naruto nodded slightly, not discussing his research further, and changed the topic, "Jiraiya-sensei, what brings you here?"
"Does Konoha want to intervene in this matter?"
Jiraiya shook his head, "No."
"You mentioned the Rinnegan is still somewhere in the Hidden Rain Village."
"It reminded me of some past events."
Naruto set aside the tools in his hands, washed his hands thoroughly, and invited him to sit down.
Jiraiya looked nostalgic, "During the Second Shinobi World War, Konoha once clashed with the Hidden Rain."
"In that war, I gained the title of 'Sannin.'"
"Although the world calls us by that name,"
"and we've gradually accepted it,"
"from the start, it was actually a kind of humiliation for us."
Naruto listened quietly.
Jiraiya realized something and scratched his head, "As I get older, the past becomes more significant to me."
"Let me get back to the matter at hand."
"After that war, three children found us and wanted to become our disciples, to learn ninjutsu."
"I wanted to compensate this war-torn country, so I took them in."
"One of those children,"
"should be a descendant of the Uzumaki clan. His name is Nagato, and I witnessed his awakening of the Rinnegan."
Naruto was stunned, frowning, "A descendant of the Uzumaki clan?"
"Yes, like Kushina and Karin, he also has red hair," Jiraiya replied. "His chakra and life force are stronger than most people."
The Nine-Tails once said, "The Rinnegan is the ocular power of the Sage of Six Paths. The Uzumaki clan, being his descendants, awakening the Rinnegan is not impossible."
But
"Akatsuki's leader is that man called Nagato," Naruto spoke softly, with a thoughtful expression, "then what about Madara Uchiha?"
Jiraiya was at a loss for words, his expression confused.
Right
If the leader of Akatsuki is Nagato, then what is Madara Uchiha's role?
"Could it be that Madara Uchiha is just a member of Akatsuki, under the Rinnegan's leadership?" Karin suggested, leaning forward with her idea, "rather than what we initially thought—that Akatsuki is Madara's organization."
Jiraiya considered this for a moment, then shook his head, "Madara Uchiha wouldn't even acknowledge the First Hokage, let alone someone like Nagato."
"That child is not a qualified leader."
"Among those three children, perhaps another one would have been more suitable."
He sighed, looking somewhat dejected, "Moreover, Nagato is a gentle soul. When he killed a ninja who attacked him to save a comrade, he was filled with remorse and couldn't sleep all night."
"Akatsuki is a cruel and evil organization."
"Those three children's ambition was to bring peace; I don't believe they founded such an organization."
Naruto turned his head, gazing out the window, "Time can easily change certain things."
"It's also unclear what role Madara Uchiha plays in all this."
Jiraiya did not answer.
Naruto shook his head, "I don't agree with you going."
"Thank you for your concern." Jiraiya felt a warmth in his heart, "But if it's really Nagato and his group…"
"I have an unavoidable duty as a teacher."
Naruto stood up, "This has nothing to do with a teacher's obligations."
"It's that sneaking in is impossible."
Jiraiya grinned, "Don't underestimate me, Naruto. Even if you're stronger now, don't forget I am one of the 'Three Legendary Ninjas'. Gathering intelligence is essential for any ninja."
He didn't finish his sentence.
Naruto raised his hand, pointing into the distance, "Do you see that rain?"
"The Land of Rain is always like this," Jiraiya nodded, "It rains almost all year round, which is why the country got its name."
Naruto whispered, "That's not ordinary rain."
"It's a technique."
Jiraiya was taken aback.
"Every raindrop carries chakra," Naruto continued, "Anyone touched by the rain can be sensed by the caster of this jutsu."
"Could there be other effects?"
"I'm not sure, but what do you think, Jiraiya-sensei?"
Jiraiya's face darkened, "That entire area of rain is actually a technique?"
The primary element of intelligence gathering is not getting detected by the enemy.
If their movements were known to the enemy, they'd be trapped.
"Let's wait here," Naruto shook his head. "They've been blocked by me; they can't hold out for much longer."
Jiraiya nodded.
Naruto suddenly turned his head, looking in a certain direction.
A sensory feedback from his shadow clone revealed two chakras eagerly poised at the border of the Land of Rain.
Within the Land of Rain, two men wearing black cloaks with red clouds moved through the rain.
One was blond, with a high ponytail.
The other was hunched over, with five strands of hair sticking out like a turtle's shells.
"This is such a pain!" the one with the high ponytail complained exaggeratedly, "The weather in the Land of Rain is so irritating."
"Even the clay turns mushy!"
The other, with a calm tone, said, "Compared to these trivial matters, focus on what we need to do now."
"If it were Naruto Uzumaki himself, maybe. But it's just a shadow clone, is all this caution necessary?"
"How much combat strength can a shadow clone have?"
"Why are both of us being sent?"
"I alone can blow them all away."
"Really?" the hunched man spoke, "Deidara, in that case, I won't intervene later."
The man with the high ponytail clenched his fist, shouting excitedly, "Lord Sasori, just watch!"
At the border.
An apparition instantly appeared, blocking their path.
So fast!
Their pupils widened.
"You're Uzumaki Naruto?" Deidara grinned, raising a hand, "Trying to stop us with just a shadow clone, isn't that a bit too fanciful?"
As he spoke, his other hand lowered.
Veiled by the rain, countless tiny white objects began to fall.
The shadow clone said nothing, merely gesturing with a wave.
"Bakudō number four: Hainawa."
A golden rope shot out, capturing the white substances, which were minuscule clay spiders, each smaller than a fingernail.
"Truly perceptive." the high ponytail man clicked his tongue, casually forming hand signs.
With a rumble, the clay exploded.
Konoha's "shadow clone" is a renowned jutsu.
It can create replicas that are nearly identical to the original.
Even deceiving the Byakugan and Sharingan.
Of course, such a remarkable technique also has its drawbacks, namely its lack of durability; a single effective hit can disperse the clone.
This was why Deidara never took shadow clones seriously from the start.
But.
He soon realized how Naruto's shadow clone differed from others.
He also understood why the leader was so cautious.
Naruto's shadow clone could fly! Its movement speed surpassed even theirs.
And it possessed strong sensory abilities.
None of the techniques can catch up to him.
Instead, he deftly keeps control of the distance between them, creating space, while a relentless barrage of techniques rains down on him.
Although the shadow clone's chakra is only a fraction of the original's and can't cause much damage, the sheer number of attacks, like a storm assaulting him, leaves Deidara extremely embarrassed.
(End of Chapter)