Jiraiya's expression revealed a mix of disbelief and skepticism as he listened to Shin's explanation.
At first, Jiraiya appeared unconvinced, but gradually, as Shin elaborated on every detail—right up to how Madara Uchiha manipulated Obito as a pawn and transplanted the Rinnegan into Nagato—his expression grew serious.
"So what happened next?" Jiraiya asked urgency in his voice.
Shin leaned back slightly, a faint smile crossing his face. "Do you believe me now?" he asked, studying Jiraiya's reaction.
"How do you know all of this?" Jiraiya's face was a complex mix of emotions. "Do you have some kind of ability to see into the future?"
Shin shrugged, answering plainly, "I wasn't originally part of this timeline. Without a certain 'incident,' I would have died on the battlefield during the Third Great Ninja War."
Jiraiya's eyes flickered with something between empathy and resignation. Now that Shin's face was fully visible, Jiraiya could tell he was young—likely just reaching adulthood. And the implication of his words—that he, too, had once been a child sent to the battlefield—seemed painfully clear.
Continuing, Shin said, "One of your three disciples, Yahiko, was killed in a plot orchestrated by Black Zetsu. He sacrificed himself willingly, and that act left Nagato shattered." He paused, then added, "Konoha's Root had a hand in it, too."
Jiraiya clenched his fists, his expression darkening.
"But you don't have to be too discouraged," Shin continued. "Soon, you'll have a new disciple. One who is the true Child of Prophecy."
He went on, detailing Naruto Uzumaki's journey, outlining key moments, and describing the climactic sealing of Kaguya. As Shin wrapped up his recounting, he leaned forward with a faint smile. "So there it is—a story of peace. Inspiring, isn't it?"
Jiraiya sat in silence, absorbing everything he'd just heard. He seemed caught somewhere between pride and an unsettling realization. Shin observed him closely and asked, "So, Jiraiya—this is the destiny you've been pursuing. How do you feel?"
"How do I feel?" Jiraiya murmured, almost to himself. "It's a cycle. Has anything truly changed?"
"To change the ninja world, can it even be done?"
Shin had spoken without any romanticism, laying out the facts plainly. There was no attempt to paint a hero's journey, no glossing over the darker truths. And perhaps that very honesty left Jiraiya shaken, making him doubt everything he had believed in.
Seeing Jiraiya's expression, Shin chuckled. "At least under Naruto's rule, the ninja world would see peace. If he were to live a long life—say, eighty or ninety years—there's a good chance things might stabilize."
'Provided no one from the Otsutsuki clan appears,' he thought.
Shin's gaze sharpened. "You asked why I attacked Konoha. I already answered that question. Violence might not solve every issue, but the problems within this world can be solved with enough strength."
"As long as your fists are big and strong enough, others have no choice but to listen to you."
"In the end, the Child of Prophecy you believe in didn't really change the world; he only became the strongest in it. And when you're the strongest, others have no choice but to follow your rules."
He paused, letting his words sink in. "So, why shouldn't the strongest be me? If I'm stronger than anyone else, I can reshape the world into one of peace."
A person's ambition grows with their strength and circumstances. At first, Shin's primary goal was survival. But now, with power rivaling or surpassing even the greatest legends, he was ready to challenge the world's status quo.
Jiraiya looked up at Shin, a mix of wonder and skepticism in his eyes.
"Are you saying you can surpass even Madara Uchiha and Kaguya Otsutsuki?"
Since hearing about the monstrous figures that lay ahead, Jiraiya's mind had been racing, strategizing how to prepare Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha. To his knowledge, no ordinary ninja could ever hope to contend with beings of that caliber. And yet, here was Shin, confidently proclaiming he could surpass them.
Shin smirked. "If you don't believe me, watch. I'll go to the Land of Rain and confront Nagato myself. That should be enough to prove my strength and the truth of my words."
"What exactly are you after?" Jiraiya asked, no longer thinking of his disciples. The question of Shin's true motives loomed larger in his mind. Someone with knowledge of the future and exceptional strength was a potential threat unlike any other. Was Shin a madman, or could he genuinely change the world?
"Would you even believe me if I told you?" Shin asked quietly.
Jiraiya couldn't answer right away.
Ninjas are taught not to trust easily. The betrayals, deceptions, and deep-rooted schemes have made them naturally suspicious, even among allies. Blindly believing in another's good intentions was rare, especially in Konoha.
In contrast, Shin's straightforward nature was more influenced by the culture of the pirate world he had once been in, a world where alliances and rivalries were forged openly and simply. So, he laid out his information plainly, not fearing the implications of his knowledge. And with his strength, he didn't need to worry about deceptions.
Soon, he would head to the Land of Rain to retrieve the Rinnegan from Nagato, hoping to avoid needless conflict. His honesty now could prevent misunderstandings later.
Ultimately, even if Jiraiya knew of the future, what could he change? Nagato and Obito were too lost in their ideologies. And Jiraiya wasn't Naruto Uzumaki; he couldn't just talk them out of their beliefs.
Even Naruto's legendary "talk-no-jutsu" only worked because he had the power to back it up. True peace only came after he'd shown his strength.
In Shin's mind, as long as he maintained his current growth in power, even future threats from the Otsutsuki clan would be mere stepping stones for him to continue becoming stronger.
And, should the time come, they would only serve to further his ambition.
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