"Sorry."
Jiraiya rubbed his hands awkwardly, looking as uneasy as a guilty child.
"The Eye of the Sage is incredibly significant. I'm worried that word will get out. If anyone discovers it, Nagato will be in danger. Even if outsiders don't know, the villagers might not be able to resist the lure of such power."
"Some things can't stay hidden forever. Don't you find it odd? When did the Uzumaki clan ever have unique eyes?"
Jiraiya knew the basics of the Uzumaki clan.
But this guy really believed that Nagato's Rinnegan was naturally his!
It was understandable, though. Except for the secretive Black Zetsu and Uchiha Madara, no one else in the ninja world knew the true story.
The legend of the Sage's Eye was known, but the origins? That was another story.
As for why Nagato had the Sage's Eye…who would question it too deeply?
Jiraiya was proof of that.
The most amusing part was that the toads at Mount Myōboku hadn't clarified the situation either.
They knew how the Sage of Six Paths transformed the Byakugan into the Sharingan, and then the Sharingan into the Rinnegan. The Great Toad Sage was aware of these events.
If the toads hadn't fanned the flames behind the scenes, the Six Paths brothers might not have turned against Kaguya Otsutsuki so quickly.
Yet here was Jiraiya, searching for the prophesied child while the Great Toad Sage either napped or feigned ignorance.
It was almost unbelievable. The Great Toad Sage's confusion might be forgivable, but the other toads' ignorance was baffling.
"What…what do you mean?"
Jiraiya looked puzzled.
Shinki spoke with irritation:
"The Uzumaki clan is unique because of their special physique, granting them immense vitality and chakra—not mystical eyes."
"Is that so?"
Jiraiya scratched his head, feeling a wave of frustration as his scalp itched.
He knew the basic facts about the Uzumaki clan. They were distant relatives of the Senju, and there was even a lively Uzumaki girl in Konoha.
But knowing and understanding were two different things.
If Orochimaru were here, his eyes would gleam with excitement at the thought of a new research opportunity.
Suddenly, Shinki didn't feel like talking anymore. This conversation was tiring.
Shinki stood up and left, leaving Jiraiya sitting bewildered on the floor.
Wait, did I say something wrong?
You could explain it better.
Panicking, Jiraiya rushed out without even grabbing an umbrella, chasing after Shinki in the heavy rain.
"Shinki, wait! What did you mean earlier? I didn't understand. Can you explain it more clearly?"
"Go ask the toads at Mount Myōboku. Don't bother me. I'm tired of explaining things to you."
With that, Shinki disappeared into the rain, leaving Jiraiya staring at his retreating figure.
Want the truth? Go ask Mount Myōboku's toads.
After all, they knew more about this matter than anyone else.
"The toads of Mount Myōboku?"
Jiraiya, soaked and standing in the downpour like a drenched cat, was bewildered.
A cold wind blew, jolting him back to reality as he shivered.
"Kids, pack up. We need to leave now. It's not safe here."
Back in the valley, Jiraiya urged the three Akatsuki members to quickly gather their things.
"Teacher, is it dangerous here?" Konan asked, worried that Shinki might have exposed them.
Jiraiya quickly reassured her, "Don't say that. He's a friend and would never betray me. But if he could find this place, so could others. We need to find somewhere safer."
"The Land of Rain is too chaotic right now. I can't even leave to buy supplies without worrying about you."
Jiraiya had made up his mind.
He would take the three children to a new location, build an underground base, and keep them hidden. He would then go out to gather supplies and visit Mount Myōboku to ask the toads about the Sage's Eye.
"Oh, I see."
Konan nodded, realizing she had misjudged Shinki. Embarrassed, her cheeks flushed as she rushed to pack her belongings.
Half an hour later, Jiraiya led the three children out of the valley where they had been staying. They found another hidden location, and with earth-style ninjutsu, Jiraiya constructed an underground base. It was simple, and living there felt oppressive, but the children didn't mind. Safety was more important than comfort.
Living underground was better than wandering without a home.
"Sir," a guard greeted Shinki as he returned to the border camp. Shinki planned to rest there for the night before heading back to Konoha the next day.
Before leaving, he needed to use the camp's ninja eagle to send an update to the village. The message included the successful completion of the Rain Country Daimyo's protection mission and the fact that he had encountered Jiraiya, who was unwilling to return.
He didn't mention the exact location, only that Jiraiya had refused to come back.
It was now up to the Third Hokage to decide what to do next.
As a mere messenger, Shinki had delivered the message. If Sarutobi Hiruzen's student was defiant, that was his issue.
If he wanted to know more, he could send someone or come himself.
After sending the message, Shinki settled down to rest.
Meanwhile, Jiraiya summoned a toad to bring him to Mount Myōboku while he was out purchasing supplies.
The rain poured in the Land of Rain, but in Mount Myōboku, the sky was clear and cloudless. The toads lounged around, basking in the sun.
Gamabunta, who had pulled Jiraiya to the mountain, lay sprawled on a massive mat, chin resting on one hand, a huge wine glass in the other, with a large pipe in his mouth.
"Hey, Gamabunta, long time no see."
"Has it really been that long?" Gamabunta put down his glass, squinted, and bellowed, "The last time you summoned me, I was ambushed by ninjas from the Cloud Village. Have you forgotten already?"
"That happened?" Jiraiya looked momentarily confused.
Gamabunta's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Ha ha… Sorry, sorry, it slipped my mind."
Jiraiya quickly apologized with a sheepish grin.
He knew Gamabunta was venting, not truly angry.
It was embarrassing to admit, but Jiraiya's summoning contract with Gamabunta often meant calling him into the thick of battle, where he'd face enemies right away.
Each time, Gamabunta would angrily curse Jiraiya while fighting, drawing enemy attention and giving Jiraiya cover.
"Hmph."
Gamabunta, pipe clamped in his mouth, crossed his arms and grumbled, "So why are you here this time? Don't tell me you're facing another ambush."
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>>>>>
Up to Chapter 350 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
Gimme power stonesssss
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