"Where is Zetsu?" Uzumaki Jun arrived at the designated warehouse in the Land of Rain, looking at the piles of specially treated steel stacked together, and asked White Zetsu. "I need to discuss something with him."
"The main body and Black Zetsu have been very busy lately," the White Zetsu clone replied respectfully. "If Lord Jun has any matters, you can tell me, and the main body will be informed."
"Is that so?" Uzumaki Jun stroked his chin, narrowing his eyes at the White Zetsu clone. It seemed Black Zetsu really didn't want to see him.
He hadn't done anything…
Why was Black Zetsu so afraid of him?
Weren't they all children of the Mother of Chakra? Compared to the other two, why was this one so cowardly?
What a disappointment!
Was it because he was a premature birth?
But…
Was that black lump really premature?
"It's nothing major," Uzumaki Jun said with a smile. "Just a small matter."
If that was the case…
He could look for him later. As long as Boss Madara and the Rinnegan were in Uzushiogakure, he wasn't worried about Zetsu running away and hiding.
"What is it?" The White Zetsu clone twitched his eyelids. Though he was just a clone with low intelligence…
He knew that whenever this red-haired brat said it was a "small matter," it was never anything good!
"I heard…" Uzumaki Jun narrowed his eyes at the White Zetsu clone and said lightly, "Your forgery skills are quite impressive?"
"Especially when it comes to antiques."
He knew that the stone tablet in the Uchiha clan grounds…
Had been altered by Zetsu!
And it was so well done that even the Mangekyō Sharingan couldn't tell it was fake!
So…
Zetsu's forgery skills were top-tier in the ninja world!
"Haha." The White Zetsu clone broke out in a cold sweat, wondering if this kid knew something. Should he escape underground? He cautiously looked at Uzumaki Jun and asked, "Where did you hear that, Lord Jun?"
"Tobi told me," Uzumaki Jun replied with a smile. "What's wrong? Is the warehouse a bit hot? You're sweating."
"It's nothing, nothing." The White Zetsu clone chuckled. "Just a bit of acclimation issues."
How could it be hot in the middle of winter?
So it was that idiot Tobi who blabbed. It seemed this kid still didn't know their true goals.
He inwardly sighed in relief. Next time, he'd have to tell the main body to make sure Tobi kept his mouth shut.
Then…
The White Zetsu clone asked respectfully, "What does Lord Jun need us to make?"
Right now, he just needed to get this kid out of the way as quickly as possible!
"A stone tablet," Uzumaki Jun said, narrowing his eyes with a smile. "I heard you're experts at forging antique stone tablets."
"Just average, just average." The White Zetsu clone wiped his sweat and laughed awkwardly. "Just scraping by."
That damn Tobi…
Really couldn't keep anything to himself!
Next time, he'd make sure the main body beat him up properly.
"Don't be nervous," Uzumaki Jun said with a smile. "What I want is just a simple antique."
"Here, give this to Zetsu. I've written the requirements and backstory inside."
"Just follow this to make it."
"For you guys…"
"It should be a piece of cake!"
"Understood, Lord Jun." The White Zetsu clone took the notebook handed to him and bowed. "I'll inform the main body."
"Keep up the good work!" Uzumaki Jun patted the White Zetsu clone's shoulder. "Forgery is a promising craft."
It was just a shame he didn't get to see Zetsu this time.
Then…
He bundled up the steel, stored it in his system, and activated the Flying Thunder God Technique.
With this much iron…
It seemed he could finish producing the weapons for the other villages and deliver them.
Konoha.
"Don't be sad," Jiraiya said, patting Tsunade's back gently. "I'm sure they wouldn't want to see you like this in the Pure Land."
But…
"Why?" Tsunade stared at the gravestone in front of her. This area was where the Senju clan was buried.
These past few days…
They had brought all the Senju clan's bodies back to Konoha.
Though the old man had posthumously declared the Senju clan heroes of Konoha…
Those who had died were truly gone.
"Why did Nawaki have to…" Tsunade murmured tearfully. "He was just a child."
Why was this world so cruel, taking even children…
And then…
"Thud—"
Jiraiya hugged Tsunade from behind and said gently, "This world needs change. The ninja world is sick. If we don't reform it, then…"
"Things like this will never stop."
"Tsunade…"
Jiraiya looked at her tenderly. "Will you help me?"
"Let's change this world together."
Hearing his words, Tsunade's restless heart slowly calmed.
Then…
She turned around and gazed at him quietly…
"Okay." Tsunade smiled through her tears. "I'll help you."
"You…" Seeing her agreement, Jiraiya smiled. "Thank you, Tsunade."
"I will become Hokage."
"I believe in you." Tsunade reached for the crystal necklace around her neck, her eyes filled with nostalgia. Then, with a sigh, she carefully placed it around his neck under his puzzled gaze. "This was left to me by my grandfather. Since you want to become Hokage, today…"
"I'll give it…"
"To you."
I know you can do it.
"Jiraiya-sensei, what's wrong with you today?" Minato asked, looking at his teacher in confusion. "You don't seem like yourself."
"Wahaha!" Jiraiya snapped out of his thoughts and laughed exaggeratedly. "The Great Toad Sage could never be out of sorts!"
But he really wasn't feeling well.
For some reason, his heart ached.
"Are you still upset about Nawaki?" Minato asked.
It had been days. It seemed Jiraiya still couldn't get over what happened to Nawaki…
"Minato."
Suddenly…
Jiraiya looked at Minato seriously. "You already know what happened to Nawaki."
"Being a ninja is that cruel."
"No one cares who you are or how old you are."
"You never know when you'll die."
"Today. Or tomorrow."
Jiraiya spoke solemnly. "As your teacher, I'm asking you one more time…"
"Do you…"
"Still want to be a ninja?"
"…"
Do you still want to be a ninja?
Minato fell silent for a moment before breaking into a bright, sun-like smile. "Of course. I won't give up."
"My dream is to become Hokage."
"If I quit now…"
"Then what's the point of my dream?"
Hearing this, Jiraiya smiled and ruffled Minato's hair. "You'll definitely achieve your dream."
His eyes held a glimmer of approval as he looked at the golden hair.
Like the sun itself…
Bringing a sliver of light to this dark ninja world.