By the time Naruto arrived at the center of the explosion, all the Konoha ninjas had gathered, except Chinatsu and Hinata.
"What on earth is this?" Naruto's forehead was drenched in sweat as he stared at the massive crater—ten kilometers in radius and nearly a hundred meters deep.
Compared to this, the Wind Style: Rasenshuriken he had just mastered looked utterly insignificant.
Everyone looked at Naruto, then at each other, and finally turned to Karin. She looked somewhat disappointed, clearly because she hadn't found Fujiwara Kirito, and gave a small nod.
Kakashi said, "This is going to be troublesome. Looks like it's that guy again."
Naruto froze. Of course, he knew "that guy" referred to Kirito. A flash of sadness passed through his eyes. He swallowed hard and asked nervously, "Then… Kakashi-sensei, what's the situation now?"
"This isn't the main battlefield, but there's still residual chakra left behind by Kirito. Judging by the source of this exaggerated ninjutsu, the battle likely took place over there instead."
Kakashi turned, looked into the distance, and said with his back to Naruto, "I had Kiba scout ahead. He picked up Sasuke's scent there, along with several unfamiliar ones. Most likely, it's Sasuke's team."
"Then… what about Brother Kirito?" Naruto asked anxiously.
Kakashi, aware of how much Kirito meant to Naruto, didn't elaborate. He simply said, "Aside from the lingering chakra here, there's no sign of him."
"Doesn't that mean—" Naruto's pupils contracted. The thought that Kirito might have been defeated by Sasuke and his team chilled him.
To Naruto, both Sasuke and Kirito were family—like a brother and a father figure. The idea of either being hurt was unbearable.
Kakashi read the worry in Naruto's eyes and shrugged slightly. "Think about it rationally. There's no way. We all know how strong that guy is. Even Itachi couldn't beat him. Sasuke may be strong now, but it's impossible for him to defeat that monster."
The Uchiha massacre was no longer a secret in Konoha thanks to Kirito's revelations.
Everyone except Naruto, Sasuke, and a few others knew the truth now.
Kakashi added, "Besides, Fujiwara Kirito is a master at concealing his presence. Unless he wants to be found, no one—by chakra, scent, or sight—can detect him."
As he recalled the strange armchair Kirito left behind during the Kazekage rescue mission, Kakashi began to wonder… had Kirito intentionally allowed traces to remain?
"Haha. I knew Brother Kirito wouldn't die that easily." Naruto grinned, resting his hands behind his head, visibly relieved.
Everyone—except Karin and Kakashi—looked at him with barely veiled disgust.
Did this guy forget that Kirito was still a wanted enemy of Konoha?
"Yo, looks like everyone's here." A familiar voice rang out.
Everyone turned to see the two ninja dogs from Hinata's group running over.
Naruto perked up. "Biscuit! Aquino! Where's Hinata?"
"What are you talking about? Little Hinata was right behind us…" The two dogs looked at each other. "Eh? Where is she? She was just with us, we were talking the whole way."
"You're joking, right? We never saw Hinata. Just you two came." Kiba stepped forward, half-squatting in front of them, frustrated. "Don't tell me you two lost Hinata and made up some dumb excuse."
"Calm down, Kiba," Shino said, placing a hand on Kiba's shoulder.
Kiba threw it off, backed up, and growled, "How am I supposed to calm down? The Akatsuki are everywhere! That bastard Sasuke too! What if Hinata runs into one of them?!"
As Kiba's voice rose, Kakashi signaled Yamato, prepared to intervene.
But before they could, Hinata's voice cut through the tension. "Sorry, everyone… I'm late."
They turned to see Hinata running toward them, breathless but safe.
Kiba lit up and moved to meet her—but Kakashi raised a hand to stop him.
After Parker sniffed and gave a confirming nod, Kakashi stepped aside.
Kiba rushed over. "Hinata! Are you okay? What happened?"
Hinata nodded, catching her breath. "I just ran into Brother Kirito."
"Kirito?" Everyone, even Kakashi, frowned.
While most of them knew Hinata, like Naruto, had known Kirito for years, they also understood she was far too trusting.
Naruto was one thing—his brain was a bit slow—but Hinata was a Hyuga genius.
Kakashi sighed. "Tell us what happened after you saw him."
But Hinata's mind flashed back to… that moment. When she had pressed Kirito's hand to her chest.
Her face turned crimson from neck to forehead. Steam practically poured from her ears.
Seeing her expression, Kakashi gave another sigh.
There was no point in asking further. Clearly, nothing critical had been shared.
Kirito wouldn't be careless like that. At most, it was just a reunion between old acquaintances.
Young love. Even if the rebel ninja was wanted, it was still love.
Just then, the two ninja dogs accompanying Chinatsu arrived and reported she had been stopped—by Kirito's partner.
Kakashi groaned.
The complications never ended.
Thankfully, with Karin's exceptional sensing abilities, she soon reunited with Chinatsu, and the group pressed on toward Uchiha Sasuke.
Konoha. Hokage Office.
Jiraiya, having returned from his long-term mission investigating Akatsuki, opened the door to find Tsunade.
"I've located the leader of the Akatsuki organization."
"What?! Really? Tell me everything!" Tsunade jumped to her feet, asking three questions in rapid succession.
It wasn't surprising she reacted like this. Years ago, Kirito had told her that there was one person in Akatsuki even he feared, but he had never revealed any information. Tsunade assumed it was the leader.
Shizune, holding Tonton, brightened. "With this intel, we can finally plan a surprise strike!"
From her perspective, with Kirito as a secret ally, this would be an easy victory.
"Don't get ahead of yourselves." Jiraiya raised both hands. He was prepared for this mission to be one-way—he planned to investigate the Akatsuki base personally.
Launching an attack without knowing their enemy would be suicide. He wouldn't let Konoha ninja die in vain.
"This isn't one of your novels, Jiraiya… why are you being so casual?" Tsunade muttered, eyes dimming.
She missed Kirito. If she'd known things would turn out this way, she wouldn't have driven him away.
"You can't rush things like this. Especially when the stakes are high. That said… before I go, how about a drink?"
This might be his final mission. He wanted to share a quiet moment with Tsunade before leaving.
A tick mark formed on Tsunade's forehead. "As Hokage, how could I drink in the middle of the day?!"
Yet… she followed him into the bar.
And downed an entire bottle.
Jiraiya was speechless.
They talked for a long time.
Eventually, they returned to the topic at hand. Jiraiya declared his intent to go to the Akatsuki base.
Tsunade immediately refused.
But he insisted, and when she couldn't change his mind, she handed him a special kunai.
As the sun began to set, the two sat on a public bench.
"What's this?" Jiraiya examined the kunai, noting the unique sealing mark.
"It's a Flying Thunder God kunai. Kirito's father left it to me. If you inject chakra, he'll sense it and come save you."
"Flying Thunder God, huh? So the man who stole your heart could even master that technique. As Hokage, handing over strategic jutsu to a non-Konoha ninja isn't ideal… but I'll let it slide this time."
He gave a dry chuckle, tucked the kunai away, and stood.
As he turned toward the road, Tsunade suddenly said, "He didn't learn it from me. He never asked me for any jutsu. He stole it from Orochimaru."
"...What?" Jiraiya sat back down, stunned. "Why would he even be near Orochimaru?"
Tsunade took a breath. "There's something I've lied to you about."
She hesitated… then looked Jiraiya in the eyes.
"You were right. Chinatsu's father is Fujiwara Kirito."
Boom.
Jiraiya was struck like thunder.
All the somber build-up he'd felt was wiped out instantly.
Chinatsu was seven now.
That meant Tsunade had gotten pregnant eight years ago…
Kirito had just defected then.
Tsunade sighed. "Since it's come this far, I won't hide it anymore."
She explained everything—from the drunken encounter, to the pregnancy, to their relationship and how Kirito had been secretly protecting Konoha from within Akatsuki.
Jiraiya clutched his chest.
The woman he loved had been claimed by a much younger man.
Still, a sense of relief filled him.
It was Kirito, after all.
If anyone else had met her instead… Konoha might have been destroyed long ago.
The man who nearly wiped out the Sarutobi and Shimura clans had only refrained because of Tsunade and Chinatsu.
"No wonder Chinatsu's already stronger than Kakashi. She inherited Kirito's teachings."
Jiraiya folded his arms, contemplative.
"I know how strong Kirito is. But if even he fears this mysterious Akatsuki leader… you don't have to risk your life."
Tsunade's voice trembled.
Jiraiya replied, "That's exactly why I must go. If Kirito hasn't said anything about the leader, that makes him even more dangerous."
"And besides… you know my survival skills. If worst comes to worst, I'll use the kunai you gave me."
He stood again, facing the sunset. He didn't look back this time.
And he didn't say what was really on his mind—
That Kirito's plan to unify the nations by turning them all against Akatsuki was too dangerous.
Jiraiya believed in peace through mutual understanding, not fear.
He couldn't trust Kirito completely.
And though he carried the kunai, he wasn't sure if he'd ever use it.
Not because he doubted Kirito would come…
But because if he did, it might mean losing Tsunade's husband.
And Chinatsu's father.
(End of this chapter)