Knoha Village. Hokage's Office. Present were Fukusaku who escaped from Pain's hands, and Shizune. After using reverse summoning to escape b
Konoha Village.
Hokage's Office.
Present were Fukusaku who escaped from Pain's hands, and Shizune.
After using reverse summoning to escape back to Mount Myōboku, Fukusaku rushed to Konoha as soon as possible and informed them of the course and results of the battle. "That's what happened. Little Jiraiya… he's dead."
"How could it be…" Shizune, holding Ton-Ton, gasped and covered her mouth in shock.
Tsunade sat with her head lowered, her eyes shadowed, and no one could see her expression.
As for Ton-Ton, she simply let out a quiet squeal.
Suddenly, the office fell into dead silence.
For a long time—
Bang!
The desk was smashed to pieces by Tsunade.
"Tsunade-sama…" Shizune tried to step forward, but Tsunade suddenly waved her off. "Where's the kunai? Didn't Jiraiya use the kunai I gave him?"
Shizune seemed to see a trace of tears in the air.
"Kunai… Oh, you mean this." Fukusaku blinked and took out the special Flying Thunder God Kunai from his cloak. "Little Jiraiya asked me to deliver this to you before his final fight with Pain."
Tsunade took the kunai, her hands trembling, as if all the strength had drained from her body. She collapsed into her chair, eyes vacant, the mist rising in her gaze.
She knew.
Jiraiya must have realized the strength of his enemy. Out of fear of burdening her husband and knowing he may not return, he returned the kunai before dying.
Guilt slowly began to well up inside her. She had owed Jiraiya too much.
If only Jiraiya had accepted the Hokage position...
Then she, not he, would've gone to Amegakure.
"Tsunade-sama…" Shizune wanted to say something to comfort her but didn't know how. She could only lower her head and sigh silently.
"Though I don't know the meaning of this kunai, I hope you can stay strong. Also—" Fukusaku pulled off his cloak, revealing a coded message carved onto his back by Jiraiya. He turned his back to Tsunade.
"This is the intelligence Little Jiraiya exchanged with his life. My wife and I couldn't decipher it, so I'm handing it to you. I also brought back one of Pain's bodies. It will be handed over later."
"Shizune, take Fukusaku-sama to the Analysis Department. Have them study the data on Pain that Jiraiya left behind," Tsunade said, her back still facing them as she stood by the window.
"I understand. Fukusaku-sama, please come with me." Shizune glanced at Tsunade deeply, a hint of sorrow flashing in her eyes, then turned and left the office with Fukusaku.
Only Tsunade remained, standing in silence by the window, tears rolling down her cheeks as she clutched the kunai tightly. After a long pause, she finally whispered, "Idiot…"
Taking a deep breath and hesitating a moment, Tsunade finally gathered the resolve to inject chakra into the Flying Thunder God Kunai Kirito had given her.
At this point, she no longer cared about pride.
Whether Fujiwara Kirito had cheated, whether he had a harem, she could forgive everything now—she just wanted the Akatsuki intel.
To avenge Jiraiya, she would do anything—even if Fujiwara Kirito couldn't stand up the next day.
She would make him talk.
But reality is often cruel.
Even after a long while, the Flying Thunder God Kunai didn't react.
This left Tsunade puzzled.
Did Kirito lie to her? Was this kunai fake?
No, impossible.
That man would never joke about his wife and children.
Then there was only one explanation…
The kunai had already been used.
All things have pros and cons.
For example, this special kunai that connects the user with the marker only works once. Once used, the marking disappears.
Tsunade raised the kunai again. Sure enough, the Flying Thunder God seal had vanished. The tears dried in her eyes, and a gleam returned to them.
There was only one person who could have caused that seal to disappear…
Fujiwara Kirito.
Recalling that cunning man's nature, Tsunade's heart eased. If it was him…
Then maybe Jiraiya was still alive.
Meanwhile—
While everyone in Konoha believed Jiraiya had perished, Fujiwara Kirito had already brought Mikoto and Chika to the old Uchiha clan grounds.
"Huh-choo!" Kirito sneezed unexpectedly. "Is someone thinking about me?"
"What's wrong, Papa?" Chika looked up at her father.
"Nothing. Just someone thinking of me," Kirito rubbed his nose and led the way, holding Chika with his left hand and Mikoto's shoulder with his right. "Let's go in. This is it. Sasuke's on his way. We don't have much time."
Mikoto nodded silently, her eyes growing red. She knew this would likely be her final time seeing her eldest son.
Elsewhere—
The Hebi Squad and the Konoha team led by Kakashi were closing in.
Because Karin had been captured by Chinatsu, Sasuke was now only accompanied by Jūgo and Suigetsu. But their path was blocked by Kisame.
"Well well, the Hebi Team that faced off against Lord Kirito. Gotta say, escaping from a monster like him is impressive," Kisame grinned.
Sasuke frowned. Though he hated to admit it, Fujiwara Kirito's strength was overwhelming. With Itachi now ahead, he didn't want to waste chakra on Kisame.
But Suigetsu wasn't so composed. "You trying to provoke me, shark-face? I know all about you and that Samehada!"
"Scary! I thought it was someone else, but it's Suigetsu, Mangetsu's little brother. You've grown," Kisame laughed. "But I'm not here to fight."
"What do you mean?" Sasuke asked coldly.
"Simple. From here on, you go alone. That's Itachi's order." Kisame stood firm, Samehada on his shoulder. "The others wait here."
"I see. That's fine." Sasuke turned coldly.
"Hey Sasuke, are you nuts? What if you run into Fujiwara Kirito again?" Suigetsu shouted.
"No need to worry. He's with his wife and kid right now," Kisame replied.
"What?" Hebi Squad was stunned.
"That monster has a family life?" Suigetsu was in disbelief.
"And if I say too much, Lord Kirito might kill me," Kisame added, serious this time.
"Enough chatter." Kisame raised Samehada. "So, Sasuke—will you go alone, or try to break through?"
"Jūgo, Suigetsu. Wait here." Sasuke took off.
Elsewhere—
Kakashi's group was intercepted by none other than Obito.
"Hello, everyone!" Obito greeted in a silly voice from atop a tree.
"You're from Akatsuki." Yamato narrowed his eyes.
"But the intel I got from Kabuto didn't include him…" Kakashi said.
"I'm new. Pleased to meet you!" Obito laughed.
"Is that so?" Chinatsu stepped forward, smile deepening.
With her ability to hear the voice of all things, she instantly read his identity—Uchiha Obito.
And she also learned:
– He launched the Nine-Tails attack
– Teamed with Itachi
– Manipulated the Uchiha Massacre
– Was once Kakashi's teammate
Her smile darkened.
This man was the reason her grandparents died.
Even if her father never killed him, she would.
"This girl is… Tsunade's daughter?" Obito sensed the killing intent and flinched.
Chinatsu stepped forward and said, "Kakashi, Yamato, his abilities are unknown. Let me probe him first. If I find a weakness—don't hesitate. Kill him."
"Got it. Be careful," Kakashi nodded.
(End of Chapter)
***
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