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"What's your purpose in searching for the Sage of Six Paths' shrine?" Jiraiya asked Haori. They were still on Mount Myōboku, but not nea
"What's your purpose in searching for the Sage of Six Paths' shrine?" Jiraiya asked Haori.
They were still on Mount Myōboku, but not near the Great Toad Sage.
After the Great Toad Sage had spoken for so long, it fell asleep again. But perhaps because it had spoken too much, this time it seemed to completely pass out, scaring Jiraiya and Shima quite a bit.
Fortunately, the Great Toad Sage was just sleeping as usual, not "permanently sleeping." Otherwise, Haori would have to compensate Mount Myōboku with another thousand-year-old toad spirit.
"Simply put, I just want to visit and see if there's anything useful. Considering future enemies, strengthening my abilities is never excessive," Haori replied.
His words were reasonable. Moreover, from the Great Toad Sage's words just now, Jiraiya had a deeper understanding of a sense of urgency. The ninja world was currently at peace, but it gave a feeling of calm before the storm, especially after he had obtained information about the Rinnegan.
The appearance of the Rinnegan meant that great changes were coming. This was something Jiraiya had known more than ten years ago. But the problem now was that the changes that appeared didn't seem to be the kind he had guided and hoped for. There was even a sense of suffocation suffocating him.
Jiraiya chose to believe Haori's ambiguous explanation. Considering the possibility of the Rinnegan being in the hands of an enemy, sufficient preparations were necessary. The shrine left by the Sage of Six Paths might contain information about the Rinnegan, or even a way to counter it.
And considering Haori's pursuit of advanced jutsu when he was young, it seemed reasonable for him to dig up the Sage of Six Paths'… rob the Sage of Six Paths' home.
But was that really the case? Would Haori be so law-abiding? That was basically impossible.
Sometimes, what Haori said sounded true but was actually false. Sometimes, what he said was false but sounded true… Yes, these two sentences mean the same thing. Haori was accustomed to using lies to deceive others.
And… if he didn't create a big incident or do something reckless every once in a while, he wouldn't be Haori.
With Haori's current strength, dealing with tailed beasts was only considered a minor reckless act. Creating a major incident wasn't easy… His explanation of his purpose just now was not credible.
"The world is vast, and the world is also small. But you should experience what you should experience…" In the end, Haori added a nonsensical remark to his words.
"Things are over here. Should we return to Konoha?" He asked Jiraiya. He hadn't expected the Great Toad Sage to be so easygoing. After arriving at Mount Myōboku, his purpose had been achieved so directly, so he could unexpectedly return to Konoha immediately.
Originally, Haori thought it would take some effort. This was why he liked dealing with beings with dark forces like the White Snake Sage. After all, in that situation, he could use force to threaten them without any pressure…
As for the Great Toad Sage, that strategy was impossible. First, Jiraiya was with him. He had called the Great Toad Sage "Toad Grandpa" since he was a child. Second, threats depend on the target. The Great Toad Sage's personality, plus the fact that it wasn't a combat type, it was at most a theorist. This situation was similar to a ninja attacking a civilian. Haori wouldn't just attack it. Finally, in the Great Toad Sage's state, even if left alone, it seemed like it could die at any moment. Threatening it might cause it to die.
In short, it was thanks to the sage's previous precognitive dream about him, and its very cooperative attitude.
"I've already set up a summoning toad in Konoha. We can directly reverse summon back." Jiraiya nodded and said.
This was the advantage of Mount Myōboku. They had plenty of toads, so they could be placed everywhere… In fact, there's a Gamakichi inside Jiraiya right now, and it's been there for over ten years.
Theoretically, Jiraiya was also a man who could use space-time ninjutsu similar to the Flying Thunder God Technique in battle. But what he summoned weren't kunai with seals, but toads from Mount Myōboku… Summoning tadpoles would also work.
Jiraiya had specially accompanied Haori to Mount Myōboku. Now that their purpose had been achieved, they could return to Konoha.
Haori placed one hand on Jiraiya's shoulder. Then, Jiraiya formed hand seals with both hands. In the next instant, the two of them disappeared from Mount Myōboku and appeared on the outskirts of Konoha.
After returning to Konoha and obtaining all the information, Haori didn't immediately set off. Instead, he made a lot of preparations. This delay lasted for about another month.
And it seemed that Jiraiya was really considering Haori's suggestion, or perhaps because of the Hokage's order. In short, Jiraiya hadn't left Konoha during this period.
...
"Hey! It's so cool and slippery…" Mirai, with her right shoulder half-exposed, giggled as her skin came into contact with something.
"Okay, it's done." Haori responded, then told Mirai to tidy her clothes.
This was the third seal he had placed on the little girl. It should also be the last seal. With such multiple protective mechanisms, her safety should be guaranteed.
As for Naruto, Haori also made corresponding arrangements for him, but Naruto didn't know about it.
"Haori, are you really going?" Mirai suddenly asked. As she spoke, her fingers kept rubbing the hairpin that had been clipped to her collar. This was her unconscious action when she was anxious or nervous.
She had also realized something about Haori's next action. Mirai didn't know exactly what Haori was going to do, but he was really going to leave for a while this time.
For a long time.
"Yes, I have something I must do." Haori said, helping Mirai tidy her hair.
"Can't you take me with you?"
"No, because there might be a battle." Haori directly refused.
What is a "battle"?
At least, both sides of a battle must be evenly matched to be considered a real battle. The defeat or death of both sides should be balanced. Otherwise, if the strength and win rate of both sides are extremely unbalanced, it's not a battle, it's just bullying.
From this point of view, Haori has only had one real battle so far, that was when he fought Pain. And now, he was going to have his second battle.
"Then how long will it take you to come back?"
"About a month or two."
His tone was uncertain.
But even if it was only a month or two, it would be the longest separation between them since Mirai had memories. This was something she hadn't experienced before.
But Mirai didn't say anything more. Girls mature mentally earlier than boys. Now, she vaguely understood certain things.
Haori had told her, "People ultimately have to protect themselves." She understood the meaning of this sentence.
"If you can't solve anything, go find that old man, understand?" Haori instructed.
"I know, it's Jiraiya-sensei." Mirai said.
After several meetings, she had become familiar with Jiraiya. And with her keen perception, she could also sense that he truly cared about her and Naruto.
Moreover, Haori had explained Jiraiya's identity, and Mirai knew the whole story.
And Jiraiya undoubtedly valued Minato's orphans very much. It was just that Haori's presence prevented him from getting overly involved.
"But…"
Haori was about to tell the girl to be careful of this lecherous old man, but he thought it was a bit too early. Jiraiya wasn't a lolicon. So, he changed his words, "Tell Haku to be careful of Jiraiya-sensei."
Just because he's not a lolicon, you can't just give him random attributes. Is he gay?
Anyway, these words made Mirai a little confused.
And if Jiraiya knew that he had been given this impression, he would cry in the toilet. Don't secretly slander people like that. It's not respectful to elders.
...
The day after this conversation, Haori left Konoha alone in the morning. He set off for his destination.
The wind blows, rain becomes flowers, time can't catch up with the white horse, clouds surge into summer, sweat is evaporated by time, the wind brightens the snowflakes, whitening his hair…
Summer passed, autumn went, winter came. In windless weather, with light snow mixed with drizzle, the white-haired young man arrived at an unknown place.
Haori acted only for himself. Coming here wasn't to find a way to increase his strength, as he had said. That was a hypocritical lie, only capable of deceiving others.
As for the true purpose of his trip, it was simple. It could be summarized in a few words.
He came here to do only one thing:
Haori came…
To kill Haori.
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P@TREON
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60+ ADVANCE CHAPTERS PER FIC
We are in Chapter 326 in P@treon