"What? Nagato is willing to go to Mount Myoboku to train in Sage Mode?"
Jiraiya was astonished. He had tried to persuade him several times before, but Nagato had always been unwilling to go to Mount Myoboku—for Nagato, Yahiko, Konan, and everyone else were more important than so-called power or Sage Mode.
And this time…
"Did something happen to Yahiko and Konan?"
Jiraiya's expression changed abruptly.
The toad answered.
"The boss only told me to inform you, he didn't say much."
"I have to go to Mount Myoboku!"
How could Jiraiya stay put any longer? Although he had to monitor the north, there was no movement from Onoki's side, so a brief departure wouldn't be a big problem. On the contrary, on Nagato's side, if Yahiko and Konan were dead, the series of chain reactions it would trigger could lead to unimaginable consequences.
The Rinnegan, the Child of the Prophecy. What if he fell to the other side and became a catastrophe that would destroy the shinobi world… A determined killing intent flashed in Jiraiya's eyes. If that really happened, he would have to make a choice—to kill Nagato! Even if this choice would cause him a lifetime of pain, but…
"Before that, I will do my best to save him!"
Jiraiya took a deep breath. And now might be the last chance.
At this moment, Jiraiya had already imagined a bunch of things that could have happened. For example—a surprise attack from Iwagakure, Hanzo being unable to tolerate someone sleeping next to his bed, or the war between Sunagakure and Iwagakure spilling over into their territory in the Land of Birds.
However, when he was brought to Mount Myoboku by the Reverse Summoning Technique…
"What? Just this?"
Jiraiya's eyes widened.
Nagato frowned and looked at his teacher.
"Is this not serious enough? Or did you, sensei, think of something else?"
"I thought it was Yahiko and the others…"
Jiraiya was at a loss for words.
Nagato sighed.
"Not yet. But if Madara's subordinates want to get my eyes, they will come for me sooner or later. So before that…"
Nagato's gaze was firm.
"As Yahiko said, I must become stronger!"
He knew that Ryoho Kyohiko coming to them via the Flying Thunder God was very likely to remind Yahiko of this matter. For him to go to Mount Myoboku for refuge and training must also have been Kyohiko's idea. It wasn't that Yahiko was stupid and couldn't think of it, but that Yahiko simply didn't know that Mount Myoboku had Sage Mode.
Nagato took a deep breath.
"Sensei, you don't have to worry about me. I will not leave Mount Myoboku until I master Sage Mode. But Yahiko and Konan's side…"
"I will take care of them, rest assured."
Jiraiya's expression was serious.
Nagato let out a sigh of relief. Although their relationship with Kyohiko was also good, there was still a layer of separation. The relationship between him and Jiraiya was a true, direct master-disciple one. If his teacher promised to take care of them, it would surely be fine.
After a moment of silence, Nagato said.
"Sensei, are you alright over there?"
Jiraiya smiled.
"I'm fine. I've been running around the north recently, and by the way, traveling the shinobi world. Ha, I haven't met any other decent guys, so the so-called 'Child of the Prophecy' is most likely you and Kyohiko."
The eyes under Nagato's hair moved slightly. Ryoho Kyohiko. That person was indeed unbelievably strong. At that age, he had reached a level that required many people to besiege him… It was simply a miracle!
He looked up.
"I met him. My coming here should have been his reminder to Yahiko."
"Is that so? What was he doing over at your place?"
Jiraiya was a little surprised.
Nagato shook his head.
Just as Jiraiya was puzzled, a toad suddenly hopped over.
"Your letter."
"Huh?"
Jiraiya took it. A letter from Konoha.
His expression turned grave, and then it changed abruptly. No wonder!
Jiraiya's expression was grave. He then looked at Nagato.
"I know."
"Sorry, I'm afraid I need to leave."
"Mm."
Nagato nodded.
He hesitated for a moment, then asked.
"Did something happen?"
"It's nothing I can't tell you. Yahiko probably already knows… Takigakure and the Seven-Tails, Chomei, were attacked by Kakuzu and Kurosuki Raiga."
Huh?
Nagato was stunned for a moment. The next second, Jiraiya had already been sent back. He looked into the distance. Someone actually dared to target a Tailed Beast, and for that, directly attacked Takigakure! He was utterly shocked.
After all, although Takigakure was not one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, its strength among the smaller ninja villages was not to be underestimated. An existence that could rush into Takigakure and directly take away the Tailed Beast Jinchuriki… He didn't think he was stronger than a Tailed Beast! No wonder both Kyohiko and Yahiko thought he needed to come to Mount Myoboku to increase his strength. If he continued as before, perhaps the next ones to be captured would be him, Yahiko, and Konan.
"Fortunately, there's still time for everything now!"
Nagato took a deep breath. Sage Mode, I can definitely do it!
***
In Sunagakure, yellow sand stretched endlessly. Today was another sandstorm day.
"Kazekage-sama…"
"It's fine. I've already constructed a wall, sufficient to block most of the sandstorm. Just have everyone hide at home. You all should go and hide too."
"Yes!"
They disappeared with a body flicker.
Sandstorms of this scale were not common, but smaller ones were everywhere, so everyone was used to it. It was just that outside the sandstorm, a figure flickered in and out of view.
"The weather is nice. It seems most of the Suna ninjas and villagers have hidden themselves. We don't even have to wait for night to sneak in directly."
White Zetsu reminded him.
"We still have to be careful. Although Rasa is weak, he is still a powerful Kazekage. You need to maintain a certain degree of reverence."
Obito said with disdain.
"Even his predecessor, the so-called strongest Kazekage, the Third Kazekage, died miserably at the hands of Konoha. I don't think this guy is that strong!"
White Zetsu reiterated.
"Our target is the One-Tail Jinchuriki."
He thought for a moment and quickly realized how to advise him.
"Killing one Kazekage will only lead to another. Even wiping out Sunagakure is useless. What truly determines the order of the shinobi world is our own strength!"
Upon hearing this, Obito thought for a long time and had to agree with White Zetsu's statement.
"Alright, you're right."
Killing a Kazekage, apart from showing off one's own strength, was indeed useless. And the current Ryoho Kyohiko probably didn't need to use such means to show off his ability… He sighed lightly in his heart. Fortunately, my current self is definitely much stronger than Kakashi. And this is the power of the Uchiha!
Obito thought to himself.
"The ancestor has bestowed upon me the power to pursue peace. I must not fail him!"
Then, he once again merged into space and jumped forward.
***
"Hmm?"
Rasa suddenly looked in a direction outside the village. Over there… something seemed off.
"Kazekage-sama."
A figure suddenly appeared beside him. His Anbu member.
"What is it?"
Rasa shifted his attention back to the present.
The Anbu ninja handed over a scroll.
"We found this in the village. We don't know who left this intelligence. I think you should take a look."
"Give it to me."
Rasa took it. Seeing the text, his pupils instantly shrank. This is… Pakura's handwriting! She really isn't dead!
Rasa's fingers tightened on the scroll, his heart churning. Does this one want revenge? Or… His first reaction was that Pakura was after him. The fluctuation just now, who knows, might have been from Pakura.
But soon, Rasa dismissed such a thought. Because the text below made him feel shocked and terrified. Someone attacked Takigakure, attempting to take away the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki!
A Tailed Beast… This was the trump card of a ninja village, an existence comparable to a weapon of war. Someone had actually dared to forcibly attack a village to take it away. And the enemies, Kurosuki Raiga and Kakuzu, were all rogue-nin.
"Suspected to be related to the group that contacted Sasori of the Red Sand. The mastermind may be Uchiha Madara."
Rasa swallowed. He knew very well the meaning of this sentence. Madara is gathering forces. Then, the next one…
"Not good!"
Rasa reacted. "Quick, to where Shukaku is!"
"Yes!"
The Anbu ninja disappeared in a body flicker, but Rasa's speed was even faster. He disappeared from this area in an instant. Shukaku… is imprisoned in the Anbu's prison.
A few minutes later, inside the Anbu base, Uchiha Obito emerged from underground.
"Really hard to find."
"But I finally found it!"
Obito looked ahead. In the prison, an old monk sat on a cushion, his mind as calm as water. He was not disturbed even when a sound came from outside. However, when Obito got closer, he opened his eyes.
"Who are you?"
Obito extended his hand.
"The one who will take you away. Leave this cage, and you will gain freedom and walk the path of peace with us."
Bunpuku stared at him, his beard trembling slightly, then he uttered a sentence.
"You are not from Sunagakure."
Obito said.
"Of course. How could Sunagakure let you go? They treat Jinchuriki as tools, only imprisoning and using you until you are completely dead."
Bunpuku said.
"You said you are walking the path of peace?"
"Yes, I am walking on a path that leads to peace, and you are a very important force!"
"You want to use this power to create chaos and slaughter? I will not allow you to do so."
Bunpuku's tone was calm, yet firm. "Tailed Beasts should coexist peacefully with humans, not be treated as tools or a kind of power by you. They have their own consciousness!"
Obito was stunned for a moment. What's wrong with this guy? He's been imprisoned, yet he can still say such things so calmly? And he was very old. Obito was a little puzzled and curious.
"Old man, how long have you been here?"
Bunpuku shook his head, and after a second, he sighed softly.
"I can't remember. Maybe a few years, maybe a dozen or several dozen years."
"Aren't you resentful? To have spent so many years in a place like this…"
Obito couldn't bear to listen.
Although he hated that group of Uchiha, he still retained a part of his original personality in his heart, which gave both Madara and Black Zetsu a headache. And now, just hearing about the time Bunpuku had been imprisoned, a strong sense of sadness and pity welled up in his heart. This old man is clearly a kind person. Why must he suffer such treatment?
White Zetsu urged in a low voice.
"Stop chatting, take him away quickly!"
He couldn't understand why Obito was wasting words with an enemy. But at this moment, Obito hoped to take Bunpuku away through "communication." A battle… might be possible, but it would attract more people! If he could avoid a fight through exchange, then he could. In any case, the other party was a Tailed Beast Jinchuriki!
At this time, Bunpuku said.
"Resentful? I had a little at first. But now, I have understood my mission. I hope to use love to make Tailed Beasts and humans coexist peacefully."
Obito shook his head.
"That is impossible to achieve!"
"Humans are full of desires and disputes, and the power of the Tailed Beasts happens to be able to make each side stronger. As long as these desires and struggles exist, no matter what peace, it is impossible to arrive!"
"As long as we use love…"
"Love? Old man, you are a great person, but your thinking is too naive!"
Obito shook his head.
He looked at Bunpuku seriously.
"Master, you should come with me. I will take you out, see the world outside, let you see the ugliness and greed of humanity, and we will study the path of peace together!"
Bunpuku was silent. As a high monk, he certainly knew of human greed and was powerless against it. But to leave… he sighed softly and closed his eyes in pain.
"I cannot leave!"
As a Tailed Beast Jinchuriki, if Bunpuku wanted to leave, there were naturally many ways. However, all these years, he had never stepped out of this prison. The reason was that once he left the prison, his monastery would suffer a catastrophe. Bunpuku could not leave.
However, the next second, Obito cut the seal on the door with one slash and kicked the prison door open.
"In that case, there's nothing more to say. I'll take you with me directly."
Obito's tone was firm.
Then, he walked towards Bunpuku, his hand pressing on Bunpuku's body. But at this moment, a cold voice came from behind.
"Where do you think you're going with my village's Shukaku?"
Then, a sharp golden spear flew from a distance. Obito turned his head and cut the spear down with one slash. But the next second, the gold sand transformed into a series of sharp spikes that grew densely under his feet. Obito was forced to give up on Kamui.
"He is a person, not Shukaku."
Having his jutsu interrupted, Obito turned his head and looked at Rasa seriously. "To treat a fellow countryman like this, Sunagakure is truly full of ugliness!"
Bunpuku sat cross-legged on the ground, not speaking, nor opening his eyes, but sighing silently. The young man before him… was very naive, yet more in line with the kind of person he hoped for in his heart than the people of Sunagakure. A pity! Bunpuku sighed inwardly.
Rasa's face was cold as he stared at the young man before him.
"Who are you?"
"I…"
The next second, a patch of golden sand shot up from below, turning into a series of sharp spikes. But they passed directly through Obito's body.
What? A look of astonishment appeared in Rasa's eyes. This guy… who on earth is he? Wait! Those eyes?
Obito's gaze was icy.
"The ugly Sunagakure!"
Swoosh!
After continuous training, Obito's Body Flicker Technique was much stronger than before. Combined with the effect of "Kamui," he instantly appeared in front of Rasa. Then… Smack!
With one slash, the Rasa before him had a golden color on his body. Sand Armor!
"The Sharingan. Are you from the Uchiha clan?"
Although he said so, Rasa avoided eye contact. To be precise, the next second, his real body appeared beside Bunpuku, and the Rasa in front of Obito quickly collapsed, turning into a patch of golden sand. Then, it quickly entangled Obito.
Sand Binding Coffin!
The gold sand wrapped and covered him, but Obito's feet suddenly disappeared, and then his whole person slowly disappeared from sight.