The rain poured down.
Jiraiya in Sage Mode slowly emerged from the shadows.
He had now entered a perfect Sage Mode. Red markings extended from the corners of his eyes, and the shape of his nose bridge had slightly altered, showing toad-like characteristics.
Fukasaku and Shima on his shoulders scanned the battlefield with grave expressions.
Not far away, Gamaken was brandishing its already damaged steel fork, struggling to fend off the frenzied attacks of two hellhounds. It had sustained several new wounds but still stubbornly guarded the rear.
Seeing the two elders on Jiraiya's shoulders, Gamaken greeted in its slow drawl, "Fukasaku-sama, Shima-sama, you've come."
"Yes, you've worked hard, Gamaken," Fukasaku nodded slightly.
The Animal Path, hidden within the chameleon and observing the battle through shared Rinnegan vision, immediately noticed the change in Jiraiya.
His gaze first fell upon the two small, old toads on Jiraiya's shoulders, sensing the extraordinary energy fluctuations within them, different from ordinary summons.
But what concerned him more was the change in Jiraiya himself.
That aura... was no longer pure Chakra, but a mixture with a more primitive and vast energy that resonated with the surrounding natural environment.
This energy felt unfamiliar to him, yet carried an undeniable majesty.
'As expected of Jiraiya-sensei...' Nagato thought inwardly, controlling the Animal Path to utter a silent murmur, "To actually possess such a unique and powerful power... This is my first time seeing it."
At this moment, Fukasaku carefully surveyed the surroundings, his white long eyebrows twitching slightly.
He saw Konan hovering in the air, parts of her body transformed into paper, but did not see the possessor of the Rinnegan that Jiraiya mentioned.
He couldn't help but ask with some confusion, "Jiraiya-chan, where is that Rinnegan possessor you mentioned? I only see that paper girl."
Shima also narrowed her eyes, her tone carrying a hint of self-deprecation: "Could it be that we're really old and our eyes are failing? Why don't we see those legendary eyes?"
Jiraiya's gaze locked onto a seemingly empty space ahead, explaining in a deep voice, "Elders, the opponent is hiding inside a summon, concealing their form."
"An invisible summon?" The experienced Shima immediately understood. Her topknot-like head swayed slightly. "Must be a chameleon or something like that! Since they're hiding their head and tail like this, let me drag them out!"
Before her words faded, Shima quickly formed hand seals, her unique frog-like mouth suddenly opening wide!
An exceptionally flexible, long tongue covered with small bumps shot out from her mouth!
The tip of this tongue actually had a pair of sharp eyes and a mouth full of tiny sharp teeth!
This peculiar 'creature' twisted rapidly in the air as if possessing an independent life. Its eyes at the tip scanned everywhere, its nose constantly twitching, capturing the residual Chakra and scent in the air.
"Found it!" Shima snorted coldly, her perception having locked onto the target.
The next moment, her long tongue shot forward like a snake leaving its burrow, targeting the empty space ahead at a speed difficult for the naked eye to follow!
The tongue extended continuously in the air, its speed astonishingly fast!
The Animal Path hidden within the chameleon was also startled. 'So fast!'
Before his chameleon could even dodge, the tongue covered in mucus and sensory bumps wrapped around the massive body of the invisible chameleon like a tough rope!
The powerful binding force caused the chameleon to let out a muffled hiss. Its form was forcibly dragged out of its invisible state, revealing its massive, color-shifting outline!
"Got it tied up!" Shima exclaimed in a low voice. The small bumps on her tongue suddenly opened, spraying large amounts of sticky, greasy, foul-smelling yellowish toad oil!
This oil quickly covered the chameleon's body, not only further restricting its movement but also completely destroying its invisibility.
"Well done, Wifey!" Fukasaku praised, seizing this fleeting opportunity. He clasped his hands together, his chest swelling!
"Sage Art: Water Cutting Wave!"
An extremely condensed, slender water jet, like a high-pressure water cutter, shot out from his mouth!
This water jet contained Senjutsu Chakra, incredibly sharp, and its speed was as fast as lightning!
Ssshh-!!!
The water jet accurately struck the toad-oil-covered, movement-restricted chameleon!
There was no earth-shattering explosion, only a grating cutting sound!
The water jet sliced through the massive chameleon and the sturdy steel building behind it as easily as a hot knife through butter!
"Roar-!"
The chameleon let out an extremely miserable scream. Blood gushed out like a waterfall from its split body, even splashing a few drops onto Jiraiya's trousers not far away.
However, as the chameleon's life ended, its body quickly turned into a puff of white smoke and disappeared. The splattered blood and massive corpse also vanished as if they had never existed.
Only the lingering smell of blood in the air and the building that had been neatly split open, its cross-section smooth as a mirror, proved the reality of the fatal blow just now.
As the white smoke slowly dissipated, the figure of the Animal Path slowly walked out from within. His face was expressionless, his body stained with some incompletely dissipated toad oil. Those Rinnegan with their rippling patterns coldly stared at Jiraiya and the two Toad Sages opposite.
Only then did Fukasaku and Shima truly get a clear look at these legendary eyes.
Fukasaku's white long eyebrows furrowed tightly. He said in a deep voice, "Ominous eyes... filled with the power of pain and obsession... Is this the Child of Prophecy from the Great Toad Sage's prophecy, who may guide world change or bring destruction..."
Jiraiya, looking at the Animal Path's cold Rinnegan, couldn't help but recall the scene from years ago when he met the Great Toad Sage.
The Great Toad Sage, who could foresee the future, not only prophesied the Child of Prophecy who would bring change to the world but also predicted that he would be forced to make a choice, a choice that would determine the direction of the world's change.
And a few years ago, the Great Toad Sage suddenly summoned him again, mentioning a [Child of Darkness" who might bring destruction to the world...
'Could it be... that Nagato has become the [Child of Darkness] prophesied by the Great Toad Sage?' Jiraiya's heart shook violently, a heavy sense of responsibility pressing down on him.
'If Nagato had truly embarked on the path of destroying the world, then as his teacher, I must stop him here!'
Just then, two figures descended from the sky, landing steadily beside the Animal Path Pain.
They were the Deva Path Pain and the Asura Path who had been fighting Hanzo earlier.
The three Pains stood side by side, led by the Deva Path, looking down upon Jiraiya below. Their Rinnegan held no emotion, only a god-like indifference.
Jiraiya took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the complex emotions in his heart. His gaze met the Deva Path's cold Rinnegan, his voice resounding:
"Nagato! If you are that [Child of Darkness] who will bring destruction to the world! Then, defeating you here is my duty as a teacher... a mission I cannot shirk!"
Boom-!!!
As if responding to this fateful declaration, a pale flash of lightning suddenly streaked across the night sky, followed by deafening thunder!
The rain fell harder, the dense raindrops frantically beating down on this traumatized land, as if trying to wash away all the blood and sin.
…
Meanwhile, in a relatively intact area of Amegakure, on the top floor of a modern building bearing the sign [Shibon Technologies].
In a lavishly decorated office with a wide view, Jigen, dressed in his white robe, sat elegantly in a large leather swivel chair, facing the floor-to-ceiling window.
Outside the window was the lightning-streaked, war-torn scene of Amegakure's northern district.
He held a crystal-clear wine glass containing a rich red wine like a gemstone.
Although he did not possess the Byakugan, relying on his perception far beyond ordinary people and the sporadic images transmitted by cleverly disguised surveillance cameras placed throughout Amegakure, he clearly captured the conspicuous Rinnegan on the distant battlefield and the vast, chaotic Chakra Fluctuations.
"Heh..." Jigen gently swirled his glass, a meaningful smile curling his lips, carrying a hint of amusement and contempt. "To think that after a thousand years on this barren planet, among these natives, someone actually awakened the Rinnegan... Although, it seems to be the product of some kind of scheme."
He took a sip of the wine, savoring the complex taste of astringency and sweetness. "It's getting... more and more interesting. This planet really always brings me some 'surprises'."
The Rinnegan was not rare among the Otsutsuki Clan.
Whether it was Otsutsuki Momoshiki or Otsutsuki Urashiki, they all possessed the Rinnegan, just with different awakened abilities and focuses.
In Jigen's view, Nagato's Rinnegan had the form but was far from unleashing its true power.
Just then, rapid knocking came from outside the office door, followed by the slightly panicked report of his subordinate: "Jigen-sama! Amegakure's Anbu have suffered heavy casualties, Hanzo the Salamander... is suspected to have fallen in battle!"
Jigen's face showed no surprise, as if all this was within his expectations.
He still maintained that unflappable elegance, responding lightly, "Understood. Continue monitoring. Report any new developments at any time."
"Yes!" The subordinate outside acknowledged and withdrew.
However, at that moment-
Boom!!!
The office's heavy solid wood door, along with the surrounding wall, suddenly exploded!
Wood splinters and rubble flew everywhere. The subordinate who had just withdrawn was sent flying by the blast like a ragdoll, crashing against the corridor wall, spitting blood and dying.
From the billowing dust, a figure slowly stepped into the office.
Jigen remained with his back to the door, as if the explosion behind him had nothing to do with him.
He didn't even turn around, just elegantly swiveled the chair around to face the intruder.
Jigen raised his wine glass, his tone terrifyingly calm, carrying a hint of reproach, but more like a condescending tease:
"Coming uninvited and breaking the host's door is very impolite behavior."
The dust gradually settled, revealing the intruder's true appearance.
Jet-black short hair, a young and handsome face, wearing a black priestly robe with red trim… it was Menma, appearing in his fifteen-year-old form.
He wasn't wearing his white three-eyed fox mask, showing his true face as he calmly walked to stand opposite Jigen.
Looking at this mysteriously intruding youth whose aura was as deep as an abyss, Jigen showed not a trace of panic. That innate, self-assured confidence seemed inherent.
He even had the leisure to snap his fingers.
With the snap of his fingers, a heavy, simple and unadorned solid wood square table and two high-backed chairs materialized between the two, as if they had always been there.
On the table were even two servings of sizzling, steaming premium steaks and a freshly poured glass of red wine, identical to the one in Jigen's hand.
"A guest from afar," Jigen made a 'please' gesture, his posture impeccably elegant. "Although your entrance was rather crude... still, care to sit down for a drink?"
Menma glanced at Jigen and did not refuse, calmly sitting in the high-backed chair opposite him.
He picked up the glass of red wine, gently sniffed it, then took a small sip, slightly frowning as he evaluated, "The taste... is a bit astringent. I prefer sweeter red wine."
Hearing this, the perfect gentlemanly smile on Jigen's face faltered slightly. He then shook his head, saying with a hint of superiority, "It seems your taste is still somewhat... lacking. This is an authentic aged vintage from the most renowned winery in the Land of Fire. Its astringency is precisely the proof of its years of precipitation."
He put down his glass, crossed his hands on the table, leaned forward slightly, and his seemingly ordinary eyes sharply looked at Menma. "So, can you tell me your name now? If I guess correctly, you found this place by tracking clues related to Amado's company, right?"
Menma didn't answer immediately. He swirled the glass in his hand, watching the blood-like, viscous wine leave trails on the glass. Suddenly, as if remembering something extremely amusing, the corner of his mouth lifted in a mischievous arc.
He raised his head, meeting Jigen's probing gaze, and said in a clear, steady tone, slowly:
"You can call me Ichiraku."
Menma paused, raised an eyebrow slightly, looked at Jigen who still maintained an elegant, calm, even contemptuous demeanor, and added leisurely:
"Of course, you can also call me-"
"Otsutsuki Rakushiki."
Crack!
A crisp shattering sound abruptly rang out.
The crystal-clear wine glass in Jigen's hand was crushed by his unconsciously tightening fingers!
The crimson wine splattered out like blood, staining his fingers and the table. His previously unflappable, everything-under-control elegant posture vanished completely in that instant!
He slowly raised his head, his eyes revealing shock for the first time!