"It's a deal then, Jiraiya-sama!"
"Agreed!"
Jiraiya waved dismissively at Kouki and strolled away with his characteristic nonchalance.
After Jiraiya's departure, Asuma, his gaze fixed on Kouki with a mixture of humiliation, resentment, and burning anger, quickly left the scene. His defeat rankled deeply.
"Whew! That was intense; I was terrified,"
Kouki's two companions let out long sighs of relief. They had witnessed Kouki's rather forceful and arguably excessive handling of Asuma.
"Relax. Jiraiya's a Sannin; he wouldn't concern himself with petty squabbles like this," Kouki said calmly, resuming his patrol as if nothing had happened.
However, inwardly, he was pondering Jiraiya's return to Konoha. Was it a simple visit, or was there a more significant purpose behind his arrival? Both possibilities seemed equally likely.
Upon his return, Jiraiya immediately immersed himself in his "research," spending considerable time at various locations frequented by women bathhouses, clothing stores, etc. completely engrossed in his work and oblivious to the passage of time.
"Teacher, you're back!"
Minato Namikaze, having received word of Jiraiya's return, personally greeted him.
"Minato, I hear you've become Hokage. That's remarkable," Jiraiya said, reluctantly putting away his binoculars, his attention finally shifting from his "research."
"It's all thanks to your guidance and the village's trust," Minato Namikaze replied humbly.
After a brief exchange between teacher and student, Jiraiya turned serious. "Minato, gather everyone. I have important news to share."
Minato Namikaze, his expression solemn, immediately escorted Jiraiya to the Hokage's office and summoned Hiruzen Sarutobi, Homura Mitokado, and other high-ranking village officials.
"Jiraiya, everyone's here. Tell us what's so important," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, taking a puff from his pipe.
Jiraiya, his expression grave, recounted a recent and extraordinary experience.
"A few days ago, while gathering material… ahem, while searching for the Child of Prophecy, I was suddenly summoned to Mount Myōboku by Shima and Fukasaku."
"They took me to Lord Gamabunta, who revealed that the Child of Prophecy… has changed!"
"The original Child of Prophecy was a boy with blue eyes who laughed while summoning the Nine-Tailed Fox. He was prophesied to bring great change to the ninja world."
"But now, that boy can no longer influence the future. The great change will be brought about by someone else."
"That person will be the new Child of Prophecy!"
Jiraiya's words immediately commanded everyone's attention. They dared not underestimate the significance of Lord Gamabunta's prophecy.
"Jiraiya, what did Lord Gamabunta see about this new Child of Prophecy?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked urgently.
"The new Child of Prophecy is shrouded in mist; Lord Gamabunta couldn't see clearly. He only saw one image: the Child of Prophecy standing before black flames,"
Jiraiya's voice was heavy with significance, the weight of the prophecy palpable.
"Black flames?"
"Jiraiya, did you say black flames?"
Jiraiya hadn't expected his words to elicit such surprised reactions. The implications were profound.
"Um… why are you all looking at me like that? Do you know who I'm talking about?"
Jiraiya felt a surge of excitement. He'd searched for years for the original Child of Prophecy without success, yet a lead on the new one had appeared so soon after his return to Konoha.
"Could the mysterious individual who repeatedly saved Konoha be the Child of Prophecy?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered before addressing the group, his voice thoughtful.
Minato Namikaze, Homura Mitokado, and the others exchanged thoughtful glances, each considering the possibility.
Based on the current information, this individual seemed to be the only one who fit the description. After all, aside from this individual, few others were known to wield black flames with such devastating effect.
"Mysterious individual? What mysterious individual?" Only Jiraiya looked completely bewildered. He had been traveling the world for the past couple of years and hadn't heard of any such person. He was completely out of the loop.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Minato Namikaze, and the others then explained the mysterious individual's actions to Jiraiya, leaving him equally surprised and perplexed.
Sealing a half-Tailed Beast Jinchuriki, overpowering Ōnoki, killing five of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, defeating Minato Namikaze—this individual's strength seemed to rival even his own!
Yet, for over a year, Konoha had remained completely unaware of their identity. This was a significant mystery.
"Excellent! If he uses those black flames, he might be the Child of Prophecy! Let's find him!"
Jiraiya exclaimed excitedly, his curiosity and professional interest piqued.
The assembled officials began to recall details about the mysterious individual, hoping to find more clues.
Ultimately, they found a breakthrough through Minato Namikaze.
"Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan also met the mysterious individual. They're my students. I'll ask them; maybe they can provide more information!"
"And I'll check on them! It's been a long time since I've seen them since leaving Amegakure!"
Jiraiya made his decision with a cheerful tone, eager to reconnect with his former students and gather more information.
"Damn it, good thing I wasn't complacent; I used Sage Mode observation, otherwise my identity would have been blown!"
Kouki, who had witnessed everything through Sage Mode observation, felt a profound sense of relief.
Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan had seen Kouki's true appearance and knew his name! If Jiraiya questioned them, Kouki's identity would be revealed.
Of course, with Kouki's current strength, even if his identity were revealed, no one could do anything to him, but it would be unnecessarily troublesome. He had grown accustomed to his current life—the daily routine, his parents' care and the camaraderie with his fellow Uchiha.
Kouki had no desire to alter this comfortable status.
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