Chapter 37 — Shadows Converge
The air outside was cool, heavy with the faint smell of wet earth. Jiraiya stood under the dim light of a lantern, arms folded, staring into the distance.
He needed space.
Everything Naruto and Sasuke told him still weighed on his chest like an iron burden. An Otsutsuki army… a Fifth War… and those two brats treating the Fourth like a stepping stone.
"Damn it," he muttered, rubbing his temple. "What kind of kids talk about war like they're planning a festival?"
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Far beyond the village, in the depths of the forest, two cloaked figures moved swiftly under the shadows of the trees.
The straw hats covering their faces swayed with each step. One carried a massive, bandaged blade over his shoulder, the other silent, Sharingan flickering faintly in the gloom.
The mission was clean. Quick. No witnesses.
"Not bad, eh Itachi?" Kisame grinned, his sharp teeth glinting in the moonlight. "Easy money. Almost too easy."
Itachi's expression didn't change. "We're not here to enjoy ourselves."
Kisame chuckled. "Heh, you're always so cold. Anyway, this village should do. Let's rest here before moving on."
The two figures turned, their path leading straight toward the glowing lights of the same small village Jiraiya, Naruto, and Sasuke had entered hours ago.
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Back at the dango shop, Jiraiya returned, looking tired. He sat heavily across from Naruto and Sasuke, who were still eating.
"You two," he said, rubbing the back of his neck, "are going to kill me with all these secrets. I swear, you're more troublesome than Minato and Kushina ever were."
Naruto glanced at him, chewing slowly before swallowing. His tone was calmer than usual, serious.
"If you're worried about the people who'll die in the war… you don't need to," he said, his blue eyes narrowing faintly. "My right eye—Seishin—can bring back the dead. No sacrifice. No conditions. Death doesn't have to be the end."
Jiraiya froze.
He stared at Naruto, at the unshaken certainty in his voice. A chill ran down his spine. "You're telling me… even death itself isn't absolute to you anymore?"
Sasuke's gaze slid to Naruto, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "You really had to say that out loud."
Naruto shrugged. "Better than letting him stress over nothing."
Jiraiya pressed his palm over his face. "These brats… they're going to turn the whole world upside down."
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The door to the shop creaked open.
The chatter of customers dimmed instantly as two cloaked men entered, hats dripping from the drizzle outside. The black fabric of their cloaks shimmered with crimson clouds in the lantern light.
Jiraiya stiffened.
Naruto and Sasuke's heads turned in perfect sync.
The taller one grinned, serrated teeth flashing. "Well, well… looks like this village is lively after all."
The other lifted his chin slightly, and beneath the shadow of the hat, crimson Sharingan gleamed.
Sasuke's breath caught. His teacup trembled slightly in his hand.
"Itachi…"
The air thickened. The peaceful dango shop was suddenly a powder keg waiting to explode.
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