On the streets of Konoha, Jiraiya walked alongside Minato, the two of them quietly discussing matters.
Since they still had some time before parting, Minato brought up an event from nearly two years ago. Compared to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Minato placed far more trust in his own teacher, Jiraiya.
After laying out every detail, Minato finally voiced his concern:
"That so-called Information Exchange, as things stand now, Uzumaki Sora has already acquired abilities beyond my own tactical arsenal—he's even gained fragments of the First Hokage's power."
"An Information Exchange… in another dimension?"
Jiraiya's expression grew grave. As the disciple of the Third Hokage, he didn't have firsthand knowledge of the First Hokage's strength. But Minato, the Fourth Hokage, was his own student. He knew well how terrifying Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique was—both its first and second stages—along with his near-superhuman reflexes. Minato was one of only two shinobi in Konoha's history to wield genuine space-time ninjutsu.
And now, Uzumaki Sora had also inherited parts of the First Hokage's powers. That meant his strength had reached a level almost beyond comprehension.
"What about Sage Arts?" Jiraiya suddenly asked.
Minato froze for a moment, then answered:
"I'm not sure what he ultimately chose, but it doesn't seem like he's mastered senjutsu."
That was at least one piece of good news.
But both Minato and Jiraiya were haunted by the same question—the First Hokage's power.
If this Information Exchange truly existed in another dimension, and could even reach into the Pure Land… then why would the First Hokage willingly trade away such power?
Seeing Jiraiya's growing unease, Minato spoke apologetically:
"Back then… because of Kushina… and the Nine-Tails, I…"
Jiraiya could hear the hesitation in his student's voice. He understood Minato well. As Hokage, Minato bore the responsibility of the entire village. But when it came to family, his heart always leaned toward them first.
"No need to explain," Jiraiya said with a heavy sigh. "Whether it's the Nine-Tails or your own life, both are immeasurable losses to Konoha. If the Nine-Tails had been unleashed, the destruction would've been incalculable."
Then, softening his tone, he added:
"And besides, Uzumaki Sora may not even harbor dark ambitions. From the information you've given me, he seems to hold goodwill toward Konoha… though his attitude toward certain higher-ups isn't exactly friendly."
Goodwill?
Minato scratched his head. At the orphanage incident, Uzumaki Sora had clearly tried to kill Danzō…
"It's not just the two advisers and Danzō," Minato admitted. "Even toward the Third Hokage, he seems to hold a grudge. As for the history of the Uzumaki Clan, even Kushina and I don't know the full truth. Teacher… you must know more?"
Jiraiya thought back carefully before answering:
"After the sudden death of the Second Hokage, my master Hiruzen was forced to take the mantle in a time of crisis. He didn't immediately ascend to the position of Third Hokage. During that turbulent period, I was too young to know all the details… but one thing is certain: when Uzushiogakure fell, Konoha failed to fulfill its duties as an ally."
The destruction of the Land of Whirlpools had been so long ago that almost no official record survived. Those in power at the time had no interest in preserving the truth.
He remembered Kushina's arrival in Konoha back then—her sensitive nature, the pain of being a refugee, a princess from a fallen nation.
…
When they reached Jiraiya's home, the two finally paused. Jiraiya grinned and said:
"If you stay out too long with me, Kushina will probably think I dragged you off on some wandering escapade. You'd better head home."
Minato smirked proudly.
"I left a Flying Thunder God kunai downstairs just in case. No worries. But sensei, how long are you planning to stay this time?"
Jiraiya stroked his chin.
"A few days, perhaps. Regarding Uzumaki Sora, I plan to visit Mount Myōboku and consult the Great Toad Sage."
"You mean you want him to prophesy?" Minato asked, nodding. "That's a good idea. I can't believe I didn't think of it earlier."
Jiraiya shook his head.
"The Great Toad Sage's prophecies can't be requested directly. I'll only ask if there's anything beyond the prophecy of the Child of Destiny."
"Do you have a photo of Uzumaki Sora?" Jiraiya added. "If I'm going to be traveling, I can keep an eye out for intel. In fact, part of the reason I came back this time… is because of him."
Minato gave a rueful smile.
"Over these last two years, the name Red Flash has been spreading across the black market. Everyone assumes it's tied to my space-time ninjutsu. Even the Five Great Villages have taken note. Recently, even Kumogakure has paused its movements. I suspect it's all because of Uzumaki Sora's activities in the black market, making them think something's amiss in Konoha."
Jiraiya thought for a moment before replying:
"Kumogakure's interest likely runs deeper. From what I've heard, ever since the Third Shinobi War, they've grown obsessed with secret arts and kekkei genkai."
Minato's expression hardened, and he nodded.
"I understand."
He then produced a dossier—the compiled intelligence on Uzumaki Sora, including records of the Information Exchange itself.
Handing it to Jiraiya, Minato said his farewells.
"If I stay out any longer, Kushina will start worrying. I'll leave the rest to you, sensei."
With that, Minato vanished from the street in an instant.
Jiraiya chuckled to himself, then returned home with the dossier in hand.
Though he rarely stayed in the village, as one of the Legendary Sannin he still kept a residence here. Minato even paid to have it regularly maintained.
…
After washing up, Jiraiya finally opened the dossier on Uzumaki Sora—and froze.
"Yahiko…?"
The words slipped from his mouth in stunned disbelief. His eyes locked onto the photo—the bright red hair, the familiar features.
Not identical, no. Many small details were different. But the resemblance was undeniable.
Uzumaki Sora looked eerily similar to Yahiko.
But Yahiko had never had red hair, nor was he of the Uzumaki clan.
Jiraiya's thoughts immediately turned to his three disciples from Amegakure. He wondered how they were now.
Had Konan grown into the beautiful woman he'd imagined? Had she confessed her feelings to Yahiko yet?
Was Nagato managing to control his immense power?
How far had the three of them gone in pursuit of their dream?
Perhaps it was time to visit Amegakure once again. Regarding this Uzumaki Sora… he needed to find Yahiko, and ask whether he had some unknown cousin or blood relative.
…
In the Uchiha compound, Uchiha Shion gazed out at the moon.
If he could obtain the medium connected to Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, sealed away within the Six Paths' Chibaku Tensei, perhaps he could achieve his breakthrough in one move.
But setting aside such lofty ambitions, his mind turned to immediate matters.
His clone, Sora, could head to Amegakure, spending two months training at an easy pace. By then, Shion's mastery of earth and water chakra natures would be nearly complete. Combined with the yang attribute of his Sage Body, he could begin experimenting with that technique.
And in two months' time, when the Information Exchange opened for the third time, it would all depend on whether his clone managed to secure the Rinnegan—or Obito's Kamui.
…
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