Jiraiya's emotions rose and fell like a roller coaster.
Learning that Minato Namikaze's parents had not sacrificed themselves and were still alive filled Jiraiya with immense joy.
But the disappointment Minato and Kushina felt toward Konoha—and their decision to no longer involve themselves with the village—left Jiraiya deeply saddened.
Minato Namikaze felt just as guilty toward Jiraiya. Jiraiya was his mentor, the man who had taught him—and now, he was also the mentor of Minato's child.
Yet now, his own child had chosen to take revenge on the homeland that his teacher had spent his entire life protecting, and Minato himself had not stood on his teacher's side.
Jiraiya said desolately,
"Minato, I know Konoha has inflicted wounds on you that can never be erased. I don't ask that you forgive the village, but I hope you can give me one chance.
"I've failed my entire life. I placed all my hopes on Naruto. I want him to continue being the Child of Prophecy—to become a savior, a hero. I want to draw a complete ending to my failed life."
Minato said painfully,
"Jiraiya-sensei, as long as you can persuade Naruto, Kushina and I will not interfere with any decision he makes."
Jiraiya smiled bitterly.
"Thank you. Although Naruto approached me to learn Sage Mode, I can feel that deep down, he is still kind. I believe I can awaken that kindness once again."
After reaching an agreement with Minato and Kushina, Jiraiya asked,
"Minato, you said that during the Nine-Tails incident you already knew Naruto was the Child of Prophecy. Was it the Great Toad Sage who told you?"
Minato shook his head.
"No. It was the Sage of Six Paths."
Jiraiya's mouth fell open in shock.
"The Sage of Six Paths isn't he just a legend? Is he still alive?"
Jiraiya had learned Naruto's identity as the Child of Prophecy from the Great Toad Sage, so Minato no longer hid the truth.
"No. The Sage of Six Paths exists only as a soul. In the future, a disaster will sweep across the entire shinobi world, and Naruto is the Child of Fate. In order for Naruto to grow, Kushina and I left him alone in Konoha."
Jiraiya asked the question that had long troubled him,
"If it was for Naruto's growth, why did you and Kushina choose to leave Konoha? Wouldn't it have been best for you to stay?"
"We couldn't stay by Naruto's side, because Kushina and I were supposed to die during the Nine-Tails incident. If we lived, it would affect Naruto's future growth. So we followed the Sage of Six Paths' advice and chose to leave."
After saying this, Minato's face was filled with regret. If different words had been left behind back then, perhaps none of this would have happened.
Jiraiya pondered and guessed,
"Then something must have interfered—something that allowed you, who should have sacrificed yourselves, to survive. That forced the Sage of Six Paths to personally step in. Can you tell me if there was anyone unusual, or anything abnormal at the time?"
Jiraiya believed that the force which allowed Minato and Kushina to live was the other mysterious power mentioned by the Great Toad Sage.
At once, Minato and Kushina thought of Yosuke.
But Yosuke was their friend. They had no intention of revealing his identity.
"There was nothing unusual," Minato said.
Having lived with Minato for many years, Jiraiya saw through the lie immediately.
He urgently explained,
"The Great Toad Sage said that if I can find that mysterious force, there's a chance I can save Naruto. I only need to meet him once."
Minato and Kushina exchanged a glance. Kushina also hoped Naruto could become a kind and loving person, so she nodded slightly.
Minato sighed.
"Jiraiya-sensei, he is our friend. I can't tell you who he is—but I will ask him whether he's willing to meet you."
Jiraiya said gratefully,
"Thank you, Minato."
"No, Jiraiya-sensei. I should be the one thanking you—for never giving up on Naruto."
Minato took out a communication scroll reserved exclusively for Yosuke. After recording everything that had happened, he pressed the scroll to the ground with one hand and formed seals. The scroll vanished in a puff of smoke.
Meanwhile, Yosuke—who had just arrived in the Land of Rivers and was continuing north toward the Land of Frost—sensed Minato's communication scroll.
He summoned the scroll and read the message Minato had left.
Yakumo asked curiously,
"What does it say?"
"Minato's teacher, Jiraiya, has learned of my existence and wants to meet me."
Yakumo frowned. She had no goodwill toward Konoha whatsoever.
"One of Konoha's Three Legendary Sannin—Jiraiya? What could he possibly want?"
"It's about Uzumaki Naruto. Since he wants to see me, then I'll meet him. I also want to ask Jiraiya, as a fellow Sannin, about Orochimaru."
On the other side, Minato received Yosuke's reply.
"He's agreed," Minato said to Jiraiya. "He'll wait for you at the border between the Land of Rivers and the Land of Frost."
"Thank you, Minato. I'll depart immediately."
Jiraiya was extremely anxious—he wanted to resolve Naruto's situation as soon as possible.
Watching Jiraiya rush about for Naruto's sake made Minato and Kushina feel deeply pained.
"Jiraiya-sensei, if we receive any news about Naruto, we'll inform you immediately."
Jiraiya waved his hand, his figure gradually disappearing into the wind and sand.
Yosuke passed through the Land of Rivers and arrived at the border of the Land of Frost.
The Land of Frost had a climate similar to the Land of Snow, but the Land of Snow experienced year-round ice and snow due to its geographical location.
The Land of Frost, however, was cold because two massive glaciers caused the extreme climate.
At the border between the Land of Rivers and the Land of Frost, Yosuke and Yakumo waited.
As if sensing something, Yosuke suddenly said,
"He's here."
Yakumo looked up. In the snow-filled distance, a ninja with white hair and wooden sandals slowly approached.
Jiraiya stopped in front of the masked Yosuke and spoke directly,
"You're Ubuyashiki Yosuke, aren't you?"
Yosuke looked at Jiraiya in surprise. Minato had stated clearly in the scroll that he hadn't revealed Yosuke's identity—so Jiraiya must have deduced it himself.
As if reading Yosuke's thoughts, Jiraiya explained,
"During the Nine-Tails incident, the one who fought the Nine-Tails wasn't only Minato. There was also a wandering swordsman named Ubuyashiki Yosuke. Since Minato and Kushina survived, it's easy to infer that the wandering swordsman must still be alive as well."
Hearing Jiraiya's reasoning, Yosuke began clapping.
"As expected of one of the legendary Three Sannin—Jiraiya. That's right. I am Ubuyashiki Yosuke."
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