After speaking, Naruto immediately used the Flying Thunder God Technique, taking Jiraiya with him and vanishing in a flash.
The tendō Pain stared at the kunai on the ground, deep in thought.
"A teleportation technique… no wonder he was able to save Jiraiya before my Shinra tensei could blast the attack away."
Sheets of paper fluttered through the air as Konan appeared beside him.
"Not going after them? You're just going to let them go?"
tendō Pain looked straight ahead and replied coldly,
"We've already lost two Paths. Without all six, their power can't be fully synchronized.
And tracking someone who uses teleportation is troublesome.
We'll regroup first—once the Six Paths are restored, I'll go to Konoha myself and hunt the Nine-Tails."
After saying this, he turned and led the remaining Pains back to the high tower.
Mount Myōboku
Lady Shima, the toad sage, tended to Jiraiya's injuries.
"Boy, bear with the pain," she said, pressing medicine onto his severed arm.
Jiraiya clenched his teeth, sweat dripping down his forehead.
On his shoulder, Fukasaku looked at Naruto and said,
"If that little rascal hadn't shown up when he did, Jiraiya-boy would've been fish food back there."
As she wrapped the bandages, Shima sighed, still shaken.
"I told you not to go! Luckily, you made it back in one piece."
Jiraiya panted heavily. The damage to his body this time was severe—but uncovering Pain's true identity, and Naruto's sudden appearance, had surprised him even more.
Especially Naruto's growth.
Sage Mode. Rasengan. Flying Thunder God.
To see those three combined so seamlessly—his fighting style even flashier than the Fourth Hokage's had been back in the day!
Jiraiya couldn't help but feel proud. As expected of my student.
Still, he had to ask.
"Naruto, how did you end up there? And your Sage Mode and Flying Thunder God—who taught you those?"
Shima blinked in surprise.
"This brat can use Sage Mode?"
Fukasaku nodded.
"That's right, wife. He's mastered it even better than Jiraiya-boy here! And when he uses it, the toad features are minimal—just a bit of orange pigmentation around the eyes."
Shima was stunned.
"Then who taught him? Was it you, Jiraiya-boy?"
Jiraiya shook his head.
Both toad sages looked even more shocked.
Naruto was silent for a moment, then looked up at his teacher.
"Sensei… I'm sorry. I can't tell you that right now. When the time comes, I'll explain everything. Please understand."
Jiraiya stared deeply at his student, as if trying to see through him.
After a few seconds, he chuckled softly.
"Well, that's fine. Kids grow up—they're bound to have secrets. Just remember, stay on the right path… you know?"
His eyes dimmed a little as he spoke.
Now that he knew the truth—that the man behind Pain was none other than his own disciple, Nagato—his heart ached.
Naruto clenched his fists.
"Don't worry, sensei. Even if it costs me my life, I'll protect Konoha—protect everyone—and protect the entire ninja world."
Seeing Naruto's unwavering, sincere eyes, Jiraiya drifted into thought. Then a gentle smile lifted his lips.
"Maybe… you're the one the Great Toad Sage spoke of—the Child of Prophecy."
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