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Outside the ANBU base, Jiraiya finally managed to find the place.
He hadn't even arrived yet, but his voice got there first.
"Orochimaru! Orochimaru! Last time at the academy you said you didn't want to get involved, but this time you have to help me!"
ANBU wasn't a place just anyone could stroll into, but Jiraiya clearly didn't count as "anyone."
He stormed in and went straight for Orochimaru.
Even Danzo's men didn't dare to stop him right now.
Orochimaru sighed helplessly and set aside his experiment.
He stepped out of his lab, carefully closed the door behind him, and said seriously, "Jiraiya, you'd better have a real reason for bothering me."
"I do. This time I really do."
Jiraiya sat him down and told him everything about the Land of Waves.
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly.
Well, this was interesting.
But he wasn't focused on the incident itself—what caught his attention was that Jiraiya had somehow come up with a plan to sabotage the Land of Water and Kirigakure's objective.
This wasn't Jiraiya's style at all.
His irritation dissolved as he let out a small laugh. "Jiraiya, this is actually simple. Didn't the person who taught you give you any suggestions?"
"Ta… taught me?"
Jiraiya actually stuttered.
Wait.
Did that mean…
He'd become Leo's student?!
What?!
He froze, and the more he thought about it, the more he realized he couldn't deny it.
The only reason he'd come up with this entire idea was thanks to Leo's earlier advice.
But saying that out loud in front of Orochimaru?
His pride would never allow it.
His face stiffened.
Orochimaru, meanwhile, looked delighted.
"All right, Jiraiya. Whatever your teacher meant, the matter itself is simple. The people who actually have stakes in this should make the move. We're only assisting."
"The people involved… the Fire Daimyō and the Land of Waves?" Jiraiya muttered.
"They're not shinobi, but they have money. They can hire ninja from other countries to take down Gato and gain control of the shipping lanes. Otherwise, what—are we supposed to do all the work so they can enjoy the results?"
"That…"
Jiraiya hesitated.
Shinobi from other countries.
If foreign ninja got involved, the Land of Waves could easily turn into another Rain Country—a new battlefield.
"Idiot. Look at your face—I can already tell what you're thinking."
Orochimaru snorted. "Whether they die or not has nothing to do with us. And if we don't intervene, under the influence of the Land of Water, Kirigakure, and Gato, do you think the Land of Waves will be any better off?"
"This—"
"You should've known what you were asking before you came. Don't bother me again. Go talk to the person who's been teaching you."
Orochimaru glanced toward the entrance with clear annoyance. "And that guy outside definitely isn't ANBU. Since when do we let anyone walk in?"
The ANBU guard stood completely still, pretending he didn't hear anything.
Jiraiya let out a weary sigh and left.
So… did he actually have to go ask Leo?
He'd always been confident guiding Nagato and Minato, but this brat…
Having to rely on a student as a teacher?
What a disgrace.
"Jiraiya, Jiraiya… do you have no brain of your own? You can figure this out. You can."
…
Knock, knock, knock.
Early in the morning, someone tapped on the window.
Leo woke up, rubbed his eyes, and saw the faint light of dawn.
Who the heck?
He stood up and found Jiraiya sitting outside the window.
Jiraiya looked depressed.
Clearly he didn't get the answer he wanted.
After washing up, Leo went downstairs and opened the door to let him in.
"Teacher? Didn't you say you were going to an expert? Did he not fix your problem?"
"He did… sort of. But not the way I wanted."
Jiraiya pulled out some rice balls, handed one to Leo, and started eating while talking.
Leo listened quietly.
After a long while, he finally understood.
Jiraiya wanted everything both ways.
Life didn't work like that.
"You don't agree with my idea either?" Jiraiya asked.
Leo chose his words carefully.
But in the end, he answered honestly. "It's too naive."
Jiraiya let out a long sigh.
He knew.
Even they struggled with this kind of problem—expecting a kid to solve it really was pushing it.
He must've really gone stupid for a moment.
"Maybe the Land of Lightning or the Land of Hot Water won't be happy seeing the Land of Waves lean toward either side. If we don't want control over it, they could help keep it neutral."
"The Land of Lightning, the Land of Hot Water… you're right!"
Jiraiya's eyes brightened.
If they only needed backup to maintain neutrality, then the options weren't limited to Konoha or hired shinobi.
…
The Hokage's office was filled with smoke.
Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, staring out the window while Jiraiya explained his thoughts behind him.
He listened for a long time before letting out a deep sigh.
"That approach…"
"If we don't do it, and they end up controlled by Gato's company and the Land of Water behind them, then the Land of Waves will suffer. And once Kirigakure uses it as a foothold, they could infiltrate and threaten the Land of Fire anytime."
Jiraiya spoke firmly.
He wasn't stupid—he'd just been clinging to some wishful thinking.
Leo's and Orochimaru's words had forced him to face what he already knew deep down.
There could be no retreat.
If they backed down now, Kirigakure and the Land of Water would absolutely attack either the Land of Waves or even the Land of Fire when it suited them.
Hiruzen's brows tightened.
"Jiraiya!"
"Sensei, there's no better option."
Jiraiya's tone was unwavering.
Hiruzen didn't respond.
Jiraiya grew anxious. "Sensei!"
"I need to think about it."
Hiruzen rubbed his temples.
The Land of Lightning and the Land of Hot Water…
Both sat above the Wave gulf. Any disruption to shipping from the Land of Waves hit them hard.
And whichever side controlled the Land of Waves—Fire or Water—neither country would want that.
If they wanted neutrality, those two could indeed help.
After thinking for a long time, Hiruzen finally said, "Jiraiya, in theory I think your idea is workable. But putting it into practice… it will require careful planning."
"That—ugh."
For the first time, Jiraiya felt a thought surface in his chest.
His teacher was getting old.
Forcing the Land of Waves into neutrality was already the best outcome they could hope for.
In the past, Hiruzen would've made a decision on the spot—not hesitate like this for a whole day without even calling in others to discuss it.
Maybe Leo was right.
Some decisions required actual authority to carry out.
And right now…
Jiraiya lowered his gaze and headed off toward another part of Konoha.
He had a faint idea forming in his mind.
Leo was right.
In a fight, you didn't go alone.
The Land of Waves' situation affected a lot of people, including clan businesses in Konoha.
Like the Nara clan.
Those were allies he could use.
But still…
Jiraiya let out a long sigh.
Not long ago, he never would've imagined himself pushing something that could trigger a war.
But war and peace…
The line between them was far too thin.
He fell silent.
Once, he believed mutual understanding and love could bring peace. But at least right now, that belief felt far too naive.
"....."