Although the Rinnegan existed, it couldn't be used openly, and Rei refused to use the Reincarnation Rebirth. Even if others obtained the Rinnegan, they likely couldn't activate it.
"So we just wait and do nothing?"
Minato Namikaze picked up Jiraiya. Since Jiraiya was injured, he had to be brought back to Konoha for everyone to discuss, but the news that Jiraiya had become a vegetable still needed to be kept secret.
Otherwise, the Four Great Shinobi Villages would stir again. With Konoha losing a Kage-level powerhouse, the other villages' chances of victory naturally increased.
"Let those who care about Jiraiya-sama call out to him or research some secret techniques related to the soul. That might awaken Jiraiya-sama."
The truth was revealed. What other soul-related secret techniques could Rei be referring to besides the Edo Tensei? She couldn't just develop a soul-summoning technique out of nowhere.
The two set off immediately. Due to the urgency, Minato Namikaze forgot that there were no Konoha personnel in the Land of Rain now. They might be suspected of having taken the Rinnegan.
At that time, the Four Great Shinobi Villages would likely start another war, and this time the Hidden Mist Village would definitely join. Fighting on four fronts was a burden even Konoha couldn't bear.
The two used the Flying Thunder God Technique to quickly return to Konoha. They rushed straight to the Hokage Office, ensuring no spies hidden in Konoha discovered Jiraiya's situation.
"Third Hokage-sama, Jiraiya-sensei was severely injured and fell into a coma. Rei said it's hard for him to wake up. Please secretly summon Lady Tsunade and Kushina to see if there are other ways."
Minato placed Jiraiya on a wooden bed made by Rei using Wood Release, then immediately reported Jiraiya's condition, which made Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression turn grave.
He hadn't expected sending Jiraiya to the Land of Rain would lead to such serious consequences. As a Ninjutsu master and expert in secret techniques, Hiruzen Sarutobi personally examined Jiraiya's condition.
"What exactly happened?" Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally noticed that Jiraiya's soul was not in his body. His expression showed some grief, and he seemed to have aged a bit.
Minato explained in detail how they had planned to find the Akatsuki Organization and ally with Yahiko to deal with the Four Great Shinobi Villages, only to be attacked by Yahiko.
This led to the current result. If Rei hadn't arrived in time, even he wouldn't have survived. Losing two Kage-level shinobi would have been a severe blow to Konoha.
"Danzo! Danzo! Even though you're no longer in Konoha, you still cause trouble for it."
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt some hatred for Danzo and also some self-hatred, but he immediately summoned some Konoha experts skilled in Yin Release and Yang Release.
Tsunade was on her way back to Konoha. She had naturally sensed that something had happened to Jiraiya, so she didn't hesitate to abandon the front lines against the Cloud Shinobi and return.
The Third Hokage summoned the elders of the Nara Clan and the Yamanaka Clan, as well as Uchiha Naori and Kurama Yachihiro, who were experts in Yin Release.
This was grasping at straws. Soon, Kushina was the first to be brought by Minato Namikaze. Her eyes were a little red.
She had heard about Jiraiya's condition and questioned Minato Namikaze, then learned through pressure that Minato had almost not made it back.
Seeing Uchiha Rei sitting bored on the wooden bed, Kushina rushed over and hugged her. She was very grateful to Rei for saving Minato.
"Rei, thank you." Kushina couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose Minato.
"Ah! Kushina-nee, no need to thank me. I was just too late and couldn't save Jiraiya-sama."
Rei maliciously speculated that Jiraiya's soul had probably gone to peek at a bathhouse. Otherwise, why hadn't it returned for so long? If it didn't come back soon, without the body's nourishment, his soul would likely go to the Pure Land for good.
Soon, the Nara Clan elder Nara Yama and the Yamanaka Clan elder Yamanaka Kou, both old men, arrived. After a while, Kurama Yachihiro and Uchiha Naori also arrived, bickering.
With almost everyone present, Rei began to explain in detail Jiraiya's condition of being soul-separated, to see if these old folks had any ideas.
Each used their own methods to check and try to awaken Jiraiya, but unfortunately, being skilled in Yin Release didn't mean they were also skilled in soul research.
The old folks all shook their heads. Only Kushina was thinking. Everyone had expected this result, but they were still somewhat disappointed.
"I remember Mito-sama once told me that during the Warring States period, the Uzumaki Clan had an ancient soul-summoning dance. Combined with the demon masks of the Nato Hall, it could guide the souls of lost people."
The Uzumaki Clan truly were the ancestors of soul and Sealing Technique research. Since Kushina said this, it meant she had only heard of it but didn't know how to do it.
And the Uzumaki Clan—well, now the Uzumaki Clan was destroyed, their heritage lost or stolen.
"Ah, sorry for troubling everyone. Please keep this matter confidential. As for Jiraiya's condition, let's wait until Tsunade returns to see."
Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a long sigh, his tone sorrowful, his figure hunched.
As everyone dispersed, only Rei and Minato Namikaze remained in the office. Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up with some confusion.
"Sensei, if I study the Edo Tensei, by using this method of summoning souls from the Pure Land, we might be able to save Jiraiya-sama."
Rei had coveted the Edo Tensei for a long time. She had originally planned to trade for it from Orochimaru, but now that wouldn't be necessary.
"Ah, fine. The Edo Tensei is a forbidden technique. I hope you won't disturb the peace of Konoha's predecessors. You... must not follow Orochimaru's path."
The Third Hokage took out a scroll and slowly handed it to Uchiha Rei. He didn't know if Rei would also fall into darkness because of forbidden techniques.
If Rei knew what Hiruzen Sarutobi was thinking, she would definitely argue with him. Weren't these forbidden techniques all developed by the inherently evil Tobirama?
Putting away the scroll, Rei planned to take her leave. Taking advantage of the two-month break, Rei intended to thoroughly evolve her Bloodline Limit and study the Edo Tensei.
"Third Hokage-sama, after we leave, the Land of Rain might spread rumors that Konoha has taken the Rinnegan. We'd better send some Jonin to be stationed in the Land of Rain permanently."
Minato Namikaze's intelligence took over at this moment. He realized that their direct return to Konoha could have consequences. Fortunately, it was a short time, and no one knew they had returned.
"Alright, Homura Mitokado and an elite Anbu squad are still at the border of the Land of Rain. I'll have them keep an eye on things."
The Third Hokage understood that Minato was right. After finally diverting the attention of the major villages to the Land of Rain, they must not let them unite against Konoha.
Rei didn't bother with their scheming. She used the Flying Thunder God Technique to return home, where Pakura had just finished making lunch.
Pakura's cooking was quite good. Rei decided to leave meal arrangements to Pakura from now on, to avoid her Shadow Clone complaining every day.
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