On the Konoha side.

Jiraiya had originally planned to stay in the village for a while, relax, and then head out again for more training. But after hearing Kyoichi's words, he found himself caught in a deep dilemma.

If…

The Great Toad Sage had only pointed out a direction, urging him to strive toward it, while the real test of whether his disciple could become the "Child of Prophecy" depended on his own teaching and the student's effort—

Then maybe there wasn't much need to wander?

But then again…

If he stayed in the village, Tsunade would pin him down the moment he went out "gathering research material," and there was always that brat secretly plotting in the shadows, trying to wring free labor out of him.

Forget it…

Better to leave. At least outside, he had freedom!

Just as he firmed up his resolve, packed his travel gear, and stepped out the door—he found Tsunade walking straight toward him. His knees instantly went weak.

Was he busted?!

No, wait!

Ever since returning, he had been restraining himself. He hadn't wandered around that part of town even once. There's no way he could be in trouble!

Forcing a grin, he waved:

"Yo, Tsunade! Don't you have paperwork to bury yourself in today? What a rare sight to see you here. Hah, don't tell me you came because you knew your old friend was heading out, and wanted to toast me with a farewell drink?"

"Don't flatter yourself, Jiraiya. I'm here on business. Not for something as pointless as drinking."

"Uh…"

Hearing that from the old man Sarutobi wouldn't have surprised him. But coming from Tsunade's lips…

That just felt wrong.

Like someone slamming a bottle down and cursing the bar owner. At least she didn't reek of alcohol—otherwise, Jiraiya would have had a field day teasing her.

Still…

Since she said it was official business, he had no choice but to get serious.

If Tsunade came to him personally—

Either the matter was extremely important, or it was something she couldn't tell anyone else.

He gestured toward his room, face solemn.

"Inside. Let's talk."

"Mm."

Jiraiya's place was a bit rundown, dust gathering in the kitchen and corners—obviously, he had never planned to stay long in Konoha anyway.

Tsunade wasn't surprised.

Among the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya was always the most carefree, the one who lived without ties. Sometimes, she even envied him.

At least…

He could bury his grief deep inside, and still live freely.

That kind of unshackled spirit—it was admirable.

But now…

She had to make a request that would weigh heavily on him.

"We want you to reach out to Nagato. Convince him to come to Konoha for a while."

"Nagato?"

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow in surprise, then frowned.

"Something happen? Sure, Nagato has the Rinnegan—and maybe it didn't originally belong to him—but that's no reason to drag him into Konoha, is it?"

"Kyoichi mentioned before… that Nagato's eyes might not be his own."

"…Right."

Jiraiya nodded slowly.

At first, he had dismissed it, thinking Kyoichi was exaggerating. But the more he thought about it, the more sense it made. He had come to accept the possibility.

Wait.

"Don't tell me—you found out whose eyes they are?"

"It was just a theory before," Tsunade said calmly. "Now we have evidence. We're at least forty, maybe fifty percent certain—the owner was Uchiha Madara."

Jiraiya froze.

For several long seconds, he stood in stunned silence.

Finally, he muttered, "Uchiha Madara? Kyoichi mentioned that name before. And now you've got proof?"

"We acquired some tissue samples from his subordinates. DNA testing showed they originated from my grandfather, Senju Hashirama. And aside from the Konoha leadership… the only other man who could've obtained that material through battle—"

"Was Madara," Jiraiya finished for her.

His expression hardened, eyes closing in heavy thought.

Danzo might be ruthless in some ways, but he had principles. He would never let Hashirama's cells leak out.

As for the others—only the Hokage and the researchers had ever handled them. Every sample was tightly monitored. It was impossible for anything to slip away.

Which left only one possibility.

Battle.

Madara.

Jiraiya had entertained the thought before, but hearing actual proof shook him to his core. One by one, the scattered hints connected into a single terrifying picture.

It fit. Too well.

"…Anything else?"

"Madara had taken control of Kirigakure. Their recent movements? All part of his schemes against Konoha. Kyoichi found one of their research sites in the Land of Water—and discovered missing Uchiha renegades."

Tsunade laid it all out.

The stolen eyes. The mutilated bodies. The tortured remnants of Uchiha clan members.

Jiraiya's face grew darker by the moment.

Eyes being ripped out…

That meant Madara desperately needed Sharingan.

And worse—Kyoichi had speculated that he might be trying to manufacture Mangekyō Sharingan.

Only Madara would know enough to attempt such a thing.

But why?

He already had Mangekyō. Why try to create more?

Training a successor? Possibly.

But a darker thought struck Jiraiya—

What if Madara had given his own eyes away?

It lined up. Perfectly.

"…Yeah. Nagato has to come to Konoha. He's in too much danger if he stays in Amegakure. But if I go alone, I won't succeed. Hanzō won't even listen to me. I'll need Kyoichi with me."

Jiraiya clenched his fists.

Still, a nagging question gnawed at him.

Madara's eyes were just Sharingan.

How had he turned them into the Rinnegan?

Unbelievable.

But no one could answer—not even Kyoichi, who probably only had guesses.

One thing was certain: Nagato's position was perilous. They couldn't leave him exposed.

And not just him.

Yahiko and Konan, too.

Jiraiya's heart grew restless. He wanted to rush to Amegakure immediately. But without Kyoichi, it would be pointless.

"When will Kyoichi be back?"

"Tomorrow at the latest."

"…Good."

Jiraiya dropped his luggage, pulled out only the combat gear he'd need.

This trip to Amegakure—there was no avoiding a fight.

Yahiko and the others were Ame's pillars now. To Hanzō, letting Nagato leave for Konoha might look like handing over a hostage.

If he were Hanzō, he'd never allow it.

That night, Jiraiya paced like a man on needles, restless and impatient, until noon the next day—

Kyoichi finally returned in a flash of Flying Thunder God.

The captured Uchiha renegades had already been sent to the Land of Fire, under heavy guard by ANBU, an elite jonin squad, and Shisui's team. They were safe.

So Kyoichi came back, ready to head for Amegakure with Jiraiya.

That was the plan he and Minato had agreed on.

Jiraiya's words would carry more weight. But Hanzō's resistance would demand Kyoichi's strength and reputation.

Both of them were needed.

But the moment Kyoichi landed—

He heard Jiraiya's voice shouting outside his house.

"Kyoichi! Hurry up, I'm already packed!"

"Uh…"

Seriously?

You've been guarding my door all night? And your sensory jutsu's been running nonstop, hasn't it?

This was ridiculous.

Kyoichi rubbed his temples, at a loss for words. If he didn't know Jiraiya wouldn't actually do anything shady, he'd have gone out there and smacked him down.

"Hurry—"

"Quit yelling, dammit! One day earlier or later won't change a thing. Can't you let me sit down for a drink of water first?!"

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