CHAPTER 290: CHAPTER 290: JIRAIYA, THE TIMES HAVE CHANGED

"Come out. We’re Konoha’s Kanda Kyoichi and Jiraiya. We’ve come to your village to meet with your leader."

As soon as Kyoichi stepped into the Land of Rain, he called out toward a certain direction.

Jiraiya blinked in surprise.

Only after Kyoichi spoke did he finally sense the other party’s presence.

This brat...

Even his sensory abilities had improved drastically from before!

Just what exactly has he been studying all this time?

Compared to him, Jiraiya suddenly felt like a salted fish — like he’d been wasting his days away.

Come to think of it... that wasn’t entirely wrong.

He rubbed his chin, a little self-conscious.

It had been a while since he’d seriously researched any ninjutsu. The last major thing he’d studied was Sage Mode—and even that was something Kyoichi had taught him. As for his own ninjutsu, he hadn’t really developed anything new.

This won’t do. If I keep going like this, I’ll fall behind completely!

Once I return, I’ve got to start working hard again. Can’t waste time, can’t waste life. If I’m supposed to guide the Child of Prophecy, then I myself need to be strong enough first.

Jiraiya’s thoughts were unusually clear.

But then...

The Ame ANBU ahead stepped out. Though wearing a veil, her figure was graceful, and just from her posture one could tell she wasn’t plain. Jiraiya’s eyes lit up immediately.

"Ahem, I am—"

"Kyoichi-sama, I know you. The leader has instructed us: if it’s you, no report is needed. You may go straight to Amegakure. Of course, if you require a guide, I would be honored to serve you."

"That won’t be necessary. I’ve been to Amegakure before, I’m fairly familiar with the route. You’ve worked hard, carry on."

"Yes, sir!"

The Ame kunoichi saluted and quickly melted back into the forest.

Kyoichi pressed forward.

Jiraiya awkwardly rubbed his nose, disappointed.

After a while, he muttered, somewhat unwillingly:

"Why do you even have that kind of reputation in Amegakure? Even their ANBU practically worship you. Did you see her eyes just now...?"

"Getting jealous?"

"Che! This great sage has met more women than you’ve met people, brat. Why would I care about something like that? Don’t joke with me!"

Jiraiya puffed up, defensive and prickly, jumping to the side with false bravado.

Kyoichi only shrugged, saying nothing more.

He continued walking, while Jiraiya trailed behind—still faintly sulking.

But soon, his attention was caught by Amegakure’s changes.

The village had transformed.

Though the climate still hadn’t shifted much, the roads and waterways were far more developed. Trade caravans now traveled easily along river routes, linking the Land of Rain with the outside world.

The country had grown more prosperous.

Jiraiya’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

In the past, the Land of Rain had been hard to reach—muddy roads, treacherous terrain. Merchants avoided it, preferring to detour through the Land of Rivers or the Land of Earth.

Now, with waterways repaired, everything was different.

The layout even felt a little like Kyoichi’s style... Could it be that kid had helped Amegakure?

He didn’t know about the Small Village Alliance or Kyoichi’s "Ninja Trade Network," so naturally he was curious.

The closer they drew to the village, the more Jiraiya realized just how much it had changed.

Too much!

"I remember being here just over half a year ago. At the time I came to check in on Konan and the others, to see how they were living. Back then, Amegakure was still poor, people struggling to get by..."

Jiraiya sighed.

Now, it was wealthier.

"This is the power of commerce. As long as everyone participates in trade and no one breaks the rules of business, the shinobi world will grow wealthier. With money circulating, conflicts can be fought through other means."

Kyoichi explained.

Jiraiya frowned in thought.

He hadn’t really considered that.

Images of the Land of Hot Water floated in his mind. Finally, he nodded slightly.

"I don’t quite understand your whole system, but I get the gist. I’ve been to the Land of Hot Water. It’s rich because of its hot springs and scenery."

"The Land of Hot Water has no desire for conflict," Kyoichi replied, nodding.

But inwardly, he didn’t approve of their approach.

Wealth and peace were good, but a nation must always have the power to protect itself. That was the flaw of letting a mere civilian lead a country.

Of course, as long as the great nations didn’t wage war, the Land of Hot Water’s survival model was relatively safe—better even than the Land of Grass, forever switching sides.

The Land of Rain wasn’t the same, but in many ways it overlapped. Konoha’s caravans had left a deep impression—Amegakure’s prosperity came from Konoha’s aid.

And that was true.

As Konoha’s ally, Amegakure received ration pills from Konoha at slightly cheaper rates. Though they couldn’t resell them, it was a great benefit for internal use.

So not only civilians but shinobi as well were grateful to Konoha.

That was where Kyoichi’s prestige here came from.

At present, among all outsiders, his word carried the most weight in Amegakure. Along the way, he passed unhindered, shinobi bowing deeply in respect.

Those who knew him understood he was from Konoha.

Those who didn’t...

Might have mistaken him for Amegakure’s own leader!

Absurd.

Following behind, Jiraiya couldn’t help but sigh.

The times have changed.

The old rules seemed less and less relevant. In the near future, if Kyoichi’s vision of "non-military wars" really took hold...

Would that be good or bad for shinobi?

Shinobi were born as tools of war and missions.

Without wars... would shinobi even be needed?

Jiraiya didn’t know.

He felt a haze of uncertainty in his heart.

This was the peace he himself had dreamed of—but seeing the possibility for real, he couldn’t help but worry about its other consequences.

Soon, they reached the village proper.

Kyoichi didn’t go to see Nagato and the others, but headed straight for Amegakure’s leader—Hanzō.

Hanzō had already been waiting.

His spies were everywhere. Two figures like Kyoichi and Jiraiya entering the village? Of course he’d been informed immediately.

The meeting required no effort.

Hanzō was surprised to see Kyoichi—more so when he saw Jiraiya with him.

If they’d come to fight, he wouldn’t be too shocked.

Together, those two could crush most small villages, even Amegakure itself. But if they had come to pick a fight, would they really show up so openly?

That didn’t make sense.

"Kyoichi, Jiraiya. Long time no see. What business brings you to Amegakure this time?"

Hanzō didn’t bother with guessing games.

Direct and forthright.

Kyoichi didn’t waste words either. He drew out a scroll.

Hanzō raised a brow.

The next second, Kyoichi began forming seals.

"Please... allow me to show you someone."

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