On the other side of the battlefield, Uchiha Itachi stood quietly, facing Jiraiya. The rain slid down the ends of his black hair, outlining the pale, almost transparent contours of his cheeks before finally blending into his equally black Akatsuki robe. He was like a statue emerging from the shadows, with only his eyes, the scarlet Sharingan, burning like two inextinguishable will-o'-the-wisps in the dim rain, cold and deep. Three pitch-black magatama rotated slowly in his blood-red pupils, giving him a cruel look that seemed to see through everything yet ignore it all.

Opposite Itachi, Jiraiya's bold figure stood in the pouring rain. His tall body was like a rock, and he let the rain soak his silver hair, which stuck tightly to his broad back. The rain washed away the eye-catching red paint marks on his face, but it could not dilute the sharpness in his eyes that could see through any illusion.

Fukasaku Sage's tiny eyes opened and closed slightly, his old voice penetrating the rain. "Jiraiya, the boy across from us… those eyes are very ominous…"

Shima Sage exhaled a breath of sage chakra, her tone tinged with solemnity. "Ah, I feel it too, old man. Pure malice and coldness, and… a very uncomfortable sense of being watched. Is this the legendary Mangekyo Sharingan?"

Jiraiya's gaze was like a physical probe, fixed firmly on the young figure under the rain, on the black robe with red clouds that symbolized darkness and destruction.

"Uchiha Itachi…" His voice was deep and rich, yet it contained an unprecedented solemnity and majesty, like the echo of a valley. "Wearing these clothes, you have set foot on the border of Konoha. It is time to have a reckoning for your Sharingan and the sins you carry."

The perception granted by Sage Mode allowed him to clearly "see" the cold, powerful, yet vital chakra in Itachi's body, as well as the heart-pounding darkness deep within his eyes.

"From what I understand, the symbol on your clothes, and the organization behind you, should be called Akatsuki…" After these words were spoken, Uchiha Itachi frowned slightly, but he did not admit it.

Seeing this, the corner of Jiraiya's mouth curled up slightly. To him, Itachi's expression was as good as an admission.

"Even if you hadn't come today, I might have looked for you later. Akatsuki is a mercenary organization that is too dangerous. It's a hidden danger to Konoha and the entire world."

Fukasaku Sage turned his head and asked in a low voice, "Akatsuki? What do they do?"

Jiraiya responded softly, "The intelligence I've gathered indicates that it is a mercenary organization composed of S-rank rogue ninja. As long as they are paid, they will take on any mission, even if it means destroying a country." Upon hearing this, both Fukasaku and Shima were shocked. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs novel⚑fire.net

Uchiha Itachi slowly raised his eyes, his Mangekyo Sharingan calmly meeting Jiraiya's gaze, which seemed to contain the power of nature itself. The rain condensed and dripped from his long eyelashes.

"Lord Jiraiya," Itachi's voice was as cold and clear as an ice spring, without any ripples. "You were not our original target. You had the chance to leave before…" Itachi's words were concise, but they carried an unquestionable will, like a cold blade. "But not now, because you know too much."

"Hahahaha, hahahahahahahaha!" Listening to Uchiha Itachi's threat, Jiraiya laughed. "Boy, you're being too arrogant. It's as if I can't leave if you want to keep me here."

"Well," Uchiha Itachi said calmly, "that is the fact of the matter."

"Hehehe…" Jiraiya sneered, and in the next moment, a strong fighting spirit and murderous aura instantly filled the entire battlefield. "Itachi, you really need some training!"

"Your eyes, and your Wood Relese power, let me see their might today!"

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