Just then, a calm voice drifted in from outside the door.
"Jiraiya-senpai, barging in uninvited isn't exactly the most courteous habit."
A loud bang followed as a Federation shinobi slammed open the doors to the sealing chamber.
Moments later, a dozen more rushed in like a tide, surrounding both Jiraiya and Orochimaru in a tight formation.
They didn't attack—at least not immediately. Instead, they simply encircled the two, forming an unbroken wall.
"Be careful. Don't injure our honored guests," Hyuga Gakuya said as he strolled in with an unhurried air. A faint, unreadable smile tugged at the corners of his lips, his hands clasped calmly behind his back.
"Yes, sir!" the shinobi responded in unison.
Jiraiya's eyes widened in disbelief. "Who the hell are you? Chiba Mokushū or Hyuga Gakuya? And how did you even know I was here?"
Orochimaru assumed a battle stance, eyes narrowing. "He's Hyuga Gakuya," he said grimly.
Gakuya's smile twisted into something eerie as he replied lazily,
"Heh… I can be both Hyuga Gakuya and Chiba Mokushū. Or perhaps neither of them truly defines me. Maybe both names are just masks I wear."
As he spoke, his features flickered—shifting unnaturally between his true face and that of Chiba Mokushū.
"As for how I found you... ha, there's not a single movement in the Federation that escapes my eyes. The moment you stepped into Otogakure, I knew."
Another Federation shinobi walked in, carrying something grotesque—three bloodied, mangled heads. With utmost respect, he placed them before Gakuya.
"Supreme Leader, the traitors have been executed."
Gakuya gave a slight nod, his lips curling into a cryptic smile.
Jiraiya's gaze locked onto the severed heads—and his heart sank. Those were the very people who had helped him sneak in. It had been a mutual exploitation, sure, but their deaths still twisted his gut in rage. He scowled, fists clenching as he demanded,
"What's your endgame? Why go through all of this?"
Gakuya tilted his head, arms folded across his chest, that same subtle smirk lingering on his lips.
"My goal? Ha... it's not something you could understand right now. Just know this: the world only needs one ruling power."
Jiraiya gritted his teeth, fists trembling.
"You're insane! Do you have any idea what kind of catastrophe you're bringing to the shinobi world?!"
But Gakuya only chuckled and shrugged.
"A catastrophe? Maybe. But sometimes disaster is the spark of revolution. And I... I am the one who lights that flame."
A sharp ache shot through Jiraiya's chest. Once, he had trusted Chiba Mokushū with all his heart. Believed in him. Seen him as the future hope of the shinobi world. But now that dream lay shattered before his eyes.
The memory of Mokushū's passionate speeches and his idealistic resolve flashed through Jiraiya's mind, tangled with the cruel image of the man now standing before him—Hyuga Gakuya. The conflict tore at him.
And then, clarity struck.
"I get it now... You're both," Jiraiya said, eyes wide with shock and sorrow. His voice trembled as he pointed at Gakuya. "Two personalities in one body. You've devoured Mokushū's mind, haven't you?!"
"Chiba Mokushū—he was full of hope, with dreams of a better world! How could he become someone like you?!"
Gakuya hadn't expected Jiraiya to weave such a dramatic interpretation. Still... it made for a convenient cover story. Why not go along with it?
He bared his teeth in a feral grin. "Heh... Jiraiya, you're still so naïve. Dreams? Ideals? In this cruel world, those are just illusions. Only those who wield absolute power can dictate reality!"
With a swift flick of his arm, his voice sharpened.
"You don't get it. Mokushū wanted to reshape the world—but his way? It failed."
"I am the fusion of two minds. I've inherited both of their visions. I am the force of revolution incarnate. Anyone who tries to stand in my way... will be crushed beneath the wheels of history!"
By the time he finished, his voice had risen to a near-maniacal pitch. His body trembled slightly with the intensity of his conviction.
Jiraiya's anger boiled over. How could he have been so blind? How had he not seen through this deception sooner? Guilt and regret flooded him—what would he even tell the people of Konohagakure?
But amidst the storm of emotion, Jiraiya's gaze hardened.
Now wasn't the time for despair.
For the village. For the shinobi world—he had to stand up and fight.
"No... You're wrong!" he roared, raising a trembling fist high above his head. "The path Mokushū chose was never this! You led him astray!"
"Led him astray?" Gakuya sneered. "You think you understood him? His ambition was always there. It was just buried deep. All I did was set it free."
He crossed his arms again, contempt clear in his eyes.
But Jiraiya stood firm. "You're lying! I knew Mokushū. His kindness, his sense of justice—they were real!"
Internally, Gakuya chuckled. Still clinging to hope? How foolish. Let him dream a little longer.
"So what?" Gakuya said with a dismissive smirk. "I'm in control now. Mokushū is gone. No matter how hard you fight, you can't change that."
Jiraiya clenched his fists tighter, his whole body shaking. "I won't let you win, Gakuya. Even if it costs me my life—I'll stop you!"
Gakuya threw his head back and laughed.
"Hahahaha! You? Stop me? Jiraiya, you're still dreaming! I will build a new world. You'll be nothing but dust in its wake."
Jiraiya took a deep breath, steadying himself. "You will pay for what you've done. You'll answer for it all."
...
Orochimaru, who had been watching silently, finally spoke.
"Hyuga Gakuya... No one can control everything. Not even you."
He lifted his hands, sliding into a ready stance.
"Jiraiya... Looks like it's time for an old-fashioned team-up."
Jiraiya nodded solemnly. "Yeah... Just don't slow me down."
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
Fanfic is finished on Patreon (237 chapters in total.)
Patreon(.)com/Jixo (for only $4.50, read this entire fanfic)