As soon as Hakuto's soul entered the Rain Village, she sensed an intense battle disturbance.
Without hesitation, her spirit drifted toward the battlefield.
[Sage Art: Gogyōma (Five Elements Inferno)]
An extremely wide-ranged Fire Release combined with scalding oil covered the entire area. Even more, Wind Release accelerated the flames' burning speed. The blazing fire flowed like seawater, engulfing everything in its path and seemingly capable of consuming all tangible matter.
Yet Jiraiya's opponent charged forward fearlessly, directly spreading his arms wide and absorbing this powerful ninjutsu completely without causing even a trace of damage.
Hakuto realized what was happening and gasped in shock, "You can absorb jutsu too? That's the Rinnegan — an eye power just like mine. And there are three of them?"
As the battle continued, Hakuto discovered even more: the three individuals possessed completely different abilities, shared vision, and had managed to fight evenly against Jiraiya who had already entered Sage Mode.
Watching from the sidelines, Hakuto became tense, not daring to miss any detail of the combat.
Only at this moment did she truly understand what real battle was like. Since becoming a ninja, Hakuto had never experienced defeat — she'd been too well protected, preventing her from ever facing top experts or realizing the harshness of the Ninja World.
When Jiraiya found himself stuck in a stalemate, he switched strategies, unleashing an auditory genjutsu he'd never used before and successfully killing all three opponents.
Witnessing this, Hakuto couldn't help applauding, relaxing from her previously tense state. Just as she was preparing to enter Jiraiya's spiritual space for communication,
A killing intent suddenly emerged.
Jiraiya, likewise believing the battle was over, paid a heavy price — one of his arms was chopped off.
Six Paths of Pain appeared before him. The overwhelming pressure they emitted sent chills through the very air.
"The Six Paths of Pain have arrived."
At the old Uchiha Manor, smoke filled the air. Light rain began falling but could not extinguish the small black flames still burning.
Sasuke leaned against a stone tablet like someone dazed. Before him, Itachi had fallen, showing no signs of life whatsoever.
This fated battle between brothers ultimately ended with the younger brother's victory. Yet Sasuke felt none of the joy that revenge should bring. That final gentle tap on his forehead from Itachi brought vague memories back to when he was still the older brother he loved most.
With these feelings in his heart, Sasuke shed a tear stained with blood and collapsed to the ground.
In Kiri, light rain also fell as Anya stood under it, letting the raindrops wash her body.
After finishing her work for the day, Terumi Mei arrived and, seeing this scene, couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy. She said, "Why are you standing in the rain without any protection? You'll easily catch a chill."
"It's fine. I kind of like getting caught in the rain every now and then — it wakes me up a bit." Anya turned around and asked, "How is the reform progressing in Mist?"
Mei immediately took Anya's hand and said, "Let's discuss it back in our room first."
Inside their private wooden cottage, Mei asked, "Do you have something on your mind? Or have you been unhappy about me keeping you here recently?"
"No."
Anya pointed to her heart. "Right here, my heart is calm. I choose to be with you willingly. But there are times when certain thoughts make me feel nervous and uneasy."
Terumi Mei (whom everyone called Mei) pulled Anya into an embrace, laughing. "Never thought anything could make you feel that way. From what I remember, you were fearless as ever—even in the face of death."
Anya replied casually, "Yeah, maybe it's just because I'm getting older. I think about more things now."
"Hmph, you're not that old. It doesn't show at all."
Mei looked at Anya's skin, which seemed even more delicate than her own, envious.
Understanding Mei's thoughts perfectly, Anya had a smile on her face. "What if... I could turn back the clock on your youth?"
"What?" Mei didn't react immediately.
Anya continued, "You've been asking why I became youthful again, right? Because I have my secrets, you know."
Mei's eyes sparkled. Looking seductive, she asked, "Come on, Oub, tell me, please."
Anya's eyes turned dangerous. "Fine, but tonight, you'll obey everything I say."
The look in Anya's eyes made Mei feel warm inside, her face blushing red like it could drip water. She immediately understood the hidden meaning behind Anya's words. This man was hopeless...
After a wonderful night, Elder Fukasaku, the village's great elder, received a letter: Due to Akatsuki Organization repeatedly invading various countries and capturing Jinchuriki, Kazekage suggested initiating the Third Five Kage Summit. The venue would be Hot Springs Country, located at the border of Fire, Lightning, and Water Countries, known as the ninja village where war is but a memory.
Elder Fukasaku clenched the letter tightly, sensing something. He sighed helplessly, "Looks like another wave of turmoil will disturb our years of peace."
At that moment, Terumi Mei approached lazily, yawning from time to time as if she hadn't slept enough. Seeing Master Gen, she complained, "Why did you call me here so early? Sleep deprivation ages a woman fast."
Seeing Mei's lazy appearance and thinking about Anya's presence, Master Gen felt a headache coming, unable to stop himself from rebuking, "You've gone soft."
Mei protested, "Hey, don't talk nonsense. You haven't seen how busy I've been these days? Ever since I got up in the morning, I haven't stopped for a moment."
That was actually true. Sighing, Master Gen handed over the letter, "Sigh, just read it yourself."
"What is this?" Mei took the letter carelessly, brows furrowing after glancing through. "I'm not going. Not interested."
"Nonsense! What if all the other four Kages attend except you? Do you realize the consequences?" Master Gen lifted his cane heavily, almost wishing to strike out in anger. "Mist might fall from the Five Great Ninja Villages forever, making you—the Mizukage—the disgrace of the entire village. You must attend this meeting!"
Thinking about her promise to Anya, Mei's heart sank.
Inside the Hokage Office, one of the two sages from Mount Myoboku, Fukasaku, appeared there. The whole office was already full of people.
At this moment, Naruto entered by pushing the door open.
Tsunade introduced Fukasaku's background to him.
Fukasaku turned to Naruto and said, "Let me guess—you're Jiraiya's apprentice."
Naruto asked, "Hey Sage Grandpa, what's so urgent that you came looking for me?"
"Ah, where do I begin? Anyway, I'll just say it straight—Jiraiya has fallen in battle."
Naruto reeled back in shock and shouted, "What did you just say?"
Fukasaku replied solemnly, "It happened suddenly. I know it's hard to believe. Jiraiya went to Rain Village searching for the leader of the Akatsuki Organization. He found Pain successfully, only to discover that Pain was once his own disciple—his name is Nagato."
Tsunade recalled, "That was a long time ago. During the chaos of the Great Ninja War, Jiraiya looked after two orphans in the Rain Village. Anya also brought one back..."
Suddenly, Tsunade shuddered. Why was everything so coincidental?
At that moment, the office door burst open.
An unexpected person appeared—Haku.
Haku glanced at everyone, then walked straight up to Tsunade and asked, "Do you know where Hakuto went? She's not in Konoha. It seems like she's disappeared."
"What?"
The string of shocking revelations shattered Tsunade's composure—she could no longer pretend to stay calm.
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