"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
Yuzuru's hands flashed through seals. A thick earthen wall surged up out of the ground, blocking the storm of white needles like senbon.
"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!"
A vast bog opened from nowhere. The ground turned to mire beneath them, and the group began to sink.
Next, a sea of flame billowed over them. "Fire Release: Great Flame Bomb of Oil!"
Under the searing heat, A wrapped himself in lightning and shot backward to safety.
Killer B drew on the Eight-Tails' power, armoring his body against the blaze.
As for Yuzuru...
He had already retreated the instant he finished the Earth-Style Wall, so he was barely affected.
"Damn it!"
A clenched his fists and was about to trigger his Lightning Release Chakra Mode to chase the fleeing Leaf shinobi when Yuzuru lifted an arm, blocking his path.
A fixed his gaze on Yuzuru, voice cold. "Why are you stopping me?"
"Just a friendly reminder," Yuzuru said evenly. "If you want to fight Jiraiya of the Legendary Sannin, be my guest."
"That was Jiraiya just now?"
A frowned.
"Yes."
With that confirmation, A abandoned the chase.
Back in the Second Shinobi World War, Jiraiya had already shaken the ninja world. He was one of its top powers today.
If they could help it, no one wanted to fight a monster like that.
What's more, A didn't know why Jiraiya was here—or whether other Konoha elites lurked nearby...
He was reckless, not stupid.
He wouldn't take a risk that big.
However...
A stared hard at Yuzuru and demanded, "Why did you deliberately let those Leaf shinobi go?"
With Yuzuru's strength, if he'd moved, those Leaf ninja wouldn't have had the slightest chance to escape.
Just a short while ago, when facing the four Kumogakure jōnin including Yotsuki Mamoru, Yuzuru had slaughtered them in an instant!
"Because I need them to do something for me," Yuzuru replied mildly.
"What?"
"Tell the people in Konoha that the Sharingan can prevent a jinchuriki from going berserk."
—
—
"Lord Jiraiya, we can't thank you enough."
"If you hadn't arrived when you did, we'd have died to those Kumogakure shinobi."
"Seriously—walking away from a Kumogakure jinchuriki is a miracle."
"It's just a pity about our fallen comrades. If they'd held on a little longer..."
Tachibana Hiko, Yamada Kōshi, Hōjō Shinroku, and Tetsu Harada bowed to Jiraiya, relief plain on their faces.
After hearing them out, Jiraiya didn't joke as he usually did. He frowned deeply. "Kumogakure has a perfect jinchuriki?"
Tachibana answered at once. "Yes—the big guy with the sunglasses, the one who kept dancing around like he had ants in his pants!"
"He called himself 'Bee,' and he could freely use the Eight-Tails' power."
Jiraiya blinked, surprised. "Truly?"
Yamada and Harada jumped in. "It's true. We all saw it!"
Jiraiya nodded. "If there's nothing else, head back to the Leaf Village."
"Eh?"
"You won't come with us?"
"No. I may return a few days later. You go on ahead."
"Understood."
They didn't pry. After bowing again, they turned and hurried toward the village.
When the four had gone, Jiraiya remained seated where he was.
Ever since discovering Nagato's Rinnegan, he had stayed in Amegakure.
He had spent three years training the child who might be the one from the Great Toad Sage's prophecy—the one who would bring change to the shinobi world.
He hadn't expected so much to happen in the meantime.
Tsunade had left the village; the Uchiha, who now boasted Mangekyō Sharingan, had collectively defected; and Kumogakure had produced a jinchuriki who could use a Tailed Beast's power freely...
One thing after another weighed on Jiraiya's heart, making it hard to breathe.
He had a feeling that the current peace wouldn't last long. War would come again.
Before that, he needed to visit Mount Myōboku and see whether the Great Toad Sage had any new guidance.
—
—
Konohagakure.
Hokage's Office.
Smoke coiled in the air as ever. Sarutobi Hiruzen puffed steadily on his pipe.
Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Hatake Sakumo stood quietly to the side.
At length, Sarutobi's voice rumbled. "Is there truly nothing we can do?"
Utatane Koharu nodded. "Lady Mito's life force is nearly spent. She may not last the night."
"I understand." Sarutobi set his pipe down, tone turning hard. "I don't care what schemes any of you are nursing—tonight is critical. Everything will proceed under my command alone."
His authority washed over the room. He met each set of eyes in turn.
When no one objected, he continued, "Sakumo, muster the Anbu. Lock down the village. Be ready to fight at a moment's notice."
"Yes."
Hatake Sakumo departed to carry out the order. Sarutobi turned to Danzō. "Danzō, set Root in position. If danger arises, evacuate the villagers immediately."
"Understood."
"Koharu, Homura—notify the clan heads. If the Nine-Tails goes on a rampage, they're to lead their shinobi to support me at once."
"Right."
After giving his orders, Sarutobi led a handful of bodyguards to a small cabin outside the village.
Members of the Medical Corps and the Sealing Corps waited outside, ready to move at once.
Inside, Uzumaki Mito lay on the bed, utterly frail.
Seeing Sarutobi enter, she struggled to sit up. "Monkey… let's begin."
"Yes, Lady Mito."
He turned to Namikaze Minato, who had come with them. "Minato, are you certain?"
"Once you become a jinchuriki, there's no room for regret."
Minato's usual gentle smile warmed his face. "Lord Hokage, I have no regrets."
If he'd asked the Third sooner to become the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki, perhaps Kushina wouldn't have left the village.
Though, even if she'd stayed, a request like his might never have been granted...
Seeing Minato's resolve, Sarutobi said no more.
Minato was an orphan, with no complicated background.
He was Jiraiya's pupil—staunchly loyal.
He had the resolve to protect Konoha even at the cost of his life. His temperament and talent were both first-rate.
Sarutobi could think of no better candidate.
"Sealing Corps—prepare!" he ordered.
The seal on Uzumaki Mito's body was unraveled. A malevolent chakra began to leak into the air.
At the same time, a flood of extreme negative emotions battered the minds of everyone nearby.
Dozens of members of the Sealing Corps immediately channeled their chakra, striving to transfer the Nine-Tails' chakra from Uzumaki Mito into Namikaze Minato.
T/n:
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