"But since Nagato possesses the Rinnegan, and is very likely the Prophecy Child who will change the Ninja World, this kind of 'hands-off' management style is somewhat irresponsible."
And Minato Namikaze, the other disciple whom Jiraiya valued, the man who was also considered by Jiraiya to possibly become the Prophecy Child.
And what did Jiraiya do?
After Minato Namikaze became the Fourth Hokage, he left Konoha to travel the Ninja World.
If Jiraiya had been in the village when Uchiha Obito attacked Konoha, perhaps everything would have changed.
If Jiraiya had been present when Uchiha Obito plotted against Nagato and the others, then Nagato would not have gone down the wrong path.
As the teacher of the Prophecy Child, he did not fulfill his responsibility of assisting the Prophecy Child.
If you think about it, Jiraiya's approach seems to be casting a wide net, constantly searching for people who might become the Prophecy Child.
Like a womanizer, he would cast them aside after 'having his way,' and continue looking for the next target.
Those who were 'done with' were left to fend for themselves. If they died, it could only mean they were not the Prophecy Child.
This line of thought is very dangerous. No wonder Tsunade looked down on him.
Yahiko slowly said: "Nagato was captured by those two strange things, and we don't have the power to save him."
"And the Akatsuki organization we jointly created now feels more like a joke. I have decided to leave the Land of Rain for a period of time."
Jiraiya frowned: "Where do you plan to go?"
Yahiko's expression was determined: "I want to go to Kirigakure to find Yagyu. What he said just now has given me great inspiration. Perhaps from him, I can find the answer to realize my dream."
Jiraiya remained silent, unwilling for his disciple to seek out his enemy.
However, thinking of the rift that had already appeared between him and Yahiko, he sighed softly and nodded.
...
Two Weeks Later.
In a town in the Land of Wind, Yagyu and Pakura sat opposite each other.
Both had used the Transformation Jutsu to change their appearance. In a small alley not far away, a Sunagakure ninja lay unconscious.
"You should be convinced now, shouldn't you?"
Yagyu raised his teacup, speaking casually.
"I truly never expected it..."
"But thinking back carefully, there really were many tell-tale signs!"
"It's laughable how foolish I was then, not paying attention to these signs, and even less realizing the hidden danger."
Pakura sighed, lamenting with a complicated expression.
"Now I have a question: Why did you help me?"
"Don't tell me that you saved me without a purpose."
"For Kirigakure, killing me, a ninja from Sunagakure, would be the best choice, right?"
"Or do you think you can recruit me?"
Pakura looked at Yagyu with interest.
"Recruit you? Yes, that is exactly what I plan to do."
"How about it? Work for me?"
Yagyu smiled, saying so without concealment.
Pakura mused: "What is your goal?"
Yagyu replied: "The First Hokage established the One-Country, One-Village system. After decades of practical verification, it has proven to be a failure."
"The disasters caused by corrupt villages and the human wars between villages bring about damage no less severe than the chaos of the Warring States Period."
"If the One-Country, One-Village system has any advantage over the chaos of the Warring States period, it's that it raised the age limit for soldiers."
"In the Warring States period, children as young as four or five had to go to the battlefield; now, they must be at least six or seven."
"I have decided to change the current state of the Ninja World, to reshape this world according to my own vision."
"The ideology that I repeatedly fantasized about but could never implement will be put into practice in this world."
A sharp light flashed in Yagyu's eyes, and a brilliant smile appeared on his face.
Pakura mused thoughtfully: "Change it according to your vision? What do you want the Ninja World to look like?"
Yagyu smiled: "At the very least, an upright fool like you won't be abandoned like this again."
Pakura laughed: "Alright, I'll work for you! What do you want me to do?"
Yagyu pondered: "Originally, I wanted you to return to Sunagakure, contend with Rasa, and seize power. But thinking about it carefully, that doesn't seem necessary."
Pakura said helplessly: "What good things are you thinking? Rasa is the Fourth Kazekage, and I'm just a somewhat famous Jōnin."
"Even being called the 'Hero of Sunagakure,' my status and authority are far inferior to the Kazekage's."
"Seize power from him? I can't do that!"
Yagyu said with disdain: "Is that so? I don't think it's that difficult. Rasa's thought process is abnormal, and overthrowing him wouldn't be hard."
Look at Rasa's bizarre actions in the original work!
Before Gaara was even born, Rasa sealed the One-Tail Shukaku inside Gaara's body.
Then his wife had a difficult labor, died after giving birth to Gaara—all thanks to Rasa.
Not only that, but to test if the seal on Gaara was working, he also had his own brother-in-law assassinate Gaara.
Then his brother-in-law was killed by Gaara. Rasa failed to protect him, and Gaara became increasingly darker.
Furthermore, Rasa attempted to kill his own son on more than one occasion. His bizarre thinking is incomprehensible.
In the end, his death was also quite odd; he was taken out by a combination of Gaara and Kimimaro, dying without much dignity.
Even after being Edo Tensei'd, he was embarrassing. Of the three Kage-level powerhouses controlled by Gaara, he was the only one who couldn't break free from the restraints.
In short!
Rasa, as the Kazekage, should just withdraw from the group!
Too humiliating!
With his bizarre thought process, it's normal for him to be manipulated and killed.
Using his peculiar way of thinking to damage his reputation.
Then, finding an opportunity to take him out, Pakura, whose reputation and strength are not inferior to Rasa's, could then take the position.
However, thinking about it now, it seems unnecessary.
Because it's too troublesome and takes too long.
Given the current reactions of the major Hidden Villages, it might not take that much time.
"Given the current situation, you should continue to hide the news that you are still alive. When I attack Sunagakure, you can appear then to crush the morale of the Sunagakure ninja!"
Yagyu pondered and decided to use Pakura to strike at Sunagakure's morale.
If, during the confrontation with Sunagakure, Pakura were suddenly revealed, it would certainly throw Sunagakure's morale into chaos.
However, this tactic can only be used once, and the news of Pakura being alive must be concealed beforehand.
If Sunagakure were prepared, they could use propaganda to confuse the facts and neutralize this tactic.
Pakura said helplessly: "Your meaning is that my current task is to hide the news of my being alive? In other words, I have nothing to do?"
Yagyu mused: "If you find it boring, you can wear a mask and serve as my personal Anbu."
"Of course, you can no longer use your signature Scorch Release Ninjutsu. That shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Pakura said somewhat proudly: "Don't underestimate me! Even without Scorch Release Ninjutsu, my strength is worthy of an Elite Jōnin."
"Taijutsu, shurikenjutsu, Wind Release, and Fire Release—I am proficient in all of these."
Yagyu was satisfied: "In that case, starting today, you are my personal Anbu. Your codename... will be Ha (葉, Leaf). What do you think?"
Pakura said noncommittally: "No problem! More than these boring questions, I'm more interested in knowing your next plans."
"Since you want to reshape the Ninja World, you must have your own plans and intentions, right?"
Yagyu smiled: "Next, we'll take a trip overseas to call back all my lovely disciples and subordinates."
"The four Great Hidden Villages are restless, and we need to prepare for whatever tricks they plan to pull."
"If nothing unexpected happens, they will definitely discuss forming an alliance to collectively deal with me, their common enemy."
"Perhaps a Four Kage Summit will be held. The thought alone feels exciting. We'll go crash the party then."
"Although a Four Kage Summit is not as grand as a Five Kage Summit, it is still a rare high-level conference!"
Under the proactive communication of Iwagakure and Kumogakure, Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure had already reached a preliminary agreement, and were now trying to rope in Konoha Village.
Although Tsunade's earlier actions had created some resentment among the three villages towards Konoha, Konoha Village's immense strength made them overlook this.
Firstly, they truly needed Konoha's power.
Secondly, they did not want Konoha to stand by and watch.