Choice

Issui fell from the void, looking at the huge iceberg in front of him. He hadn't expected to create such a situation, but it was also within his expectations. After all, most of the Chakra energy in his body had been used up in this battle, so this result was to be expected. After all, his Chakra content was not much less than that of the Tailed Beast, and its quality was also at the Kage Level.

This battle greatly excited Issui. Why? Because he actually fought against the Sannin and beat them so badly that they couldn't fight back. And this was without using his Kekkei Genkai. Without using his Kekkei Genkai, he had independently comprehended the Profound Mystery of ice attribute. This made him realize that he actually had quite a bit of talent, not only because of his Kekkei Genkai, but also because of his personal talent and hard work.

From the moment he entered this world, Issui constantly forced himself to cultivate and grow, step by Earth Flow where he is today. He used to think that the reason he could grow so quickly was because of his powerful Kekkei Genkai, but today he understands that apart from the Kekkei Genkai factor, the majority of his strength comes from his talent and hard work. He has no shortage of talent, nor does he lack effort and sweat, so he succeeded. There was no such thing as luck.

From that moment on, Issui increasingly felt that Kekkei Genkai didn't represent everything; the key was still individual ability. A genius like Orochimaru had grown to that level without relying on Kekkei Genkai, Jiraiya. Tsunade, who possessed the Senju Kekkei Genkai, was actually inferior to Orochimaru and Jiraiya. Of course, this doesn't mean Tsunade was bad; it just shows that Kekkei Genkai don't mean invincibility.

While Kekkei Genkai don't define everything, it's incredibly difficult to survive in the ninja world without Kekkei Genkai. After all, ninjas like Jiraiya and Orochimaru are rare. The later stages of Hokage World revolved around the clash of various Kekkei Genkai limits, with the Sharingan, Mangekyō Sharingan, Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, and Rinnegan dominating much of the story. Without the Eye of Heaven, it's likely Issui would have struggled against Madara and his allies. Perhaps his Eye of Heaven truly holds the key to breaking down the power of Kekkei Genkai in this world; the Eye of Heaven, with its limitless potential, is undoubtedly the natural enemy of the Sharingan and Rinnegan...

"Smack..."

In the instant that everyone was Issui, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Orochimaru returned to the human world from Mount Myōboku.

"... Wow, that's amazing. This must be your masterpiece..." Jiraiya asked Issui, pointing to the enormous iceberg in front of him.

"Hmm, not bad. Are you guys alright? I just grasped something and couldn't control myself. Sorry, haha..." Issui Jin scratched his head and chuckled dryly. "I didn't mean to, please don't be angry. We're all civilized people, so it's best not to get rough. My Chakra is almost completely used up. Although the Eye of Heaven automatically replenishes Chakra, I have absolutely no confidence in continuing to fight you three monsters unless I reveal my Heavenly Kekkei Genkai..."

"It's alright. Since you're from Konoha, we can all be easygoing. Let's just treat what we just did as practice. It's been a long time since I've met such a talented and strong young man like you. I really miss you..." Jiraiya said with a smile. Yahiko, Konan, Nagato, and the others must have grown to a considerable level by now. Minato is about to surpass his teacher. Time waits for no one; you can't deny getting old...

"You're quite good... You two chat, I'm continuing my journey..." Tsunade glanced at Issui and walked away in one direction without looking back...

"Hey, Tsunade, Konoha is about to go to war with Sunagakure, aren't you going to..." Jiraiya tried to persuade Tsunade to stay.

"Don't try to persuade me anymore. Ever since they died, I..." Tsunade said softly, then turned and disappeared into the jungle without looking back.

"Ha... She's already heartbroken, there's no use in trying to persuade her..." Orochimaru said mockingly.

"Hmph, you don't need to tell me..." Jiraiya said fiercely.

"Tch... Why are you here too? Does the Third Hokage think I can't handle this alone?" Orochimaru said calmly.

"Hmph, the old man is preparing to end the war with Sunagakure as soon as possible. Now that the strength of all countries has recovered, Konoha may have to face many powerful enemies again. Concentrating our forces to eliminate the threat from the Land of Wind is the right thing to do..." Jiraiya said calmly.

"You guys chat, I need to rest for a bit. The battle just now took a lot of energy..." Issui looked speechlessly at the two people who were ignoring her presence. "Don't be so obvious, you idiots! You're so oblivious! You're actually chatting away? Have you forgotten I'm right here?"

"No, this time, we really need your strength... With your strength, Konoha will be even more confident in this battle..." Jiraiya suddenly grabbed Issui's arm and said.

"Tch... I never said I'd help you... Although I used to be a member of Konoha, it doesn't mean I'm willing to help Konoha now. My current identity is a wandering ninja. If you want me to help, I need payment, since it's practically hiring someone..." Issui said shamelessly. Damn it, you think you can get me to work for free without paying a cent? You're dreaming! If I agreed unconditionally, I'd be out of my mind.

"Uh... kid, you want payment? I'm telling you, you have no sense of responsibility whatsoever. How can someone like you become a good ninja?" Jiraiya was speechless at Issui's words. It seemed he had thought too highly of Issui. So this guy just wanted payment. He thought Konoha would be a great help, but it turned out he just wanted to profit from the war...

"Heh heh, what a pragmatic person..." Orochimaru chuckled sinisterly. The old man's Will of Fire had no effect.

"Don't think so highly of me. I'm not here to be free labor. Besides, I haven't been back to Konoha for so long, I don't really know it. I didn't receive any care from Konoha. On the contrary, my parents died for Konoha. Konoha didn't give me any place to rely on, no favors at all. So, in my heart, Konoha is at most a place of memories. There's nothing I miss, and of course, I don't feel any so-called responsibility..." Issui said calmly.

"So you mean..." Jiraiya said expressionlessly.

"Now you have two choices. First, I will not attack Konoha, nor will I help Sunagakure fight you. Second, you can hire me to be your ally on the battlefield. Pay me a fee, and I will help you fight Sunagakure..." Issui said, holding up two fingers.

"Oh, I see. What price are you willing to pay to become a mercenary ninja in Konoha?" Jiraiya asked.

"This number..." Issui held out one hand.

"Fifty thousand taels?" Jiraiya said.

"You're delusional..." Issui shook his head. Fifty thousand taels is only the reward for a B-Rank Mission. Do you think I'm that cheap?

"Could it be 500,000?" Jiraiya asked again.

"Then you might as well just find Jonin..." Issui shook his head again. Damn, that's too stingy! You want to hire a Super S-rank ninja for the price of an A-rank mission? Are you out of your mind? Are Super S-rank ninjas really that cheap?

"Five hundred thousand is already quite a lot, do you... do you want five... five million..." Jiraiya frowned, thinking, "Damn it, you're being too greedy..."

"Yes, you got it right, it's five million taels. And that's a 50% discount for Konoha. If it were anyone else, I definitely wouldn't accept a price ten million less..." Issui nodded in satisfaction.

"That's wishful thinking..." Jiraiya's anger surged. Damn it, this is so disrespectful! I even considered you one of my own, ugh! Is this how you treat your own people? Making exorbitant demands, is this how you treat them?

"Alright, then let's part ways. I'm heading back now. Come find me when you've made up your mind. Also, my salary has increased. I won't accept your employment unless it's less than six million," Issui said indifferently, shaking his head as he left.

"Hmph..." Jiraiya snorted heavily. "Konoha will win this battle even without you. Just you watch, we'll win very quickly. Besides, Minato isn't any worse than you. One more or one less won't make a difference..."

"Haha... You got thwarted, didn't you, Jiraiya? I think we should talk to the old man and hire him to help Konoha fight. After all, we can afford five million. With this kid around, Konoha's manpower will be reduced significantly. There are many weaklings on the battlefield, but not many strong ninjas. With him holding back those old guys from Sunagakure, we can end the war quickly..." Orochimaru pondered.

"Sigh... I know, but..." Jiraiya had a strong dislike for people who prioritized profit above all else. In his Issui, Ikki was someone who would stop at nothing to gain something...

(Issui: Big brother, I'm from another time, okay? I have to act differently from others, otherwise things will go wrong. If time gets messed up, I won't be able to go back to the future. Besides, I have a lot of wives, and my savings are running out...)

"Tch... You've lived this long, and you're still so hypocritical. All that talk about nobility is just a fairy tale. After all these years on the battlefield, don't you know that people in this world won't do anything without self-interest? Even the old man is still scheming. You're too idealistic. This world... the ninja world doesn't need pity or anything like that. It's a bloody and evil world, where everyone is drowning in a dark abyss filled with hatred and despair..." Orochimaru said with a touch of melancholy. The ninja world is inherently dark, and ninjas are a group of people walking in the darkness...

"Hmph, you're too extreme, Orochimaru. If you continue like this, you'll never become Hokage... This world has justice and mutual trust..." Jiraiya said defiantly. He believed he could find the Child of Prophecy change this world; Nagato and Minato were both potential Child of Prophecy could change this ninja world that hated darkness...

"Haha... Is that so? Perhaps I really can't become Hokage, but who else is qualified to be the next Hokage?" Orochimaru said calmly. Right now, the most qualified Konoha in Hokage were himself, Jiraiya, and Tsunade. Tsunade had no interest in Tsunade Hokage position, Jiraiya was afraid of trouble. Only he was qualified. Perhaps that kid Minato had some potential; he'd been making headlines lately, but unfortunately, his experience and fame weren't enough...