What Makes You Think You're Good Enough to Jump Around on My Head, You White-Haired Pervert?
"Alright, let's get back to the main topic. Although you haven't fought against Shinnō..."
Jiraiya composed Jiraiya, looking at Hagoromo with a serious expression, and asked, "From your perspective, what's going on?"
Although Jiraiya had already learned some things through the information Toad, he still wanted to hear Hagoromo's opinion.
"His techniques are completely different from those of conventional ninjas, filled with an ancient, unsettling dark aura."
"His tentacles are less a form of Ninjutsu and more a composite of some kind of bio-modification and negative energy."
Jiraiya nodded in satisfaction and asked, "What did you think of?"
"Tailed Beast, I suppose," Hagoromo replied, twisting her neck.
After all, the Nine-Tails has been known as the 'collection of hatred' since the Warring States period.
"Good, we can try investigating this person's identity from this angle when we get back."
Jiraiya nodded, his expression solemn.
The elders who possessed this forbidden knowledge and power had been collecting information about it since Konoha village's founding.
"The fact that the Akatsuki can recruit someone like this means that their goal is not simply to collect the Tailed Beasts."
"Hiruko the ultimate evolution of the individual, while this so-called Shinnō demonstrates the power of man-made weapons, coupled with the leader of Akatsuki..."
At this point, Jiraiya fell silent.
Why did Nagato, who possessed the legendary Sage's Eyes, become like this?
Clearly, he was the Child of the Prophecy who was expected to bring about change to the Shinobi World, but what he is doing now is...
"Senior, I think you might want to try looking at it from a different perspective."
Hagoromo interrupted Jiraiya's reverie.
"Oh? Tell me about it." Jiraiya asked with great interest, realizing that his junior brother was indeed no ordinary person.
"For example, these two people today have shown us that."
The Akatsuki was not a monolithic entity; its members each had their own objectives, but they were united by a stronger will and a common goal.
"This could be considered their weakness, or it could make them seem even more unfathomable."
Jiraiya was stunned.
Yes, they had already entered a dead end from the very beginning.
The focus was all on the so-called Akatsuki, but no one paid attention to the people recruited by this organization.
It feels too disjointed; they're clearly incompatible, yet outwardly they appear to be one.
"I will investigate in this direction."
Jiraiya nodded, saying that Hagoromo's words had given him a new perspective.
"The investigation is one thing, but if there's anything you want to do, just let me know. After all, you're not alone anymore."
Hagoromo rolled his eyes; he was too lazy to try and persuade Jiraiya anymore.
Moreover, some things can't be kept bottled up forever, otherwise Jiraiya would just go alone later.
That joke is really going too far.
"I see. So you've picked up that old man's tricks too."
Jiraiya glared at Hagoromo with amusement. "That kid."
"Yes, yes, at least I've always been honest in training and mentoring my disciples, while some people..."
"You're always using the guise of 'creative research' to do ridiculous things. Your book can only fool a naive old virgin like Kakashi."
"When are you going to finish this? Can't you see Kakashi's spirits, which had just improved a while ago, are already starting to weaken again?"
"You brat! That's art! That's the beauty of life, the beauty!"
Jiraiya heard Hagoromo belittle his masterpiece like that, he instantly lost his composure and jumped up and shouted.
"Hey! Don't jump on my head!"
Sansan shouted loudly, "Hagoromo can do this because I respect him. What kind of class do you think you are, you white-haired lecher?"
Dare to jump on my head?
"I'm very sorry!" Jiraiya said, admitting his mistake.
After all, the aura emanating from Sansan was even more excessive than that of Gamabunta; one could even say that he had only ever seen it emanating from the sane Great Toad Sage.
"Haha!" Upon seeing Jiraiya in his Hagoromo, he burst out laughing.
--
With Hagoromo and Jiraiya returning to Konoha.
Before long, Konoha's alert level was raised several levels.
Meanwhile, the Jonin of Konoha all received a summons to assemble; Jonin being held!
In the Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi listened to Hagoromo and Jiraiya's reports while puffing on his pipe.
His brows were so furrowed they could practically trap a fly.
Call--
He exhaled a heavy puff of smoke, and Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a throbbing pain in his temples.
"Shikaku, based on the information provided by Hagoromo and Jiraiya, have the Intelligence Department prioritize finding relevant data."
"All other departments must prioritize this task!"
"The Kumogakure and Kirigakure Village have informed them to send someone over as soon as possible, and the treatment of the Five-Tails Jinchuriki will proceed immediately."
"Furthermore, have Kumogakure remember to tell us what they discovered about the technique; this is very important to us."
"The Iwagakure Village sent a message to the Fourth Tsuchikage through diplomatic channels."
Whether they want to come and cooperate is up to them.
Hiruzen Sarutobi issued his orders one by one, while Shikaku simply took notes.
After Hiruzen Sarutobi speaking, Shikaku greeted the people in the office and then turned to leave.
There's Jonin meeting coming up later, so now's not the time to be idle.
This is so troublesome~
"Jiraiya, Hagoromo, although you two have only just returned."
However, you are the ones facing this organization head-on, so you cannot be absent from the upcoming Jonin meeting.
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, but his gaze was mostly fixed on Jiraiya.
After all, he knew Jiraiya's personality well; he might get annoyed and not even bother going.
"Understood, old man."
Jiraiya scratched his head in annoyance and spoke to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction; this was for the best.
"Phew, these are turbulent times!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head again.
Jiraiya nodded in agreement. After more than ten years of peace, the Shinobi World returned to normal.
It was even more exaggerated than during Second Shinobi World War and Third Shinobi World War.
After all, there was no such thing as the Akatsuki back then.
"The landscape of the Shinobi World is undergoing dramatic changes. If Iwagakure cannot put aside its past grievances this time..."
"Then we don't need to worry about them too much going forward."
"Hagoromo, the growth of the new generation must be accelerated; the future situation may be even more serious than we imagine."
At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but lower his voice.
Konoha had just begun to show signs of improvement when this happened.
Although this is something that every ninja must face, the spark of Konoha has not yet grown strong.
"Understood. I will be even more demanding regarding my internship and school assignments."
Hagoromo nodded in response.