After a long silence, Jiraiya spoke...
"Whether you are Nagato or Yahiko,"
"at a time like this, the Shinobi World does not need us tearing each other apart."
That one sentence eased the tension somewhat.
Jiraiya looked at Nagato, then turned to Danzo.
"And you, Danzo."
His tone suddenly turned cold...
"If you do not want to die here, take your Root shinobi and withdraw immediately."
Danzo frowned, a trace of displeasure and wariness flashing through his eyes.
He asked in a deep voice, "Jiraiya, are you ordering me around?"
"It is not an order. It is advice."
Jiraiya replied coldly, his tone utterly resolute.
To support Jiraiya...
Kakashi's Sharingan and the blade in his hand turned toward Danzo.
Seeing Kakashi's small gesture...
Danzo's mouth twitched as he cursed the slippery brat inwardly.
But more than that...
Danzo was deeply dissatisfied with Jiraiya's unyielding attitude.
His gaze swept over everyone present, hesitation and resentment flickering in his eyes.
He was clearly Konoha's root, the one who held power in the shadows, yet now these people were forcing him to leave?
This was humiliation!
Yet no matter how dissatisfied he was, he had to admit that he could not force his hand in the current situation.
After all, he was not yet fully confident that the power within him could handle so many people, and it was also Danzo's own trump card.
"Kakashi."
Jiraiya turned around, his tone returning to calm...
"Escort Lord Danzo away from the scene."
"Yes."
Kakashi stepped forward, his gaze refusing to yield. Standing before Danzo, he raised a hand in a guiding gesture.
"Lord Danzo, this way."
Their eyes met briefly.
Kakashi's expression was as calm as still water.
Though Danzo was unwilling, he ultimately said nothing more.
With a cold snort, he flicked his sleeve and left. Several Root shinobi silently followed after him.
As their figures gradually vanished at the end of the corridor, Jiraiya turned back to face Pain and Konan once more.
"Alright, now I am the only Konoha shinobi left."
His tone softened, as though he were casting off pressure, yet also as though he were taking up that heavy responsibility again.
"Can we have a proper talk now?"
Jiraiya looked at Nagato. His voice was not forceful, yet it carried an unwavering resolve that could not be ignored.
Nagato did not respond, merely gazing at him in silence.
Konan stood beside Nagato. "What do you want to discuss?"
"Stopping the world-ending disaster together. We... do not have much time."
After much consideration, Jiraiya said, "From what I know, the impact of that planet may... only be the beginning of the disaster."
As his words fell, Black Zetsu froze...
"What did you say?"
Jiraiya glanced lightly at him, his expression as calm as ever. "According to Mount Myoboku's prophecy, the Sharingan has unleashed a curse."
"The planet is only the beginning..."
"The source of everything is Uchiha Yuan's curse."
"The Shinobi World can no longer afford to remain divided. Nagato, Konan... I hope you can lead Akatsuki and join the effort to stop this world-ending disaster."
The look in his eyes as he regarded Nagato was not one of pleading, but of requesting equal cooperation.
"As for Danzo..."
Jiraiya paused and did not continue.
Yet that deliberate omission in his tone was more thought-provoking than any threat.
Nagato and Konan exchanged a glance, each seeing a measure of understanding in the other's eyes.
Jiraiya did not intend to shield Danzo.
Or rather, if necessary, Konoha could play dumb.
Before the apocalypse, some people were no longer so important.
"I do not want to say this, but... if you choose to act, Konoha will not stop you."
Jiraiya's tone was calm, devoid of any discernible emotion, yet he had made every position clear.
This was Jiraiya's stance at this moment.
Between Konoha's elder and his former disciples, he had already made his choice.
"You have changed, Sensei."
Konan suddenly spoke, a subtle note entering her voice.
"Hmm?" Jiraiya glanced sideways at her.
"Did you not just say that you were a Konoha shinobi?"
Konan smiled faintly, her eyes carrying a hint of teasing.
Jiraiya was taken aback. The next moment, he coughed and assumed his usual carefree manner.
"Ahem... sometimes, I am also a great sage."
He raised his head and spoke such nonsense with a straight face, trying to use humor to dissolve the heavy atmosphere before them.
Konan smiled softly and did not expose him.
But Nagato did not smile. He continued watching Jiraiya, his gaze gradually softening.
"You are right."
Nagato finally spoke. His voice was no longer cold, instead carrying a trace of contemplation and resolve.
"The Shinobi World... has no time for infighting."
"So I will have to trouble you, Jiraiya-sensei, to persuade the Five Great Shinobi Villages."
Nagato meant that Akatsuki would take command of the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
But Jiraiya understood it in another sense...
However, just as Jiraiya was preparing to leave, Black Zetsu spoke.
"Mr. Jiraiya, it would be best if you did not return to the village with Danzo and the others. Return separately."
Jiraiya paused. "You are afraid Danzo will harm me?"
As a schemer who had lurked for a thousand years, Zetsu gave Jiraiya a deep look and voiced Danzo's possible move.
"Kill you, then pin it on Akatsuki... Danzo is very likely to do that."
This...
While Danzo, Jiraiya, Kakashi, and the others were all in Amegakure...
Deep within Konoha's Root base, all was silent and deathly still.
Within those soundless shadows, a tall figure quietly appeared.
It was Orochimaru.
Clad in a cloak, he wore a calm expression. His steps were elegant and silent, as though he had long since merged with the darkness.
He slowly entered the deepest ritual chamber. It was sealed and windowless, with only several dim oil lamps casting flickering, feeble light.
At this moment, Danzo was not in the base.
And Orochimaru was taking advantage of this opening to act in secret.
He took out a sealing scroll and slowly spread it across the ground, his fingertips tracing the engraved runes.
He murmured softly, forming hand seals at lightning speed. Chakra silently flowed from his body, resonating with the jutsu inscribed on the scroll.
"Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu."
The low incantation seemed to stir some resonance within the chamber, and the ground faintly trembled.
The next instant, the runes on the ground lit up, and a wooden coffin slowly rose from the earth...
With a dull thud as it landed, the surrounding temperature seemed to drop several degrees, and even the air froze.
The coffin lid cracked open with a click.
Since White Zetsu was used as the sacrifice this time, it had to be said that the quality was a little too good...
Grayish-white smoke spilled from the gap. Then, a hand gripped the edge of the coffin, and a figure slowly stepped out.
Short silver-white hair, cold and sharp eyes, and an overwhelmingly oppressive presence...
It was Senju Tobirama, the Second Hokage.
He remained silent...
Quickly sensing his surroundings and assessing the situation...
Orochimaru stood where he was, a cryptic smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
"Welcome back, Lord Senju Tobirama."
His voice was low and respectful, yet the deep ambition in his eyes could not be concealed.
Before you continue