Successive Encounters

"Wood Release: Great Forest Technique"

"Wood Release: Thorn Killing Technique"

The Senju Clan members worked diligently to plant trees and expand the forest's reach.

After figuring out that the visitor was a friend rather than a foe, Nawaki sent the onlookers off to cultivate.

"... So it was that Katsuki Mizuki who helped you awaken Wood Release? That kid's got some skills! Always causing trouble..."

Jiraiya gritted his teeth, his interest in Katsuki growing stronger with each passing day.

"But speaking of which, haven't you guys caused enough trouble in the village? Running around here shaping the terrain... Nawaki, do you think the geography surveying team's work is too easy? Are you giving them more work to do? You almost made me go astray, and I just couldn't match it to the map."

"Haha, actually, all the land around here belongs to the Senju Clan."

Nawaki gave the answer with a smile.

"Practicing Wood Style Jutsu in the village is making too much noise, the Anbu flying around are a real nuisance, and the nearby residents have even come to complain about these idiots... There's really no other way but to find a place further away from the village for these idiots to train."

The answer was unexpected, yet perfectly logical.

Those who were brought out by Nawaki to train in Wood Style Jutsu were all the more troublesome guys in the clan. They kept getting out of control while training in Wood Release in the village, which annoyed the elders. But being a troublemaker usually meant that they were very talented. Only those with ability were qualified to be called troublemakers.

These clansmen are all quite talented and will surely become the backbone of the family in the future. Therefore, after discussing with the elders, Nawaki personally led this group of fools to start moving mountains and planting forests.

"Fine, fine, just give me the latest map. You can play however you want. My apprentice and I are going back to the village."

Jiraiya rolled his eyes, too lazy to argue with Nawaki about it. Even if the geography surveying team worked year-round, it had nothing to do with him, since he didn't care.

"A map? No problem."

Nawaki pulled a scroll from the sleeve of his vest and handed it to Jiraiya. However, the latter did not take it immediately. Instead, he took out a portrait and presented it to Jiraiya.

"I almost forgot to ask, Nawaki, do you know this person?"

"Huh?"

Nawaki froze, his pupils instinctively shifting to focus on the portrait.

"That looks familiar... Brother Jiraiya, I didn't expect you to be such a good artist besides writing! Hmm... the person in the drawing looks a lot like Zen, Senju Zen, a distant cousin of mine, but he died in a mission. He shouldn't be the person you're looking for."

Nawaki looked at Jiraiya with a puzzled expression.

"I know far more than you do." Jiraiya smiled smugly, then frowned deeply. "The Senju Zen, is it? I think I haven't made a mistake in choosing you..."

"What's the meaning?"

Nawaki was no longer the simple, passionate boy he once was. Having sat in the position of clan leader for so long, his keen senses had been honed through Jiraiya, and he was able to discern the unspoken meaning in Jiraiya's words.

"······"

Jiraiya stroked his chin, glancing at Nawaki, hesitating whether to tell him about the series of events caused by the Rinnegan Nawaki.

"Teacher."

Konan looked over, her eyes filled with complex and conflicted emotions.

"Things are rather complicated, Nawaki. This matter... might require your help, but... I need to find Uzumaki Katsuki first. I must ascertain the truth and seriousness of this matter before I can tell you."

Jiraiya was incredibly frustrated; this was truly a mess.

He didn't want to cause a scene involving such a sensitive name as Madara Uchiha, because that was a guy whose name alone could disrupt the Shinobi World.

"Katsuki?"

This time it's Nawaki's turn to have a toothache. Why is it all going to be related to that guy Katsuki again? I really don't know what that jerk is doing right now.

"Speaking of which, Katsuki is now the Anbu Chief."

"The Anbu Chief... not bad! But then again, the title of 'Catastrophe' has already overshadowed the titles of the Sannin, so the Anbu Chief isn't much." Jiraiya smirked and muttered to himself.

"That's all for now. I need to go back to the village and discuss this with Orochimaru -Katsuki kun... Konan, let's go."

Jiraiya grabbed the map and beckoned Konan to leave together.

"But Katsuki hasn't been in the village these past few days!"

Nawaki's words made Jiraiya stop in his tracks.

"It seems the Anbu) is up to something, and you know how it is with new Katsuki sweeping up bandits... He's probably somewhere still dealing with those thugs! Who knows!"

He shrugged.

"Tch! Why is the perfectly good Anbu Chief running around like this?" Jiraiya clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Hey, Jiraiya- senpai, it's really impolite to gossip behind people's backs."

Lightning bolts fell from the sky, and Katsuki stepped on the lightning and landed on the mountain forest. Looking down at Jiraiya Nawaki, and the others, a faint smile appeared on her lips as she waved to them. Then—a vast and thunderous roar resounded in everyone's ears.

In the mountains and forests, crows and sparrows hibernate, and wild beasts return to their dens, all concealing their tracks amidst the thunderous roar.

"He came as soon as he was told... This person really can't stand being nagged!"

Jiraiya reached out his little finger and rubbed his slightly numb ear, muttering something to himself before finally cracking a smile in response.

"Long time no see! Katsuki- kun, you're getting more and more impressive these days."

"Konan, I'm so glad you're alright. Yahiko's nagging has worn me out. At least I don't have to listen to his nonsense anymore." Katsuki looked at Konan standing next to Jiraiya and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Yahiko? How come Yahiko is with you? By the way, where did you come from? Weren't you supposed to be... fighting bandits?"

Jiraiya his sharp ears and quick reflexes, fired off a barrage of questions before Konan could react.

"Well! The reason is complicated and it would take a long time to explain... But Nawaki, why are you listening so intently? This has nothing to do with you. You should go and train your people!"

Katsuki noticed that Nawaki had perked up his ears and was pretending to listen attentively. He smirked and started to shoo Nawaki away.

He didn't intend for this to spread too widely.

Spreading the Madara Uchiha is still alive will only cause panic; Katsuki don't think it will be of much use. No matter how many small fry there are, they're useless against Madara Uchiha.

"It's alright? You might not think so, right, Jiraiya -sensei?" Nawaki glanced at him sideways.

"Damn it! This whole thing is driving me crazy." Jiraiya slapped his forehead with a crisp sound.