The road beneath their feet began to slope upward. Jiraiya and Orochimaru walked up along the uneven path, with the faint sound of a waterfall reaching their ears. When they reached the end, the sound of rushing water suddenly grew louder.
Boom...!
It was a waterfall—and one of a size they had never seen before.
The turbulent current rushed down from the towering cliff before them, forming a huge pool below.
"Who goes there?!"
Suddenly, four Aki Village ninjas charged out of the woods beside them.
One adult, accompanied by three children.
Judging by their appearance and forehead protectors, they were all Aki Village ninjas.
Probably... a Jonin leading a team of Genin.
"Are you... Konoha ninjas?"
Jiraiya's forehead protector bore the character "oil."
Orochimaru, meanwhile, wore a regulation Konoha Jonin Vest.
He also wore a Konoha Ninja forehead protector.
So... the people from Aki Village soon relaxed their vigilance.
"What are Konoha people doing here?"
The Jonin waved his hand, signaling his three subordinates to put away their Kunai.
Konoha and Aki Village were allies, so their relationship was not tense.
"Heh heh... The man standing before you is none other than Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin."
Orochimaru raised a hand and introduced the Aki Ninja before them.
"The Legendary Sannin?!"
The Aki Village Jonin immediately revealed an expression of utter surprise.
"Never heard of them."
In the next moment, his expression became calm again.
Jiraiya: "..."
There was nothing he could do.
Aki Village had been isolated for too long.
They knew nothing about many things.
But... not even knowing about the Legendary Sannin was a little too outrageous.
The corner of Jiraiya's mouth twitched.
Aki Village was a village hidden within a waterfall.
Although it lacked formidable combat power, it had clearly survived the Shinobi World