Jiraiya

Earth Style: Earth Wall!

Uchiha Yuzuru rapidly formed hand seals, and a thick earthen wall instantly rose from the ground, blocking all the white needle-like spikes.

Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!

A massive swamp appeared out of thin air. Uchiha Yuzuru and the others lost their footing, their bodies continuously sinking downward.

Immediately afterward, flames swept across the sky. Fire Style: Great Fire Oil Bomb!

Under the scorching heat, A wrapped his entire body in lightning and swiftly retreated into the distance.

Killer B, meanwhile, used the Eight-Tails' power to firmly protect himself.

As for Uchiha Yuzuru...

He had retreated the moment he finished using Earth Flow Wall, so he was not affected much.

Damn it!

A clenched his fists and activated Lightning Release Chakra Mode, preparing to chase after the fleeing Konoha Ninja.

Uchiha Yuzuru raised an arm and stopped him.

A stared intently at Uchiha Yuzuru and asked coldly, "Why are you stopping me?"

"Just a friendly reminder." Uchiha Yuzuru said blandly, "If you want to fight Jiraiya of the Three Sannin, then go right ahead."

"Jiraiya was the one who attacked just now?"

A asked with a frown.

"That's right."

After receiving confirmation, A gave up on continuing the pursuit.

Jiraiya had already become renowned throughout the Shinobi World during the Second Shinobi World War. He was one of the top combatants in the current Shinobi World.

If possible, no one wanted to fight a powerhouse like that.

What was more, A did not know why Jiraiya had appeared here, nor did he know whether there were other Konoha powerhouses nearby...

He was reckless, but he was not stupid.

He would not do something so risky.

However...

A fixed Uchiha Yuzuru with a hard stare and demanded, "Why did you deliberately let those Konoha Ninja go?"

With Uchiha Yuzuru's strength, as long as he had acted, those Konoha Ninja would never have had a chance to escape.

After all, when facing Yagura and three other Kumogakure Jonin not long ago, Uchiha Yuzuru had killed all of them in an instant!

Hearing that, Uchiha Yuzuru said calmly, "Because I need them to do something for me."

"What is it?"

"Tell the people of Konoha that the Sharingan can prevent Tailed Beast Jinchuriki from going berserk."

"Jiraiya-sama, thank you so much."

"If you hadn't arrived in time, we probably would have died at the hands of those Kumogakure ninja."

"That's right. We were lucky to come back alive after facing Kumogakure's Jinchuriki."

"It's just a pity about the comrades who died. If only they could have held on a little longer..."

Tachibana Hiko, Yamada Kōshi, Hojo Shinroku, and Harada Tōru bowed to Jiraiya, their faces full of joy at having survived the disaster.

After hearing their account, Jiraiya did not fool around as he usually did. Instead, he furrowed his brow and said, "Kumogakure has a perfect Jinchuriki?"

Tachibana Hiko immediately said, "That's right, the big, burly guy wearing sunglasses who kept waving his arms and dancing around like he had hyperactivity!"

"He seemed to call himself 'Killer B,' and he can freely use the Eight-Tails' power."

Jiraiya was somewhat surprised. "Really?"

Yamada Kōshi, Harada Tōru, and the others immediately replied, "Really! We all saw it!"

Jiraiya nodded. "If you have nothing else to do, return to Konoha first."

"Huh?"

"You're not coming back with us?"

"No, I may return a few days later. You go on ahead."

"Understood."

Harada Tōru and the others did not ask further. After bowing to Jiraiya once more, they turned and hurried toward Konoha.

After the four left, Jiraiya remained seated where he was.

After discovering Nagato's Rinnegan, he had remained in Amegakure.

He had spent three years teaching the child who might be the one foretold by the Great Toad Sage to lead the Shinobi World into change.

He just had not expected so many things to happen in the Shinobi World during that time.

Tsunade had left the village, the Uchiha Clan that possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan had collectively defected, and Kumogakure had gained a Jinchuriki capable of freely using Tailed Beast power...

One matter after another weighed on Jiraiya's heart, leaving him almost unable to breathe.

He had a premonition that the peace in the Shinobi World would not last much longer. War would come again.

Before that, he needed to make a trip to Mount Myōboku to see whether the Great Toad Sage had any new instructions.

Konoha.

Hokage's Office.

Smoke still filled the room as Hiruzen Sarutobi continuously puffed on the pipe in his hand.

Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, Hatake Sakumo, and the others stood silently to the side.

After a long while, Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a deep voice, "Is there really no other way?"

Utatane Koharu nodded. "Mito-sama's life force is nearly exhausted. She may not make it through the night."

"I understand." Hiruzen Sarutobi set down his pipe and said in a deep voice, "I don't care what petty schemes each of you may have, but tonight is of utmost importance. Everything must follow my arrangements!"

A powerful aura emanated from him as Hiruzen Sarutobi swept his gaze across every face present.

Only after seeing that no one objected did he slowly continue, "Sakumo, organize the Anbu members. Put the entire village under lockdown and prepare for battle at any time!"

"Yes."

Hatake Sakumo accepted the order and left. Hiruzen Sarutobi then looked at Shimura Danzō. "Danzo, arrange the Root members. If danger arises, immediately organize the villagers' evacuation."

"Understood."

"Koharu, Homura, notify the heads of every Ninja Clan. Once the Nine-Tails goes berserk, they must immediately lead their clan ninja to support me."

"Very well."

After making the arrangements, Hiruzen Sarutobi led several personal guards to a small wooden house outside Konoha.

Ninja from the Medical Team and Sealing Team stood guard outside, ready to act at any moment.

Inside the wooden house, Mito Uzumaki lay on the bed, looking utterly haggard.

When she saw Hiruzen Sarutobi enter, Mito Uzumaki struggled into a sitting position and said weakly, "Monkey, begin."

"Yes, Mito-sama."

After speaking, he turned to Minato Namikaze, who had come along with him.

"Minato, have you made up your mind?"

"Once you become a Jinchuriki, there will be no chance to regret it."

After hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, Minato Namikaze revealed his usual gentle smile. "Hokage-sama, I will never regret it."

If he had asked the Third Hokage to let him become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki sooner, perhaps Kushina would not have left the village.

Though if Kushina had not left the village, a request like this would never have had the chance to be fulfilled...

Seeing the resolve in Minato Namikaze's eyes, Hiruzen Sarutobi said nothing more.

Minato was an orphan with no complicated background.

He was also Jiraiya's disciple, with an impeccable lineage.

He possessed the determination to protect Konoha even at the cost of his life, and both his character and talent were first-rate.

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt that he could not find a more suitable candidate than Minato.

With that thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a deep voice, "Sealing Team, prepare!"

The seal on Mito Uzumaki's body was released, and a stream of evil Chakra began to continuously spill out.

At the same time, immense extreme negative emotions continuously assaulted the minds of everyone nearby.

Dozens of Sealing Team members immediately circulated the Chakra within their bodies, doing their utmost to transfer the Nine-Tails' Chakra from Mito Uzumaki's body into Minato Namikaze's.