Even with his father's advice, Sasuke couldn't shake off his resentment.
However, seeing his blind brother fall into a sorrowful silence in prison, Sasuke felt a pang in his heart, a pain that Sasuke for a long time.
So much time passed that even Nagato and Obito realized something was wrong.
"Strangeness!"
Inside the tower of the Land of Rain, Nagato, who was creating the Six Paths Puppet, felt uneasy and sent a group of people to Konoha to gather information.
Although Itachi and Kisame's combination has always been more reliable than other combinations, for some reason, my instincts always feel that they will encounter some risks on this trip.
Nagato's Akatsuki weren't limited to Akatsuki; he also controlled the vast Land of Rain. He was someone who could influence and wield power in both the legitimate and underworld circles.
After sending out ninjas, Konan, the angel of the Land of Rain, came to Nagato's side.
"What happened, Nagato? Do you think Itachi and Kisame might be in danger, which is why you asked me to send people to investigate?"
"That's right."
Seeing Konan's worry, Nagato sighed and continued.
"Lately, I've felt like something's wrong, and my eyes have been hurting occasionally."
In recent days, Jue has been providing us with very little information; the amount of intelligence he gives us has decreased by about 20% compared to the past, but he doesn't seem to have noticed it.
On the other hand, Konoha is the largest ninja village in the Shinobi World. Even if they are currently facing a generational gap and even if they have just suffered a surprise attack from Orochimaru, they may not necessarily be completely defeated.
While Itachi and Kisame are not weak, if they were to encounter Jiraiya, they would likely find it difficult to escape unscathed.
In short, I am God, and when I feel uneasy, I will send someone to investigate.
If something unexpected really happens, then I have to say, we'll probably have to start our operation ahead of schedule!
"But my explosive tags aren't ready yet, Madara Uchiha..."
"That definitely isn't Madara Uchiha, don't mention that name."
He thought I wouldn't notice, but wasn't his pretentious, profound demeanor exactly like ours back then?
That person is probably younger than us; he's just pretending to be profound. Looking at him reminds me of myself after losing Yahiko. The only reason I was willing to cooperate with him was because he, too, was a person carrying sadness and hatred, just like us!
It is necessary to be wary of him, but not essential. Continue preparing explosive tags, but don't make it your primary concern.
Your top priority is to take care of the Land of Rain and ensure your own safety.
Konan, you've lost weight over the years..."
"I've just grown up, otherwise, would I still have baby fat, Nagato?"
Don't always treat me like an older brother; I used to think of myself as your older sister too!
"Ah, indeed, that's really good."
I'll call you "older sister" again, Konan, after the world is completely at peace.
As for now, do what needs to be done now... and so on!
Suddenly, Nagato's brow furrowed sharply.
Rain falls from the sky in the Land of Rain, mixed with the Rain Tiger at Will Technique developed by Nagato uses this method to monitor the entire Land of Land of Rain at all times.
Now, Nagato senses that someone has invaded the Land of Rain.
The intruders were two people, each with an enormous amount of chakra, and most importantly, each of them possessed a sense of familiarity with the other!
One of them, I could tell, was my former teacher, Jiraiya!
And the other one...
This other self shouldn't be familiar with, yet he feels as if his chakra is his own?!
Etc!
Suddenly, Nagato's heart skipped a beat.
This feeling isn't that his chakra is like mine, but rather that my chakra is like his!
Meanwhile, on the small roads surrounding the Land of Rain.
Madara and Jiraiya walked silently toward the Land of Rain.
When they could vaguely see the buildings of the Land of Rain through the forest, Jiraiya finally couldn't help but speak.
"Senior Madara!"
He said sadly.
"If it weren't for Gawain providing the information, I really wouldn't have known that one of my disciples in the Land of Rain was actually your... spy left in the Shinobi World!"
I thought I had encountered the Rinnegan like the Sage of Six Paths, but it turns out it was your eye!
You really are... a master of disguise!
"Snort!"
Madara glanced at Jiraiya with disdain, responding to his sarcastic remark.
"Stop talking nonsense. I did have my own plans back then, but those plans have now been proven to be a bunch of rubbish mixed with conspiracy and deception!"
In short, out of respect for Gawain, I will try my best to give you some face and spare your disciple's life.
But in any case, I must reclaim my eyes; only my own true eyes can bring me true harmony!
"Cut!"
Hearing Madara Uchiha's words, Jiraiya scoffed disdainfully.
Who is he? He's Jiraiya!
Even if he were facing the renowned and powerful Madara Uchiha, he would still show no respect if he displeased him!
If it were someone like the First or Second Hokage, Jiraiya would certainly have maintained his respect, but no matter what, Madara was ultimately a rogue ninja!
And most importantly...
The person Ban spoke to, who was utterly disrespectful and whom he had framed and deceived long ago, was ultimately his own disciple!
For the sake of his disciple, Jiraiya would not hesitate to die at Madara's hands.
"All that talk is ultimately about harming my disciple, senior!"
Since you are the perpetrator, regardless of your reasons, you shouldn't be considering causing further harm to the victim!
As he spoke, Jiraiya worried that he was of low status and that Madara wouldn't listen to his advice.
So he lowered his eyes and continued.
"You should know that I introduced my disciples to Lord Gawain. Putting aside their answers that are temporarily contrary to those of Konoha, they all possess talents that Lord Gawain can appreciate!"
I strongly recommended them to Gawain. In any case, they should become the new force of Konoha!
So, Madara-senpai!
I hope you will remember Gawain's orders: prioritize recruiting talent, and take retrieving the eyes as a secondary task; under no circumstances should they be harmed!
"Snort!"
Ban frowned unhappily.
"Speaking of 'Gawain' all the time, is this the promising junior of Konoha Village, the good grand-disciple of the Tobirama, or that so-called disgraceful brat who was defeated by the enemy and then praised as one of the Legendary Sannin?!"
Never question my decisions, junior!
As Ban spoke with dissatisfaction, he pointed to his own eyes.
He pressed his finger against his eyelid and said...
"You always bring up Gawain, don't you? Well then, I have to remind you!"
Right now, Hashirama and I are the most capable people under Gawain!
Once I get my eyes back, I will surpass Hashirama and become Gawain's most important talent!
Your disciple has gained such power simply by using my eyes. How do you see the difference between him and me, and how does his status differ from mine in Gawain's eyes?
As for the most important thing, it is... it is..."
At this point, Ban suddenly felt a little ashamed, but it was indeed the truth. Jue had already proven many things to him, and the ancestors of the three great immortal lands that had existed a thousand years ago had also stood up to prove it.
In short, he continued speaking.
"Most importantly, I am, after all, that ancestor's Sun Tzu, his own Sun Tzu!"
Even in my reincarnation, my soul is still imbued with the spirit of the Gao Family, and my chakra still carries the legacy of my ancestors!
Do you think Gawain would side with your disciple given this difference?
Even that's not the most important thing. The most important thing is that I never intended to kill them again!
The question now is, how will they react to the arrival of you and me?
If they put up a stubborn resistance, I might take action to suppress them. But if they are truly so talented that I have to use all my strength to deal with them, then you'd better pray that they can survive my full power!
After all, if the fight goes on to a certain point, even I, an old man, can't hold back!
As soon as he finished speaking, Madara glared fiercely at Jiraiya.
Jiraiya retorted without hesitation.
I have missed those three disciples for a very long time. Now that my life is complete, I only want to give them what I should give them.
Back then, he suffered a major blow in the Land of Rain. He, Tsunade Orochimaru thousands of Konoha ninjas, but in the end, only he, Tsunade, and Jiraiya survived. They were even given the shameful title of the Legendary Sannin by their damned enemies.
At that time, he had no face to respond to the requests of his three disciples, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan!
What were those three disciples pursuing?
Although I only mentored them for a year and a half, I laid a solid foundation of basic theory for them.
But little did he know that although the three of them were young, they were single-mindedly dedicated to freeing the Land of Rain from Hanzō's control.
They are determined to completely defeat that demigod of the Shinobi World!
As the master, I had absolutely no ability to help my disciple. My classmate and I, the three legendary ninjas, were completely defeated by Hanzō, and our resolve was shattered.
Faced with the squad leader's skillful Water and Fire Release techniques, his Body Flicker Technique far surpassing Shisui Uchiha's Body Flicker Technique, and his Scythe Iaijutsu comparable to or even slightly surpassing Sakumo Hatake's, especially Hanzō's terrifying poison techniques, the three of them fighting Hanzō was like fighting Minato Namikaze and Sakumo Hatake, as well as Chiyo from Sand Village —they had absolutely no way to win!
Could the three Sannin, working together, defeat Minato Namikaze, Sakumo Hatake Chiyo practice opponents?
If they were at their peak, the three of them would definitely win. After all, Minato Namikaze and Sakumo Hatake died before they reached their peak, and Chiyo's peak was just average, an ordinary Kage-level.
But at the age of the Sannin, the three of them would have lost badly to Minato Namikaze and Sakumo Hatake alone, because Minato Namikaze and Sakumo Hatake's fighting style was not the traditional ninja style at all.
Minato Namikaze and Sakumo Hatake were both ninjas who relied on their exceptional mobility to fight. Rather than being skilled in ninjutsu, they were not actually primarily focused on ninjutsu at their core.
Sakumo Hatake is proficient in chakra swordsmanship and is adept at using his lightning speed to wield his sword in combat.
As for Minato Namikaze, his primary ninjutsu is the Rasengan- less ninjutsu developed to complement his incredibly fast movement speed.
And the Rasengan.
It's less of a ninjutsu and more of a palm technique; you win by pushing your palm forward and striking.
The legendary Sannin would have a very difficult time fighting this type of ninja, because their extremely high speed and offensive capabilities inherently counter many of the relatively slower hand seal techniques.
At that time, none of the three legendary ninjas had yet mastered the series of secret techniques they would later acquire.
At that time Jiraiya didn't even know Sage Mode.
Back then, Jiraiya was unable to give his disciples the future they desired, so he humbly departed, never daring to face his disciples again.
But look, even Yahiko, who didn't have the Rinnegan, became at least an elite Jonin-level ninja at a very young age. Konan even developed her own Paper Release ninjutsu. All of this was Jiraiya result of the foundation that Jiraiya laid for them back then.
Jiraiya a very good educator, but he was... ruined by the words of the Great Toad Sage.
Otherwise, if he were to become Hokage, and not be burdened by the number of disciples he has, and not feel the need to be cautious about accepting disciples, they might very well change the world.
Jiraiya, who was willing to take in even three children from Hidden Rain Village, would definitely produce more outstanding disciples than the Third and Second Hokage, especially commoner disciples.
Jiraiya never knew that he was truly the best candidate for the Fourth Hokage.
Because of the Great Toad Sage's words, he felt that his disciple, Hui, was more deserving of the position than himself, and so he never considered himself again in his life.
Leaving aside Jiraiya's melancholy, just as the two were talking, a black figure suddenly appeared in front of Jiraiya.
Jiraiya actually learned about the Akatsuki quite early on. After all, Yahiko and the others had made the Akatsuki famous long ago, and Jiraiya had also heard about the Akatsuki's annihilation by Hanzō Akatsuki, which caused him great pain.
The reason why Jiraiya, an intelligence expert, still didn't understand the Akatsuki's situation even when he died in Shippuden.
It was precisely because he was investigating the Akatsuki that he kept deceiving himself to avoid the speculation and accusations against those three disciples.
But by the time he made up his mind to do it, he already had a sense of destiny that there was no going back.
That feeling was just like how he felt now, facing the person who had suddenly appeared before him.
Looking at the man's long robe with black background and red clouds, and his orange-yellow hair.
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes.
"It's been a long time, Yahiko, but you... shouldn't you be dead?"
"This is a puppet, isn't it? So, is the one standing in front of me Nagato, or Konan?"
"Ah, Jiraiya- sensei, it's been a long time."
Especially after Danzo and Hanzō joined forces to kill Yahiko, we... never saw him again.
As for my identity, I am Nagato. Please forgive me for not appearing in my true identity. I just want you to see Yahiko one more time.
Especially since you came with... with him!
This is truly... unbelievable!