A few minutes later, at the Konoha Gate.
Almost every one of Konoha's top fighters had arrived. But when they saw the so-called "enemy," they all drew a sharp breath, their eyes filled with bewilderment and disbelief.
Jiraiya!
One of Konoha's Sannin. But why?
Their minds went blank. None of them could understand why Jiraiya would do this.
The people from the other world were surprised to see him too, but they quickly regained their composure.
The reason was simple.
Jiraiya in their world had made the same choice, only to be killed by a single slap from Uchiha Jin.
And the person who found this hardest to bear was undoubtedly Minato No. 2.
Disbelief and confusion filled his eyes. He had seen fragments of his other self's memories and knew how thoroughly Mount Myōboku had misled his teacher, Jiraiya. But seeing it for himself still broke his heart.
"Teacher..."
"Why are you doing this?"
"Before anyone gets hurt, please stop. All right?"
"I..."
"I really don't want to kill you!"
Minato No. 2's expression was torn.
It was true.
He had killed countless enemies on the battlefield and earned the name Yellow Flash, but he had never been bloodthirsty.
He was especially gentle with his fellow Konoha villagers, treating them like family. That was how he had earned the nickname "Little Sun."
And Jiraiya was among the people he respected most.
That was why he had let Jiraiya spend so long away from Konoha, wandering wherever he pleased. Otherwise, Jiraiya's prolonged absence would have gotten him branded a Rogue Ninja long ago.
That was why.
He had sincerely hoped Jiraiya would stay out of all this. He would have preferred him to keep wandering, because he knew Jiraiya's faith in Mount Myōboku would lead to disaster sooner or later...