Minamoto Takuya's Will

Time slowly passed.

Jiraiya's burly body trembled slightly, as though he were bearing an enormous weight.

With his eyes closed, visions flashed through his mind: the cold, rainy days in the Land of Rain, and three children struggling to survive amid the flames of war.

The cheerful and confident Yahiko, the gentle yet strong Konan, and... Nagato, who possessed the legendary eyes yet whose gaze was filled with pain and confusion.

"The Child of Prophecy... the Child of Prophecy who was meant to bring change to the world... how did it become this..."

Jiraiya's voice was hoarse, laden with deep guilt and unbearable disbelief.

"Nagato... Yahiko and Konan... what exactly did they go through?"

After a long while, he suddenly opened his eyes. The confusion in those eyes, which had weathered countless storms, had been replaced by profound sorrow and resolve.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his turbulent emotions. Looking at Minato Namikaze, his voice became steadier, though it carried a heavy exhaustion.

"Minato, let me see what they look like..."

Minato Namikaze nodded without hesitation. He pulled a scroll from beneath the desk and formed hand seals with both hands to release its seal.

A cloud of white smoke dispersed, and several lifelike, precisely drawn portraits spread across the tabletop.

These were the portraits of the Pain Six Paths that he had drawn immediately after the battle, especially Deva Path Pain, with his orange hair, cold expression, and black with red clouds robe.

"Sensei, please look." Minato pointed at Deva Path Pain's portrait.

"This is the leader of the six and their spokesman, someone who claims to be your disciple.

During battle, the six shared vision and coordinated flawlessly. They completely lacked the physiological weaknesses of living people, and..."

Jiraiya's gaze locked onto the orange-haired young man's