White Zetsu

"I didn't expect that in just over a year since we last met, Jiraiya, you've become so much stronger."

Hanzo, healed by Qingshui, said with a complex tone.

"That's because I have reliable companions."

This was Jiraiya's sincere thought.

Without Qingshui, he would have only been successfully delayed by Hanzo and defeated after exiting Sage Mode.

Although he, Jiraiya, was the main force in this battle, Qingshui's contribution could not be ignored.

"Yes, your Leaf Village always has an endless stream of geniuses. It's truly enviable."

Hearing Jiraiya's words, Hanzo looked at Qingshui with emotion.

If he had known the outcome would be like this, he wouldn't have given Qingshui and Mikoto a chance to stall for time in the first place.

But it was too late for regrets.

He, Hanzo, as a "Demigod," would not do anything to repay kindness with enmity.

"Hanzo, behind this incident, there must be a third party pulling the strings. I've never seen this Aonosuke you mentioned."

The two sides, who had been fighting fiercely moments ago, now sat together to communicate.

And regarding Jiraiya's words, Hanzo, who had been somewhat suspicious, now believed him.

Because in his opinion, if Jiraiya had really killed Aonosuke, there would be no need for Jiraiya to have Qingshui treat him.

In that situation just now, if Hanzo had been ignored, he would have certainly died.

"As I said earlier, I captured a Jonin who led the attack on us. Through interrogation, I learned they were acting under Aonosuke's orders."

"But before we could take any further action, that Jonin was killed before our eyes, and we didn't detect any trace of the enemy."

At this moment, Mikoto also understood that the Rain Ninja's actions earlier were not a conspiracy by Amegakure.

In fact, Amegakure was also a victim.

Poor Mikoto didn't know that the real target of this incident was actually herself.

Qingshui, who had already guessed the truth, thought silently.

"It seems there is indeed a force hidden within the Land of Rain that even I am unaware of."

Hanzo decided that upon returning to Amegakure, he would immediately launch an investigation into this mysterious force and eradicate it as soon as possible.

However, he was destined to be busy for nothing.

"Teacher Jiraiya has been gone for so long, even his Shadow Clone has dispelled on its own. I wonder how things are going."

Yahiko, unable to sit still, was anxious.

On one side was the teacher who taught him ninjutsu, and on the other was Hanzo, the "Demigod" he had idolized since childhood.

As a native of the Land of Rain, Yahiko knew clearly that it was precisely because of Hanzo's existence that the Land of Rain was no longer bullied by the great nations.

"Yahiko, I believe Teacher Jiraiya will be fine."

Seeing his anxiety, Konan spoke to comfort him.

Just then, there was a sudden knock on the door, followed by Jiraiya's voice.

"We're back, open the door."

Upon hearing this, everyone's worried and uneasy feelings instantly turned into excitement.

Yahiko was even more eager to open the door.

But he was stopped by Minato.

"No, that's not Teacher Jiraiya. There's only one person outside!"

Minato possessed sensory abilities and could sense the number of people outside the door.

Although he didn't know why the chakra of the person outside was identical to Teacher Jiraiya's, there was indeed only one person, not everyone as he claimed.

While stopping Yahiko, Minato also threw a Kunai with an Explosive Tag towards the door.

BOOM!

After the explosion, the door was blown apart.

But no corpse was found.

Just as everyone was cautiously investigating the situation outside the door, a scream suddenly rang out.

It was Sasaki Ayami!

Everyone turned to look and saw someone who looked exactly like Jiraiya emerging from underground and grabbing Ayami.

But for this person to do such a thing, it was obvious he wasn't the real Jiraiya.

"Damn it, let Ayami go quickly!"

Mukai Yuki roared and charged forward, only to be kicked flying by the Fake Jiraiya.

At the same time, Minato instantly appeared behind Fake Jiraiya, his kunai stabbing out rapidly.

However, to Minato's surprise, the strike he thought was sure to hit was dodged by Fake Jiraiya.

The opponent decisively let go of Sasaki Ayami, his body instantly sinking into the ground, his aura disappearing along with it. Minato's sensory techniques couldn't detect him.

"Everyone, quickly stand back-to-back."

Following Minato's words, everyone immediately complied.

This way, Fake Jiraiya could no longer launch surprise attacks as he had before and could only reveal himself in front of everyone.

"Who exactly are you?"

Minato questioned with a grave expression, while subtly taking down the Fuma Shuriken he had been carrying on his back, which Shadow Clone Qingshui had given him earlier.

"If you can tell me what it feels like to poop, I'll tell you."

Fake Jiraiya replied with a grin, his words causing everyone's expressions to freeze.

Swish!

Minato threw the Fuma Shuriken at Fake Jiraiya.

If it hit, it could easily sever a human body.

"It's useless."

As Fake Jiraiya spoke, he sidestepped and dodged the Fuma Shuriken.

Seeing this, Nagato prepared to act personally, confident that his opponent absolutely couldn't dodge Almighty Push.

However, in the next instant, he abandoned the idea of acting.

Because the Fuma Shuriken that Minato had thrown, after being dodged by Fake Jiraiya, had actually transformed into Qingshui.

Since he knew that Uchiha Madara was behind this incident, Qingshui naturally wouldn't be careless.

He had preemptively had a shadow clone transform into a Fuma Shuriken and give it to Minato, secretly protecting everyone.

His caution proved to be correct.

When Hanzo's side failed, White Zetsu would make a move on Minato's side.

Fake Jiraiya clearly hadn't anticipated this and was hit by Shadow Clone Qingshui's attack.

In this strike, Shadow Clone Qingshui held nothing back, killing the White Zetsu disguised as Jiraiya with a single blow.

"Huh? How did the Fuma Shuriken suddenly turn into Qingshui Big Brother?"

At this moment, Yahiko, who hadn't figured everything out yet, asked doubtfully. Minato immediately explained to him.

The moment he received the Fuma Shuriken just now, he noticed the weight was wrong, thus understanding Qingshui's plan.

"Wow, as expected of Qingshui Big Brother."

After understanding everything, Yahiko looked at Shadow Clone Qingshui with admiration.

Konan then proactively ran over and linked her arm with his.

At the same time, the White Zetsu killed by Qingshui also recovered its original appearance.

Looking at the white, short green-haired humanoid monster before him, Minato asked in confusion.

"What is this? Why is the Chakra the same even after transforming into Jiraiya-sensei?"

This is White Zetsu's transformation technique.

As long as it absorbs someone's Chakra, it can replicate the same Chakra, making it impossible to distinguish even by those closest to them or the most powerful sensory ninja.

Of course, Qingshui would definitely not reveal this information.

After all, he couldn't explain the source of his intelligence.

"Let's just wait for Lord Jiraiya to return first."

Meanwhile, Uchiha Madara also received the result of the failed test operation.

"Hirakawa Aosui..."