Divine Kingdom, God Child, Divine Officials

As Danzo led several squads of elite Root operatives toward the capital of the Land of Fire, Jiraiya entered the Land of Rivers and successfully met with the Sand Shinobi representative—Ebizo, an elder of Sunagakure.

Ebizo's hair had already turned gray. His snow-white eyebrows drooped from his brow ridges, and it even seemed difficult for him to open his eyes.

Yet Jiraiya did not lower his guard because of the kindly old man's appearance. The man before him had lived through the First Shinobi World War and belonged to the same generation as his teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

He had personally built Sunagakure's entire intelligence network. Even after retiring for decades, he still possessed an enormous web of covert connections throughout the Shinobi World, and he was one of its strongest puppet masters. His strength absolutely could not be underestimated.

The moment Jiraiya entered the meeting room, the Sand Shinobi guarding Ebizo tensed from head to toe. Their gazes fixed on the white-haired middle-aged man before them, while blades extended from the Scorpion Jade on their backs, ready to strike at any moment.

After all, the man standing before them was one of the legendary Sannin. How could they not be nervous?

Many of these shinobi had experienced the Second and Third Shinobi World Wars. They knew all too well how terrifying Lord Jiraiya's strength was. One careless move, and everyone present could lose their lives!

Ebizo, however, took the initiative to raise a hand and lightly press it through the air. "No need to be nervous, everyone."

He forced his eyes open and looked at the young man before him, at least from his perspective. Smiling, he said, "I believe Jiraiya-kun has come this time bearing Konoha's sincerity."

Jiraiya did not mind the vigilance around him. The Land of Fire