The Words End Here

Regarding that mysterious individual, everyone in Konoha who had made contact with him was now dead.

According to Anbu intelligence, after the Fourth Hokage repelled that guy, he had sought out Uchiha Sora.

The site of their fierce battle remained a dead zone to this day.

Jiraiya wanted to know who that person was, and Uchiha Sora was his only option.

Uchiha Sora offered a faint smile: "Information is the lifeblood of a ninja. Lord Jiraiya wouldn't be so naive as to think he'd get an answer just by asking, would he?"

Shisui's expression grew even more tense.

If a fight were to break out here...

The era when Shimura Danzō was active was too far removed from him, but Jiraiya was different.

The generation of ninjas to which Shisui belonged had all grown up listening to the legends of the Sannin!

Even a genius like Kakashi, who became an Anbu captain at such a young age, hadn't even had the courage to raise a hand against Orochimaru!

After a moment of silence.

Jiraiya smiled faintly: "What do you want?"

Uchiha Sora extended his palm: "Fifty million ryō."

"This intelligence is absolutely worth that price!"

"No problem."

Jiraiya didn't haggle at all, pulling a bankbook from his robes.

"There are thirty-seven million ryō in here. I will have someone deliver the rest to the Uchiha compound. How about that?"

To Jiraiya, Minato was not just a student; he was more like a son.

A son in whom he had placed great expectations.

Having died in such an unclear manner, he was desperate to know the truth; mere money was completely irrelevant to him.

Uchiha Sora took the bankbook and tucked it into his robes without checking it.

Jiraiya only acted unreliable around Naruto; he wouldn't pull any tricks at a time like this.

Of course, Uchiha Sora did not let his guard down; he would never entrust his own safety to the character of another.

"Madara Uchiha."

After accepting the money, Uchiha Sora spoke slowly.

Upon hearing this name, Jiraiya's pupils constricted sharply.

Just as Shisui had grown up listening to the legends of the Sannin, Jiraiya's generation had grown up listening to the legends of the Two Heroes of the Ninja World.

Hearing this name suddenly, Jiraiya's first instinct was to deny it.

"Impossible! That man died many years ago!"

"I also think it's impossible, but that is what he said." Uchiha Sora continued.

"He tried to recruit us under the identity of Madara Uchiha."

Jiraiya shook his head: "Uchiha Sora... although it might be a bit impolite to say this."

"But even you were able to repel him, which really doesn't match the Madara Uchiha in my memory."

Jiraiya had read the detailed Anbu report.

Rayquaza was strong, certainly, but its upper limit shouldn't exceed the Nine-Tails.

Who was Madara Uchiha?

He was a being who could command the Nine-Tails at will; how could he possibly be repelled by Rayquaza!

Uchiha Sora shook his head: "I don't know about that. I've also heard the legends of the Valley of the End. Perhaps Madara Uchiha was severely wounded in that battle and hasn't recovered to this day."

"Besides, before he fought me, he had already fought the Fourth Hokage once."

"Furthermore... he did indeed control the Nine-Tails, didn't he?"

"Aside from that guy, the only other person who could possibly do that would be Clan Leader Fugaku, but Clan Leader Fugaku has a perfect alibi. If you don't believe me, you can ask Shimura Danzō."

"No..."

"There is one more possibility."

Jiraiya's gaze was profound, fixed intently on Uchiha Sora.

"You seem to have forgotten one person who possesses the ability to command such a natural disaster... Sora-kun, can't you do that as well?"

Uchiha Sora smiled faintly: "I also have an alibi."

"When the Fourth Hokage was fighting that person, I was busy beating the hell out of Danzō."

Jiraiya fell silent for a moment, then shook his head helplessly.

"Based on my speculation, that person shouldn't be Madara Uchiha, but more likely his successor."

"Sora-kun, have there been any missing Uchiha members whose deaths were never confirmed in recent years?"

Uchiha Sora's pupils constricted slightly.

A ninja with this much experience could truly deduce the truth with just the slightest scrap of information.

"Regarding that... you'll have to ask Shimura Danzō."

Uchiha Sora began to pass the buck: "The possibility of our missing clansmen falling into that guy's hands is much higher."

Jiraiya knew what had happened in the village, and felt a bit embarrassed at this moment.

The old man's old friend really did act in an underhanded way...

"About that matter... I am truly sorry."

"Sora-kun, regardless of the conflicts between the Uchiha and the village, that guy is an enemy to both of us. You don't disagree with that, do you?"

Uchiha Sora nodded.

Uchiha Obito had already gone mad; he wouldn't consider the Uchiha as allies. In his eyes, everyone in the world was just an NPC.

Thinking this, he decided to cause some trouble for Uchiha Obito, lest he have the spare time to wreak havoc on the Uchiha clan.

He spoke up.

"He said he was going to take us to the Land of Water; that might be his base of operations."

"I've told you everything I know. I've lived up to the price you paid."

Jiraiya narrowed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"That is indeed very valuable information..."

Looking at the two of them, Jiraiya pondered for a while before saying: "Before Minato left, he still believed the Uchiha were our comrades."

"Sora-kun... if..."

"If I were to succeed as Hokage and grant the Uchiha the status they deserve, would you be willing to return?"

This was not a wild boast from Jiraiya.

Given his status and position, the Hokage seat was something he could indeed attain if he truly wanted it.

Uchiha Sora met his gaze and smiled: "What the Uchiha wants, we will take for ourselves. We don't need your charity."

Jiraiya gave a wry smile and shook his head: "It's not charity... forget it, what a drag."

He braced his hands on his knees to stand up and spoke slowly.

"Hey, Sora-kun..."

His aura slowly began to diffuse, like a ferocious beast in the dead of night, causing even the flames to recoil.

"Let's consider the past settled... but if you dare to make a move against the village..."

"At that time, I will definitely kill you!"

The killing intent was not intense, but it was incredibly pure!

Uchiha Sora's expression remained unchanged as he said indifferently: "Get one thing straight."

"It was the village that betrayed us. Don't talk such boring nonsense from up on your high horse."

He stood up, the tomoe in his eyes spinning, a slightly crazed smile on his lips.

A chilling ocular power erupted, and the flames surged even higher.

"If you spout such nonsense again, I might just keep you here, Jiraiya!"

After a long while, Jiraiya sighed and dissipated his aura first.

"My apologies, I lost my composure."

"I still hope we can reconcile like our predecessors did. How difficult it was to build this village..."

He turned around, looking somewhat dejected.

"I will go to the Land of Water. If I find anything, I will share the information with you."

Watching his retreating back, Uchiha Sora couldn't help but speak up.

"Jiraiya, you've got the priorities wrong."

"Hmm?"

Uchiha Sora knew that what he was about to say would be detrimental to the overall situation.

But he was not a creature devoid of emotion.

The Fourth Hokage and his wife were among the few who were kind to the Uchiha, and Uchiha Sora had also received their grace.

For the sake of his clan, Uchiha Sora had chosen not to help the Fourth, but he did not want their child to repeat the same mistakes.

He did not wish for that child to suffer the same treatment he had endured in his previous life.

He knew all too well that the taste of such a life was bitter.

"Compared to the Fourth who is already dead, or Orochimaru who has defected..."

"If you truly have the heart for it, you should be protecting the Fourth's child better."

Jiraiya's footsteps faltered.

"Thanks for the reminder... The old man will take good care of Naruto, and I will also go back to check on him often."

Watching Jiraiya walk away, disgust rose in Uchiha Sora's eyes.

Words end here...

If Naruto still ends up suffering that kind of fate, then don't blame me for leading him onto the right path!