Sun Slash, You Will Regret This!

The gates of Konoha were right before them.

Jiraiya turned back, unable to help but laugh: "Now that we're back, do you have any different thoughts?"

"I want to become stronger! Next time, I will be more useful!"

Kurenai Yuhi's tone was firm.

Kakashi remained silent.

He had experienced too many things like this.

As for thoughts...

For a moment, he really couldn't put them into words.

What he had were things that couldn't be spoken aloud, for instance—

He really wanted to find that person now; why was it that he had been so ready to face death, yet later returned to Konoha alive?

Why didn't that person dare to commit suicide?

However.

Kakashi hadn't seen that person for a long time.

Perhaps the other party had joined the Anbu, or perhaps gone somewhere else entirely.

As for the rest.

He thought for a moment and said: "I also want to become stronger."

Become stronger?

Jiraiya glanced at Kakashi, feeling a bit of worry in his heart, mixed with a touch of surprise.

The current Kakashi had changed a great deal.

He was no longer like he was before, resembling a lifeless tool; he was more like a normal person now.

However.

His previous state of mind seemed to have shifted into a pursuit of power. What Kakashi was truly thinking deep down, only he himself knew.

If he wasn't careful, who knew...

Jiraiya made a mental note of it.

Compared to Kyohiko, he felt that Kakashi needed more attention right now.

After all, the things that child said and did showed an understanding of the Will of Fire that was already incredibly profound, almost unmatched for his age.

If he didn't know for a fact that Kyohiko was a descendant of Tokah Senju, he would have almost thought Kyohiko was a descendant of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.

Jiraiya looked toward Kyohiko.

"And you?"

"Nothing special, just the feeling of coming home."

Kyohiko revealed a smile.

He wasn't acting.

He truly felt the joy of returning home.

Fighting and killing outside was nowhere near as peaceful and happy as being a couch potato at home, though unfortunately, such a thought was destined to be impossible to realize in the ninja world.

Who told him there were two old immortals watching from the shadows?

Kyohiko sighed inwardly.

Jiraiya laughed: "Let's go, home it is, my treat!"

"Barbecue?"

"Cough, cough, barbecue is out of the question. Your teacher is penniless right now. I earned a little this time, but not much... Once I trade those two for some money, I'll treat you all to a big feast. For now, I'll treat you to..."

Jiraiya gave a light cough and said.

As he spoke, he led the way forward, entering Konoha.

Reaching the gate.

"Haneda, Tsuchihara."

"Lord Jiraiya, you've finally returned!"

"Lord Jiraiya!"

The two gate guards immediately saluted.

Seeing Kyohiko and Kurenai Yuhi, they offered a friendly greeting, but when facing Kakashi, the two didn't have a very good attitude.

Jiraiya laughed: "Mission complete, register it."

"Yes!"

After the registration was finished.

Jiraiya had intended to take them straight to Ichiraku Ramen.

However.

Not long after entering the village gates, Jiraiya sighed.

"It seems I won't be able to join you for ramen. Tell Ichiraku to put it on my tab; if I don't make it in time, just go ahead and eat."

"Understood."

Kyohiko nodded.

He knew that Anbu ninjas must have arrived and been detected by Jiraiya, which was the reason for his sudden change of plans.

The three of them departed.

Jiraiya vanished with a Body Flicker technique as well.

Ichiraku Ramen.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, it wasn't long before a bowl of ramen was placed in front of each of them.

Hokage Office.

Jiraiya reported the situation in the Land of Waves to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped forward, a look of surprise appearing on his face.

"Are you certain of this?"

"Every piece of information was gathered by me personally, so it should be accurate. I also believe Mr. Matsuyama's assessment is quite sound; Gato and those nobles in the Land of Water likely intend to seize control of maritime shipping."

Jiraiya said with a serious expression.

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned.

The Land of Waves.

From the perspective of the Land of Water, controlling maritime shipping would certainly make their business operations more convenient. They had both the motive and the capability to act, but Konoha...

He hesitated.

"Teacher."

"Jiraiya, do you believe we should mobilize and fight for the Land of Waves?"

"I think..."

Jiraiya was equally hesitant and conflicted.

While Hiruzen Sarutobi might not have provided him with the same meticulous guidance in training as he had for Orochimaru, he had certainly exerted a significant influence on his ideology.

Peace.

In the past, he might have answered without hesitation that Konoha should not intervene.

Marching into the Land of Waves could cause the peace between the Land of Fire and the Land of Water to vanish, plunging them back into war.

However, the words Kyohiko had spoken echoed in his ears.

They desired peace, but did Kirigakure desire it?

The Seven Swords of Kirigakure, the Hozuki Clan, and the intelligence reports emerging from the Land of Water in recent years all indicated that Kirigakure was more extreme now than ever before.

Could such a crazed village possibly love peace?

Thinking of this, Jiraiya found the very notion laughable.

With that thought, his inner hesitation vanished.

"Teacher, setting aside the Land of Waves and focusing solely on the Land of Water and Kirigakure, I do not believe we should allow them to achieve their goals so easily. You should be more aware of the current state of Kirigakure than I am, shouldn't you?"

Jiraiya said.

As the one who commanded the Anbu, the Hokage surely possessed more information; he did not believe his teacher was ignorant of the situation.

Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent.

He already understood what Jiraiya meant.

"Hmph!"

At that moment, a cold snort came from outside.

Then, Danzo pushed the door open and entered: "Hiruzen, even Jiraiya understands this logic, yet you have obstructed me at every turn regarding my actions in the Land of Waves."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked displeased and said: "Danzo!"

Jiraiya did not interject.

Although he felt that sitting idly by was wrong, he did not believe that someone as radical as Danzo could make any correct decisions.

He had not yet decided exactly what should be done, but his ultimate goal remained peace—to stop the conflict, prevent the flames of war from affecting the Land of Waves, and keep the common people there from falling into misery.

If he let that man take action, even if the Third Shinobi World War didn't break out, there would be no good outcome for the Land of Waves.

"What is it? Are you still hesitating even now?"

"Enough! I am the Hokage! I am consulting with Jiraiya right now, not asking for your permission."

Hiruzen Sarutobi rebuked him sharply, his tone resolute.

Danzo's expression flickered between light and shadow; after a long moment, he left with a hateful snort.

"Hiruzen, you will regret this!"

After he left.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, sat down, and puffed on his pipe before finally saying, "Jiraiya, I am surprised you would say such things. I had assumed you were the one who understood me best."

"Sensei, I do understand, but Kirigakure is too insane. They will never comprehend our desire for peace. One cannot use a gentle approach when dealing with such people."

As Jiraiya spoke, he paused, stunned by his own words.

He hadn't thought it through beforehand, but suddenly, his thoughts had become crystal clear.

Hiruzen Sarutobi held his pipe with one hand and rubbed his brow with the other.

"Do you also believe we should enter the Land of Waves?"

"Not necessarily."

Jiraiya blurted out.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him in confusion.

Jiraiya was slightly taken aback, then scratched his head.

"I can't think of a solution at the moment, but I feel that we truly need to recuperate right now. Going to war with Kirigakure is not a good idea."

"..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was speechless for a moment.

Lately, this disciple of his had changed significantly.

Was he influenced by someone?

Tsunade?

No, that couldn't be it; Tsunade had already left the village.

Various figures flashed rapidly through his mind, until the final image locked into place.

Kyohiko Yoshimine!

That young genin whom both Jiraiya and Tsunade praised endlessly.

Could that child actually possess such a way of thinking?

He is only seven, right?

Oh.

Lately...

He might be turning eight soon.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression turned dazed.

"Sensei?"

"Ah? Yes, Jiraiya, what you say makes sense. How about this: let us both think carefully about what should be done. I will also consider how we should negotiate with Kirigakure. Shall we discuss this again in a few days?"

"Very well!"