After a spatial shift and a brief moment of disorientation, Jiraiya came to his senses and quickly got to his feet, on guard.
This was a dense forest. Towering trees blocked out the sunlight, and many wild beasts and venomous insects were watching him with predatory eyes.
"Where am I? What did Orochimaru do?"
"Little Jiraiya, you must have been transported here by Space-Time Ninjutsu."
The two Toad Sages still perched on Jiraiya's shoulders reminded him.
Space-Time Ninjutsu? Was it the Flying Thunder God?
Jiraiya immediately thought of the technique created by the Second Hokage and inherited and perfected by his student, Minato Namikaze.
Damn it! He'd been so close again! Jiraiya angrily punched the tree beside him, startling a flock of birds.
After composing himself, Jiraiya quickly left the forest.
But as soon as he emerged, he saw the massive Kage Rock in the distance and realized where he was. He was in Konoha!
It seemed Orochimaru had somehow mastered the Flying Thunder God and even left a Flying Thunder God Formula inside the village.
Did that mean he could come and go from the village as he pleased?
At the thought, his expression darkened. He immediately left Sage Mode and headed for the Hokage Office in the village center.
As he walked along the bustling streets of Konoha, Jiraiya felt a rush of emotions.
Although the village had seen battles of all sizes in recent years, it was relatively peaceful inside its walls at the moment. At least, people still wore smiles on their faces.
It was nearly evening, and after dinner, people had come out with their families to stroll and shop.
For instance, up ahead, a woman with striking, flame-red hair and a black-haired woman as gentle as water were each holding the hand of a