Hearing this question, a fleeting sadness flashed across Itachi's eyes.
The sadness was so light that one could almost think it was just an ordinary blink of an eye.
If Sasuke and Sharingan hadn't been staring at him, it would have been impossible to capture that momentary fluctuation.
Then, he moved.
He didn't speak, he just walked slowly, and the sound of his footsteps echoed in the silent hall, one after another, not hurriedly nor slowly.
"Tap... tap... tap..."
But as the steps became faster and faster, the figures became clearer and clearer.
A figure was running barefoot through the narrow passage.
Jiraiya.
His breathing was slightly rapid, but his steps were not messy at all. Each step was accurately stepped between the gravel and soil, making almost no unnecessary sound.
On his shoulders, two small Toad squatted on the left and right, it was Sage Shima and Sage Fukasaku.
"What's going on? Little Jiraiya."
Sage Shima spoke with a puzzled look on his face, a hint of confusion in his voice.
"Why are we running?"
"We are analyzing the situation now."
Jiraiya answered while running, his tone was urgent but clear.
"That...Yahiko's ability is far more complicated than I expected.
I need some time to organize my thoughts, now it's just a matter of buying some time."
He paused and added another sentence.
"To be honest, even if I speculate that Yahiko took away Nagato's eyes, I don't think so many people can possess Rinnegan at the same time. This is unreasonable."
Hearing this, Sage Fukasaku spoke, his voice calm and thoughtful.
"Little Jiraiya, I have been observing just now."
"Those guys who were repelled by us, although they all have the same eyes, their abilities are completely different.
One person can use Summoning Jutsu, and another person can absorb our Chakra... This is not something that the same pair of eyes can do."
"So-"
Sage Fukasaku's voice deepened.
"They can't be the real Rinnegan holders."
Jiraiya nodded slightly while running, with a vague arc at the corner of his mouth.
"So, is there a possibility..."
He paused, as if trying to formulate his words.
Before he spoke, Sage Fukasaku had already thought of that possibility, with a hint of solemnity in his voice.
"Could it be-"
"Hmm."
Jiraiya's voice lowered.
"Rinnegan's power was divided into six parts."
The tunnel was quiet for a moment, only the sound of footsteps echoed.
Sage Shima was the first to react and suddenly realized.
"I see! In that case, everyone may be a puppet controlled by Yahiko?"
"Maybe..."
Jiraiya Having said that, his eyes are gradually becoming complicated.
Because he knew that there was another possibility that he didn't dare to think about, but he had to think about it.
That is--Yahiko is dead.
The one who really controls these Six Paths of Pain is the boy who owns Rinnegan - Nagato.
But no matter which outcome it was, it made him, who had been their teacher, feel deeply sad.
He learned that his three disciples were still alive, but they had become the leader of Akatsuki.
But probably one of them... has died in this cruel ninja game.
His footsteps still did not stop, and the sadness disappeared in an instant.
After a moment, he shook his head and temporarily suppressed those emotions in his heart.
"Two immortals."
Jiraiya's voice became calm and firm again.
"I need you to prepare some magic tricks."
Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima looked at him at the same time, neither of them asked any questions, they just nodded at the same time.
"Leave it to us, little Jiraiya."
Sage Fukasaku's voice is calm.
"You don't want to die."
Jiraiya grinned and moved a little faster.
"That's natural."
(Well, I need to sort out my thoughts. I will just drink a little water today and try to make up for it tomorrow.)