Chiba's Plea

"Report! Lord Chiyo, the Third Kazekage has lost an arm, and the Konoha Sannin are leading thousands of troops this way. Should we retreat?" A Sunagakure ninja, covered in blood, struggled to reach Chiyo.

Even though Chiyo was consumed by rage, she still had to consider the future of Sunagakure, so she regretfully chose to abandon her attempt to kill Sakumo Hatake.

"Just you wait, White Fang of the Leaf! One day, I will kill you to appease the spirits of my children!" Chiyo gritted her teeth, retracted the Chikamatsu Ten Puppets, and ordered a retreat.

"I'll be waiting," Sakumo Hatake replied calmly as he sheathed his White Fang.

The next day, after the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, learned that the Third Kazekage had lost an arm, he immediately ordered the Konoha forces to launch an all-out assault on Sunagakure. With their morale shattered, the Sunagakure forces were pushed back step by step. Three months later, the Second Shinobi World War finally came to an end.

One week after the end of the Second Shinobi World War.

In the Konoha command tent, Sakumo Hatake smiled after receiving intelligence from the village.

"The Third Hokage has already signed a peace treaty with the Kazekage. We can prepare to return to Konoha tomorrow." Sakumo Hatake let out a long sigh of relief; he had certainly made a name for himself during the Second Shinobi World War.

Night.

Inside the Sannin's tent.

"Master Jiraiya, I would like to ask you for a favor," Uchiha Chiba said solemnly.

"What is it, Chiba? Just say it. There's no need to be so formal between us. We've been together for so long, and Tsunade and I both treat you like our own younger brother," Jiraiya laughed.

Ever since Kato Dan died, Tsunade's Lucky Necklace had been passed to Uchiha Chiba. In truth, Uchiha Chiba had initially refused—after all, whoever held that necklace ended up dead—but he later reasoned that since he was the protagonist of this book, he accepted it.

"I would like to ask you to go to the Land of Rain to mentor three children. One of them possesses the Rinnegan, the legendary eyes of the Sage of Six Paths. I suspect it relates to your own mission, Master. However, please do not tell them that I am still alive. I am not yet sure if Danzo has any hidden cards, and I dare not expose my weaknesses so clearly," Uchiha Chiba bowed.

Amegakure, a village shrouded in a fine curtain of rain year-round, was gloomy and mysterious. Following Chiba's introduction, Jiraiya heard of three gifted orphans there—Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan. His love for talent and his search for the Child of Prophecy drove him to step onto this land alone.

"Chiba, that child... he shares a bit of fate with them, doesn't he?" Jiraiya lowered his conical hat.

At that time, Amegakure was dilapidated under the shadow of war, with sorrow and despair permeating every street and alley. Jiraiya moved through the rain, his keen perception fully extended as he searched for the presence of the three children. Finally, in a corner of the ruins, he found them. They hadn't been living well since Chiba left.

Nagato was thin but had a firm gaze; Yahiko was optimistic, cheerful, and full of vitality; Konan was quiet and reserved, her eyes revealing a hint of stubbornness. Jiraiya looked at the three children before him, a sense of pity and expectation welling up in his heart. He stepped forward with a kind smile, despite the rain drenching his face.

"What are your names?" Jiraiya asked softly.

Nagato looked up, watching Jiraiya warily without speaking. Yahiko stepped forward and said loudly, "My name is Yahiko, this is Nagato, and that's Konan. Who are you? What are you doing here? Big Brother Chiba is already dead; you've come to the wrong place..."

Jiraiya squatted down to look them in the eye and said slowly, "My name is Jiraiya, and I am a ninja. I heard about you during my travels and felt you had great potential. I want to take you as my students, teach you ninjutsu, and give you the ability to change your own fate—and perhaps even change this world."

The three children looked at each other. A flicker of interest appeared in Nagato's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by suspicion. Having survived in this cruel world for so long, they were inevitably wary of a stranger's kindness.

At this moment, Konan suddenly spoke. Her face was full of indifference, and not a trace of the vitality expected at her age could be seen in her eyes. Her pleasant voice rang out: "If I learn ninjutsu, can I bring Brother Chiba back to life?"

Jiraiya saw through Konan's mental state.

He feared that if this little girl knew Chiba was still alive, she would stop at nothing to find him.

"Perhaps... that is something only a god could do. However..."

Jiraiya stood up, performed a series of hand seals, and chanted under his breath. Instantly, the rainwater gathered around him, forming several lifelike small animals that danced and played before them. This magical scene left the two children, excluding Konan, wide-eyed with wonder; they hadn't seen Chiba perform much ninjutsu, after all.

"This is only a small part of ninjutsu. I can teach you more powerful techniques so you won't be bullied anymore and can protect those around you," Jiraiya struck while the iron was hot.

Yahiko was the first to lose his composure. He had originally intended to ask Chiba to be his master that day, but... sighing, Yahiko said excitedly, "Really? You can really teach us? Does that mean we can be like those powerful ninjas? Does that mean we can avenge Big Brother Chiba!"

Nagato pondered for a moment before finally speaking: "Why choose us? We are just homeless orphans. Aside from Brother Chiba, I don't trust anyone else..."

Jiraiya looked into Nagato's eyes and said earnestly, "Because I see a special power in you—a power that could change the future. Besides, I don't want to see geniuses like you buried in this chaotic world. I believe your Brother Chiba would feel the same; he certainly wouldn't want you to remain so despondent."

Under Jiraiya's patient persuasion and the allure of his magical ninjutsu, the three children gradually lowered their guard. They followed Jiraiya to a relatively safe, abandoned shack. Jiraiya began teaching them the basics of being a ninja, from the most fundamental chakra refinement to simple taijutsu movements.

Nagato displayed astonishing talent in learning ninjutsu, his perception and control of chakra far exceeding that of an ordinary person. Yahiko showed a keen interest and good aptitude for taijutsu, diligently practicing every movement. Although Konan remained cold, she had unique insights into the understanding of genjutsu.

As time passed, the bond between Jiraiya and the three children grew deeper, yet the children still prioritized avenging Chiba above all else, especially Konan.

Jiraiya not only taught them ninjutsu but also told them stories of the wonders of the outside world, teaching them about friendship, conviction, and justice. On a night when the rain had stopped, moonlight spilled onto their makeshift training ground.

Jiraiya stood in the center and said to the three children, "You must remember, being a ninja is not just about pursuing power; it is about having a heart that protects. The pain and suffering we experience will become the cornerstone of our growth, used to build a better future."

Nagato and Yahiko listened quietly, their hearts swelling with longing for the future and reverence for Jiraiya. However, good times are always fleeting. The situation in Amegakure grew increasingly tense, and the clouds of war loomed once more.

As for Konan, her mind was filled only with how to kill Hanzo the Salamander and how to resurrect Chiba. She was already sick—sick to the point that she would shed tears whenever she thought of him. Yahiko had once asked her why she was like this, but she only shook her head silently.

Her heart...

Perhaps it had long since belonged to Chiba.

Jiraiya knew well that he could not stay with them forever; he had his own mission and responsibilities. One morning, he looked at the three children who had made significant progress, his heart filled with gratification and reluctance.

"I must leave. You have made great progress over these three years, children. But I believe you have learned enough to face the challenges of the future. Remember, no matter what difficulties you encounter, never abandon your convictions." Jiraiya's voice was a bit hoarse. In the blink of an eye, three years had passed; he wondered how the village was doing.

Nagato's eyes were full of reluctance, but he nodded firmly: "Master, we will work hard. We won't let you down."

Yahiko shouted loudly: "Master, once we become stronger, we will definitely come to find you!"

Konan silently handed over a folded paper flower; it was something she had crafted using her own ability. Jiraiya took the paper flower, tucked it into his robes, turned, and stepped into the curtain of rain.

The three children watched Jiraiya's departing back, silently making a vow in their hearts to carve out a world of their own in these chaotic times and not fail their master's expectations. Jiraiya, carrying his concern and hopes for them, as well as his reflections on Chiba, naturally continued on his own journey. What he did not know was what kind of thrilling foreshadowing this parting would lay for the future of the ninja world...