Jiraiya's Travel Group

Looking at the lecherous man he hadn't seen in a long time, Genye was somewhat surprised: "Lord Jiraiya, is there something you need from me?"

"Hmm." Jiraiya nodded slightly, then said with a serious expression: "Genye, would you like to leave the village for a while and travel the ninja world with me?"

Jiraiya had returned to the village this time specifically for Genye's sake.

Having been living it up in the Land of Hot Water, he had been struck with awe upon hearing the news that Genye had beaten the Nine-Tails to a pulp.

Needless to say, he had misjudged the boy before; this kid was definitely the Child of Prophecy, or else he'd stand on his head and drink flower wine!

However, upon returning to Konoha, Jiraiya heard many negative rumors aimed at Genye, and he realized that someone was targeting the child.

To prevent the Child of Prophecy from being dragged into power struggles and walking down a path of no return, Jiraiya decided to personally act as Genye's guide.

(The Child of Prophecy will bring unprecedented stability to the ninja world, or total destruction.)

"I'm willing!" Faced with Jiraiya's proposal, Genye answered without a second thought.

(ÒωÓױ)! Nani?!

Jiraiya was completely stunned. He had been racking his brains trying to figure out how to persuade Genye, never expecting the boy to agree so readily.

"Hehe." Seeing Jiraiya's shocked expression, Genye smiled without saying a word.

Being able to travel the ninja world with Jiraiya was a temptation no fan of Naruto could ever refuse!

...Well, except for the female fans.

"Lord Jiraiya, when shall we set off?" Genye asked, unable to contain his impatience.

"Let's wait a few days." Jiraiya snapped out of his daze, ruffled Genye's hair, and said with a smile: "I need to check in with the Third first."

The following few days passed.

Genye told his friends in advance that he would be going away on a journey.

However, to avoid unnecessary trouble, the time of their departure was kept secret.

On the day of departure, only Kakashi came to the village gate to see Genye off.

Since the kid was now a member of the Anbu directly under Minato, it was only natural that he knew the time of his departure.

"Genye, Teacher Minato said that when you return to the village, you can consider joining his direct Anbu squad."

"Alright, I understand. I'll consider it," Genye replied with a smile.

Not only Danzo, but now even Minato was starting to recruit him; it seemed this blondie also had thoughts of vying for power with the Third.

"Oh, right, one more thing," Kakashi said "casually," as if he had suddenly remembered something.

"If Lord Jiraiya writes a new book, remember to send it back to the village immediately. Obito is making a huge fuss about wanting to read it."

"Tsk tsk." Genye scrutinized Kakashi with a meaningful look, making Kakashi feel a bit guilty.

Could it be that Genye had seen through him?

Impossible, absolutely impossible!

Given the reputation he and Obito had in the village, no one would ever suspect that he was pinning this on Obito!

"Alright, there's nothing else. Hurry up and go, don't keep Lord Jiraiya waiting too long."

Unable to handle Genye's probing gaze, Kakashi hurriedly pushed Genye to urge him to leave.

"Alright, alright, stop pushing me, I'm going."

Genye was pushed all the way out of the Konoha gates by Kakashi. He rolled his eyes in silence, then quickened his pace to catch up with Jiraiya, who was ahead.

Walking side by side with Jiraiya, Genye asked with a grin: "Lord Jiraiya, do you plan on looking for Lady Tsunade?"

Jiraiya scratched his head upon hearing this, looking bewildered: "Tsunade? Why would I go looking for her?"

"Tsk tsk, what a stubborn man."

Genye curled his lip, then said: "Lord Jiraiya, I've always wanted to visit the Land of Grass. How about we make the Land of Grass the first stop on our journey?"

If Genye remembered correctly, Karin and her mother were in the Land of Grass; he might as well try his luck while they were there.

"The Land of Grass?" Jiraiya pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Very well, let's take you to the Land of Grass to have a look first."

Land of Rain.

Uchiha Xia, accompanied by the Venus flytrap Zetsu, walked slowly into a pitch-black secret chamber, led by a purple-haired woman.

Deep within the chamber, a red-haired man, with most of his body encased in machinery and dense black rods protruding from his back, slowly opened his eyes.

The man looked extremely frail, whether or not it had anything to do with the purple-haired woman, but his soul-shaking eyes radiated an indescribable majesty.

Uchiha Xia cleared her throat and, mimicking Madara's voice, asked: "I was right before, wasn't I, Nagato?"

Nagato raised his head, his expression complex as he said: "Yes, I finally understand. In this cursed world, true peace does not exist."

"That is exactly right, Nagato." The Venus flytrap Zetsu revealed a sinister smile: "Congratulations on recognizing the truth of this world amidst your suffering."

"Then, join me, Nagato."

Uchiha Xia stepped past the purple-haired woman, walked up to Nagato, and looked up at him as he was suspended in the machinery.

"Together, we shall forge a brand new Akatsuki, and together, we shall bestow upon this world... eternal peace!"

"Very well." Nagato gave a slight nod, agreeing to Uchiha Xia's proposal, then added, "However, the leader of the Akatsuki organization is someone else."

As he spoke, Nagato's gaze drifted toward the distance, where a man with orange hair and ear piercings walked in, his expression devoid of emotion.

"The leader of the Akatsuki will always be you, Brother Yahiko!" Nagato said, his face filled with fanaticism.

Uchiha Xia: "..."

Is playing roleplay with your own puppet really that interesting?

Has the death of his companion hit him so hard that he's lost his mind?

"Alright, Zetsu, let's go."

With her goal achieved, Xia couldn't be bothered to waste words on a delusional tool, so she turned and left with Zetsu.

"By the way," after leaving the secret chamber, Xia looked at Zetsu beside her and asked, "do you have any recent intelligence on that Hyuga Genya?"

"I do," Black Zetsu hurriedly replied. "According to the White Zetsu, he left Konoha with Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, though their destination is unknown."

"However, judging by the direction they are traveling, it seems they are heading toward the Land of Grass," Black Zetsu added.

"Oh?" Uchiha Xia toyed with her mask, a look of intrigue appearing on her face. "Can you be more specific about the location? I'd like to go meet this Hyuga Genya myself."

"That might be difficult," Black Zetsu answered. "Both of them have senses that are far too sharp; the White Zetsu dare not get too close."

"Fine, I understand." Uchiha Xia nodded, filing the matter away in her mind.

The Land of Grass was not far from her base; once she had some free time, she might just take a trip over there.

"Hm?"

As Jiraiya and Xuanye traveled along, they passed through a village, and Jiraiya suddenly let out a soft sound of surprise, his expression turning puzzled.

"What is it, Lord Jiraiya?"

Xuanye took a couple of looks but didn't notice anything worth noting, so he took the initiative to ask.

"I've been to this village before," Jiraiya explained.

"Even during the war, it was quite lively, but now that the war is over, why has it become so desolate?"

"Now that you mention it, it is indeed strange." Xuanye looked at the village again and nodded in agreement.

It was mealtime, yet there were hardly any plumes of smoke rising from the village, and most of the houses were dilapidated, clearly having been vacant for a long time.

"Let's go, we'll go ask and see what exactly happened here."

Unable to suppress his curiosity as a novelist, Jiraiya patted Xuanye on the shoulder and headed toward the village first.

"Hey, alright then~"

Xuanye shrugged his shoulders and followed along, feeling quite indifferent.

"Old man, may I ask what has happened in the village recently? Why are so many houses suddenly empty?"

Entering the village, Jiraiya stopped an old man who was farming and asked the question weighing on his mind.

"You two... are you two ninja lords?!"

Upon seeing Jiraiya and Xuanye's attire, the old man dropped his hoe and excitedly grabbed Xuanye's hand to ask.

Xuanye: "???"

Uncle Jiraiya is the one who asked the question, why the hell are you grabbing me?

Jiraiya pondered for a moment and nodded in response, "Yes, we are ninja."

"Please, you two ninja lords, save us! If things go on like this, our village will be wiped out!"

Upon hearing this, the old man immediately knelt before them, kowtowing while wailing in grief.

Seeing this, Jiraiya became even more astonished. He helped the old man up and comforted him.

"Old man, please don't get so worked up. Can you tell us about the situation in the village first?"

Under Jiraiya's soothing, the old man regained some of his composure, though his clouded eyes were still filled with deep fear.

"You two lords don't know, but our village... is haunted!"