I tugged my torn collar up again.
Gravel crunched beneath my feet as I turned to look at Jiraiya.
"Old man, sandstorm or not, I've got a toll to collect first."
"That brat Nagato blew a huge hole in my noodle shop."
"If I don't make him pay through the nose, I sure as hell won't sleep tonight."
Jiraiya's lips were slightly blue. Leaning on his crutches, he sighed.
"You brat, even now, all you can think about is money."
"That's Nagato. Even badly wounded, he's not someone you can underestimate."
I didn't answer. I pulled the broken half of a Black Iron Rod from my pocket.
Darkened blood clung to the rod, and it felt deathly cold in my palm.
"Shikamaru, quit standing around. Give me your Compass."
I beckoned to Shikamaru, who was wiping away cold sweat nearby.
Shikamaru blinked, then slowly pulled a Brass Dial from his pocket.
"What do you want this for? It can't track anyone."
I snatched it from him and jabbed the broken Black Iron Rod hard against the needle.
"You don't know shit. This rod's connected to Nagato's chakra threads."
"As long as he's still breathing, the connection's as obvious as a wet trail."
I closed my eyes, sending the divine tree origin within me through my palm and into the rod.
A faint hum rang out.
The strange rings of grooves along the rod suddenly lit up with a dim purple glow.
The needle in the Brass Dial spun once, then locked firmly onto the northwest.
"See? There he is."
I grinned, showing a row of slightly yellow teeth.
"That cripple sure runs fast. He's almost at the Land of Fire's border already."
Tsunade hurried over and snatched the Brass Dial from me.
"This really tracks him? Nagato's in that direction?"