Minato spent the entire night telling Jiraiya about everything that had happened during his trip to Amegakure.
"Sensei, overall, I felt that Nagato wasn't the kind of person who was utterly evil."
A bandage was wrapped around Jiraiya's shoulder. His somber gaze rested on the ripples in his teacup.
"Actually, I realized it only afterward. When Pain attacked me, he held back time and again. But... he had opportunities to tell me the reasons behind all this without resorting to violence."
"Yet he attacked me without a word. Did he truly believe, deep down, that his teacher was someone incapable of reason?"
Jiraiya's expression turned somewhat bitter.
After all, the one who had hurt him was the student in whom he had placed such high hopes.
"Sensei, have some hot tea first." Minato refilled Jiraiya's cup with hot water.
"Thank you." Jiraiya held the cup and took small sips.
Minato rested his cheek on one hand, his calm eyes carrying a trace of contemplation.
"About what you just mentioned, I have a vague guess."
"Hm?" Jiraiya raised his eyes. "What do you mean?"
With a hint of wariness, Minato said, "When I first approached the tower where Nagato was staying, I vaguely sensed a dark, ominous chakra lingering at his side!"
"But when I drew near, that chakra vanished in an instant. If it wasn't my imagination, then that suddenly disappearing presence possessed space-time abilities no weaker than mine."
Jiraiya quietly tightened his grip on the teacup. "You mean Nagato attacked me because of that person of unknown origin?"
Minato nodded. "That possibility can't be ruled out."
This possible truth brought Jiraiya a measure of comfort. He drained the tea in his cup and sighed. "I never imagined... things would become even more complicated."
Minato smiled. "That's true. But without