The drawing room of the mansion.
"Yahiko" knelt on the main seat, and Konan stood behind him. Both of them wore black robes with red clouds, and the candlelight cast swaying shadows on their faces.
Jiraiya is sitting on the other side of the coffee table.
When he saw that familiar face and those purple eyes, his throat still felt slightly tight.
"Teacher Jiraiya, thank you for coming this time." Yahiko stood up with a gentle smile on his face.
"Yahiko..." Jiraiya opened his mouth, and in the end his words turned into a sigh, "How have you been doing these past few years?"
"It's okay." Yahiko motioned him to sit down, "At least we are all still alive."
Konan poured three cups of tea and said nothing.
Jiraiya sat down, but didn't know where to start.
Finally, "Yahiko" broke the silence first.
"Teacher, do you have many questions?"
"Yes." Jiraiya did not deny it, "But before asking, I want to say sorry first."
"Sorry?"
"After teaching you Ninjutsu for three years, I left Land of Rain." Jiraiya's voice was a little deep, "I have been traveling and writing books these years, but I have never come back to see you."
He raised his head, his eyes full of guilt.
"If I came back to see you earlier, maybe you wouldn't have to walk so hard."
Konan's hand tightened slightly.
"Yahiko" smiled.
"Teacher, you don't have to blame yourself." He said, "You have taught us the most important thing - how to survive in troubled times and how to protect the people you want to protect."
"We have indeed worked very hard these years." Konan spoke in a very soft voice, "We formed Akatsuki and want to change Land of Rain in our own way."
"No one believed us at first." Yahiko took over, "They said we were lunatics, and that three brats trying to change the world was just nonsense."
"But we didn't give up."
"We went to promote our ideas in one village and persuaded each person one by one."
"We help displaced refugees, treat injured children, and rebuild homes destroyed by war."
"Slowly, more and more people joined us."
Jiraiya listened quietly, his eyes a little red.
"Later, Hanzo of the Salamander noticed us." Yahiko's voice became heavy, "He thought Akatsuki threatened his rule, so he set a trap to get rid of us."
"We suffered heavy losses in the last battle." Konan said, "Many of our companions died in that ambush."
Jiraiya's fists were clenched.
"But we won in the end." Yahiko said, "We endured the humiliation, accumulated strength, and finally overthrew the rule of Hanzo of the Salamander not long ago."
"Now Land of Rain is finally in the hands of those who truly want peace."
Jiraiya took a deep breath and said sincerely, "Congratulations."
Although the process was tortuous and although a huge price was paid, at least his three disciples realized their dreams.
"But-" Jiraiya changed the subject, "Even if Hanzo of the Salamander dies, the road ahead for you is still not easy."
"The geographical location of Land of Rain is too special. It is sandwiched between several big countries. No one wants to let this place fall into the hands of hostile forces."
"You showed your close relationship with Konoha at the banquet today. Although it can deter some forces, it will also attract more covetousness and calculations."
"I understand, teacher." Yahiko nodded, "But if you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight. This is the reality we must face."
"Instead of passively waiting to be annexed, it is better to actively choose an ally."
"And Konoha, is the best choice."
Jiraiya He did not refute, because he knew that Yahiko was right.
"Teacher." Konan said, "We will not forget our original intention, so that the people of Land of Rain will no longer suffer from war and oppression."
"This is our promise to you."
Jiraiya looked at them, the guilt in his eyes was gradually replaced by relief.
Those children back then have really grown up now.
He picked up the tea cup and drank it in one gulp.
"Okay!" Jiraiya laughed loudly, "Since you have said so, I won't say anything more."
"If you encounter any unsolvable difficulties in the future, you can send me a message."
"If I can help, I will definitely help."
"Thank you, teacher." Yahiko and Konan said in unison.
The atmosphere finally became a little more relaxed.
But the biggest question in Jiraiya's heart still hasn't been asked.
He looked at Yahiko's face and those purple Rinnegan, and his throat seemed to be blocked by something.
If asked, what would be the answer?
Did Yahiko take away Nagato's eyes for power?
Or did Nagato die and give his eyes to Yahiko before he died?
No matter which one it is, Jiraiya feels that it is too cruel to say it at this time.
But he must know.
"Yahiko." Jiraiya finally spoke, with a trembling voice, "Can I ask you a question?"
"You said."
"Nagato..." Jiraiya took a deep breath, "Nagato How is he?"
The secret room was quiet for a few seconds.
Konan glanced at "Yahiko" with a slight smile in the corner of his eyes.
"Yahiko" also laughed.
I saw his face suddenly change rapidly, and soon he looked like Nagato himself.
"Teacher." The face spoke, and the voice became familiar yet unfamiliar, "I am Nagato."
Jiraiya was completely frozen.
"This body is a puppet we made." Nagato explained, "In order to quickly stabilize the situation of Land of Rain, we have to let the leader of Akatsuki appear in everyone's eyes in this way."
"Puppet..." Jiraiya murmured.
"Yahiko was seriously injured in the final battle with Hanzo of the Salamander." Konan added, "Although he is barely out of danger now, he is still recovering from his injuries and it is not convenient to show up."
"But now Land of Rain's situation cannot be delayed, so we can only use this method to quickly make Yahiko's image appear in front of the public. This can not only stabilize people's hearts, but also hide the true situation of Yahiko's injury."
Jiraiya After hearing this explanation, my mind was in confusion.
Puppet?
Does the owner of Rinnegan control the puppet remotely?
How can Rinnegan still play like this?
And he really didn't realize that the Nagato in front of him was a puppet!
This technical content is too high!
But at least...
At least all three of them are still alive.
Jiraiya The stone that had been weighing on my heart for a day finally fell to the ground.
The outcome he feared most did not appear.
It was not Yahiko who took away Nagato's eyes, nor was it Nagato who gave his eyes to Yahiko before his death.
They are all still alive.
This is particularly good!
"Hahahaha!"
Jiraiya suddenly laughed, and the laughter echoed in the secret room.
Nagato and Konan looked at each other, both confused.
"Teacher, you..."
"I'm happy!" Jiraiya stood up and patted Nagato on the shoulder, "You are all still alive, and this is more important than anything else!"
His eyes were a little moist.
"When I saw your eyes on Yahiko's face, I thought of countless possibilities."
"Some of them may scare me so much that I almost dare not come to see you."
"But now, I can finally feel relieved."
"Teacher, I'm sorry for making you worry."
"It's okay, it's okay." Jiraiya wiped the corners of his eyes, "As long as you are good, it will be fine."
He sat down again, finally showing a long-lost smile on his face.
"By the way, where is Yahiko recovering from his injuries now? Is the injury serious?"
"The place is very safe." Konan said, "The injury has stabilized and will heal in a while."
"That's good." Jiraiya nodded, "When he recovers from his injury, you must let me see him."
"Teacher who knows how to do it."
The few of them chatted for a while until the night got darker.
Jiraiya finally stood up and left.
"Teacher, walk slowly." Nagato restored the face of "Yahiko".
"Do a good job." Jiraiya patted him on the shoulder, "Land of Rain people and the future of this country depend on you."
When Jiraiya returned to the east courtyard, Senju Chen was still awake.
He sat by the window and stared at the rain.
Hearing footsteps, he turned his head.
"Lord Jiraiya, how was the chat?"
"Very good." Jiraiya smiled, "It's much better than I imagined."
Senju Chen saw the relieved expression on Jiraiya's face and understood.
"That's good." Senju Chen said, "You can have a good sleep now."
After Jiraiya left, Senju Chen looked out the window again.
Land of Rain's game of chess has come to this point.
Next, it depends on Shinobi World the reactions of various countries.