Kirigakure, the former site of the Mizukage Building.
For hospitality, no.
In order to appease the visiting delegation led by the Hokage, the previously abandoned office building was reopened.
In the spacious second-floor conference room, the Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumi, sat at the head of the table, with Ao and a member of the Uchiha Clan's Anbu standing straight behind her as bodyguards.
Mei Terumi, the Fifth Hokage, also a woman, leaned back in her chair with an air of superiority. Kakashi and Might Guy stood behind her, their expressions showing a hint of wariness.
The remaining Konoha genin Genin all waiting on the first floor, protected by Hyuga Hiashi and the other three Anbu who had survived the previous day.
Tsunade glanced at the most prominent building outside the window. " Mizukage, why don't you take us to see that building?"
Mei Terumi rested her elbows on the table, her fingers interlaced, supporting her chin. "That's where Kirigakure's secrets and hidden treasures are stored."
"This is a highly confidential location, off-limits to ninjas from other countries."
Tsunade lip, remaining noncommittal, and asked in a softer voice, "But I see so many Kirigakure Ninja freely entering and leaving the building. Doesn't your village have any concerns that spies from other factions might have infiltrated among them?"
The towering building, inside the Uchiha Clan.
Since Kirigakure opened its borders, it seems that none of the spies who entered Kirigakure have had any information about these two locations.
Mei Terumi paused, "I trust the village's ninjas; none of them would betray their own secrets."
"He's only going in and out frequently because he's learning Ninjutsu inside; after all, all the Ninjutsu in our village are open to the public."
This far-fetched explanation is so weak that Mei Terumi herself doesn't seem to have any confidence in it, let alone Tsunade believing it.
This is also Haruma's fault. Even though he knew the Hokage's main force had entered the village, he wasn't willing to let the village ninjas have a few days of peace. He just kept coming and going in front of everyone.
However, remembering her boss's money-grubbing nature, Mei Terumi could only shake her head helplessly.
Taking a day off means losing a significant amount of task funds...
I anticipated that guy wouldn't stop to make a show of it.
Since it's all in their own territory, if anything goes wrong, it'll be Haruma, the boss, who'll be the one with the headaches.
Thinking of this, Mei Terumi's expression lightened considerably.
"Uncle Hyuga, where did that Pervy Sage go?"
Naruto looked up at Hiashi and asked softly.
Hiashi shook his head. "I don't know. Perhaps you can ask the Lord Hokage later."
After saying that, Hiashi's body tensed up slightly.
After all, this place is that guy's stronghold.
Having followed Tsunade all the way to Kirigakure, he hadn't had a chance to slip away and send out information.
This is what Hiashi is worried about – whether it will arouse Haruma's suspicion.
" Naruto, Lord Jiraiya disappears."
Shikamaru leaned closer and whispered, "If they've gone to gather intelligence, don't let the Kirigakure Ninja notice your big mouth."
Naruto pursed his lips upon hearing this.
He glanced cautiously at the two Kirigakure Anbu standing at the door before replying in a low voice, "I'm just worried that Pervy Sage might sneak into Kirigakure's bathhouse to peep. It would be truly embarrassing if Kirigakure found out!"
Shikamaru: "..."
Even the Hiashi listening in twitched his lips.
So even Naruto, as Jiraiya's disciple, views Jiraiya this way...
The title "The Lustful Immortal" is truly well-deserved.
The Summoning World, Mount Myōboku.
Jiraiya, whom Naruto was talking about, was at Fukasaku's Toad house, looking after a sleeping girl.
Yesterday, after reuniting with Kirigakure, they joined forces to withstand the aftershocks of that great battle.
Jiraiya then sent the Rock Lodging Toad, to dive into the deep sea to investigate and find out who the enemy was in the battle against Six Paths of Pain.
According to the description given by the Rock Lodging Toad, the battle was already over when they arrived.
The only gain was a suspected official member of the Akatsuki brought back from the deep sea.
After receiving the news last night, Jiraiya immediately split up with Tsunade into two groups.
Despite the suspicious nature of Kirigakure, the girl who survived that great battle must know quite a bit of information!
Looking at the girl lying on the bed, Jiraiya's expression was quite complicated.
Short, light purple hair, a serene and approachable face, and that rather familiar red-cloud-patterned black robe uniform.
" Konan, you're still as beautiful as ever."
The girl opened her eyes, her gaze filled with indifference. " Jiraiya- sensei, it's been a long time."
Yesterday, Konan Nan only suffered minor injuries. She was taken back to the Summoning World by the Rock Lodging Toad and woke up after sleeping all night.
Looking at his once most gentle disciple, Jiraiya felt a pang of sadness.
"I heard back then that the three of you died at Hanzō's hands..."
"It seems the news was all fake."
The three of them from back then... Konan felt a slight pang of pain in her heart.
"Now that things have come to this, what brings you to appear before me?"
Although it was unpleasant, Jiraiya now wanted to know more about the Akatsuki and that mysterious person!
"What about Nagato and Yahiko?"
"They must also be members of Akatsuki, or perhaps the so-called gods..."
Even Konan is a member of Akatsuki, so the Yahiko she met back then might not have been an imposter!
However, why Yahiko possessed Nagato's Rinnegan remained a mystery to Jiraiya.
" Yahiko... Nagato..."
A deathly glint flashed in Konan's eyes as she recalled the two of them again, and two clear tears silently slid down her cheeks.
Although he was unaware of their deaths, Jiraiya seemed to realize something from Konan's expression.
"Is that so..."
Jiraiya lowered his head, sighed softly, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly left the room.
Given Konan's current state, it's definitely not advisable to continue asking questions.
Sitting alone on the steps outside, Jiraiya had already decided to return to Kirigakure first and wait for Konan to calm down before asking her questions.
"It's Obito, Obito Uchiha."
"The person who killed Nagato is also the current mastermind behind the Akatsuki."
Konan's cool voice came from inside the door.
Jiraiya's body stiffened. He didn't go back inside, but sat outside and softly confirmed, " Minato's student, Obito, who disappeared during the Fourth Shinobi World War?"
"Yes, it's him."
"I have seen his face with my own eyes and verified his spacetime Dōjutsu."
Minato's disciple is the mastermind behind everything...
Her previous demeanor and Konan's calm tone didn't seem like acting at all.
Jiraiya rubbed his brows, his expression complex and weary.
"Creak,"
Konan pushed open the door and came out.
Looking down at the teacher who had once taught the three of them, Konan recounted everything about the Masked Man's appearance.
He lacked the means to control the organization, and also lacked the ability to kill his enemies on his own.
Perhaps if Konoha and the other ninja villages joined forces, they might actually be able to send that guy to hell!