The gates of Konoha were within sight.
Jiraiya turned back and couldn’t help but smile. "How do you feel about coming back this time?"
"I want to get stronger! Next time, I’ll be more useful!"
Kurenai’s tone was resolute.
Kakashi remained silent.
He had experienced this kind of thing too many times.
As for his thoughts...
At the moment, he couldn’t quite put them into words.
What he felt were things he couldn’t say out loud, like—
He really wanted to find that person. Why had that person been so willing to die, yet later returned to Konoha alive?
Why hadn’t that person committed suicide?
Kakashi hadn’t seen that person in a long time.
Perhaps they had joined the ANBU, or maybe they had gone somewhere else.
As for other thoughts...
After some consideration, he said, "I need to get even stronger."
Jiraiya glanced at Kakashi, feeling both concerned and surprised.
Kakashi had changed a lot.
He no longer seemed like a lifeless tool but more like a normal person.
His previous mindset seemed to have shifted into a pursuit of power. What Kakashi truly thought, only he himself knew.
Jiraiya made a mental note.
Compared to Kyohiko, he felt Kakashi needed more attention right now.
After all, the things Kyohiko said and did, his understanding of the Will of Fire, was already profound for his age, almost unmatched.
If he didn’t know that Kyohiko was indeed a descendant of Senju Touka, he might have thought Kyohiko was a descendant of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
Jiraiya turned to Kyohiko.
"Nothing special, just a feeling of coming home."
He genuinely felt the joy of returning home.
The outside world was full of violence and killing, but at home, he could find peace and happiness, even if it was just lazing around. Unfortunately, such a life was hard to achieve in the ninja world.
After all, there were two ancient beings lurking in the shadows.
Kyohiko sighed inwardly.
Jiraiya laughed. "Let’s go home. I’ll treat you to a meal!"
"Ahem, barbecue is out of the question. Your teacher is broke right now. I made a bit of money this time, but not much... Once we exchange those two for some cash, I’ll treat you to a feast. For now, I’ll treat you to..."
Jiraiya coughed lightly.
With that, he led the way into Konoha.
"Tanaka, Tsuchihara."
"Lord Jiraiya, you’re finally back!"
The two gate guards immediately saluted.
When they saw Kyohiko and Kurenai, they greeted them warmly, but their attitude toward Kakashi was noticeably colder.
Jiraiya smiled. "Mission complete. Let’s get registered."
After the registration.
Jiraiya had planned to take them straight to Ichiraku Ramen.
Not long after entering the village, Jiraiya sighed.
"Looks like I won’t be able to join you for ramen. Tell Ichiraku to put it on my tab. If I don’t make it in time, go ahead and eat without me."
He knew that ANBU ninjas must have arrived, and Jiraiya had noticed them, hence the change of plans.
The three of them left.
Jiraiya also vanished in a shunshin.
After some small talk, bowls of ramen were soon placed in front of them.
Jiraiya reported the situation in the Land of Waves to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Hiruzen took a step forward, his face showing surprise.
"Are you sure about this?"
"All the information was gathered firsthand. It should be accurate. Mr. Matsuyama’s judgment also seems correct. Gato and the nobles of the Land of Water might be trying to control maritime trade."
Jiraiya spoke seriously.
From the Land of Water’s perspective, controlling maritime trade would make their business operations more convenient. They had the motive and the means to act, but Konoha...
"Jiraiya, do you think we should intervene and compete for the Land of Waves?"
Jiraiya also hesitated.
Hiruzen might not have provided him with the same meticulous guidance in training as he had for Orochimaru, but his influence on Jiraiya’s ideology was significant.
In the past, Jiraiya might have answered without hesitation that Konoha should not intervene.
Entering the Land of Waves could disrupt the peace between the Land of Fire and the Land of Water, potentially reigniting war.
But the words Kyohiko had spoken echoed in his mind.
They desired peace, but did Kirigakure?
The Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, the Hozuki Clan, and the recent intelligence from the Land of Water all indicated that Kirigakure was more aggressive than ever.
Would such a village truly seek peace?
Jiraiya found the idea laughable.
With that thought, his hesitation vanished.
"Teacher, leaving aside the Land of Waves, just considering the Land of Water and Kirigakure, I think we shouldn’t let them achieve their goals so easily. You must know more about Kirigakure’s current state than I do, right?"
As the Hokage, with control over the ANBU, Hiruzen surely had more information. Jiraiya didn’t believe his teacher was completely unaware.
Hiruzen remained silent.
He understood Jiraiya’s point.
At that moment, a cold snort came from outside.
Then, Danzo pushed the door open and entered. "Hiruzen, even Jiraiya understands this logic, yet you keep obstructing my efforts in the Land of Waves."
Hiruzen’s expression darkened. "Danzo!"
Jiraiya stayed silent.
While he agreed that inaction was wrong, he didn’t believe someone as radical as Danzo could make the right decisions.
Though he hadn’t yet figured out the best course of action, his ultimate goal was peace and preventing war from devastating the Land of Waves and its people.
If Danzo were to act, even if the Third Great Ninja War didn’t break out, the Land of Waves would surely suffer.
"What, are you still hesitating?"
"Enough! I am the Hokage! I’m discussing this with Jiraiya, not consulting you."
Hiruzen’s voice was stern and resolute.
Danzo’s face twisted with anger, but after a moment, he left in a huff.
"Hiruzen, you’ll regret this!"
Hiruzen took a deep breath, sat down, and took a puff from his pipe. Finally, he said, "Jiraiya, I’m surprised you’d say such things. I thought you understood me best."
"Teacher, I do understand, but Kirigakure is too ruthless. They won’t share our desire for peace. Dealing with such people requires a firmer approach."
As Jiraiya spoke, he himself was taken aback.
He hadn’t fully thought it through, but the words came out clearly.
Hiruzen held his pipe in one hand and rubbed his temples with the other.
"Even you think we should intervene in the Land of Waves?"
Hiruzen looked at him, puzzled.
Jiraiya scratched his head.
"I haven’t figured out the solution yet, but I feel that we need to recuperate now. Going to war with Kirigakure isn’t ideal."
Hiruzen was speechless.
Lately, this disciple of his had changed a lot.
Who had influenced him?
No, Tsunade had already left the village.
One by one, faces flashed through his mind, until one image settled.
The young genin who had earned praise from both Jiraiya and Tsunade.
Could that child really have such insight?
He was only seven, right?
He might be turning eight.
Hiruzen’s expression grew distant.
"Ah? Yes, Jiraiya, you make a good point. Let’s both think about what to do. I’ll also consider how to negotiate with Kirigakure. We’ll discuss this again in a few days, alright?"