Regarding the matter of Killer B, the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki, Senju Haruto chose not to pursue Kisame and Itachi. Instead, he led Kakashi and the others back to the village, instructing Kakashi to take Sasuke straight to the hospital. Sakura eagerly volunteered to stay by Sasuke's side.
Only Uchiha Izumi returned to the Foundation, her heart heavy.
"When I officially become the Fifth Hokage, I'll convene a Three-Kage Summit," Haruto said to himself. "If the Tsuchikage and the Raikage are willing to surrender, it will save us a lot of trouble."
He paused, his tone darkening.
"But with their personalities… that won't be easy."
The current Raikage was Darui. Despite his seemingly laid-back demeanor, Haruto knew him to be strong-willed. Even when facing powerful enemies like Kinkaku and Ginkaku, Darui had never faltered.
As for the Tsuchikage, it was still Ōnoki. Though he looked like an ordinary, frail old man who constantly complained about his bad back, in battle he was ferocious. During the Fourth Great Ninja War, Ōnoki had been one of the Five Kage's main powerhouses against Madara. Even at moments when the Allied Shinobi Forces were pushed into despair, Ōnoki had always found the strength to rise again.
Still… Haruto's planned "Three-Kage Summit" was nothing like the Five-Kage Summit known from the history of the shinobi world.
If anything, it was closer to an ambush banquet—a Hōmon-en.
If the Tsuchikage and Raikage refused to attend, Haruto would have justification to strike at them directly. And if they did agree to come? Why would he let them return alive?
Without their leaders, their villages' power would plummet.
As Haruto was mapping out his next steps, the sound of knocking came again at the door to the Hokage's office.
"Come in."
Leaning back in his chair, Haruto gave the reply in a calm voice. He remembered how not long ago, he had stood on the other side of this very door, waiting for Hiruzen Sarutobi's permission to enter. Now the roles were reversed—and he found he rather liked the feeling.
The door swung open, revealing a familiar figure: long, flowing white hair, a massive scroll strapped to his back.
It was none other than Jiraiya of the Legendary Sannin.
"Jiraiya," Haruto greeted him.
Now that he was the Fifth Hokage, he no longer addressed Jiraiya with formal honorifics.
Ever since Naruto had returned from his training at Mount Myōboku, Jiraiya had been back in the village. During Orochimaru's attack on Konoha, he had played a key role in repelling the serpents' invasion. And while Haruto had been away in the Valley of Clouds and Lightning, Jiraiya had helped oversee matters in the Land of Fire.
"So, you've finally become Hokage," Jiraiya said with a faint smile. Though he still carried grief from the death of his teacher, Hiruzen, he couldn't help but feel a swell of pride seeing Haruto grow into the role.
"This position… I think it suits you better," Haruto replied. Then, after a short pause, he added sincerely, "If you'd accept it, I'd prefer you take on the role of Hokage."
He meant it, but deep down he knew Jiraiya's answer already.
"I have no interest in being Hokage," Jiraiya said, shaking his head—exactly as Haruto had expected.
But almost immediately, Jiraiya's smile faded. He hadn't come just to reminisce—he was here on serious business.
"What's wrong?" Haruto asked.
"It's about the Akatsuki," Jiraiya said gravely.
Haruto leaned forward slightly.
Despite his playful, easygoing exterior, Jiraiya had always been investigating the Akatsuki from the shadows. From the intelligence he had gathered, many jinchūriki had already fallen into the organization's hands. And just recently, he had learned from Kakashi that during Haruto's mission in the Valley of Clouds and Lightning, they had not prevented Akatsuki from capturing Killer B.
The Eight-Tails had now been claimed by them.
Though Jiraiya's time with Naruto had been short, the bond they had formed ran deep. Knowing that Naruto was the Akatsuki's ultimate target filled him with dread.
Based on his investigations, Jiraiya suspected the Akatsuki's base was hidden in the border region where the Lands of Earth, Wind, and Fire converged: Amegakure.
A war-torn village, used as a buffer zone in countless conflicts. For the great nations, Amegakure was always collateral damage. But in times of peace, it became a place no one paid any mind to—a perfect hiding spot.
"That's why I plan to infiltrate Amegakure myself, to gather information," Jiraiya said firmly.
As the new Hokage, Haruto was the first person he reported this to.
But his words caught Haruto off guard.
Haruto had thought that his very presence in this altered world, with all the butterfly effects it caused, might prevent Jiraiya from taking such a dangerous risk.
"I'm the only one who can do this quietly," Jiraiya insisted, noticing Haruto's hesitation. "You're thinking someone else could go in my place. But no—no one else can pull it off like I can."
"Even if I forbid you, you'll still go, won't you?" Haruto asked softly.
In his eyes, Jiraiya's life had always been painted in tragic, noble strokes. The saying came to mind: The wandering dragon must one day return to the sea, though the sea will not welcome Jiraiya. That sentiment, Haruto felt, defined him completely.
From what Haruto knew of the man, even if he tried to stop him, Jiraiya would still go to Amegakure to uncover the truth.
But Haruto also knew the danger. The Six Paths of Pain were monstrously powerful, and without prior knowledge of their secrets, Jiraiya's chances of surviving were slim.
Just then, the familiar chime of his system echoed in his mind:
Sign-In Task: Travel to Amegakure!
Complete the sign-in to receive rewards!
"A sign-in… at Amegakure?" Haruto froze for a second, then quickly understood.
Though just a small village, Amegakure carried immense weight in the shinobi world. It was where Jiraiya's tragic end had taken place, where Konan had unleashed her six hundred billion paper bombs. A location steeped in history—it made sense that the system had marked it.
"I understand," Haruto said finally.
Jiraiya breathed out in relief. He hadn't wanted to lie to Haruto or sneak away behind his back.
But what Jiraiya never expected—was Haruto suddenly straightening in his chair, slamming both hands down on the desk, and declaring with fierce conviction:
"If it's somewhere we must go, then we'll go together, Jiraiya!"
"What… what did you say?" Jiraiya froze in shock.
"You're coming with me?"
"Yes," Haruto replied without hesitation. "Naruto isn't only your student—he's like a younger brother to me. The Akatsuki are after him. How could I sit back and do nothing? Besides, they already hold eight of the tailed beasts. With your strength alone, the risk would be too great."