Senju Haruto's decision left Jiraiya stunned, and even the senior Konoha advisors—Koharu and Homura—objected fiercely.
In their eyes, the Third Hokage had only just passed away, and at such a crucial time, the Land of Fire desperately needed the new Hokage to stabilize morale. How could the Hokage abandon the village now?
And if the Akatsuki's headquarters truly was in the Hidden Rain Village, wouldn't this trip be nothing short of a death sentence?
But knowing Haruto's personality, when had he ever listened to others' attempts to restrain him? Especially since his "sign-in assistant" had already issued the mission. This time, he had no choice but to go.
Still, Haruto didn't rush into Amegakure. He waited a few days in Konoha.
On one hand, it was to arrange Sarutobi Hiruzen's funeral, and to officially assume his position as the Fifth Hokage, easing the hearts of the people.
On the other, it was to ensure nothing happened to Naruto and his team. If, by some cruel twist of fate, Naruto was captured by Akatsuki, then rescuing him would have to take precedence.
But on that point, Haruto's worry proved unnecessary.
The very day after Haruto formally became Hokage, Yamato and the others completed their mission and returned to the village. Not only had they successfully rescued Gaara, they had also defeated Sasori of the Red Sand—and even brought back his human puppet.
That had been Temari's suggestion. After all, Kankurō was a puppet master himself. Handing Sasori's human puppet to him would greatly strengthen his abilities.
Only after tying up these loose ends did Haruto summon Jiraiya.
After all, this infiltration of Amegakure was to gather intelligence on Akatsuki—and for Haruto, to complete his "sign-in." A larger party would only draw unnecessary attention.
At the same time, Haruto informed Koharu and Homura: if they truly couldn't set aside their worries about him and Jiraiya, they could always send for Tsunade. Should something happen to him, she could take over as the Sixth Hokage.
But deep down, Haruto felt confident this operation would not go awry.
The reason Jiraiya had lost his life in Amegakure, in Haruto's view, was largely due to lack of critical intelligence.
If not for lingering doubts about whether Nagato was truly absent from the Six Paths of Pain, Jiraiya would have been more than capable of retreating safely.
But Haruto already possessed full knowledge of Akatsuki's inner workings.
He knew that while Pain acted as the leader in name, Nagato pulled the strings in secret. Behind Nagato was Uchiha Obito. Behind Obito was Uchiha Madara. And behind even Madara lurked Black Zetsu.
"Damn, when you put it like that, Akatsuki really is just a stack of nesting dolls," Haruto couldn't help but mutter in his heart.
Suppressing his thoughts, he concealed his departure and slipped away together with Jiraiya, infiltrating the Hidden Rain Village.
"Looks like we got in successfully," Jiraiya murmured as he leapt down from the mouth of a toad, scanning the surroundings. Setting foot in Amegakure again stirred deep emotions in him.
"If I remember right, you came here during the Second Great Ninja War, didn't you?" Haruto asked as he followed close behind, stepping out from the toad's mouth. The endless rainfall drenched the land before them.
In truth, the ceaseless rain over Amegakure was Nagato's doing—a sensory technique designed to monitor the village and detect intruders.
So although they spoke of "sneaking in," the instant their bodies touched the rain, Nagato already knew they had arrived.
But Haruto didn't mind. He wasn't here primarily to collect intelligence. He was here to complete his sign-in.
At worst, a fight would break out. So what?
The Rinnegan? Who didn't have one these days?
"Yes," Jiraiya nodded, his eyes distant as memories surfaced. He recounted his experiences during the Second Shinobi War.
It was then, alongside Orochimaru and Tsunade, that he earned Hanzō the Salamander's recognition—and with it, the title of the "Three Legendary Sannin of Konoha."
And when leaving, he had discovered three orphans of the war, whom he took in as disciples, living with them for a time in Amegakure.
That period, Jiraiya said, had been one of the happiest in his life.
"This is the cruelty of war—especially for small nations like Amegakure. They have no power to influence the greater conflict, only to endure its flames, and the betrayal of the great nations."
"If I could, I would wish for true peace to come to the shinobi world."
As he spoke, Jiraiya reached into his robe and pulled out a small scroll. With a summoning technique, he produced two rain cloaks, handing one to Haruto.
Because of his wandering lifestyle, always traveling for research and material, Jiraiya habitually carried a wide range of supplies.
Haruto accepted the cloak without hesitation and slipped it on.
"Let's go. When it comes to gathering information, nothing beats a tavern," Jiraiya said with a wave of his hand once Haruto was ready.
No matter how powerful Haruto was, Jiraiya felt that in intelligence work, his own experience was far greater.
"And besides—on a night like this, nothing beats a good drink," Jiraiya added, miming the act of pouring sake, his expression lighthearted.
Haruto nodded slightly, quickening his pace to follow. Fine, let Jiraiya lead the way; they might as well enjoy a drink and taste the local food.
After all, Haruto already knew Jiraiya's entire journey in Amegakure. There was no need to rush.
Besides, they'd already been discovered the moment they entered the village.
Even if they didn't seek out Nagato, Nagato would send the Six Paths of Pain to confront them sooner or later.
So better to let things unfold naturally.
Meanwhile, atop the high tower in the Hidden Rain Village, Pain stood as always, overlooking the downpour that endlessly washed his village.
"Pain."
From the corner shadows of the chamber, Konan stepped forward.
"Yes. I've already sensed them," Pain replied before she could speak. He knew what she was going to say.
Their former teacher, Jiraiya, had infiltrated Amegakure.
No doubt he had already guessed the ties between Akatsuki and the Rain Village.
"Just a pair of rats slipping in," Pain said, turning as if to go personally confront him.
But Konan stepped forward, halting his movement.
"No," she said softly, shaking her head. "Leave this to me. You need to preserve your strength—for capturing the Nine-Tails."
By now, Akatsuki had secured every tailed beast but the Nine-Tails.
Their grand plan was but one step from completion.
The Nine-Tails was not only the strongest of the beasts, but Naruto had grown adept at harnessing its power. He had even been the one to defeat Sasori of the Red Sand.
Nagato's body was weak, and the use of the Rinnegan placed a heavy toll on him. To Konan, it was better if she drove Jiraiya away herself.
But as she departed, Pain murmured under his breath, "Konan… you're the one underestimating Jiraiya-sensei."
He understood her intentions, but from Nagato's perspective, one thing was clear: Jiraiya's strength was immense.
Konan alone would not be able to stop him.
"Six Paths of Pain," Nagato intoned, his voice low and grim, summoning every Path to his side.
Together, they advanced toward Jiraiya's location.
...
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