An unexpected reunion.
Sasuke had never imagined that he would encounter both Naruto and Jiraiya here.
More importantly, it was Jiraiya's appearance that truly unsettled him.
He was no longer the inexperienced genin who had left Konoha months ago. Although only half a year had passed, Orochimaru had not merely taught him ninjutsu he had also forced Sasuke to understand the shinobi world in all its complexity.
Among the legendary figures who had dominated the world for decades, Jiraiya of the Sannin stood near the very top.
Sasuke knew exactly what that title represented.
At his current level, he was absolutely no match for Jiraiya.
For the first time since the battle began, the thought of retreat surfaced in Sasuke's mind.
His pride remained intact, but he was no longer reckless.
He now understood when to fight…
And when retreat was the wiser choice.
"Sasuke!"
Unlike Sasuke, whose attention was focused almost entirely on Jiraiya, Naruto's eyes contained only one person.
After nearly six months apart, finally seeing Sasuke again caused countless emotions to surge through his heart.
Whether it was Menma…
Or Sasuke…
Both were irreplaceable companions.
No…
They were brothers.
Naruto was still the same Naruto.
He might become discouraged after suffering setbacks.
He might lose confidence for a while.
But he always managed to stand back up.
Just as he had once declared
Even if he had to break Sasuke's arms and legs…
Even if he had to drag Menma back by force…
He would bring both of them home.
Now that fate had allowed him to meet Sasuke again, the excitement in his heart was impossible to suppress.
So this is Orochimaru's Cursed Seal…
Such sinister chakra…
Standing atop Gamabunta's head, Jiraiya quietly observed Sasuke.
His brows furrowed slightly.
The sinister chakra surrounding Sasuke felt incomparably ominous.
Unlike Naruto, whose concern was purely emotional, Jiraiya viewed Sasuke through another lens entirely.
Orochimaru.
His former teammate.
His closest friend.
The person he had once tried desperately to save.
Years ago, Jiraiya had believed Orochimaru could still return to Konoha.
He had chased him…
Pleaded with him…
Refused to abandon hope.
But as Orochimaru descended deeper into darkness, Jiraiya gradually accepted reality.
The man he once knew was gone.
Only memories remained.
Seeing Sasuke now…
It felt as though history itself were repeating.
"Lord Jiraiya."
Ryōma, who had only narrowly escaped death moments earlier, finally let out a long breath.
After receiving no objection from Gamabunta, he leapt onto the giant toad's head despite his serious injuries and respectfully bowed.
Although he belonged to Root…
He was first and foremost a shinobi of Konohagakure.
Within Konoha, Jiraiya's prestige remained extraordinary.
Aside from figures such as Tsunade, Danzō, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane, nearly every Konoha shinobi treated one of the Legendary Sannin with the utmost respect.
Not to mention
Jiraiya had just saved his life.
Jiraiya nodded.
"So it's you, Ryōma."
"Move back and receive treatment."
"I'll handle things here."
As a veteran shinobi of the same generation, Jiraiya naturally recognized Aburame Ryōma.
Even without intelligence reports, Ryōma's chakra signature and voice were enough for him to identify the Root captain immediately.
"Yes, Lord Jiraiya."
Ryōma respectfully acknowledged the order.
Just as he turned to leave
Jiraiya spoke again.
"After this is over, I have a few questions."
"Don't worry."
"They won't concern Danzō."
Ryōma paused briefly.
After a moment's silence, he answered calmly.
"…Understood."
Only then did he withdraw to the rear, where the remaining Root shinobi began treating his injuries.
After Ryōma departed, Naruto could no longer restrain himself.
Stepping to the front of Gamabunta's head, he shouted toward the opposite side.
"Sasuke!"
He wanted to say countless things.
Questions.
Complaints.
Anger.
Concern.
But when the moment finally arrived…
None of those words came out.
Sometimes silence conveyed more than language ever could.
Even Sasuke's heart trembled ever so slightly.
Although Menma's existence had altered countless events compared to the original course of history…
Some bonds had remained unchanged.
Naruto…
Was still Naruto.
And the connection between the two of them remained just as complicated as ever.
Like Hashirama Senju…
And Madara Uchiha.
Like Ashura…
And Indra.
The reincarnated chakra of two brothers destined to oppose one another across generations.
"Six months have passed…"
Sasuke looked at Naruto with complete indifference.
"Yet you're still exactly the same."
His voice was calm.
Cold.
"Naive."
"Ignorant."
"And hopelessly foolish."
His crimson Sharingan shifted slightly.
"Compared to Menma…"
"I sometimes wonder whether the two of you are truly brothers."
There was no trace of teasing in his words.
Only contempt.
Naruto's expression stiffened.
His heart felt as though someone had squeezed it tightly.
Jiraiya calmly stepped forward.
"Uchiha Sasuke."
"It's not too late."
"You haven't committed crimes that can no longer be forgiven."
"Return to Konoha."
"Stop walking Orochimaru's path."
"I can personally guarantee that as long as you come back now, everything that has happened can still be resolved."
Jiraiya's tone carried absolute confidence.
He was not making empty promises.
His position within Konoha gave his words considerable weight.
Although Tsunade was now the Fifth Hokage and the village's administration remained constrained by Danzō, Homura, and Koharu, she still possessed the authority to decide matters concerning Sasuke.
More importantly
If both Jiraiya and Naruto stood behind him…
Whether it was Sasuke…
Or even Menma…
There was still room for reconciliation.
Such was the privilege possessed by those at the pinnacle of Konoha.
"Heh…"
Sasuke laughed quietly.
"Return?"
His lips curled into a cold sneer.
"How ridiculous."
He was about to continue
When another voice interrupted him.
"So this is Konoha's famous way of solving problems?"
The clear voice echoed from the northeastern side of the battlefield.
"So long as someone returns obediently…"
"You simply pretend everything never happened?"
A crimson figure flashed across the battlefield with astonishing speed.
Everyone's attention shifted immediately.
"Menma?!"
Naruto's eyes widened.
"Menma!"
Unlike Naruto's joy, Sasuke's eyes narrowed sharply.
Even Jiraiya's expression became serious.
The newcomer landed lightly…
Directly atop Manda's enormous head.
His crimson cloak fluttered in the wind as he calmly surveyed everyone present.
Manda froze for a moment.
Then…
His golden pupils slowly shifted upward.
"…Brat."
His voice instantly became terrifyingly cold.
"Who gave you permission…"
"…to stand on my head?"
The giant serpent's enormous body began to coil violently.
Moments earlier, he had already been irritated by Gamabunta's appearance.
Now another human had stepped onto his head without permission.
To Manda
This was an unforgivable insult.
His massive body twisted violently.
The surrounding earth cracked beneath his movements.
His killing intent erupted without restraint.
Lord Manda had already made his decision.
Before anything else…
He would teach this insolent little brat exactly what happened to those who dared disrespect the ruler of Ryūchi Cave.