Regarding the masked man—
Everyone in Konoha who had directly engaged him was dead.
According to Anbu intelligence, after being driven back by the Fourth Hokage, the man had sought out Uchiha Sora.
The battlefield from their clash remained a scorched wasteland to this day.
If Jiraiya wanted answers, Sora was his only source.
…
Sora smiled faintly.
"Information is a shinobi's life, Jiraiya-sama. Surely you're not naïve enough to think I'd simply answer because you asked."
Shisui's tension spiked.
If this turned into a fight—
Danzō Shimura belonged to an older era. Jiraiya was different.
Shisui's generation had grown up on the legends of the Sannin.
Even Kakashi—an Anbu captain at a young age—had not dared to challenge Orochimaru.
Silence lingered.
Then Jiraiya smiled calmly.
"What do you want?"
Sora raised a hand.
"Fifty million ryō."
"This information is worth it."
"No problem."
Jiraiya did not bargain in the slightest. He pulled out a bankbook from his robes.
"There's thirty-seven million in here. I'll have the remaining amount delivered to the Uchiha settlement."
"For you?"
"Money means nothing."
To Jiraiya, Minato Namikaze had not merely been a student.
He had been like a son.
A son he had placed great hopes upon.
To die without clarity—
That was unbearable.
Sora accepted the bankbook without even checking it and slipped it into his robe.
Jiraiya might act unserious around Naruto Uzumaki—but not in matters like this.
Even so, Sora did not lower his guard. He would never entrust his safety to another's character.
…
"Uchiha Madara."
After pocketing the money, Sora spoke evenly.
Jiraiya's pupils contracted.
Just as Shisui grew up on tales of the Sannin, Jiraiya's generation grew up on the legends of the two titans—Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha.
His first instinct was denial.
"Impossible! He died decades ago!"
"I think so too," Sora replied calmly. "But that's what he claimed."
"He tried to recruit us in Madara's name."
…
Jiraiya shook his head.
"Sora… forgive the bluntness."
"But even you managed to repel him."
"That doesn't align with the Madara I know."
He had read the full Anbu report.
Rayquaza was powerful—but its upper limit would not exceed Kurama.
And Madara?
Madara could command Kurama at will.
How could he be driven back?
Sora shrugged.
"I don't know."
"I've heard the legend of the Valley of the End."
"Perhaps he was gravely injured there and never fully recovered."
"And before fighting me, he had already battled the Fourth Hokage."
"And besides…"
"He did control the Nine-Tails, didn't he?"
"The only ones capable of that are him—or perhaps Clan Head Fugaku."
"But Fugaku has a perfect alibi."
"If you doubt it, ask Danzō Shimura."
"…No."
"There is another possibility."
Jiraiya's gaze sharpened as he stared at Sora.
"You seem to have forgotten something."
"The ability to command that kind of calamity…"
"Sora-kun. Don't you possess something similar?"
Sora smiled.
"I have an alibi too."
"When the Fourth Hokage fought him, I was beating Danzō senseless."
…
Jiraiya fell silent.
Then he sighed.
"Based on my judgment… that man is unlikely to be Madara himself."
"More likely—Madara's successor."
"Sora-kun… has the Uchiha clan had any missing members in recent years whose deaths were unconfirmed?"
Sora's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.
Veterans like Jiraiya were terrifying.
Give them a fragment, and they could approach the truth.
"For that…"
"You'll have to ask Danzō Shimura."
Sora deflected smoothly.
"If any of our missing clan members fell into someone's hands, it's more likely they fell into his."
Jiraiya was aware of the internal scandal.
A flicker of discomfort crossed his face.
The old man's old friend had indeed crossed lines.
"…About that matter."
"I am sorry."
"Sora-kun. Whatever grievances exist between the Uchiha and the village—"
"That man is an enemy to both of us."
"You don't disagree, do you?"
Sora nodded.
Obito Uchiha had long since lost himself.
To him, the entire world was NPCs in a script.
Sora considered for a moment.
Better to send trouble in that direction—keep Obito too busy to target the Uchiha.
"He mentioned taking us to the Land of Water."
"That may be his base."
"That's everything I know."
"Worth the price."
Jiraiya inhaled deeply.
"…It is valuable."
…
After a moment of thought, Jiraiya spoke again.
"Before he died, Minato still considered the Uchiha comrades."
"Sora-kun…"
"If…"
"If I inherit the Hokage's mantle—and grant the Uchiha their rightful status…"
"Would you return?"
This was not idle talk.
Given his standing, if Jiraiya desired the position of Hokage, it was attainable.
Sora met his gaze and smiled.
"The Uchiha take what they want."
"We don't accept charity."
Jiraiya chuckled bitterly.
"It's not charity… ah, troublesome."
He stood, bracing his hands on his knees.
"Sora-kun…"
His presence expanded slowly.
Like a beast emerging from the dark.
Even the flames seemed to recoil.
"I'll let the past slide."
"But if you ever raise your hand against the village—"
"I will kill you."
The killing intent was not overwhelming.
But it was pure.
Unwavering.
Sora's expression did not change.
"Understand something."
"The village betrayed us."
"Don't preach from above."
He rose to his feet.
Three tomoe spun in his eyes.
A faintly manic smile touched his lips.
The oppressive force of his dōjutsu surged, feeding the fire.
"Say one more arrogant word—"
"And I'll leave you here, Jiraiya."
…
…
After a long pause, Jiraiya exhaled and withdrew his aura first.
"Apologies. I overstepped."
"I still hope for reconciliation, like our predecessors."
"Building a village was not easy…"
He turned away, somewhat weary.
"I'll go to the Land of Water."
"If I uncover anything, I'll share the intelligence."
Watching his retreating figure, Sora called out.
"You've missed the point, Jiraiya."
…
"Hm?"
Sora knew his next words did not benefit the Uchiha politically.
But he was not without feeling.
The Fourth Hokage and Kushina had been among the few in Konoha who treated the Uchiha kindly.
Sora had received their goodwill.
He had chosen not to aid Minato—for the sake of the clan.
But he did not want their son to repeat his own fate.
He knew that loneliness too well.
"It's not Orochimaru who defected."
"It's not the Fourth Hokage who died."
"If you truly care—"
"Protect the Fourth Hokage's child."
Jiraiya's steps halted.
…
"…Thank you."
"The old man will look after Naruto."
"I'll return often myself."
As Jiraiya disappeared into the forest, disgust flickered in Sora's eyes.
That was all he would say.
If Naruto still suffered—
Then Sora would not hesitate to guide him onto a different path.