Jiraiya walked out of the VIP reception room and gestured to Ōkami and Zō, the old ANBU acquaintances guarding the door.
"Let's move."
The two didn't ask questions, simply nodding and quickly following him down the hallway. After only a few steps, however, they realized he had changed direction.
They arrived in front of a brothel with a pink neon sign: Pink Memories.
"…"
Ōkami and Zō exchanged a look. They realized exactly what was happening but still hoped for a different answer.
"Hokage-sama, what's going on…?"
Jiraiya waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, nothing. You two can head back. I still need to investigate some information~"
"Investigate information?" The men's mouths twitched, their expressions awkward. Do you really expect us to believe that?
"Actually, you could have just sent us…"
Before they could finish, Jiraiya cut them off with a lecherous grin.
"Oh, you're not me. You wouldn't understand. I have a talent: the more chaotic the place, the easier it is for me to uncover secrets!"
"Ah, come on…" Both Ōkami and Zō looked helpless. That excuse was treating them like children.
Jiraiya didn't care. He rubbed his hands together eagerly and headed straight for the entrance.
"I told you to go back, so go back. Don't disturb my Pink Memories… cough… don't disturb my intelligence gathering!"
Because Tsunade was currently staying in Konoha, the Sannin had been trying to maintain his image as a respectable gentleman. He hadn't visited a place like this in over a year.
He was really craving it.
He told himself he only intended to tell dirty jokes, drink a little, and soak in the atmosphere—nothing deeper. But he was somewhat addicted to the feeling.
Or, in his own words, it was an "appreciation of beauty."
Then, that gossipy brat Naruto spread the word that Jiraiya was a pervert. For a while, whenever the Sannin went out, he received pitying stares.
Just as Ōkami and Zō were at a loss for words, Jiraiya—who had just pushed open the door—suddenly let out a soft "Huh?"
He spun around and rushed toward the street corner behind him.
The two quickly looked in that direction. Unfortunately, they only caught a glimpse of a black robe and a few fluttering sheets of paper.
"Stop looking! Chase him!"
Seeing Jiraiya disappear around the corner, the two hurried after him.
Ahead, Jiraiya turned the corner with a serious expression. A figure in a red robe stood with his back to them at the far end of the alley. The figure's silhouette and blue hair gave him a strange sense of familiarity.
"Akatsuki! I've finally caught your tail again!"
The feeling of familiarity was quickly discarded. He didn't hesitate, taking a single step that shattered the pavement and blurred into a phantom. With lightning speed, he grabbed the figure's shoulder.
"Gotcha!"
Konan turned, her eyes cold.
"Jiraiya-sensei. Long time no see. And… I caught you."
"It's you!" Jiraiya's eyes widened, his pupils trembling.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Just as he reeled in shock, Konan's body split apart layer by layer, transforming into fluttering sheets of white paper. They filled the air.
The next second, all the white paper stuck to him, wrapping him up like a doll.
At the same time, the surrounding space distorted. Pink, fleshy walls appeared around Jiraiya and Konan. A long, slender tongue emerged from behind, instantly binding the paper-wrapped Sannin.
It was one of Pain's summons—the Chameleon.
It had blended into the alleyway environment, waiting to let Konan stand inside it as bait. Seeing that it had captured Jiraiya, the chameleon's mouth snapped shut, swallowing her and the bound Sannin whole.
With a poof, it turned into smoke and vanished.
At that moment, Ōkami and Zō turned the corner, brushing right past the spot where Jiraiya had just been.
"Disappeared?"
"No—his chakra signature vanished! The Hokage is in danger!"
Ōkami and Zō immediately realized he hadn't run away; his presence had simply been cut off.
"Go! Notify the village to launch a full search. I'll report this to the Hidden Sand leadership immediately!"
Zō spun around and rushed back the way they came. Ōkami nodded and vanished into the shadows.
Somewhere in the desert outside Sunagakure—
The Animal Path of Pain, standing motionless, clapped its hands together.
"Summoning Jutsu."
Black runes spread across the ground.
Boom!
Amidst swirling smoke, a green chameleon emerged. At that moment, Jiraiya's voice rang out from its tightly closed mouth.
"You brought me to this unfamiliar spot far from Sunagakure. Is that the plan?"
"It seems my relentless investigation finally made you sense the danger, Konan."
As he spoke, strands of white hair suddenly shot out from the chameleon's mouth. Like a peacock spreading its tail, they turned the chameleon into a pincushion instantly.
Ninja Art: Needle Jizo!
Boom!
The pierced chameleon dissolved into blue smoke and vanished.
Jiraiya stood free, his white hair flowing wildly. Konan floated in mid-air nearby, her lower body still transformed into paper.
"I didn't look closely before," Jiraiya said, his tone casual despite the situation. "But now I see you've grown into a rather stunning woman, Konan~ I thought you were dead. I never imagined someone who loved origami would become a mere piece of white paper."
His gaze shifted.
"What about the other two? Could they be among those behind you…?"
Upon seeing the six circular eyes, the Sannin's calm heart skipped a beat.
"Six Rinnegan… Is that Yahiko?"
"Wait. Why does he have Nagato's eyes?"
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