“Jiraiya, it seems you’re not as strong as I thought.”
Naoki chuckled, looking at Jiraiya, who had just finished off the last Cloud ninja, while he stood under his foot with the Magnet Release user, Troi.
“You Mist brat, I still have many tricks up my sleeve.”
Wiping the blood splattered on his face, Jiraiya stared at Naoki without backing down.
Shaking his head without replying, Naoki turned and walked away.
Watching his retreating figure, Jiraiya’s previously relaxed expression turned solemn.
Recalling the glimpse of the battle earlier, he silently calculated how to defeat Naoki.
After a moment, he sighed and became fully serious.
Against someone like him, if I don’t keep my distance, being killed in an instant is entirely possible.
No wonder even someone as fast as Minato ended up in such a state because of him.
He truly is a formidable enemy for Konoha.
If it was only about his combat skills, that wouldn’t be too concerning. He would forever be unable to overturn Konoha’s dominance over the Mist.
Jiraiya shook his head, clenching his fists, as words from the treaty floated in his mind.
Free trade, open ports, ceding commercial land.
Heh.
These clues quickly formed, making Jiraiya see the potential future, causing him to sigh.
Perhaps, he is more than just a fighter.
For Konoha, this is really not good news.
As he walked and thought, Naoki’s gentle voice inevitably echoed in his mind.
To allow them to live lives beyond the battlefield, to kill, and to have the right to choose their future.
Such an enticing future.
But a ninja has their duties and nature, and achieving such a change is impossible.
This dream of transformation is nothing but an illusion.
Even if it sounds so appealing.
Jiraiya slowly but firmly shook his head, resuming his steps.
Not far away, Shigen, now more relaxed, excitedly whispered to Naoki.
“Lord Mizukage, I know what kind of person I want to be.”
Naoki casually brushed off the dust on his clothes, nodding to the approaching samurai before turning to Shigen.
“Have you decided?”
“If you’ve decided to work hard, there’s no need to tell everyone.”
“But.”
Shigen frowned, cautiously speaking.
“I want to become a Mist ninja, to learn ninjutsu, and I need your help for that.”
Naoki’s expression froze.
The Daimyo’s son, learning ninjutsu?
But given the Daimyo’s apparent tacit support, it might actually be possible.
“Are you sure, Shigen?”
Naoki turned serious, and Shigen nodded earnestly.
“I want to have that kind of power, the power to protect myself, to kill enemies.”
Naoki exhaled slowly.
“As long as you muster the courage to tell your father, I’ll help persuade him.”
“If it works out, the Mist will send ninja to guard the Daimyo, and you can learn from them.”
“Really, Lord Mizukage?”
Seeing Naoki nod affirmatively, the gradually relaxing Shigen raised his fist in excitement.
Hearing all this, Jiraiya frowned deeply, growing extremely wary of Naoki.
A master in combat, holding the loyalty of his troops, even influencing the Daimyo’s son this deeply.
The Land of Water is truly becoming his testing ground.
But so what?
The one to change this world will still be the Child of Prophecy.
At this moment, a thought he had pondered for a long time resurfaced.
Is this really the only choice?
Hearing and thinking, Kakashi looked at the two figures, deep in thought.
To be able to get along with the Daimyo to this extent, was it that we were too cautious with the Daimyo before?
Or is Naoki just that special?
Kakashi shook his head, pushing these thoughts aside.
Even if he was highly regarded by the Third Hokage and had the potential to become Hokage, he would never cling to that position.
Once he finds a trace of Obito, if he’s dead, he will willingly return to the Mist to help Naoki achieve his ambitions with Rin.
If Obito is alive, he will do everything to save him and find a place to live with Rin.
How could returning to the village and becoming Hokage be possible?
The dam built in his heart has already collapsed, it can’t be repaired so easily.
“Jiraiya-sama.”
Kakashi came back to his senses, looking towards the source of the voice.
There, two Sand ninjas hurriedly approached, having received the information about the attack on Jiraiya and the Mizukage, coming to complete their protection duty.
“Maki, thank you for your efforts.”
As an ally, Jiraiya naturally greeted them warmly.
Seeing the close relationship between the Sand and Konoha, Naoki had an idea, casually speaking to sow discord.
“How is your Fourth Kazekage’s health?”
Following the voice, Maki’s face darkened, unwilling to answer.
But Naoki seemed unconcerned, turning to Jiraiya.
“Maki seems capable and strong, perhaps better than the missing Fourth Kazekage.”
Jiraiya, slightly puzzled, was about to say something when Naoki interrupted.
“Why don’t Konoha and the Mist send a joint notice to appoint Maki as the Fifth Kazekage?”
“You’re crazy, our Sand affairs are none of your business.”
Maki sternly refused, Jiraiya frowned, but Naoki continued.
“Don’t be hasty. I heard that during your war, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind reduced your budget, using the alliance with Konoha as an excuse.”
“For your country’s economic stability, having the top two nations, the Mist and Konoha, appoint you as Kazekage would make other nations think twice.”
“No.”
Maki shouted, but his heart wavered.
The Daimyo of the Land of Wind is known for such behavior, after all.
“An ‘Kage’ appointed by other villages, how can that be a true Kage?”
Jiraiya shook his head.
“Naoki, don’t be so arrogant.”
“Alright, but my words were sincere.”
Naoki looked regretful, turning to Maki with a pointed look.
“After all, relying on great nations, you’ll eventually become their puppet.”
“By then, the so-called ‘Kage’ might be appointed at will, and no one would find it strange.”
Maki’s expression turned grim.
What a cunning brat.
Jiraiya gave Naoki a hard look.
Recalling Maki’s reaction, he knew the seed had been planted.
Given Sand’s current situation, the Fifth Kazekage might indeed fall to Maki.
This would be a thorn in his heart.
But such things are inevitable.
With time, the Sand will eventually resist this situation.
I’ll let the old man handle this later.
Jiraiya dismissed the matter, about to leave when another voice called out.
“Jiraiya.”
“Don’t forget to tell the Hokage to attend the peace talks tomorrow.”
“If you still want to fight, don’t waste time.”
Jiraiya’s face darkened.
Annoying brat!
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