Chapter 138: The Prodigal Son Returns

Time flies like an arrow.

Two days passed in a blink of an eye.

The three-thousand-strong army of Konoha successfully reached the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain, where they set up camp.

Under the command of Asuma Sarutobi, the army established an impregnable defense line.

Then, they sent out numerous small squads to infiltrate the Land of Rain, to scout and harass, aiming to understand the military situation of Amegakure in the shortest time possible.

After that, all they had to do was wait for Jiraiya and the Uchiha clan to reinforce the front lines, and they could launch a full-scale attack on Amegakure.

Back in Konoha.

The village gradually recovered from the previous chaos, the damaged buildings were repaired, and the injured ninjas and villagers were discharged from the hospital one after another.

With the Third Hokage's order, the focus of the Hokage's office officially shifted to the preparation for the Chunin Exams.

In the Uchiha clan's territory, the Medical Corps.

Dan had not been idle these past two days, he was in a seemingly meaningless relationship with Samui, cultivating "feelings" between them.

In the eyes of outsiders, their relationship heated up quickly, almost inseparable.

One evening.

Tsunade suddenly came to visit, inviting Dan for a drink.

Dan could tell at a glance that Tsunade had transplanted the Sharingan, and she probably wanted to ask him privately how to better use these eyes.

He also wanted to ask Tsunade about her feelings after transplanting the Sharingan.

So he gladly agreed.

Under the ambiguous gaze of others, the two left the Medical Corps building.

"Dan is really busy, isn't he dating two women at the same time?"

"Speaking of which, both Tsunade and Samui are indeed the same type of beauties. Is Dan's behavior considered fickle or loyal?"

People whispered behind their backs.

As the sun set.

At the entrance of Konoha, a weary man bathed in the sunset, slowly approaching from a distance.

He was over six feet tall, with a large build, and his wild white hair hung down to his waist. He wore a red coat, wooden clogs, a forehead protector with the word "oil" written on it, and carried a giant scroll on his back.

Jiraiya, the prodigal son, had returned home.

"It's been a few years since I've been back, the village hasn't changed much. I really miss... the women's bathhouse in Konoha." Jiraiya sighed sentimentally, revealing his lecherous nature as soon as he opened his mouth.

Of course what he missed the most was that woman.

"I heard Tsunade is back too, I wonder if she's still as young and beautiful as before. Hehe."

Jiraiya murmured to himself, a beautiful figure appeared in his mind, and he couldn't help but smile a slightly lewd smile.

Just then.

"Lord Jiraiya." Two Anbu appeared instantly, saluting Jiraiya, "The Hokage is waiting for you in his office."

"Alright, lead the way." Jiraiya's expression became serious, he quickly put away his frivolity, knowing that business was important.

Ten minutes later.

Jiraiya met with the Third Hokage and learned about Akatsuki from him.

"What?!" When he learned that the founders of Akatsuki were his three disciples from the end of the Second Shinobi World War in Amegakure.

He was shocked, and his heart couldn't calm down for a long time.

Years ago.

In his youth, Jiraiya learned from the prophetic Great Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku that he was destined to take on a student who would either bring unprecedented peace or destruction to the shinobi world.

From then on, Jiraiya embarked on a journey to find his disciple.

During the Second Shinobi World War.

When he saw Nagato, who possessed the Rinnegan, on the battlefield of Amegakure, he once thought that Nagato was the prophesied child he was looking for.

He devotedly taught Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan for three years, then had to leave to end the damned war.

But on the day the war ended, Jiraiya heard the news of his disciples' deaths.

He was deeply affected, shedding tears of regret. After the war ended, he pulled himself together and set off on his journey again.

"Is it really... Nagato and the others?"

For a moment, Jiraiya found it hard to believe.

"I'm afraid so."

The Third Hokage sighed.

He had specifically confirmed the information about Akatsuki with Danzo.

Danzo, under the name of Root, had intervened in the internal strife of Amegakure, teamed up with Hanzo, and dealt a heavy blow to the newly formed Akatsuki.

He even killed the leader of Akatsuki, Yahiko.

Danzo had witnessed the power of the Rinnegan, and had always held information about Nagato, even thinking about claiming Nagato's power for himself one day.

The Third Hokage told Jiraiya all these things truthfully.

Because he knew that no matter how he hid it, as soon as Jiraiya saw Nagato, he would know the whole truth.

"..." Jiraiya was even more shocked.

He only now realized that it was the higher-ups of Konoha who had persecuted his disciples, killed Yahiko, and caused Nagato to hate Konoha even more, eventually leading him down a radical path.

However.

The main culprit of all this - Danzo, had already received his due punishment, was dismissed from his post, and thrown into prison.

For Konoha what they can do now is try to reconcile with Akatsuki, persuade Nagato to surrender, and if reconciliation fails, they can only resolve it through the brutal force of war.

This grave task fell on Jiraiya.

"I understand."

Jiraiya took a deep breath, ready to face what was coming.

At this moment, he remembered the prophecy of the Great Toad Sage.

It said that one day, Jiraiya would have to face his disciple and make a choice, and his choice would lead the world towards peace or destruction.

It seemed.

The time to make a choice had come.

"In that case, there's no time to waste, I'll head to Amegakure immediately to meet with Nagato."

Jiraiya's eyes were resolute, and he made his decision on the spot.

Although he had just returned to the village and hadn't even had time to rest, Jiraiya knew that this matter was urgent and he couldn't afford to rest.

"Don't rush." The Third Hokage, however, calmed Jiraiya down and instructed him, "You've been on the road for a long time, rest well tonight. I'll immediately send someone to notify the Uchiha clan to assemble their elite forces, and they will head to the front lines with you tomorrow."

"Alright."

Although Jiraiya was anxious, he still followed the Third Hokage's arrangement and was led away by the Anbu to rest.

Night fell, and the lights began to shine.

The bustling nightlife of Konoha began once again.

Jiraiya left his room and came to the streets of Konoha.

How could he possibly sleep? Not only was he troubled by Nagato's situation. This trip to the front lines was fraught with uncertainty. As for what might happen after seeing Nagato, Jiraiya had prepared for the worst.

He might not come back.

So before setting off, he yearned to see Tsunade one last time.

Unconsciously.

Jiraiya found himself outside the gates of the Uchiha clan's territory.

He had heard after Tsunade returned to the village, she stayed with the Uchiha clan, and she was very close to the current Hokage's assistant, Uchiha Dan. There were even rumors about them.

Jiraiya felt a bit uncomfortable.

After all, he had loved Tsunade for a lifetime, and she had rejected him for a lifetime.

Just as he was hesitating outside the gate, wondering whether to go in and find Tsunade.

The figure that haunted Jiraiya's dreams appeared.