Ch 57: Talk and New World

Moriarty sat in the chair across from Dumbledore, his posture relaxed. The headmaster, meanwhile, leaned forward, his fingers steepled, his piercing blue eyes fixed on his enigmatic guest.

"I must say, Mr. Moriarty," Dumbledore began, his tone measured, "I never expected to see the day when The Patriot would have the King of Britain as allies. But I confess, I have a question that has been troubling me."

"Oh?" Moriarty replied, his lips curling into an amused smirk. "And what question might that be, Headmaster?"

"Is 'William James Moriarty' truly your name?" Dumbledore's voice carried a subtle curiosity, layered with a hint of mischief.

Moriarty's brow arched, intrigued. "What makes you think it is not?"

Dumbledore leaned back slightly, a faint twinkle in his eye. "I came across something peculiar in a muggle novel. In that tale, there exists a character named James Moriarty—a man of great intellect, though of… questionable morality. I found the coincidence intriguing."

Moriarty's smirk widened, his gaze sharpening like a predator's. "And the thought that the character and the man before you might be one and the same… never crossed your mind?"

The room seemed to grow still. Dumbledore's eyes widened, realization dawning on him.

Moriarty leaned forward, his voice a low, velvety whisper. "Indeed, Headmaster. The man you read about and the one sitting here are one and the same. There may be… discrepancies between fiction and reality, but suffice it to say, the character was inspired by none other than me."

Dumbledore's expression turned contemplative as he digested this revelation. If what Moriarty claimed was true, then the figure before him was no ordinary man, but a legend whose influence spanned beyond his own world.

Moriarty, sensing the shift in the air, changed the subject. "But enough of my storied past. I trust you are satisfied with how things have turned out? Voldemort has been eradicated, and his loyal Death Eaters have finally gotten what they deserved."

Dumbledore nodded, though his expression remained pensive. "Indeed. Your efforts, and those of Arthur, ensured a decisive victory. Yet, there remains a matter of… loose ends."

"Ah, you mean Severus Snape." Moriarty's tone was cool, indifferent. "He played his role admirably, did he not? A spy, a double agent, a man teetering on the edge of light and shadow. But let us not forget, Headmaster—he is also responsible for the deaths of countless innocents. He has chosen his path, and it leads only to one destination."

Dumbledore's jaw tightened, but he remained silent.

"Do not waste your energy trying to save him," Moriarty continued, rising to his feet. "He has accepted his fate, and so should you. Redemption is not a gift; it is earned. And Severus Snape himself wants to atone for his sins."

Dumbledore's eyes followed Moriarty as he moved toward the door, his long coat sweeping behind him like a cloak of shadows.

"It has been a pleasure speaking with you, Headmaster," Moriarty said, pausing at the threshold. "But my work here is done. Britain's threat has been vanquished. The future is now in your hands."

Without waiting for a response, Moriarty stepped through the door, his figure dissolving into the flickering candlelight.

Dumbledore sat alone in his office, staring at the empty doorway. For the first time in decades, he felt the weight of his years press heavily upon him. Yet even as he reflected on the enigmatic figure who had just left, he couldn't help but feel that Moriarty's departure was not an ending, but the prelude to another chapter yet unwritten.

Meanwhile with Arthur

The moment I arrived in the Shinobi world, the first thing I noticed was the air. It was crisp, sharp, and carried the faint smell of petrichor. I stood at the edge of a dense forest, towering trees casting dappled shadows on the ground beneath me. In the distance, I could make out the faint silhouette of Konoha, the Hidden Leaf Village.

Why did I choose this world, you ask? Simple: seals.

I needed seals for Excalibur. Something permanent, powerful, and versatile. There were other worlds that could have helped me with this—hell, some might have even offered better options—but my knowledge of those worlds was fragmented at best. The Shinobi world, however, was different. I knew enough about it to navigate it without getting myself troubled in the process.

And as for the timeline, I chose a specific period: before Naruto's birth. It was a strategic decision. Jiraiya, the Toad Sage, was still around during this time, and if there was anyone who could point me in the right direction when it came to seals, it was him. Not to mention, Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze were alive, and the Uzumaki clan's legacy of sealing techniques was unmatched.

---

As I made my way through the forest toward Konoha, I couldn't help but feel a strange mix of excitement and nostalgia. This world had its own share of challenges, but it was also a place where resilience and determination thrived.

Before entering the village, I had to make a decision about my appearance. Walking into Konoha in my full Pendragon armor with Caliburn in hand would raise too many questions, and I wasn't ready to explain myself just yet. So, with a quick thought, I activated my wardrobe and swapped out my armor for something more fitting: a simple dark cloak with a hood, black shinobi-style pants, and a sleeveless tunic. Caliburn stayed hidden within the Inventory, replaced by a projected kunai strapped to my thigh.

"Time to blend in," I muttered to myself, pulling the hood over my head as I approached the gates of Konoha.

---

The guards at the gates barely glanced at me. One of them, a young chunin, gave me a nod. "What's your business in Konoha?"

"I'm a wandering shinobi looking to train and improve my skills," I lied smoothly, keeping my tone respectful.

He raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Alright. No trouble, got it?" For a Village which just got out of war the security might seem bland but it was far from the truth I could sense hundreds if not thousands of Shinobi some were hidden while some seemed as civilians, for a person who had ill intentions and enterd Konoha this casually it would be out right stupid. If I wanted I could pose as a civilian but that would put me under surveillance because a known enemy is better than a hidden one.

"Got it," I replied with a small smile, stepping through the gates and into the village.

Konoha was as lively as I expected. Shops lined the streets, children ran past me laughing, and shinobi moved with purpose, their flak jackets and headbands a reminder of the village's strength. I kept my head low although I could sense some eyes on me, blending into the crowd I made my way deeper into the village.

---

Instead of going directly to Hiruzen, I decided to find Jiraiya first. The man was not hard to pin down, I knew his habits. If he wasn't on a mission, he was likely either researching at the hot springs or training in the forest.

It didn't take long to find him. The sound of someone yelling and the distinct splash of water drew me toward a clearing near the edge of the village. There he was: the legendary Toad Sage, rubbing his back, looks like he just fell from the roof of the bath house.

"Jiraiya-sama," I called out, stepping into the clearing.

He turned, his sharp eyes narrowing as he sized me up. "Who are you?"

"I'm someone who needs your expertise with seals," I said, keeping my tone even. "And I think you'll find my request... interesting."

---

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but also cautious. "Seals, huh? You don't look like someone from around here. Why should I help you?"

I met his gaze, keeping my tone calm but firm. "The reason why you should help me isn't something we can talk about openly. If you allow me, I could create a barrier around us for privacy."

He looked skeptical, his sharp eyes narrowing. "A barrier, huh? Sounds suspicious. But fine, let's see what you've got."

Without missing a beat, I activated the [Barrier] skill. A translucent dome shimmered to life around us, isolating us from the rest of the world. At the same time, I projected two chairs and a table within the space.

Jiraiya stared at the setup, his eyes wide with confusion. "Where the hell did those chairs and table come from?" He tapped the surface of the table, muttering to himself, "It's solid. And this barrier… it's advanced. I've never seen anything like it in my life. No chakra, no signs of any technique I know."

I smiled politely, gesturing for him to take a seat. "Thank you for the compliment, Jiraiya-sama. But let's not get sidetracked. We have much to discuss."

Jiraiya slowly sat down, still wary but clearly intrigued. "Alright, kid. Talk. Why do you need my help?"

I leaned forward slightly, meeting his gaze. "As you know, I'm looking for a seal. Something complex and powerful. But I don't expect you to help me for free. In return, I can offer you something invaluable: information. Not just about the future, but about the Child of Prophecy."

His expression shifted immediately, his casual demeanor giving way to sharp focus. "The future?" he echoed, his voice tinged with skepticism. But when I mentioned the Child of Prophecy, his eyes narrowed, and I could see the gears turning in his head.

I continued, pressing my advantage. "I know that this information isn't common knowledge. Hell, I doubt even your disciple, Minato Namikaze—the Fourth Hokage—knows about it. But I do. So, what do you say, Master Jiraiya? Will you help me?"

For a moment, there was silence as Jiraiya studied me, his expression unreadable. Finally, he leaned back in his chair, letting out a long sigh. "You're a strange one, I'll give you that. But you've got my attention. Alright, I'll help you—on one condition."

"Name it," I said confidently.

"You'll tell me everything you know about this Child of Prophecy," he said, his tone serious. "No holding back. And if I think you're lying, the deal's off."

I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Fair enough. Let's get started."

---

From there, we began discussing the details of what I needed and the knowledge I could offer in return. Jiraiya might have been skeptical at first, but as I shared snippets of what I knew, I could see the gears turning in his mind. This partnership was off to an interesting start.

Jiraiya leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair as he let out a low whistle. "That's… a lot to process, kid. So let me get this straight: Minato's supposedly dead student, Obito Uchiha, is actually alive, but he's working under the disguise as Madara Uchiha. And the real Madara, didn't die all those years ago and only recently kicked the bucket. But even he was being manipulated by this Black Zetsu thing—a living schemer created to revive Kaguya Otsutsuki, the so-called Chakra Goddess and mother of the Sage of Six Paths?"

"Correct," I replied, folding my hands on the table.

"And this Sage of Six Paths—Hagoromo—had two sons, Indra and Ashura, whose eternal feud has been reincarnating over generations. First as Madara and Hashirama, and now as Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki?"

"Right again," I confirmed.

Jiraiya let out another low whistle, his sharp eyes narrowing. "And you're telling me that Naruto—an unborn kid right now—is the Child of Prophecy, destined to either save or destroy the world. Oh, and don't forget, Obito is going to attack the village during his birth using the Nine Tails, which will lead to Minato and Kushina's deaths."

I nodded, keeping my tone measured. "Exactly. That's the future you're heading toward if nothing changes."

Jiraiya's expression darkened, the weight of my revelations sinking in. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "You do realize what you're saying is insane, right? If I didn't know better, I'd think you're spinning some tall tale for kicks. But…" He trailed off, his gaze scrutinizing me. "You don't strike me as a liar."

I gave him a small, knowing smile. "That's because I'm not. Everything I've told you is the truth. And with the information i have provided you can make sure that future goes as smoothly as possible—or better yet, to ensure it doesn't happen the way it did in my version of events."

Jiraiya rubbed his temples, clearly overwhelmed but still focused. "Alright, let's say I believe you. What exactly are you asking from me in return for this information? Just help with seals?"

"Primarily, yes," I replied. "I need to create a set of seals for a project of mine—something that could protect against threats far worse than Kaguya or the Ten Tails. But I can also help, Jiraiya-sama. This world is heading toward chaos, and even if I can't stop every disaster, I can at least soften the blows."

Jiraiya chuckled humorlessly. "Well, you've certainly got your hands full, kid. Alright, I'll help you. But don't think I'm doing this out of the goodness of my heart. I'll be keeping a close eye on you. If I find out you're screwing with me or the village—"

"You won't," I interrupted, my tone resolute. "I have no intention of harming Konoha. Quite the opposite, in fact."

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Fine. You've got yourself a deal. I'll help you with your seals, and in return, you keep feeding me this… future knowledge of yours. But one question—why trust me with all this? Why not go straight to Minato or Hiruzen?"

I smirked. "Because, Jiraiya-sama, you're the one who needs to hear it. You've been searching for the Child of Prophecy for years. Now you know who he is—and you'll play a crucial role in shaping him into the man he's meant to become."

Jiraiya blinked, clearly taken aback. For once, the legendary Toad Sage seemed at a loss for words. Finally, he nodded, his expression resolute. "Alright, kid. Let's get to work."

---Note

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