Outside Konoha's Transportation Hub
Jiraiya stepped off the train, his face filled with amazement.
Upon entering the Land of Fire, he had encountered this magical creation. The train.
After some inquiries, he learned that it had been developed by Konoha.
Intrigued, Jiraiya bought a ticket and took a ride.
He had purchased a first-class sleeper cabin.
Though expensive, the service was excellent.
There were complimentary drinks, and they tasted surprisingly good.
"Next time, I'll try a ride on the airship."
Jiraiya muttered with a sense of wonder.
The current Konoha was incredibly unfamiliar to him. It was far livelier than before.
The once serene Konoha Forest was now bustling with activity.
Merchants from all over the Land of Fire filled the area.
In addition to merchants, there were nobles seeking refuge.
Jiraiya's brows furrowed slightly.
On his way here, he had heard about the chaos in the capital of the Land of Fire.
The daimyo and his heirs had all perished.
Jiraiya instinctively felt that something was off.
However, as a ninja, he had no right to interfere in the Land of Fire's political matters.
He shook his head to clear his thoughts and continued walking.
A broad road led from the transportation hub to Konoha, wide enough for several carriages to travel side by side.
"This guy really is something else..."
Jiraiya paused, looking up at the Hokage Rock.
He spent extra time observing Shinho's carved visage.
Aside from trains and airships, there were many changes that surprised him.
For example, the new salary system.
As a ninja, Jiraiya understood the benefits of such a system.
It had greatly improved the quality of life for the shinobi.
In a way, it had even reduced conflicts within the shinobi world.
With enough income, there was no longer a need for shinobi to take on outside missions, thus reducing conflicts.
But still...
Jiraiya thought of the Great Toad Sage's prophecy.
If Shinho had been his student, he might have believed that he had already found the Child of Prophecy.
But Shinho was Tsunade's student.
That didn't align with the prophecy.
Jiraiya had unwavering faith in the Great Toad Sage's prophecy.
In other words, the Child of Prophecy had to be one of his own students.
As these thoughts filled his mind, Jiraiya arrived at the Hokage's office.
A knock echoed through the room.
Ichikishima Hime's dazed eyes regained a trace of clarity.
At that moment, she was nestled in Shinho's embrace.
His warm hands gently massaged her body.
Ichikishima Hime felt a tingling sensation spread through her, as though something was flowing within her.
"Return now."
Shinho withdrew his hands and gave her a light pat on the hip as he spoke.
Although his interest had been stirred, with two wives at home, he was perfectly capable of exercising self-control.
Ichikishima Hime's delicate face stiffened with disappointment.
She had felt as if she were just moments away from receiving her most beloved treat, only to be interrupted again.
However, she dared not disobey Shinho's orders. Puffing out her cheeks, she turned into a streak of blue light and vanished.
A surge of pure essence swept out, dissipating the lingering fragrance in the air.
Shinho casually wiped his fingers and looked toward the door.
"Come in."
A second later, surprise flickered across his face.
It was someone he hadn't expected at all.
"Uncle Jiraiya."
Shinho quickly returned to his calm demeanor. "It's rare for you to visit. What brings you here?"
"I'm here to prepare for the Akatsuki's next attack," Jiraiya replied with a sigh.
He had wandered the shinobi world, searching for the Child of Prophecy and powerful summoning beasts.
Although he hadn't found them, he had heard about Shinho's impressive achievements.
The Akatsuki, a group even he found troublesome, had suffered devastating losses, with many of its members dead or incapacitated.
However, Jiraiya knew that their most ferocious retaliation was inevitable.
Since he hadn't found anything during his travels, he decided to return to Konoha.
He also wanted to check on Naruto.
In Jiraiya's heart, his disciple Naruto was still a strong candidate for the Child of Prophecy.
Shinho was thoughtful for a moment.
This event didn't exist in the original storyline.
Of course, that was because Jiraiya had died while gathering information before Pain's invasion of Konoha.
Now that they had Itachi's intelligence and the Akatsuki had suffered significant losses, there was no need for Jiraiya to infiltrate Amegakure.
"Having you back in Konoha is a good thing, Uncle Jiraiya."
Shinho spoke calmly, "We don't know when the Akatsuki will strike again. You should stay in Konoha during this time."
Jiraiya's lips twitched slightly.
Shinho was undoubtedly the most indifferent Hokage he had ever interacted with.
Previous Hokages, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Minato Namikaze, and Tsunade, had all valued his presence greatly.
After all, he was one of the Legendary Sannin, with unparalleled status and strength.
But in Shinho's eyes, he seemed entirely dispensable.
"Fine."
Jiraiya waved his hand and said, "If you need me, just call."
With that, he leaped out of the window.
The wind howled past as Jiraiya landed safely.
He glanced around, then made his way toward Naruto's house.
However, when he arrived, Naruto wasn't home.
After a moment of thought, Jiraiya performed a summoning jutsu, calling forth a group of toads.
Moments later, he learned Naruto's location—Training Ground One.
Jiraiya set off immediately.
A few minutes later, he arrived at the training ground.
Naruto was sparring with Sasuke Uchiha.
Naruto had already opened the Third Gate of the Eight Gates.
Naruto rarely used the Eight Gates, considering it a forbidden jutsu due to its strain on the body.
However, ever since Sasuke had awakened the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, he could see through all of Naruto's normal movements.
Naruto was forced to rely on the Eight Gates.
He could have used his Tailed Beast Cloak, but that would have drawn too much attention, something he preferred to avoid.
"These kids are incredible..."
Jiraiya muttered in astonishment.
Both Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto made him feel uneasy.
Without entering Sage Mode, he wasn't sure he could defeat either of them.
A thought crossed Jiraiya's mind.
The Akatsuki's targets were the tailed beasts.
And tailed beasts meant Jinchuriki.
If the Akatsuki attacked Konoha, Naruto would be in the greatest danger.
Should I take him to Mount Myōboku?
It would be the perfect opportunity to have him learn Sage Mode.
"Jiraiya-sensei!"
Naruto noticed him and immediately distanced himself from Sasuke.
He deactivated the Eight Gates and ran over.
Sasuke, seeing this, didn't say anything.
After unlocking the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, he had enthusiastically sought out Naruto for sparring.
Yet, he still couldn't win.
There was no helping it, Naruto's Tailed Beast Cloak and Eight Gates were just too overwhelming.
His only hope now lay in mastering Susanoo.
"Naruto, it's been a while."
Jiraiya greeted him with a bright smile.
"Jiraiya-sensei, what brings you back to Konoha all of a sudden?"
Naruto scratched his head and asked.
"I'm back to teach you," Jiraiya said with an air of mystery. "Do you want to learn something that can double your strength?"
"Wait… is it Sage Mode?!"
Naruto's eyes lit up, and he shouted with excitement, "I want to learn it!"
"You know about Sage Mode?"
Jiraiya blinked in surprise. "Did Shinho tell you?"
"Nope."
Naruto shook his head. "It was Shino. He can use Sage Mode too. I've sparred with him before, it's amazing."
"Shino?"
Jiraiya was stunned. "He learned Sage Mode? Did he join Shikkotsu Forest?"
He remembered that Shino Aburame was Shinho's younger brother.
With that connection, joining Shikkotsu Forest wouldn't be difficult.
But Sage Mode… it was a rare power, something only one in a million shinobi could master.
He hadn't expected that Shino had such talent.
"No."
Naruto explained, "Shino said that his Sage Mode comes from his his Bugs."
"What do you mean?"
Jiraiya was confused.
"Jiraiya-sensei, you're so clueless!"
Naruto puffed up his chest proudly. "It means that Shino's bugs can use Sage Mode, but he can't."
Jiraiya was dumbfounded.
Something like that existed?
Wait a second.
Jiraiya's expression shifted as a realization hit him.
That was exactly how his Sage Mode worked!
He needed Fukasaku and Shima to help him maintain it during battle.
In other words, the bugs themselves had become sages.
A fourth Sacred Land?!
Jiraiya was shaken to his core.
Could it be true?
If this powerful summoning beast species referred to the Bugs of Aburame clan, did that mean the Aburame clan was responsible for its rise?
Jiraiya felt as if his brain was in turmoil.
"Jiraiya-sensei?"
Naruto called out in confusion.
"Take me to see Shino."
Jiraiya took a deep breath. "I'm very curious about his Sage Mode."
"No problem!"
Naruto patted his chest confidently. "I know where he is."
Jiraiya nodded with a heavy heart.
Please, let this not be true.
Otherwise, he wouldn't know what to do.
The Aburame clan had raised the Bugs for generations.
The two were inseparable.
If Mount Myōboku ever decided to destroy the bug species preemptively, it would inevitably end in a clash with the Aburame clan.
What would he do then?
Especially now that the Aburame clan had produced a Hokage.
Toads versus bugs.
Jiraiya fell silent.
In terms of biology, they were natural enemies.
"Sasuke!"
Naruto shouted, "We'll finish this tomorrow!"
Sasuke nodded calmly.
He sheathed his Lightning Flame Sword and turned to leave.
There were only a handful of shinobi in Konoha who could still help him grow stronger.
Without Naruto, he wouldn't be able to find another worthy sparring partner.
As for Shinho, he was the Hokage and not someone Sasuke could challenge or ask to be a training partner easily.
Before long, Jiraiya and Naruto found Shino Aburame.
Like Naruto, Shino didn't have any missions and was training at the training grounds.
His sparring partner was, unsurprisingly, Hinata Hyuga, who had transformed into a graceful Snow Fairy.
Jiraiya's experienced eyes immediately picked up the truth.
After observing for a few minutes, he confirmed that what Naruto had said was true.
Shino's Sage Mode indeed came from the bugs he controlled.
"Let's go."
Jiraiya turned to leave.
"Huh?"
Naruto caught up to him and asked, "Jiraiya-sensei, aren't you going to talk to him?"
"Seeing him was enough, we don't have to disturb their training."
Jiraiya paused and then said, "I'm taking you to Mount Myōboku now. Fukasaku will teach you Sage Mode."
"That's awesome!"
Naruto immediately forgot his confusion and beamed with excitement.
Jiraiya let out a sigh.
He couldn't help but envy Naruto's carefree attitude.
Should I tell Fukasaku about the bugs and the Aburame clan?
Even when they arrived at Mount Myōboku, Jiraiya was still pondering that question.
"Hey, Jiraiya-boy!"
Fukasaku called out twice but received no response. He raised his voice and asked, "Since when did you become as absent-minded as the Elder Toad?"
"Sorry, I was thinking about something."
Jiraiya snapped back to reality and said, "I've come to have Naruto learn Sage Mode."
"His is at the perfect age for mastering sage mode."
Fukasaku nodded and said, "I'll teach him."
"Thank you, Fukasaku-sama."
Jiraiya bowed gratefully.
"It's my duty," Fukasaku replied with a smile. He glanced at Naruto and said, "Naruto, come with me."
"Yes, sir!"
Naruto responded immediately.
Jiraiya watched as they walked away.
After standing there for a few seconds, he turned and headed back to Konoha.
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