Chapter 16: Jiraiya the Old Man Just Dropped Gold
The Land of Waves, a place where the prideful, the vengeful, and the outcasts have gathered…
Kitagawa Gen's words were practically spelling it out loud.
There was no way Kakashi and Jiraiya didn't catch on. They just couldn't quite believe it.
What kind of person—what kind of power—could actually suppress a bunch of proud elites long enough to make them cooperate? Even if it was just surface-level peace, the mere fact they weren't causing chaos and could work as a team in battle… was already unbelievable.
"Could it really be true…?"
Jiraiya's expression turned serious. A flicker of hesitation flashed in his eyes.
If it was true, then this was no small matter.
"We can't confirm it for sure, but we definitely can't rule it out," Kakashi muttered after a long pause.
"I already felt something was off when we ran into Uchiha Itachi and Biwa Jūzō… but the situation was urgent, so I didn't have time to think it through. Looking back, it does seem like a much bigger problem. And considering the intel you gathered, Jiraiya-sama… it's highly likely things are just as we feared."
Jiraiya fell silent. Everything seemed to be pointing to the one possibility he didn't want to face.
But the timing, the location, even the structure of the group… it all lined up far too well.
"This organization… might be more terrifying than we imagined."
Jiraiya rubbed his forehead. His gut was twisted in knots.
"Uchiha Itachi, Biwa Jūzō… and if we add Orochimaru into the mix, that's three S-rank rogue ninjas. What the hell are they trying to do?"
"Whatever it is, it won't be simple," Kitagawa Gen blinked thoughtfully, then looked at Kakashi and asked in a lower voice:
"Also… have you two noticed how close the Land of Waves is to a certain place?"
"…Close?"
Kakashi reacted quickly. His expression darkened.
"You mean… the Land of Water?"
"Kakashi-sensei, I've been thinking," Gen continued, nodding. "A powerful organization like that—who could afford to hire them? Definitely not the Land of Waves. They just don't have the resources."
"Well… there is one exception. But I doubt someone like that could make contact with such an organization. I'm talking about that rich guy we were planning to rob before—Gatō the merchant…"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Robbing a merchant!?"
Jiraiya nearly jumped. His eyes widened.
"Kakashi, just what kind of teachings are you giving this kid? That's a dangerous mindset!"
"Don't listen to him, he's full of nonsense," Kakashi said wearily, rubbing his forehead. Gen hadn't brought that plan up once during the trip, and Kakashi had almost forgotten… until now.
That level of obsession…
"Still," Kakashi continued, "he does have a point. Ordinary merchants can't reach organizations like that."
Kakashi shook his head. Gen might talk crap, but sometimes he hit the nail on the head.
"A group like that either works strictly in the black market or takes on missions from hidden villages. Iwa (Hidden Stone) loves hiring these types to suppress uprisings. So…"
"So… if they're near the Land of Waves, then it's highly likely they were hired by Kirigakure (Hidden Mist)?"
Jiraiya followed the train of thought and started piecing it all together. His eyes shimmered—he was clearly making a decision.
"…Jiraiya-sama, you're not seriously thinking of heading to Kirigakure alone, are you?"
Kitagawa Gen immediately saw through him and narrowed his eyes.
"Please, don't be reckless!" Kakashi quickly echoed, stepping forward.
"If our guess is right, going alone would be suicide! Especially since Kirigakure is surrounded by the ocean—you won't even be able to retreat!"
Kirigakure's geography reminded Gen a lot of that one notorious meddler in his past life. A long sea channel separated them from land-based threats, but they could launch assaults without worry.
And they did hate Konoha.
Almost every major ninja war saw the Mist attacking the Leaf. Why?
Well, rumor had it their founding elders refused to join when Konoha was first established—trying to play hard to get.
Unfortunately, they ran into Uchiha Madara, who wasn't known for patience. He "kindly" helped them transition into a life beneath the sea…
"…There's a lot of old bad blood between them and us. If this mysterious organization really includes the likes of Itachi, Jūzō, and Orochimaru—and can control them…"
Gen added with a sigh, "Then Kakashi-sensei might need to prepare some extra incense sticks next year for the memorial stone."
"…" Jiraiya's eyelid twitched.
Could this kid be any more blunt?
Still, he wasn't angry. Gen was just stating facts. Cold, uncomfortable facts.
"…Jiraiya-sama, maybe you should come back to the village with us," Gen finally suggested after exchanging a glance with Kakashi.
"Things are clearly beyond what you can handle alone now. If this does involve the Mist, we'll need help—and the village can provide that."
"He's right," Kakashi nodded.
"I don't want to see you charge in on your own. This organization is more complicated and dangerous than we imagined. And if it really is connected to Kirigakure, only the village has the resources to deal with that."
"Besides, all of them—Orochimaru, Itachi—they're Leaf defectors. The village has every reason to get involved."
Kakashi's words carried weight. Even Jiraiya had to admit that.
He didn't want to go back, but at this point… he had no better options.
"…Fine. I get it."
He finally nodded, albeit reluctantly.
"Damn it. I didn't expect things to get this messy. And now, I'm even sacrificing my freedom? Unbelievable…"
Hearing that, both Kakashi and Gen let out a breath of relief.
Kakashi had been genuinely worried. If their hunch was right, charging into the Mist alone was basically a death wish.
No one—not even the Sannin—could take on a whole Hidden Village solo.
Well… maybe the First Hokage could have. But that was legend.
…Done and settled!
Gen grinned to himself. For him, getting Jiraiya back to the village meant something more poetic.
He just wanted the old guy to see the "cherry blossoms of his hometown" bloom again.
Of course, while convincing Jiraiya, he also stirred up a bit of trouble for Uchiha Obito. Nothing wrong with multitasking.
After all, Kakashi's exclusive mission was still hanging there. He couldn't let that opportunity slip by!
…Although, if Jiraiya really did go to the Mist, he might've actually run into Obito.
Gen was honestly curious—when exactly did Obito lose control over Kirigakure?
The original series never really said.
But Gen figured it must've been around this time. The clearest signs were the death of Jūzō and Kisame teaming up with Itachi.
"…Who knows, maybe this exclusive mission is about to speed up a little."
And as Gen whispered that to himself…
—DING!—
His system finally lit up.
And when he saw the reward, his grin widened like a Cheshire cat.
[Side Mission Completed: "Jiraiya-san, The Cherry Blossoms of Home Have Bloomed"]
[Reward: Jiraiya's Sage Mode]