Jiraiya leaned back slightly, his expression grave as his tone carried the weight of experience. "But it's not going to be easy," he warned, his voice low but firm. "Amegakure is their home ground. The very moment you set out from here, word will spread one way or another. Sooner or later, they'll know you're coming. And when that happens, you can be certain they'll prepare a proper ambush—one tailored specifically to counter your abilities. Walking into that won't be pleasant, and it may cost you dearly."
Inoiki's gaze sharpened, yet there was no hesitation in his reply. "I am fully aware of that, Lord Jiraiya. I've already considered the risks," he said, his tone steady and resolute. "But no matter what obstacles stand in my way, I am prepared to face them head-on. Whatever challenge lies ahead, I will overcome it. One way or another, I will achieve my goal."
Behind the desk, Tsunade folded her arms, her golden eyes narrowing slightly in thought before she spoke. "This is something I've already discussed with Inoiki," she said, her voice carrying both authority and trust. "And if he's confident in taking this path, then we should let him proceed. He's no fool—he knows better than anyone the strength of the Akatsuki's leader. After all, he's crossed blades with him before. If Inoiki claims he's ready, then we should believe him. His character isn't one to bend toward empty bravado."
Jiraiya exhaled softly and gave a small nod, conceding to her words. "I don't doubt him either," he admitted. "Not for a second. My warning is only out of concern—that he stays cautious. Still…" He paused, his eyes drifting for a moment as a flicker of old memories passed through them. "I'll go as well. They were once my students. I need to stand before them again, look them in the eye, and hear the truth directly from their mouths. Only then will I understand what twisted their path so far from what it once was."
Inoiki, who already knew the truth of what had twisted Jiraiya's former students into the people they had become, chose to remain silent. There was no benefit in explaining it now—some truths were best discovered firsthand, and Jiraiya deserved to confront that reality on his own. Besides, Inoiki had no reason to reject the idea of Jiraiya accompanying him to Amegakure. In fact, it was an advantage. With Jiraiya by his side, many of the other Akatsuki members could be dealt with more effectively.
Though Inoiki possessed full confidence in his own strength and believed he could defeat any one of them individually, he also understood the weight of numbers. If the entire Akatsuki were to converge on him at once, the possibility of being overwhelmed was not something he could dismiss. Even for him, the combined might of the Akatsuki was a threat too great to ignore.
From her seat, Tsunade finally spoke, her voice calm yet firm, cutting through the heavy silence. "I agree with Jiraiya," she said, her eyes fixed on Inoiki. "Let him go with you to Amegakure. If it's revenge against the Akatsuki leader you want, then you'll have your chance. But having Jiraiya there will ensure you're not fighting alone. He can stand as your support while you're locked in battle with their leader."
Inoiki inclined his head thoughtfully before answering, his voice carrying steady conviction. "Yes, that was exactly my thought as well. If Lord Jiraiya is present in Amegakure with me, then the chances of the Akatsuki escaping—escaping from me—will be greatly reduced. With him covering the rest, there will be no room for them to flee. They will be cornered, and when that happens, they will be destroyed. Of that, I am certain."
Tsunade regarded him for a moment, then gave a small approving nod. "I would expect nothing less from you," she said, the faintest hint of pride in her tone.
It was at that moment Naruto, who had been listening intently, suddenly spoke up with determined urgency. "I'm going too," he declared, his fists clenched at his sides. "Sasuke is with the Akatsuki now—he's one of them. I can't just sit here and do nothing while he stays with people like that. I've mastered Sage Mode, and I've grown stronger than I've ever been before. I believe… no, I know I have the strength now to bring Sasuke back to Konoha."
Inoiki wasn't surprised by Naruto's words. To say it was a request would be inaccurate—this was Naruto's decision, carved into his heart long ago. Inoiki had already heard that Sasuke had joined the Akatsuki and even attempted to capture the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, Killer Bee. That attempt had ended in failure, forcing Sasuke and his team to retreat from Kumogakure. The incident had stirred the Raikage's fury, leading him to demand an explanation from Konoha.
Tsunade leaned forward, her fingers steepled on the desk as she regarded Naruto with a mixture of stern authority and lingering concern. After a long pause, she spoke in a voice that carried the finality of a Hokage's judgment.
"Alright, Naruto. I'll allow you to go to Amegakure—together with Team Kakashi, Jiraiya, and Inoiki," she said firmly. "But understand this clearly: this will be the last time, the last chance—for both you and Sasuke. If he isn't captured and brought back to Konoha after this mission, I'll have no choice left but to declare him an official missing-nin of the village. And once that happens, he will be hunted down without mercy by the ANBU."
Her golden eyes hardened, the weight of leadership pressing into every word. "Up until now, we've refrained from branding him a criminal, which has allowed others to continually come here and demand explanations for his reckless actions. Every mistake Sasuke makes is thrown onto Konoha's shoulders, as though it's our responsibility—and it's wearing thin. The cabinet is losing patience, the village Jonins are pressing me, and even I can't shield him any longer. I'm sorry, Naruto… but this is the last line I can draw. After this mission, if Sasuke does not return, then I will have no choice but to declare him a missing-nin of Konoha."
The words struck heavy, yet Naruto didn't flare up in anger or frustration as he once would have. Instead, he looked straight at her, his expression steady, his tone respectful yet unwavering. "Thank you, Granny," he said quietly, but with conviction. "I promise you, I will bring Sasuke back. But if I fail… if I truly cannot do it… then I won't stop you from declaring him a missing-nin. I'll accept your decision."
Inoiki, who had been silently observing, turned toward Naruto in visible surprise. This wasn't the Naruto he thought he knew. The boy he remembered would never admit even the possibility of failing to bring Sasuke back—nor would he ever calmly accept the idea of Sasuke being branded a criminal of Konoha. To hear such words from him was shocking.
And yet, beneath that surprise, Inoiki understood. This change in Naruto wasn't weakness—it was growth. A sign that he had matured, that he had begun to carry the heavy burdens of reality on his shoulders. It was growth that diverged slightly from the story Inoiki remembered, a difference perhaps caused by his own presence in this world. As a transmigrator, his very existence had altered Naruto's path—reshaping his character into something both familiar and unexpected.
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