To be honest, Jiraiya was genuinely tempted.
The so-called "Secrets of the Capital" seemed to him like utter trash except for certain... aspects. Calling it literature would be an insult to the very word.
Yet such garbage could become a bestseller across nations?
If he were to write something, wouldn't he instantly become a famous bestselling author?
Jiraiya was truly tempted.
He stroked his chin, about to voice his thoughts when he forcibly stopped himself.
No!
There were children present—
Though in his eyes, Kyohiko didn't count as a child.
Despite his young age, Jiraiya had good reason to suspect Kyohiko's reading experiences might be even more... extensive than Minato's.
No particular reason—just pure intuition.
At a restaurant in the Land of Grass, Jiraiya booked a private room and treated everyone to a meal.
The five of them ate heartily inside.
While Kikyō Castle had living quarters, being near a military base meant commerce wasn't well-developed. Meals there were merely edible.
After eating, Jiraiya set up a barrier to prevent eavesdropping.
Only after confirming security did he smile and explain the general situation to the four.
"Nowadays, Kusagakure is under Mui's control. Their policies are completely different from before. When they detected signs of Iwagakure's invasion, they decisively invited Konoha shinobi into the Land of Grass."
Thus, Konoha's main forces were stationed in the north, guarding the Kanabi Bridge alongside Grass shinobi.
This was the only major bridge between the Land of Grass and the Land of Earth.
Even for shinobi, crossing between those two cliffs wasn't easy. Holding the bridge meant holding the Land of Grass.
"So, up to now, Ōnoki hasn't shown any intention to attack?" Minato asked.
Jiraiya nodded.
"It's a standoff for now. Moreover, Ōnoki definitely has spies in the Land of Wind. He'll receive news soon, and given his cautious nature, he might abandon the attack."
"That would be troublesome."
Minato frowned.
He'd never dealt with Ōnoki before, but according to records, the man was extremely patient. If he decided not to act, there wasn't much they could do against Iwagakure.
After all, Earth shinobi excelled at defense. Combined with Ōnoki's Dust Release, attacking them would be highly dangerous.
Even with Kyohiko...
Minato glanced at Kyohiko and shook his head internally.
Kyohiko had indeed mastered Wood Release, but without utilizing Hashirama's cells, his Wood Release lacked the First Hokage's full intimidating effect.
Moreover—
If it was just about intimidation, they'd already achieved sufficient results against Sunagakure. Using it again might reveal weaknesses to their enemies.
"Sensei, what do you plan to do?"
"Leave him be."
Jiraiya said seriously, "Ōnoki is like a rock—unyielding and strong-willed. He's not an easy opponent."
"Iwagakure has grand ambitions. They've previously planned attacks against us—we have evidence of this."
Kyohiko suddenly interjected.
Hearing Jiraiya and Minato's conversation, he knew his teacher was retreating again.
Not out of weakness, but...
If they could maintain current stability, Jiraiya wouldn't proactively provoke war.
This was their shared philosophy.
However, Kyohiko didn't believe Iwagakure had the discipline to maintain peace between them. Or—
Even if they wanted to expand later, Konoha wouldn't be their first target.
"I know, but the problem is, if we want to counterattack now, we'd have to actively invade the Land of Earth. It's not cost-effective. We can afford to wait."
Jiraiya explained.
Kyohiko shook his head.
"Sensei, cost-effectiveness isn't calculated so simply."
He then used Kumogakure as an example.
Why didn't Iwagakure fight Kumogakure?
Because of elemental disadvantages. Ōnoki knew perfectly well he couldn't gain any advantage against Kumo.
Secondly, the Land of Lightning was poor.
The Land of Fire was wealthy, with a supposedly weak Hokage. Even if they lost, the losses wouldn't be too great. If he were in Ōnoki's position, he'd target Konoha too.
Jiraiya was momentarily stunned, then said with complex emotions, "Kyohiko, do you think war can solve everything?"
"No. Viewing war as a solution would be extremely foolish."
Kyohiko shook his head.
Jiraiya exhaled in relief.
For a moment, he'd truly worried Kyohiko might become like Orochimaru—someone who reveled in starting wars.
If that happened, he wouldn't know how to advise or guide him.
Kyohiko continued, "Using fists to solve problems is the behavior of brutes. But fists can force the other side to sit down and negotiate properly with us."
"Seeking peace through war?"
Jiraiya seemed thoughtful.
"Yes. Seeking peace through war."
Kyohiko nodded.
Ōnoki couldn't be left alone.
In fact—
For this, they could temporarily ignore Kirigakure.
The chaos in Kirigakure, along with their conflicts with the Land of Water's daimyo and nobles, was enough to keep them internally occupied.
The later conflicts involving the Hōzuki and Yuki clans were manifestations of these tensions.
By comparison, Iwagakure—with its considerable shinobi forces—and Ōnoki were their real enemies now.
After this analysis, the room fell silent.
Jiraiya scratched his head in frustration.
His scalp itched, as if he somewhat understood Kyohiko's point, yet was glad he didn't fully "get" it.
How annoying!
Minato, Kakashi, and Kurenai were still pondering Kyohiko's analysis when Kakashi was the first to nod, convinced.
"I agree!"
He thought of his father.
If there truly had been a mastermind behind that incident, or if the person his father saved was still alive—would he forgive them?
No!
Compromise and forgiveness would only make them appear weak.
Seeking peace through war—
This was the correct path.
Minato offered no comment, only growing more confused.
Jiraiya took a deep breath.
Enough thinking!
Abandoning thought made everything simpler.
"So, you want to fight?"
"Not fight—but bare our fangs. Make Ōnoki understand the current Konoha isn't to be trifled with. If he wants to fight, we'll make them suffer dearly. That way, when he thinks of expanding or growing stronger later, he'll have to look elsewhere instead of constantly eyeing us."
Kyohiko answered.
Jiraiya recalled the situation with Sunagakure and relaxed slightly.
Indeed!
Such words and methods were completely unlike Orochimaru's style.
Kyohiko remained true to his character and beliefs—unchanged. If anything, it was he, the teacher, who'd been stubborn and inflexible.
"Then let's fight!"
---
Kannabi Bridge
The seemingly quiet border actually hosted hundreds of shinobi from both sides, with numbers increasing daily.
"Ōishi, I heard you fought that Konoha squad?"
Hikari grinned. "Were they really that strong?"
Ōishi glanced at him, then looked away, not bothering to respond.
This guy thought they were exaggerating the enemy's strength, so anything he said would be a waste of breath.
He crouched on a tree branch, quietly observing the distance.
Suddenly, Ōishi's pupils contracted. He immediately fired a signal flare.
Boom!
In the distance, the forest stirred as startled birds took flight.
Konoha was attacking!
"Konoha wants a fight? Perfect."
Hikari sneered. "Ōishi!"
Before he could finish, Ōishi had already vanished.
Ninja Art: Camouflage Technique!
The next moment, he appeared before the Kannabi Bridge, silently awaiting Konoha shinobi to charge across.
This bridge held equal strategic value—and danger—for both sides.
Halfway across, explosive tags rained down from the trees, while Konoha shinobi retaliated with kunai—some trailing explosive tags of their own.
The great battle was imminent!
On the bridge, Jiraiya personally led the charge. Seeing the incoming explosive tags, he formed hand seals, causing his hair to elongate like tentacles, intercepting them midair.
In the blink of an eye—
Boom!
A series of explosions lit up the sky.
At the bridgehead, Ōishi quietly materialized.
Hand seals—then a palm strike.
Earth Style: Earth Splitting Palm!
Ōishi channeled his full power. The technique's might was tremendous, instantly shattering the entire bridge approach.
Below, Earth shinobi emerged from the cliffs.
Strange spider-like devices crawled beneath the bridge.
They were Iwagakure's demolition team.
Boom!
A series of deafening explosions.
The bridge...
Collapsed!
"Charge through!"
Chōza roared.
His arms swelled massively as chakra surged toward the opposite shore.
But—
Just then, Jiraiya shouted, "Watch for the new bridge below!"
"What?"
New bridge?
What new bridge?
Amidst their confusion, they saw wooden arms rapidly extending from the rocks behind them. In mere moments, the wooden structures stretched from the Land of Grass to their side.
A young shinobi resembling Yamato had his hands pressed to the ground.
Under his control, the trees swiftly grew to the opposite shore, forming a new bridge.
"Wood Release?!"
Not just the Earth shinobi—even Konoha's forces were stunned. But they quickly realized—
Now wasn't the time for shock.
Chōza canceled part of his Multi-Size Technique. His enlarged arms already bore injuries from Earth shinobi attacks.
"Chōza, don't act recklessly."
Tsume stopped him.
Then she looked ahead.
"I'll go first. You follow after—"
Before she could finish, an astonishing chakra erupted from the opposite shore.
What was that?
As they ran, they turned to look.
A golden flash flickered across the battlefield—wherever it appeared, death followed.
Minato had joined the fray!
Simultaneously—
A towering water wall rose.
Water Release: Water Wall!
"Charge through!"
Jiraiya bellowed.
The next instant, he teleported across the wooden bridge to the opposite shore.
There, he saw Kyohiko and Kurenai coordinating with Minato to hunt down surrounding Earth shinobi.
Such incredible speed!
As for Kurenai...
Though she couldn't match their pace, her situational awareness and precise genjutsu usage provided perfect cover for Kakashi and Kyohiko.
"As expected, compared to Gai, Kyohiko and Kakashi need a teammate who can provide cover."
Jiraiya mused.
Then he turned.
"Kakashi, you can drop the Water Wall now."
"But—"
Kakashi glanced back.
Jiraiya smiled. "Don't worry. I've got this now."
"Understood!"
Kakashi released his stance.
In the next moment, he drew his sword and charged at the enemy.
Meanwhile—
"Kyohiko, there's too many! Way too many!"
Kurenai panted lightly.
For the first time, she felt exhausted from using genjutsu.
"Cover sensei first."
Kyohiko glanced sideways.
With Jiraiya advancing, Kurenai could fall back to support him while resting.
As for him...
Ahead, two shinobi approached in formation.
No—
Three, actually!
Lightning Chakra Mode!
Kyohiko's speed skyrocketed instantaneously as he shot forward like lightning.
Hikari smirked.
Speed?
His sleeves flicked, revealing hidden blades.
In the next moment, Hikari sidestepped, his sword lashing out.
At this speed, he should—
Mid-thought, a bolt of lightning exploded before his eyes.
Hikari saw it clearly.
A sword.
A blade sheathed in lightning!
Before he could react, the world spun—then darkness.
"Hikari!"
A nearby Earth jōnin paled. He immediately formed hand seals and slammed his palms down.
Earth Style: Earth Wall!
But the rising stone failed to stop his opponent.
One punch.
This time, Kyohiko didn't concentrate his chakra at a single point.
Lightning chakra merged with superhuman strength, radiating outward—the earth wall crumbled instantly.
Boom!
Kyohiko accelerated again.
Just before impact, a dozen kunai flew toward him—each tipped with explosive tags. The Earth shinobi before him dissolved into mud.
An earth clone.
Kyohiko's elbow shot backward without looking.
Superhuman strength erupted.
The chakra released from his elbow struck Ōishi point-blank.
Ōishi coughed blood violently—
Right as a blade streaked toward his neck from behind.
Slash!
The sword found its mark.
Simultaneously, Kyohiko formed hand seals, conjuring a whirlpool that scattered the explosive kunai.
"You okay?"
Kakashi arrived beside him.
"Kill."
Kyohiko's response was brief. Then—
Water gathered.
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!
Kakashi instantly formed seals and teleported closer.
Lightning Release: Earth Flow Wave!
The combined lightning-water assault tore through enemy ranks under Kyohiko's control.
Hundreds of shinobi clashed, their techniques intertwining—the area around Kannabi Bridge descended into chaos.
On the opposite shore, Grass shinobi hesitated.
Should they join?
Not joining...
Might make Konoha misunderstand.
But joining could also cause issues—Iwagakure wasn't to be trifled with either.
As they wavered—
"Guard the border. Don't let Earth shinobi through."
Mui arrived personally.
Surveying the distant battle, he saw Konoha and Iwagakure shinobi locked in fierce combat—though Konoha clearly held the upper hand.
Especially—
Minato and Kyohiko.
Jiraiya had barely acted, focusing more on protecting the main force from the rear. Yet these two young shinobi alone were pushing Iwagakure into retreat.
These were the same four from that night, weren't they?
Their power had grown even more.
Incredible!
Mui's conviction deepened—
A small village like Kusagakure had no place in such battles between major villages!
Still—
His allegiance leaned clearly toward Konoha.
Scanning the battlefield, Mui noticed "Yamato" and the wooden bridge spanning the chasm.
Wood Release?
How?!
Had Konoha produced another Wood Release user?
Mui's pupils shrank. He stepped forward.
"Konoha's young friend, does Kusagakure's assistance be needed?"
"Probably not?"
"Yamato" hesitated.
"Then I shall go alone. The others will guard the border."
With that, Mui leapt onto the wooden bridge.
With his participation, Iwagakure's defeat accelerated.
Though Iwagakure had numerous elite jōnin, their opponents were simply too formidable—
Jiraiya, Minato, Mui, and Kyohiko—each surpassed ordinary jōnin!
In moments, Earth shinobi were routed, retreating nearly ten kilometers into the Land of Earth.
Finally, Ōnoki arrived.
Surveying the devastation below, his fury ignited. Landing abruptly, he formed hand seals and slammed his palms together—
A colossal stone golem erupted from the earth.