In the wilderness of the Land of Rain.
Jiraiya stood at a distance, watching Nagato and his two companions endure the pounding waterfall.
Unbeknownst to them, three years had already passed since he began teaching them. He wondered how Konoha was faring now.
Once their daily training concluded, night fell.
The trio followed Jiraiya back to the small house they had built together.
Tonight, Jiraiya personally prepared a lavish feast.
"Teacher Jiraiya, what's the occasion?" Yahiko exclaimed in delight at the sight of the sumptuous spread on the table. The three quickly took their seats.
Normally, they ate whatever was available—this was a rare treat.
Jiraiya smiled warmly at them.
"Tonight, we celebrate your graduation."
After three years of training, the trio had developed the skills and mindset of proper shinobi. At the very least, they could survive well in the Land of Rain.
From the beginning, Jiraiya's goal had been to equip them with the ability to live on their own.
"We've become proper shinobi?!" Yahiko cheered, overjoyed.
Three years of rigorous training had finally borne fruit.
"Congratulations," Jiraiya said with a proud smile.
"This is amazing!!"
Yahiko nearly jumped out of his seat, while Nagato and Konan remained silent, their heads slightly lowered.
After a long pause, Konan finally spoke up.
"Teacher Jiraiya… are you leaving?"
"Yes. Now that you've become capable shinobi, it's time for me to return to Konoha."
Jiraiya's expression was calm, betraying no trace of sorrow at their parting.
Even Nagato felt a pang of reluctance, though his feelings toward Jiraiya had always been complicated.
Jiraiya had cared for them like a father.
Yet, Nagato could never forget that his parents had died at the hands of Konoha shinobi.
All he had received was a hollow apology.
Some things were better left buried in the heart.
Nagato kept his head down.
Yahiko, however, seemed oblivious to the melancholy mood. He threw his arms around Nagato and Konan.
"Don't worry! We'll definitely meet Teacher Jiraiya again!"
"Right, Teacher?"
Yahiko looked up at Jiraiya expectantly.
"Of course," Jiraiya replied with a nod.
"When you find a way to bring peace to the shinobi world, we'll meet again."
Jiraiya knew Yahiko's dream—to usher in an era of lasting peace, free from conflict. Such a radiant aspiration.
Is he the Child of Light?
Jiraiya's gaze flickered toward Nagato, whose demeanor carried a shadowy gloom.
And is he the Child of Darkness?
This question had haunted Jiraiya ever since he received the prophecy.
Peace versus endless evolution… Surely peace is the better path.
"I will make it happen," Yahiko declared with unwavering confidence.
"I will find a way to bring peace to the shinobi world!"
The next morning.
The trio arrived at Jiraiya's room, only to find it empty.
"Teacher Jiraiya is gone," Konan murmured, her voice tinged with sorrow.
They had come to see him as family, and now he had vanished without a proper farewell.
"We'll see him again," Yahiko said cheerfully, ever the optimist.
"Now, it's our story!"
He struck a determined pose.
"I've decided—we're joining the military!"
The Land of Rain's army existed to protect the nation, aligning perfectly with Yahiko's ideals.
To achieve peace, they first had to safeguard their homeland.
"Protecting the Land of Rain…" Nagato whispered to himself.
This was his home. He didn't share Yahiko's grand dream of universal peace, but he did want to shield their country.
So that no child would lose their parents to war, as they had.
"Sorry, but we're full."
The recruitment officer gave the trio an apologetic look.
"Also, are you even fifteen yet?"
The minimum enlistment age was fifteen, and these kids looked far too young.
"Don't underestimate us! We're fully trained shinobi!" Yahiko protested indignantly.
They had earned Jiraiya's approval—how could this guy dismiss them so easily?
The officer's interest piqued.
"You're rogue-nin? We do have special policies for rogue-nin. What kind of jutsu can you use?"
Rogue-nin were given leniency since they already possessed basic shinobi skills, making them easier to train.
"The Three Basic Jutsu, plus some elemental techniques," Yahiko listed off.
Jiraiya had taught them several C and D-rank jutsu, though higher-level techniques were withheld due to Konoha's restrictions. Still, these were common across the shinobi world.
"Hold on."
The officer suddenly grew serious. Rogue-nin rarely knew this many techniques. He scrutinized the trio.
Could they be spies from another village?
"Show me one of your jutsu," he demanded.
"Got it!" Yahiko immediately formed hand seals.
"Transformation Technique!"
Poof! He morphed into the officer's exact double.
"Clone Technique!" Konan's body split into three identical copies.
"Substitution Technique."
Nagato turned into a log, reappearing a short distance away.
"So? Do we qualify?" Yahiko asked eagerly.
They were desperate to enlist.
The officer nodded.
"For rogue-nin, we have a provisional enlistment program. You'll be placed in the reserves. If a new unit is formed or existing ones need reinforcements, you'll be assigned accordingly."
One detail caught Yahiko's attention.
"What are the requirements to form a new unit?"
He wanted to establish his own force.
"To create a new unit, you need elite Jōnin-level strength. If approved, you can petition to become a battalion commander."
This was common knowledge among both the Rain Army and Money Army.
"Ah, so we'd need to reach Teacher Jiraiya's level…"
Yahiko rubbed his nose. That would take time. His eyes drifted to Nagato—with those mysterious eyes of his, he might progress faster than the rest of them.
"If you have no objections, you can enlist today," the officer said.
"We're in!" the trio answered in unison.
Their minds had long been made up.
"Good."
The officer nodded and began writing in his ledger.
"State your names."
Yahiko thrust his arm into the air. "Yahiko—the man who'll bring peace to the shinobi world!"
The officer stared at him as if he were insane.
Plenty of people dreamed of peace, but few actually pursued it. The officer certainly didn't believe this kid would.
Yahiko ignored the skepticism. He'd long prepared himself for doubters.
"Nagato," Nagato raised his hand.
"Konan," Konan followed suit.
The officer recorded their names.
But beside each, he scribbled a small note:
"Suspected spies."
(End of Chapter)