Jiraiya's eyes swept across the three young ninja before him. His voice lowered, thoughtful.
"This brat's uniform has the faint crest of the Uchiha… so you must be from that clan. That one with white hair looks just like Gray Fang's bloodline. And the red-haired girl—obviously Hyūga."
His lips curved knowingly. "Konoha ninja, no doubt."
The legendary Toad Sage gave a reluctant sigh, then nodded. "…Fine. You've got me. I'm Jiraiya."
Shigure narrowed his gaze, seizing the chance. "Senior Brother Jiraiya, what business brings you here to the Land of Hot Springs?"
The Sannin flicked his eyes about the street cautiously. His easy smirk faded. "Not out here. Let's find somewhere private."
They entered a lively izakaya tucked along Rose Street. Inside a quiet backroom, sake cups were set out and the four settled around a low table.
Jiraiya poured a drink for himself, swirling it lazily. His jovial tone returned, blurring seriousness beneath tipsy theatrics. "Didn't think the old man would take on a new disciple again… Rare, very rare!"
He studied the three curious faces across from him. "So, you're truly Sarutobi-sensei's latest brats? Genin, eh? Then answer me—why are apprentices running around Hot Springs? Where's your Jonin leader?"
Akane leaned forward earnestly. "He's investigating something nearby. We were entrusted to continue the mission in town."
"And you?" Shigure pressed, unwilling to be the one answering questions without gain.
Jiraiya smirked into his cup. "Me? Same as you—I'm on a mission. Though this one's S-rank."
The word hung heavy in the air. Kusuo swallowed hard. "S-rank…?" Even saying it felt forbidden. Tasks of that level were leagues beyond genin. They were the kind of jobs where villages gambled on life and death itself.
Jiraiya gave him a hearty slap on the back. "Don't look so scared, kid. Grow enough, live long enough… one day you'll handle missions like these too. Assuming you're still in one piece!" He chuckled, then turned serious eyes toward Shigure. "But I'll be blunt—my progress has stalled. Maybe you'll share your mission details to balance the scales?"
Shigure studied the man. Despite the drunken airs, the weight of a Sannin pressed behind every casual word. He judged it safe enough and leaned closer, ensuring no one eavesdropped. "Our mission is to track down secret intelligence circulating here. The clue we were given was something called White Rose."
For once, Jiraiya's grin disappeared entirely. "White Rose…" His eyes sharpened. "So that's it."
"You know something?" Shigure asked.
His answer came softly: "Remember the hot spring inn you passed on Rose Street earlier? The one that girl tried tempting you into?"
Recognition snapped through Shigure and his teammates. "Don't tell me—!"
"That's right," Jiraiya cut him off. "Its name is White Rose."
Kusuo sprang to his feet. "Then let's storm the place right now!"
But Jiraiya wagged a finger. "Tch, not so simple. If I show my face, they'll know instantly. Even you three figured me out in minutes. Enemies may be sharper-eyed than you."
"Too narcissistic," Akane muttered, rolling her eyes.
Shigure, however, was already thinking. In a faint flare of chakra smoke, his body shifted—darkening hair, broadening frame—until the form of the Kumogakure rogue they had encountered earlier stood in his place. "What about this? We killed this missing-nin on the road. If he shows up, suspicions vanish."
Jiraiya barked a laugh. "Smart brat! Right, you be our fake ally. We three will tail close in case things go south."
Shigure nodded and strode from the inn with calm determination. His heart hammered beneath the disguise.
The White Rose awaited.
The building rose modestly amid Rose Street, steam curling lazily from its windows. As Shigure stepped inside the sliding doors, the same alluring woman approached—the one who had invited him earlier.
Her eyes lit with predatory gleam. "Ah… You're here."
Shigure gave a grave nod. "Yes."
Her smile sharpened. "And the Konoha rats? Did you eliminate them?"
Without hesitation, he lied flatly: "They've been killed."
The woman's lips curved wider. "Then come in."
She motioned him through, no doubts clouding her face.
Behind him, outside, Akane's fists clenched. "He'll be alright, won't he?"
Jiraiya murmured softly. "Your partner's clever. He'll signal us if he's exposed. Then we crash in."
Inside, shadows deepened. The woman led Shigure past softly lit halls toward a back chamber lined with books. With a teasing glance over her shoulder, she tugged a heavy volume from the shelf. Click.
The shelf ground inward, revealing a hidden passage.
"After you," she purred, her tongue slicking across her lip in mock-sensuality.
Suppressing unease, Shigure activated his Sharingan subtly within the transformation, scanning the surroundings. Chakra signatures flared faintly from deeper inside—two of them painfully familiar. His chest clenched when the shadows resolved into bound forms.
"Teacher Hizashi… Noguchi?!" Both were beaten, chakra reserves drained, clearly captured.
A cold dread slithered across him. So this is a trap…
But retreat was impossible now. He straightened and strode inside.
The woman's sultry tone coiled around his ears. "I'll tell you something good."
Shigure kept his voice steady. "Say it."
"We dealt with a little mouse for you." Her eyes flickered, testing.
He snorted dismissively. "The Jonin from Konoha, right? Stronger than I expected. He escaped with Noguchi before I could finish. Lucky vermin."
A beat passed—and then the woman smirked, satisfied. "So it's like that. Fine. Come. I'll show you to the High Priest."
Every step down the hidden stairwell tightened the knot in Shigure's gut.
At the chamber's end, the air grew heavy. Torches flickered against cavern walls. Before him, a man stood cloaked in ceremonial garb, his back turned. Demon-marked robes shrouded his form.
"Grand Master," the woman announced sweetly, bowing her head.
The man lifted his arms, not yet turning. "Another offering for our Lord Evil God. Another body for the great experiments!"
Hizashi's hoarse voice whispered from the shadows. "Shigure… keep it together."
Shigure flinched. The Grand Master's rasping tones boomed again. "Another Uchiha to sacrifice! The experiments shall continue!"
Then, suddenly, his words cut sharper. "Where are your companions, Uchiha brat?"
Cold jolted through Shigure's chest. Exposed?!
The Grand Master's hands lifted higher. "Praise the Evil God! The Jashin Cult has claimed more prey!"
Shigure's blood turned to ice. His mind reeled with realization. Jashin… The cult of the Evil God. Hidan's cult.
And then it struck with full clarity. These are the ones searching desperately for the Craftsmen's Village meteorite! This whole White Rose façade—it's their front, their base. Konoha wasn't facing mere bandits or spies. We've stumbled right into the Evil God's nest.
--
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