Jiraiya immediately stiffened the moment he heard the words "Two Toad Sage." The memory of the last time he'd encountered a table full of insects flashed across his brain, making him nearly jump up and flee Mount Myōboku on the spot.
---
A Secret Base in the Land of Fields
In Orochimaru's hidden laboratory, Guren pushed open the door with caution.
"Lord Orochimaru, we've discovered traces of Lady Tsunade."
"Oh?"
Orochimaru's snake-like eyes narrowed as he tore his gaze away from the petri dish. "Where is she?"
"In the Land of Lightning."
"The Land of Lightning…?" Orochimaru licked his lips subconsciously as Hyuga Neji's face came to mind.
As a collaborator he was keeping his eye on, Orochimaru had been quietly observing the recent changes in Kumogakure—the Fourth Raikage's unusual decisions, the reshaping of the village's structure, and most importantly… Neji's appointment as the Deputy Raikage.
Nominally, it was the second-highest position in the village.
But the Fourth Raikage had deliberately handed over nearly all power. At this point, the entirety of the Hidden Cloud Village practically revolved around Hyuga Neji.
This only strengthened Orochimaru's determination:
Neji was a resource too valuable to lose.
And now that funds for his experiments were running low, approaching Neji with a legitimate reason—tracking Tsunade—was ideal.
"Prepare everything," Orochimaru said with a cold smile. "We're heading to the Land of Lightning."
---
Yugito's Return & The Road-Building Plan
After several days, Yugito finally returned from her mission. Through long and detailed conversations, Neji learned that she had cleared the entire eastern sea of the Lightning Country of pirates—in less than two weeks.
Against a Kage-level opponent, ordinary pirates had no chance.
But Yugito couldn't simply remain idle.
So Neji assigned her another task:
leading a ninja team to build roads across the entire country.
While not many in Kumogakure specialized in Earth Release, constructing roads didn't require advanced jutsu.
Before the project began, Neji gathered his officers.
"Every new road must connect every major town and every remote village," he declared.
The ninjas exchanged awkward looks.
Using ninjutsu for… civil engineering? It felt beneath their dignity.
But their hesitation vanished instantly when Neji revealed the initial funding:
Five hundred million ryō.
A sum nearly equivalent to the annual budget of the Hidden Sand Village.
With monthly pay equivalent to A-rank mission rewards, no one objected any longer.
There was no shame in earning money—especially this much.
Neji's three secretaries stared at him strangely.
Where had such a massive sum come from?
Before anyone could question him, Uchiha Izumi hurried in and whispered something into Neji's ear.
His expression twisted into something between amusement and disbelief.
"Of course… something like this could only be done by that guy."
---
Kumogakure's Hot Springs Incident
Three hours earlier, at the newly built hot spring district outside the village, civilians and ninjas alike enjoyed their daily relaxation.
On this particular day, however, an elderly white-haired man appeared—not to bathe, but to hide behind trees near the open-air women's springs… with his backside sticking out.
The screams of the bathers drew the village's patrol squad immediately.
They captured the old man and dragged him into the village.
But the patrol captain froze the moment he recognized the suspect:
One of the Legendary Sannin—Jiraiya.
Who would believe that the Toad Sage himself would peep on women in broad daylight?
---
Neji Meets the Captured Sannin
Hiding his smile with difficulty, Neji dismissed the meeting in the Raikage Building and headed straight to Kumogakure's prison, entering the interrogation room alone.
Jiraiya sat there, shackled at the wrists and ankles, looking both embarrassed and helpless.
When Neji entered, Jiraiya looked up.
"You… you're the Star of the Clouds, right?"
Neji nodded casually and freed him from the restraints.
There was no way the patrol could capture Jiraiya unless he let them.
Clearly, he had come to Kumogakure with a purpose.
"Heh… this is embarrassing," Jiraiya muttered.
"No harm done," Neji replied with a faint laugh. "Still, meeting the great Jiraiya-sama in such a place is certainly memorable."
They left the prison discreetly, Jiraiya transforming himself to avoid attracting attention.
Neji brought him to the Red Leaf Izakaya, arranging a private room filled with food and drink.
Jiraiya's eyes sparkled at the sight.
"Neji-kun is generous indeed…" he whispered to himself.
But I can't let him pay—somehow I'll treat him next time.
---
Drinks, Humor, and Business
"Senior Jiraiya," Neji began while pouring sake, "in war we stood on opposite sides, risking our lives. But those days are gone. Sharing a drink with the Toad Sage is a privilege."
Jiraiya chuckled. "You're a smooth talker. Next time you're in Konoha, I'll treat you to the best izakaya in the village."
After a round of drinks, Neji leaned back.
"So, what brings you to the Land of Lightning? You didn't come here seeking inspiration for a new… adult novel, did you?"
"Heh. I wish." Jiraiya sighed. "No, this time I'm searching for someone."
"Tsunade, I assume?"
Jiraiya nodded.
He had received detailed intelligence indicating she was somewhere in the Land of Lightning. But despite searching for days, he'd found nothing.
"And you're hoping to borrow Kumogakure's strength," Neji said, raising a brow.
Jiraiya nodded silently.
Neji considered it briefly. "A troublesome matter… but acceptable."
Jiraiya exhaled in relief.
---
Talk of Naruto & Jiraiya's Mission
"This may be sudden," Jiraiya asked after a few more drinks, "but… how is Naruto? Is he doing well here?"
Neji smiled.
"Raikage-sama admired Minato Namikaze. He treats Naruto as his own godson. No one dares bully him."
"That's good…" Jiraiya murmured, finishing a cup in one gulp. "As long as Naruto's safe."
Neji then shifted the topic.
"Senior Jiraiya, I've heard about your travels in search of the Child of Prophecy."
Jiraiya paused.
For decades he had wandered the world, led by the Great Toad Sage's prophecy.
"I thought I found him twice," he admitted softly.
Neji took another drink. "And the three students you trained in Amegakure… you remember them?"
"Of course. I believed one of them was the child of prophecy. But they all died in the war…"
Jiraiya's voice faltered.
Neji placed his cup down and said quietly:
"They're alive."
The glass in Jiraiya's hand slipped and shattered.
"Neji-kun… what did you say?"
"It's a long story."
Neji ordered more drinks, and over the next hour explained the truth—Hanzō's downfall, Danzo's secret interference, Yahiko's death, Nagato's tragedy, and Konan's transformation.
Jiraiya listened in silence, pain and anger flickering in his eyes.
"Danzo… again Danzo! Why did he interfere with Amegakure's internal affairs?" Jiraiya growled.
"To prevent a second Hanzō from rising," Neji said. "But he acted recklessly. Nagato's hatred grew beyond his control."
Jiraiya's fists trembled.
Nagato wielded the Rinnegan—if he attacked Konoha, the village had no strength to resist.
But more than fear, Jiraiya felt guilt.
He had raised them… and failed them.
---
What To Do About Akatsuki
"Hearing the story is one thing," Neji said calmly. "Now we must consider how to handle Akatsuki."
Jiraiya looked up sharply.
"If possible," Neji continued, "I prefer peaceful coexistence with Nagato. If the Akatsuki abandons revenge and returns to its original mission, the Hidden Cloud Village is willing to support them—significantly."
"But if they insist on collecting Tailed Beasts and waging war on the Five Nations…"
Neji's eyes hardened.
"…then Kumogakure will answer with force."
He leaned forward.
"Senior Jiraiya, can you persuade Nagato?"
Jiraiya struck his chest confidently.
"Leave it to me! The real culprit is Danzo. Once we deal with him, Nagato will understand."
Neji nearly laughed at the blind confidence.
"…Very well. I'll trust you for now. But if you fail—do not hesitate when the time comes."
"I know," Jiraiya said quietly.
Neji smiled again.
"Good. The other person should be arriving soon."
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