If it is indeed as Akihara Kagura said, that Uchiha Itachi might have awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, why didn't that child report this to him?
As expected...
Is it still because of distrust?
"Hey, old man!"
Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen was still pondering, Jiraiya's figure suddenly appeared beside him, nudging his shoulder, and whispered, "Isn't this kid's personality a bit too extreme!"
"That's all Danzo's fault..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen softly replied, coughed a few times, and then said to Akihara Kagura, "Kagura, you don't need to worry about the village's affairs anymore. What you need to do in the future is let go of the hatred in your heart and train well with Jiraiya."
"But..."
"No buts!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen sternly stopped Akihara Kagura's unrealistic thoughts.
"Old man..."
Jiraiya's expression looked a bit down, as he muttered, "I finally understand why you wanted me to teach him. Straightening out this kid will be very troublesome..."
"Jiraiya, only you can achieve this in Konoha."
Sarutobi Hiruzen rarely looked seriously at his disciple, advising, "Teach Kagura well. I believe in his talents; they definitely won't disappoint you..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't want Jiraiya to reject this matter.
Jiraiya only muttered a few words, but in his heart, he didn't oppose, because he somewhat knew about Akihara Kagura's talents from Sarutobi Hiruzen...
If it is indeed as Sarutobi Hiruzen mentioned, Akihara Kagura might truly possess the power to change the Ninja World and bring peace to it.
This little guy...
might indeed become the prophesied child.
As a Summoning Contractor of Mount Myoboku, Jiraiya knew about a prophecy the Great Toad Sage had mentioned: that there would be a ninja who would change the Ninja World.
That ninja...
would be a disciple taught by Jiraiya.
Over the years, as Jiraiya traveled outside, apart from tracking Orochimaru, he was also seeking the legendary prophesied child. He had encountered the legendary Sage Eye and had taught the Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato. Ultimately, all these disciples ended up losing their lives.
This time...
Would fate favor his life?
"Alright."
Jiraiya looked at Akihara Kagura, a smile appeared on his lips, and he extended his hand: "Perhaps this is a destined encounter, so let's formally get to know each other. Jiraiya, the Toad Sage from Mount Myoboku!"
"The Wood Release Ninja from the Dark Laboratory, Akihara Kagura."
Akihara Kagura extended his hand and gently touched Jiraiya's palm, calmly stating his true origin.
"..."
Jiraiya felt a faint unease in his heart.
Because the Dark Laboratory mentioned by Akihara Kagura was likely something his old friend Orochimaru privately constructed while still in Konoha. This is a victim of his old friend Orochimaru!
A child who had been in the Dark Laboratory since childhood, who knows when the psychological shadows of his childhood would heal, plus the extended time spent in Shimura Danzo's Root...
This is a child difficult to heal.
Jiraiya sighed in his heart, contemplating how he should guide this child, with the first step definitely being to leave the vortex that is Konoha.
"Hey, old man."
Jiraiya looked at his teacher and directly said, "Tomorrow, I'm taking this kid out for some training. Do you have any objections?"
Jiraiya's idea was simple.
Besides wanting to take Akihara Kagura out to train and hone his nature, another purpose was to ensure Akihara Kagura avoided the conflicts between Konoha and the Uchiha.
Jiraiya did not want Akihara Kagura to have a chance to get involved in harsh political struggles, to avoid further tarnishing an already darkened mind.
"You're his teacher."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, with his pipe in his mouth, had no objections.
Sarutobi Hiruzen also wanted Akihara Kagura to leave for a while, to prevent more intense conflicts with Uchiha Itachi, which could agitate the already sensitive Uchiha clan.
Uchiha Itachi might have hidden the fact about the Mangekyo Sharingan, but he was still willing to act as a spy for Konoha's high command, proving that the little guy would also consider the bigger picture.
In comparison.
Akihara Kagura this little guy is relatively troublesome.
Because of the Earth River Canyon incident, Akihara Kagura's nature was inherently extreme, and without Jiraiya's teaching to correct his nature, reconciliation with Uchiha Itachi was impossible.
"Then I'll take a stroll in the village!"
Jiraiya, bringing Akihara Kagura down from the platform of the Hokage Tower, instructed, "Before we depart, pack your things and say goodbye to your friends!"
"There's nothing much to pack."
Akihara Kagura already had nothing important.
The beautiful Kunai of Kakashi Hatake, engraved with his Flying Thunder God Mark, had been returned to him long ago in the Land of Grass. That Flying Thunder God Kunai had never been reclaimed and even helped Kakashi learn the Flying Thunder God Jutsu.
Other than that, the Deva Path: Shisui and Orochimaru's gifts and such were all sealed inside a scroll, which was inconvenient to easily expose.
It's just that.
There were quite a few people Akihara Kagura needed to say goodbye to.
"Go say goodbye to your friends!"
Jiraiya took a pair of binoculars out of his pocket, grinning as he said, "I haven't been back in a while, so I'll enjoy the scenery of my hometown!"
"Mm."