At the edge of the Divine Kingdom territory, a toad leaped out from a stream. It widened its eyes to observe the surroundings, and only after ensuring there was no danger did it open its mouth to spit out Jiraiya.
Thick saliva clung to Jiraiya's body. His hair was drenched, and his left arm hung limply at his side.
"It should be safe here."
He leaned against a large tree and breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
At this moment, only Sage Shima stood on his shoulder.
Because Sage Fukasaku had been infected by the virus, Jiraiya had ended the summoning early to send him back to Mount Myoboku.
"I didn't expect Little Jiraiya to be so wary of that guy," Sage Shima said with surprise, watching Jiraiya look like he had just survived a disaster.
After all, from the time Jiraiya first entered Mount Myoboku until now, the image he presented was that of someone who feared nothing. Yet, this time, the moment that man appeared, he had decisively chosen to flee. Such a panicked state was indeed rare.
Jiraiya shook his head with a bitter smile. He recalled the scenes from the Hidden Steam Village and the recent attack on the Leaf. Ultimately, he could only let out a long sigh. "The people of the Jashin Religion are different from others."
Seeing this, Sage Shima had no intention of prying further. She said, "Since there's no danger, I'll return to Mount Myoboku first to take care of that old man."
Jiraiya nodded slightly. "Thank you for your hard work. I will visit Senior Fukasaku at Mount Myoboku later."
"Understood."
Sage Shima nodded and then released the summoning to return home.
Jiraiya, meanwhile, made haste, rushing at top speed to the Hidden Leaf's outpost located within the Land of Rivers.
However, he did not let others know about his injuries to avoid damaging the morale of the Allied Shinobi Forces. He only secretly summoned a medical ninja to treat him.
For an ordinary person, a broken arm might be a severe injury, but it was nothing to a ninja. After some treatment, it would be mostly healed after a few days of rest.
"You may leave now. Remember, do not tell anyone about this," Jiraiya told the medical ninja.
"Yes, sir."
The medical ninja quickly withdrew. Jiraiya then called for his assistant, Tonami Nara, who had been responsible for signing the cooperation details with the Land of Wind.
This ninja from the Nara Clan had inherited the clan's excellent intellect and IQ. Although he was not quite on par with Shikaku Nara, he managed the affairs of the entire camp in an orderly fashion.
"Lord Jiraiya."
Tonami Nara arrived quickly. When he saw the bandages on Jiraiya's left hand, his naturally lazy expression instantly became serious.
"You're injured?" his voice held a trace of urgency.
As the strategist for the Leaf's side, he knew the importance of a commander like Jiraiya. He was not only a top-tier power but also the representative figure of this operation. If such a person suffered an accident before the battle, the blow to morale would be fatal.
It might even shake the Hidden Sand's determination to cooperate, causing the entire mission to collapse.
Fortunately, Jiraiya shook his head and said with certainty, "Don't worry, it's just a fracture. It's nothing serious."
Hearing this, Tonami's expression softened slightly, though deep worry remained.
"Ahem."
Jiraiya cleared his throat and moved on to official business.
"The reason I called you here is to organize the intelligence I gathered in the Land of Rivers."
Tonami's expression became solemn. After all, a battle between ninjas was also a battle of intelligence. A single key piece of information could decide the outcome.
If not for this, he would never have agreed to let a commander like Jiraiya go deep into enemy territory alone to scout.
Jiraiya took out a pen and began circling locations on the map of the Land of Rivers. He marked every troop station he found in the Divine Kingdom, even providing specific troop numbers for each area.
This scene left Tonami impressed. As expected of Lord Jiraiya, who is renowned as the number one at gathering intelligence...
"Besides the troop distribution, I also learned about the organizational structure of the Jashin Religion," Jiraiya continued.
Tonami focused his attention once again.
Although the Leaf had attempted to penetrate the Jashin Religion many times over the past year, they had failed. Previously, the religion had no fixed base or organization; the cultists were scattered throughout the Shinobi World like headless flies.
By the time the religion officially established the Divine Kingdom and gathered its followers, the Leaf was too busy dealing with the Uchiha to worry about them. If the religion hadn't colluded with the Uchiha to strike the Leaf, the village might have ignored them even longer...
These thoughts flickered through Tonami's mind for only a second before Jiraiya began his explanation.
"The object of the religion's faith is that so-called Jashin, who has yet to appear. We don't know what it is or what abilities it possesses. Based on the intelligence we have now, there are two top-tier fighters in the Jashin Religion..."
Jiraiya's expression grew heavy.
"One is the masked man who calls himself Tobi, the one who orchestrated the destruction of the Hidden Steam Village."
Jiraiya recalled that battle, his tone turning cold.
"His primary ability is manipulating various Kagune, and he has the ability to summon two massive summoning beasts. According to my investigation, these two beasts might be two of the three Apostles the cultists speak of."
"Judging from their statues, the mountain-sized beast is called the Apostle of Desire. It has a massive body and can grow numerous limbs. It can attack via sonic waves and even create Genjutsu. Most importantly, this beast can self-destruct with power comparable to a Tailed Beast!"
At this point, Jiraiya's voice dropped lower.
The direct cause of the death of his teacher, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, was the self-destruction of that Apostle of Desire.
However, he quickly recovered from the sadness.
Tonami Nara said thoughtfully, "Commander Jiraiya, according to intelligence from the Hidden Sand, this beast also self-destructed when it attacked their village."
Jiraiya frowned, sensing something. "What are you suggesting?"
Tonami looked up, his eyes bright. "There are two possibilities. Either the Jashin Religion possesses multiple versions of this beast, or the beast has the ability to continuously resurrect."
"Resurrection, huh..." Jiraiya mused, stroking his chin.
Before he could say more, Tonami offered his guess: "I personally lean toward the latter."
"Why?" Jiraiya asked the strategist curiously.
"Because if they really had multiple Desires, they could have summoned them all at once. Their explosions alone would be enough to destroy the entire Leaf. If they had done that, the village would have lost almost all its ninjas along with the Third Hokage. That would serve their interests better, wouldn't it?"
"Or perhaps there is a restriction that allows them to only control one Desire at a time. Regardless, I think the possibility of them throwing multiple Desires into battle at once is low."
Tonami fell silent. He was only responsible for providing deductions; the final decisions rested with the Supreme Commander.
After careful consideration, Jiraiya said, "Send the report to the Hidden Sand stating that Desire is suspected to have resurrection abilities."
"Understood." Tonami began writing again.
Jiraiya continued with the intel.
"Besides the first Apostle, Desire, there is a second called Fear. It looks like a giant eyeball and has the ability to levitate. it can exert mental pressure and cast Genjutsu. Its body can also extend numerous flexible tentacles. Other information remains unknown."
These were also details from Jiraiya's personal experience at the Hidden Steam Village.
"As for the third Apostle, Hatred, I have no confirmed intel. I also don't know if the man named Tobi can summon it."
After finishing the report on Tobi, Jiraiya turned to another individual.
"The other major combatant is an elegant man with glasses. The cultists call him the Archbishop. He is extremely proficient in Magnet Style. His mastery is likely on par with the Third Kazekage... Additionally, he can attack with tentacles and excels at Sealing Jutsu."
This was another bombshell that made Tonami's expression grave.
"Two Kage-level powerhouses guarding them, then..."
However, Tonami's expression soon shifted to one of acceptance. If it weren't for such power, how could their Third Hokage have died so heroically?
Jiraiya seemed to have expected this reaction. "Besides these two and the three Apostles, there are two Divine Sons of unknown identity, as well as three Divine Priests: Plague, Death, and War."
"I have already fought these so-called Priests this time. Their strength is quite good, and their teamwork is seamless. Together, they are enough to stall a Kage-level fighter. Plague excels at releasing viruses and controlling large summoning beasts. Death is suspected to be a survivor of the Uzumaki Clan, proficient in Sealing Jutsu and monstrous strength. War can use Sage Mode and prefers attacking with chakra and Taijutsu."
Jiraiya then gave a detailed breakdown of their abilities.
After recording everything, Tonami let out a long breath. "It seems this mission will be difficult."
Two Kage-level fighters, three elite Jonin who are near Kage-level when working together, three powerful Apostles, and most importantly, the Jashin hiding in the shadows. Such a lineup could already be considered the sixth great ninja village.
If not for the alliance with the Hidden Sand, the current Leaf would find it very difficult to destroy them.
Jiraiya patted Tonami's shoulder optimistically. "Don't worry. This time, the combined forces of the Leaf and Sand reach 3,500 people, including dozens of elite Jonin. We will succeed."
"I hope so."
Tonami spoke with Jiraiya for a few more moments before heading to the joint camp to share the intelligence.
Once Tonami left, a deep worry appeared on Jiraiya's face. What bothered him wasn't the religion's strength, but that he hadn't fully uncovered their secrets!
Who were the two Divine Sons? What were the abilities of the third Apostle? Were there other powerhouses? Was Jashin a fabrication or a god that truly existed? And who was the Child of Destruction?
All of this left him confused. However, he soon received a message from a messenger from Mount Myoboku. The messenger was a small toad, and the message was simple: the Great Toad Sage wanted to see him.
After giving instructions to his subordinates, Jiraiya spoke to the small toad. "Tell them they can use the Reverse Summoning Jutsu."
"Gero!"
The small toad croaked and vanished in a cloud of smoke. Shortly after, Jiraiya also vanished in a puff of white smoke.
Warm sunshine, giant colorful leaves, and trickling springs... He had arrived at Mount Myoboku.
"Little Jiraiya."
Sage Shima was already waiting. Jiraiya's first question was about Sage Fukasaku.
"How is Senior Fukasaku?"
Shima hopped onto his shoulder. "After treatment from the Great Toad Sage, the viruses have been extracted. However, it still affected his body. He won't be able to fight alongside you for a while."
Jiraiya finally felt relieved. "As long as his life isn't in danger." If something had happened to Fukasaku because of him, he would have a heavy conscience.
Soon, they reached the giant palace where the Great Toad Sage resided. The ancient, massive, yet wise Great Toad Sage sat before him. This time, he was not drowsy; he opened his eyes the moment Jiraiya stepped through the door.
"The troubled times are coming."
The four short words hit Jiraiya like a bolt of lightning.
"Great Toad Sage, what does that mean?" He knit his brows tightly.
The Great Toad Sage's giant eyes seemed to pierce through the future. His voice was blurry as he spoke. "The Child of Destruction will rise in the troubled times, and the mastermind behind the scenes of the Shinobi World will overturn this world!"