Chapter 85: Jiraiya

Nara Rokuro looked deeply displeased.

He had already repaid his debt to Jiraiya, so he had no patience for his nonsense; seeing him still trying to argue, he immediately shot back with Naruto Uzumaki’s name.

Of course.

This wasn’t because he cared about Naruto Uzumaki—he had only an average relationship with Minato Namikaze; it was Kiba who was close to Minato. He was just shutting Jiraiya up.

The subtext was simple: Itachi might as well go wash up and sleep.

After all, he didn’t believe Jiraiya could succeed—Minato might have left little property, but Kushina Uzumaki had left far too much; as a member of the Nara clan, he knew perfectly well that Kushina’s wealth had long been completely divided up.

Repay?

With what?

Once swallowed, can Itachi vomit it back up? Do Itachi want the dregs Itachi’ve already excreted?

Before such vast wealth, forcing someone to give it back requires bloodshed and death—could Jiraiya really go that far for Minato Namikaze?

Nara Rokuro thought the possibility was far too low.

Of course.

If Jiraiya truly was willing to do that, it would, in a way, be good for their Uchiha faction.

After all, if the village descended into chaos, their power would indirectly grow stronger!

Jiraiya: “...”

Again rebuked, he was deeply ashamed and furious.

The matter of Minato Namikaze was his sore point.

He instinctively avoided anything related to him—not only because it stirred painful memories, but mostly because he didn’t know how to face it.

After all...

Even though he avoided Naruto Uzumaki, after spending so long in the village, he had heard the word “demon fox” often enough.

For all of this, he only wanted to flee.

He could only hope that Hiruzen Sarutobi would handle it properly, or that Naruto Uzumaki would someday understand the Will of Fire and grow up to grasp the true importance and meaning of “protection.”

But now?

He had been backed into a corner.

Jiraiya wasn’t stupid—he clearly understood Nara Rokuro’s subtext.

A man who couldn’t even protect his own loved one had no right to speak of protection to the ninja clans—he had shown no proper sense of responsibility in the matter of Minato Namikaze.

No matter how much he said, it would be meaningless.

After a long silence, Jiraiya gave Rokuro a deep look, then turned and left without a word.

Moments later.

Only after he left the Uchiha lands, defeated and hollow, did he let out a long, heavy sigh.

“Why?”

“Why won’t anyone understand that everything I’ve done was for the village?”

“Aren’t ninja supposed to endure?”

“I know I failed Minato. I know that boy, Naruto, suffered.”

“But it was all for the village’s stability—why won’t Itachi let this go?”

“For the village’s peace, why can’t Itachi just bear a little hardship? Can’t Itachi all just endure?”

“Selfish. So selfish.”

Jiraiya muttered to himself, filled with confusion.

Why couldn’t everyone learn from him, calm their hearts, and stop obsessing over personal gain?

A ninja must endure!

Thinking this, Jiraiya’s gaze grew even more resolute.

Because he was certain—he had done nothing wrong.

The ones at fault were the ninja clans who ignored the greater good; they were no longer true ninja, but tragic creatures obsessed with power—what difference did they have from Master Hiruzen and the others?

All the same breed.

But Master Hiruzen and the others were too old—I can’t change their minds.

Yet now...

After dealing with these ninja clans, he realized they too had been assimilated by Master Hiruzen—completely lacking the big-picture vision a ninja should have.

To resolve everything, he could only rely on the savior.

But...

Where, exactly, is the savior foretold by the Great Toad Sage?

No, absolutely not!

He must quickly resolve the village’s mess and then immediately set out across the ninja world to find the savior—only the future savior could fix this increasingly twisted village.

Just as Jiraiya made up his mind, he noticed a large group approaching.

Jiraiya froze.

But when he truly saw who they were, his face darkened instantly.

Leading them were the Pig, Deer, and Butterfly clans—and even smaller clans like Fūsai, Hikotake, Shingetsu, Yamashiro, and Gekkō; their leaders were the three clan heads:

Nara Shikaku, Yamashiro Kinoe, and Akimichi Chōza!

Jiraiya’s face turned pale; he immediately stepped in front of them.

“Shikaku, Kinoe...”

“What the hell do Itachi all intend to do?”

“Answer me!”

His face was ashen, his whole body trembling.

Clearly...

He already knew the answer—he just didn’t want to believe it.

There was no choice!

A large number of ninja clans had already defected to the Uchiha; if he let this group pass too, the Uchiha would control every major and minor clan in Konoha.

He would not accept this outcome!

After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who could only command the four clans plus countless civilians—even if he still bore the title of Hokage—could he still truly be called the Hokage of Konoha?

Yes.

Previously, he could still fool himself—the clans that defected to the Uchiha were only a portion.

But now?

If he let this group pass, then Hiruzen Sarutobi might not be a mere figurehead, but with the Uchiha’s current power, they could easily forge a new Konoha.

Thinking of this terrifying consequence, Jiraiya’s fury erupted.

But unfortunately...

Seeing Jiraiya blocking their path, Nara Shikaku was slightly surprised, yet quickly regained his composure.

“Lord Jiraiya, step aside.”

“We ninja clans have made our choice. If Itachi persist in blocking us, we will have no choice but to fight.”

“Choose.”

Nara Shikaku’s tone was grave.

He was not Nara Rokuro—he barely knew Jiraiya, and had no real relationship with him.

As head of the Nara clan, he dealt directly with Hiruzen Sarutobi; even during wartime, he rarely appeared on the battlefield—he was needed to advise Hiruzen.

Therefore...

He had no patience to waste words with Jiraiya. Perhaps his ability was slightly inferior to Rokuro’s, but having long held a high position and remained at Konoha’s core, he uttered a single sentence that struck Jiraiya’s fatal weakness.

Will Itachi fight?

Will Itachi plunge Konoha into chaos?

Can Itachi bear—dare Itachi bear—the cost?

Nara Rokuro might have granted him some face; Nara Shikaku cared nothing for it.

Strike—and it’s a killing blow.

Jiraiya: “...”

His face was grim, his eyes flashing with murderous intent.

Clearly, he had become utterly enraged.

But I have to say...

Facing Nara Shikaku, he felt a far greater pressure than from Rokuro.

Finally...

After a deep breath, he forcibly suppressed his killing intent and stepped aside.

And as for this...

Nara Shikaku bowed slightly, then waved his hand—everyone marched straight toward the Uchiha.