Starting as the mastermind behind Naruto

Chapter 262 Jiraiya: I have fans in Amegakure, feel free to infiltrate.

Tsunade did indeed see them.

After receiving the scroll, Jiraiya involuntarily widened his eyes, staring intently at the portrait on it: "Is this... Konan?"

The moment Jiraiya saw Konan's portrait, he immediately recognized her features; she must be one of the three disciples he had taken in the Land of Rain.

and…

Xiao Nan's specialty is the paper-throwing technique.

It's just unclear why Konan, who was thought to have died in battle, is still alive and has joined the infamous Akatsuki organization.

Jiraiya's expression changed for a moment, then he suddenly broke into a hearty laugh: "Although Konan has grown into a very beautiful woman, you can still see glimpses of her former self, only her personality seems to have changed quite a bit!"

After all, the Konan in the portrait had no gentleness whatsoever, only coldness in her eyes, just like the other Akatsuki members that Jiraiya and the others had seen.

indifferent.

ruthless.

It chooses its prey to devour.

"Huh? Konan... isn't that where you were in Amegakure..."

Tsunade's expression changed, and she suddenly looked up at Jiraiya: "If I remember correctly, they should have died in the war!"

Tsunade had heard Jiraiya mention it before.

Jiraiya spent three years in the Land of Rain, teaching and caring for three homeless children. To be precise, those three children were Jiraiya's first group of disciples.

Unfortunately, during the Third Shinobi World War, Jiraiya received news from a toad that the three children had died on the battlefield, which left Jiraiya depressed for a long time.

"I don't know either…"

Jiraiya sighed and shook his head.

Besides the three-year master-disciple relationship, Jiraiya also believed that one of the children with the Rinnegan might be the child of destiny he was searching for.

The Rinnegan is the legendary eye of a sage.

But the next moment, Jiraiya received news of the Rinnegan. As he slowly opened the scroll sent by Kirigakure, his expression suddenly became even more unpleasant.

"It's Yahiko..."

Jiraiya subconsciously tightened his grip on the scroll in his hand. He recognized Yahiko's appearance at a glance, as well as the Rinnegan in Yahiko's eye sockets.

Jiraiya's fingers slowly loosened, and he gently placed the scroll on the table. His expression suddenly turned incredibly grim: "How could Yahiko have obtained Nagato's Rinnegan... If he and Konan are both alive, what about Nagato?"

Jiraiya's first thought was that Yahiko had killed Nagato and taken his Rinnegan.

No, it could be another situation.

After Nagato's death, Yahiko transplanted Nagato's Rinnegan, since Yahiko and Naruto Uzumaki had similar personalities and Yahiko was not the kind of person who would harm his comrades.

Only in this situation is it possible to get closer to the truth.

If Nagato was killed, and Yahiko sought revenge by transplanting Nagato's Rinnegan and joining the Akatsuki organization in an attempt to destroy the ninja world.

This is the most credible scenario.

"Perverted Sage, Granny Tsunade, do you know these two people?"

Naruto Uzumaki walked over, looking curiously at the two portraits on the scroll, and stroked his chin, saying, "Were they ninjas from our village in the past?"

"No."

Jiraiya shook his head, glanced at the portraits of Pain and Konan again, and said in a deep voice, "They are ninjas from the Land of Rain. During the Second Shinobi World War, they were my disciples whom I took in after the war ended..."

After saying that, Jiraiya suddenly looked up at Tsunade and whispered, "A few years ago, when Orochimaru invaded Konoha, Shimura Danzo coerced Uehara Naraku into assassinating the old man, and it seems he agreed to a few conditions..."

"One of them."

Tsunade's face also darkened, and she said in a deep voice, "That was to ask Konoha to assist and support Amegakure in eliminating the Akatsuki organization, but later Uehara Naraku probably crossed this clause off on his own initiative in order to maintain Amegakure's independence and prevent the war from affecting it."

"hehe…"

Jiraiya chuckled and shook his head, saying in a low voice, "According to the analysis of the information provided by Uehara Naraku and the intelligence we obtained, after the Akatsuki broke with Amegakure, the Land of Rain fell into internal strife until Hanzo led Amegakure to completely expel the Akatsuki."

Before their falling out, Akatsuki was established with the support of Amegakure. Uehara Naraku even actively recruited several members for Akatsuki, so he would definitely know Konan and Yahiko! After all, they were ninjas from the Land of Rain.

Jiraiya took a deep breath and slowly looked up at Tsunade, his expression gradually darkening: "That brat Uehara Naraku has been hiding information about Konan and Yahiko. He's never shared any information about them with us!"

This means that Amegakure has never sincerely cooperated with Konoha. Uehara Naraku visited Konoha several times and often participated in the Allied Congress talks, but he never mentioned that Akatsuki had two hidden members.

What do you think Amegakure's hidden purpose is?

Tsunade tapped her fingers lightly on the table, her brows furrowing slightly as she said, "Among the ninja villages that participated in the siege of Akatsuki, Amegakure has always been the most dedicated. It was also thanks to Uehara Naraku that the Fifth Kazekage was rescued."

Tsunade glanced down at the scroll again and continued softly, "Before we surrounded Kakuzu last time, Uehara Naraku mentioned wanting the treasures on Kakuzu's body in order to prolong Hanzo's lifespan. Could it be that the Rinnegan has a similar function?"

"It's not impossible."

Jiraiya stretched, a hearty smile spreading across his face: "If they really wanted to seize the Rinnegan, it wouldn't be surprising if they were hiding information... I'm just curious how much information they're still hiding about Akatsuki."

After saying this, Jiraiya stroked his chin and said, "Perhaps I should secretly go to Amegakure this time to investigate. It would be best to obtain some complete information about Akatsuki, since there is no more accurate source of information than Amegakure, the birthplace of Akatsuki..."

"No, this is too dangerous!"

Tsunade immediately stopped Jiraiya's idea, explaining in a deep voice, "Besides, Amegakure is our ally. If we infiltrate rashly and are discovered, it could easily cause misunderstandings between us!"

After Tsunade finished speaking, she immediately took out a scroll and said softly, "I will immediately send someone to Amegakure to deliver a diplomatic message, demanding that they hand over all the information about Akatsuki!"

Hanzo the Salamander was secretly hiding information from Akatsuki!

Besides wanting to steal the longevity techniques and bloodline limits of the Akatsuki members, Amegakure might also be planning to use this opportunity to attack our great ninja village and realize that old man Hanzo's pipe dream of dominating the ninja world!

"That's normal."

Jiraiya placed his palm on the blank scroll, stopping Tsunade's movement. He slowly shook his head and said, "Even if you write a letter, it won't help. They will never reveal what they want to hide."

"..."

Tsunade fell silent.

In truth, she knew in her heart that Jiraiya was right.

What cannot be obtained at the negotiating table can not possibly be obtained from a diplomatic statement; Hanzo the Salamander has always been an ambitious man, how could he possibly change his attitude because of a diplomatic statement!

Perhaps when Hanzo expelled the Akatsuki from the Land of Rain, he was initially worried about the Akatsuki's threat, which led to Uehara Naraku leaking a lot of information about Akatsuki.

Later, Hanzo discovered that the Akatsuki organization had successively attacked and captured major ninja villages, causing them heavy losses. This might help him dominate the ninja world, so he resumed his passive attacks on the Akatsuki organization and even deliberately concealed information about them.

"That old bastard Hanzo the Salamander!"

Tsunade gripped the pen tightly, crushing it to pieces: "Now that Akatsuki threatens the entire ninja world, is he still using this opportunity to seek personal gain, dreaming of becoming the immortal Rainkage?!"

"Alright, alright."

Jiraiya, seeing Tsunade fall silent, chuckled and continued, "Don't worry. Although Amegakure has been closed off from the outside world for years, there have been occasional exchanges. Besides, we're allies with Amegakure. If I'm discovered, they might spare my life out of consideration for you!"

In fact, the probability of this happening is not high.

Sending spies to allies to steal intelligence would not only damage the alliance but also give allies a reason to kill the spies, since spies have never had the right to live.

If Jiraiya is discovered and manages to escape, it will only be a matter of Konoha and Amegakure arguing, and Konoha could even use the information Jiraiya stole to accuse Amegakure.

If Jiraiya were to be captured or killed by mistake, the relationship between Konoha and Amegakure would become complicated!

"Okay, I'm not in danger."

Jiraiya stood up, chuckling as he said, "Besides, if I encounter any danger, you can immediately use diplomatic means! Maybe you can use Amegakure to cover up Yahiko and Konan's affair and get them to send me back!"

After saying that, Jiraiya took out a set of Icha Icha Paradise from his ninja tool bag and added with a light laugh, "I have fans in Amegakure!"

If Uehara Naraku knew, he could bribe him with these books, and maybe he'd spare my life out of respect for them!

To be honest, Jiraiya was also quite unsure about infiltrating Amegakure.

That's the place that the ninja demigod Hanzo the Salamander has always guarded.

Even now, Jiraiya has become a ninja as famous as Hanzo, but the fearsome power he faced when he was young still shocks him.

"Fool!"

Tsunade couldn't help but slap her forehead, scolding, "Don't take those fragile relationships so seriously! That brat Uehara Naraku is extremely loyal to Hanzo of the Salamander; he's Hanzo's number one lackey outside!"

"Hahaha, you wouldn't understand male friendship!"

Jiraiya smiled and shook his head, putting away the book from his ninja tool pouch. He turned to look at Naruto, who was hesitant beside him, and rubbed his forehead, saying, "Naruto, it seems there's nothing more I can teach you. So, I'll pass on one last move to you!"

"A lecherous immortal?"

Naruto looked up at Jiraiya with concern in his eyes and said in a deep voice, "I heard everything. You're going to a very dangerous place. I've learned Sage Mode now, I can go in your place!"

"It's better for a little kid like you to stay home and do your tasks obediently..."

Jiraiya pulled a notebook from his ninja tool pouch, tapped Naruto on the head, and handed it to him: "This contains guides to some of the most treasured places I passed through during my ninja training in the ninja world, covering various geisha districts..."

"That's enough!"

Tsunade was so angry that she smashed her own table with a punch!

Why are you being so indecent at a time like this!

Jiraiya was so startled that his hand froze on the spot. After regaining his composure, he slowly handed the notebook to Naruto Uzumaki: "Um... this is mainly my manuscript..."

"A lecherous immortal!"

Naruto Uzumaki shook his head, refusing to take the notebook: "I'll go steal the information for you, or I'll go with you!"

"Absolutely not."

Jiraiya quickly shook his head and explained in a deep voice, "Amegakure is extremely isolated and heavily guarded. If you, a brat, go there, you'll only be a hindrance..."

"A lecherous immortal!"

"alright!"

Jiraiya patted Naruto's forehead and said in a deep voice, "I will come back as soon as I get the information. While I am away from Konoha, you must protect the village well in my place and make sure that Konoha does not suffer the same fate as other ninja villages."

"..."

Naruto gritted his teeth and slowly lowered his head.

"Tsunade..."

Jiraiya rubbed his palms together, a blush slowly spreading across his face. He said softly, "I meant if possible... after I get back..."

"Um?"

Tsunade looked up in confusion.

"fine."

Jiraiya patted his forehead and said softly, "If you can, please take good care of Naruto for me!"

Tsunade: "..."

In any case, Jiraiya's mind was made up.

Besides, this trip wasn't actually that dangerous.

There aren't many powerful ninjas in a place like Amegakure. Apart from Hanzo the Salamander, there's probably only the genius ninja Uehara Naraku.

Even if Jiraiya couldn't defeat them in Amegakure, escaping would be relatively easy within the village guarded by these two.

Xiao's base.

Uehara Naraku had just finished sealing the Five-Tails Kokuo, the Six-Tails Saiken, and the Seven-Tails Chōmei with the Akatsuki members, and he was unaware that news of Konan and Pain had appeared before Tsunade and Jiraiya.

Regardless of how things are explained, the cause and effect of this world still has to be attributed to Danzo Shimura.

If Danzo hadn't colluded with and lured Hanzo to ambush the Akatsuki, the Akatsuki wouldn't have become such a deformed and evil organization.

The leak of information about Konan and Pain is also due to the reward for killing Danzo. This led Uehara Naraku to always brazenly attack and breach major ninja villages when capturing tailed beasts, which in turn led to several major ninja villages uniting to exchange information about Akatsuki.

If we calculate it that way, Danzo Shimura was actually committing a crime.

After sealing the three tailed beasts, Deidara collapsed to the ground: "I've sealed three tailed beasts in one go, I definitely need to rest for a few days!"

"Um."

Pain nodded and said in a deep voice, "Now only the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails, the two strongest tailed beasts, remain. After resting for a few days, we'll launch a collective operation to capture the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki of Konoha!"

Pain slowly examined the seven lit eyes of the Gedo Mazo, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. He knew he had to speed up the collection of the Tailed Beasts!

Uehara Naraku also looked at the seven eyes that had appeared on the Gedo Mazo, a glint flashing in his eyes. He knew he needed to speed up his plan to eliminate Nagato and Konan...

One more chapter coming later.

(End of this chapter)