Revitalizing the Uchiha clan starts with becoming a Kage.

The same applies to cultivating immortal arts. If both can be completed equally, I will definitely be able to step into the Transcendent Shadow level. Only then will I have the confidence to solve problems. As for the final trip to the moon, I need to find that space passage through the glowing pool. Otherwise, I will not have the ability to transfer planets out of thin air.

This is a technique that can only be mastered by those who have reached the Six Paths level. If I'm not mistaken, the passage through the glowing pool was created by Otsutsuki Hamura himself. After all, he could indeed move to the moon out of thin air, but his descendants did not have that kind of power. Without creating a passage, his descendants would not have been able to reach the moon!

"If I remember correctly, the passage should be within the Land of Fire. You can look for it first, but unless you have eye problems or your Sage Mode training is complete, it's best not to act rashly."

This is one reason. Another reason is that the original work clearly describes that during this period, there were still a considerable number of descendants of Otsutsuki Hamura on the moon. The war between the main family and the branch family on the moon had not yet truly broken out, or rather, had completely ended. At least, when the final boss, Otsutsuki Toneri, was four or five years old, his father took him to Earth through a spatial passage in a glowing pool. He saw Hinata as a child from afar, and it was at that moment that Toneri recognized Hinata as his future wife.

That is, after completely destroying the Earth, 'Adam and Eve' rebuilt a new world and became the ancestors of the human world.

This proves that it is not advisable for me to go to the moon for at least the next four or five years. If I were to go, the best time would be after the bloody battle between the Otsutsuki main family and the branch family on the moon has ended, leaving only Otsutsuki Toneri and that giant Tenseigan. Only then would the probability of me succeeding be infinitely increased.

Therefore, it all still depends on...

Individual ability!

Time is still a bit tight!

As Jiang Si returned to a spot near the hotel where his delegation was staying, a faint trace of emotion appeared in his clear black and white pupils. Just as he murmured a sentence, his expression suddenly froze, his steps halted, and his gaze turned to look at the shadowy area on his left.

"I never expected to run into such an important person like you so late at night. Is it because you think the night is nice and you're out for a stroll? Or is it something else?"

The faint light in Jiang Si's eyes shone through as he softly uttered his words.

Then.

"Haha, as expected of the most outstanding person in the Uchiha clan. Don't be nervous, Shoji-kun. I came here on a whim tonight and didn't intend to do anything. However, I was indeed slightly interested in Shoji-kun's whereabouts just now. I wonder if Shoji-kun could tell me what he did?"

From the shadowy corner, Jiraiya's imposing figure strode out, his face still bearing a hint of arrogance. Meeting Shoji's clearly wary gaze, he smiled faintly and spoke.

"Heh, you probably wouldn't believe me if I said I just went back to my old home to reclaim some things that originally belonged to our Uchiha clan, would you, Jiraiya-san!"

Shoji sneered and looked coldly at Jiraiya in the opposite seat.

As long as they weren't caught red-handed, they wouldn't admit to anything. That's how relationships between ninja villages are—full of deceit and treachery. People like Danzo, who act without any bottom line and act arbitrarily, are the ones who break the rules.

Whether it's Jiraiya or Hiruzen Sarutobi, they are both people who view and handle problems within the framework of the rules.

This also applies to the general himself.

Humans should not be confined, but they should not easily transgress established order and rules, because doing so can easily lead to self-destruction.

Shoji didn't believe that this hero of Konoha would fight him here. This was Konoha Village, and Jiraiya had personally experienced how strong his Susanoo was. Not to mention that there were people like Kyoto and Akatsuchi nearby, even if Shoji was alone, if Jiraiya dared to make a move, Shoji would dare to make the number of casualties in Konoha Village reach five figures!

Having a kaleidoscope is just that awesome!

The remaining power of his eyes was still enough for Jiang Si to go completely reckless one last time.

Moreover, Shoji has always had a deeply hidden eye technique that he has never used. This eye technique was originally prepared for those elusive bastards like Obito and Black Zetsu, and it even has considerable limitations.

But if he really has to use his power, he won't hesitate. That's why he said before that even though he is indeed slightly weaker than Jiraiya, and Jiraiya in Sage Mode has a certain probability of killing him, he is also quite confident that he can kill Jiraiya in return!

What he relied on was this exclusive eye technique that he had never used before.

"Yes, of course I believe you. After all, this is the village where your Uchiha clan has lived for nearly fifty years. It's true that it's difficult to take everything with you when you left two years ago. There's nothing I don't believe. Mr. Jiang Si, there's no need to be so wary. As I've already said, I came here tonight on a whim and wanted to have a good chat with you!"

However, to Jiang Si's surprise...

Jiraiya really did seem to be asking the question casually.

As Jiraiya finished speaking, he nodded slightly, a knowing look on his face, and said softly.

This surprised Jiang Si, and a deep distrust and doubt surfaced in the depths of his pupils.

This is because the person opposite him is Jiraiya, a true hero in the original work who is honest and straightforward. If it were anyone else, Shoji would definitely laugh at him. It is Jiraiya's character that made Shoji only show a look of suspicion at this moment.

"You just want to talk to me? Jiraiya-san? Are you sure you're not joking? To talk to someone like me, a traitor to the village?"

There was absolutely no trace of killing intent or hostility that could be detected.

Suppressing his confusion, Jiang Si spoke with a tentative tone.

"Yes, I just want to talk to you. As for the reasons for betraying the village, I know a little about them. So, how about it, would you give this old man some face and have a couple of drinks with me?"

Jiraiya expertly pulled out a bottle of sake and two small cups from his robes, gently shook them at Shoji, and said with a smile.

"Jiraiya-san, I'm not an adult yet, but I'll gladly oblige and have a couple of drinks with you!"

Jiang Si then changed the subject.

"You little rascal."

Jiraiya was taken aback, then laughed and scolded.

The two were like ordinary friends. Under Jiraiya's guidance, they came to a higher platform one after the other, sat cross-legged side by side, and Tsukasa took the wine pot and poured a cup for Jiraiya first, and then filled his own cup as well.

Then it was raised.

"Jiraiya-san, I'll toast you first. No matter what the past or the future holds, at least one thing will never change: you will always be the only person in Konoha who deserves my utmost respect!"

With a serious expression, Shoji finished speaking and then downed his drink in one gulp. This action and these words stunned Jiraiya once again. With his experience and knowledge, he could tell that Shoji's words came from the heart. And just as Jiraiya had expected, although Shoji had many disdain for Konoha, and even Jiraiya himself had many flaws, there was no doubt that Jiraiya's personal charm was indeed very high. To put it bluntly, he was a very genuine person.

He never lied to others and treated people with generosity. In such a filthy and dark world, he was able to maintain his purest heart and his firm ideals and beliefs. It can be said that Jiraiya never changed his original intention until his death.

You can call him stupid, or overly naive.

But you must never question his character.

This is why Jiraiya's death in the original work caused a great deal of heartache for many Naruto fans.

Shoji disagreed with Jiraiya's methods and ideals.

But this does not diminish Shoji's respect and admiration for Jiraiya, because in such a world, people like Jiraiya are extremely rare.

"Haha, this really flatters me. I never expected to receive such respect. Indeed, you are a very interesting person, Mr. Jiang Si!"

Although he didn't know the specific reason, Jiraiya could tell from Shoji's words that they were sincere. He laughed and raised his glass, drinking it down in one gulp.

"However, I only respect you as a person, Jiraiya-san. I do not agree with your thoughts and actions. So, if you want to persuade me, then please keep your mouth shut. There is only one reason: I am the Uchiha!"

And it was just as Jiraiya was about to continue saying something under this pretext.

As if sensing something beforehand, Shoji looked at Jiraiya across from him with a slightly cold gaze and spoke in the most resolute tone. Although Shoji was initially surprised that Jiraiya would take the initiative to find him, after thinking it over, combined with Jiraiya's personality in the original work, and focusing on the matter of Orochimaru and Nagato, Shoji could guess to some extent what Jiraiya's intentions were in coming this time.

As mentioned earlier, Jiraiya was actually a very pure idealist. Even though he was already covered in wounds in the face of the bloody reality, he never changed his original intention. This was his most foolish point, the point that made people want to shout and scold him, but it was also the point that made people admire and feel sorry for him.

Even according to Jiraiya's original plan, where his clan remained in Konoha and he himself became Konoha's sharpest blade, he would not agree with Jiraiya's ideals, let alone now that his stance has undergone a complete transformation.

Mutual understanding?

Peace?

Sorry, but in Shoji's eyes, these words are too extravagant for the current ninja world, and he has never believed in such things.

Jiang Si's overly direct words caused the Konoha hero to fall silent instantly, his expression becoming solemn. He then looked directly at Jiang Si and asked in a very serious and low tone, "Why?"

"Because hatred cannot be resolved, Jiraiya-san!"

Jiang Si, still with an indifferent expression, spoke softly.

Jiraiya's question didn't mean he was truly ignorant; rather, he naively believed that all hatred could be resolved and that conflicts between people could be completely eliminated through dialogue and mutual understanding.

Just like the five great nations that were once constantly at odds, didn't they eventually reach a state of peace through mutual understanding at the sincere request of the First Hokage?

The First Hokage's actions were the result of Jiraiya's lifelong efforts. He truly believed that peace could be achieved through dialogue, as long as people could open their hearts to each other and understand one another. This possibility cannot be completely denied, because such 'goodness' does indeed exist in human society!

However, the negative product of 'evil' also exists in human society, and it is even more widespread and denser than the former. It is undeniable that when the five major ninja countries concluded a peace treaty to end the era of war, it was indeed because the Kage of the four major ninja villages were moved by the sincerity of Hashirama Senju, the strongest person.

But that's only one of the reasons!

The most important reason, however, is that both the big stick and the benefits were in place. The big stick refers to the deterrent power of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, two figures who were truly the pinnacle of the ninja world capable of single-handedly destroying an entire village. The benefits refer to Hashirama Senju's naive act of distributing the tailed beasts equally among the four great ninja villages. Only when both of these were in place could the so-called 'peaceful era' truly be ushered in for the five great nations!

Both are indispensable!

Therefore, after the deaths of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, the Fourth Shinobi World War broke out again, which is a naked manifestation of the 'malice' in human nature!

Many people have only seen, or deliberately hypnotized themselves, wishfully believing that it was the sincerity of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, that moved the Kage of the Four Great Ninja Villages and ended the war, but in reality, they still cannot escape the real core reason.

Military deterrence and profit sharing!

Whether Jiraiya truly didn't understand or was deliberately hypnotizing himself is unknown. The only certainty is that this hero of Konoha genuinely wanted to follow the path once trodden by the First Hokage. Leaving aside the fact that he had no chance of reaching Hashirama Senju's level, even if he could, it would merely be another cycle, utterly meaningless.

That kind of history, once is enough!

General Si has no interest in doing it again.

"But peace is something everyone desires. Mr. Jiang, even your Uchiha clan, don't you want to stay away from war and live a peaceful life forever? Let's put aside our hatred for each other. I believe..."

"That's just something you believe, Jiraiya-san."

Seeing that Jiraiya's emotions were subtly fluctuating, Shoji interrupted Jiraiya's words in a slightly rude manner, speaking in a resolute tone.

"The history of the past few decades has proven that so-called peace is nothing but an illusion. Our Uchiha clan will never forget the hatred of the past, unless the day of true revenge arrives. Of course, I will not righteously say that everything is Konoha's fault, or put myself on a high ground to glorify myself. This is the result of the paths chosen by both sides. Konoha bears responsibility, and we Uchiha also made mistakes. However, this does not prevent us from doing what we believe to be the right thing to do!"

"Furthermore, Jiraiya-san, even if we take a step back, do you really think that as long as our Uchiha clan abandons our hatred, Iwagakure and Konoha can usher in peace? If that's the case, then I really have to look down on you. After all, you've experienced two Shinobi World Wars; you shouldn't be so superficial. Hatred is one thing, and interests are another. When Konoha and the Land of Fire occupy the most fertile land in the world and live the most comfortable lives, that's the biggest cause of war, and that's the greatest original sin of Konoha and the Land of Fire!"

Jiang Si said with a deep look in his eyes.

This starkly reveals the truth.

This also made Jiraiya's lips twitch violently twice. To be fair, Jiraiya was indeed not that naive. The reason why Jiraiya is considered naive but worthy of respect is that he has seen through the cruelty of reality and has personally experienced these things, yet he still insists on his most naive thoughts and beliefs.

Regarding the matter of persuading the general today.

Jiraiya also clearly understood the priorities involved. However, in his view, the path needed to be taken step by step, starting with the Uchiha clan, then Iwagakure, and finally expanding to the entire ninja world.

Even if the probability is only one in a thousand, one in ten thousand, or one in a million!

Jiraiya wanted to forge a path of peace that he himself believed in.

This is Jiraiya's way of the ninja!

Why was he so fixated on the prophecy of the great toad sage of Mount Myōboku? It was his yearning for peace that drove him to make these choices!

A prophesied child who can bring true change to the ninja world!

This is the future that Jiraiya wants to see, and of course, it has to be the positive side.

What Shoji is doing now is using a colder and crueler reality to wake Jiraiya up.

Jiraiya also fell into deep silence at that moment.

After a while...

"Is this your answer, Mr. Jiang Si?"

Jiraiya also raised his eyes again, looking at Shoji with a very complicated expression and said this.

"Yes, Jiraiya-san, I respect your character and admire your ideals even more, but for me, it is something I could never do. We are not on the same path, and this is not only due to the difference in our status, but also to the difference in our beliefs!"