Konoha's Tag-System Ninja

"Let's go together," Shūichi shook his head. "He's likely already sensed us."

The Rinnegan is no small threat, even if it's not an original.

Now that Nagato possesses Hashirama's cells, it likely means he's struck a deal with Uchiha Madara.

In other words, due to Shūichi's presence, Madara might have seen Obito's plan as incomplete and opted to use Nagato instead, altering a key part. Shūichi wasn't sure yet, and everything would need to wait until he met Nagato.

"Alright," Jiraiya nodded, smiling. "Seems like you don't fully trust me, huh?"

Shūichi shook his head. "It's not like that."

"It's just that going alone is too risky. We're dealing with the Rinnegan here."

Jiraiya's smile faded as he recalled something. "True enough."

"Let's go, then."

Adjusting the shoulder strap of his scroll, Jiraiya stepped into the rain, with Shūichi following close behind.

…

In a towering structure, Nagato emerged from the shadows and walked over to Konan, who was staring at the rain outside. "Jiraiya-sensei has arrived."

Konan's expression turned complex. "Did he come because he heard about Yahiko's death?"

Nagato didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the rain. "There's another person with him—someone with even stronger chakra than Jiraiya-sensei."

Konan's eyes narrowed. "Not many in Konoha match that description. It must be the one White Zetsu informed us about: Shūichi Hoshita."

"Technically, he's one of our former comrades, too."

"So, has our collaboration with Uchiha Madara been exposed?"

Nagato reached out, letting the rain fall into his hand. "We'll know soon enough."

Konan looked at Nagato, whose face remained expressionless, and asked, "What are you planning?"

"Prepare for battle, Konan."

With that, Nagato turned and disappeared back into the shadows.

Konan's eyes showed a glimmer of sorrow, but she quickly steeled herself and followed Nagato.

Beneath the tower, Shūichi and Jiraiya entered through an opening.

The tower, constructed from a maze of thick pipes, was a unique architectural style suited to the constant rain of the Land of Rain.

After moving through a passageway, Shūichi and Jiraiya reached the second level and stopped.

"Nagato!"

Jiraiya smiled, then looked toward Konan, who had stepped out behind him. "The little girl from back then has grown into a beautiful woman!"

Konan regarded Jiraiya and said, "Jiraiya-sensei, you're just the same as ever."

Jiraiya chuckled proudly. "Of course, I'm still the Toad Sage!"

But then his smile faded as he continued, "Yahiko's not here, so it seems the information was correct."

Nagato spoke. "So, Jiraiya-sensei, have you come to confirm Yahiko's death?"

Jiraiya's gaze sharpened, but he replied with a smile. "Nagato, you've changed from before."

Nagato replied coldly, "Naturally. People grow and change."

"And this is all thanks to Konoha."

"I heard that Danzo is dead. What a pity."

Jiraiya sighed, "Guessing it's no use trying to reason here, but still…"

Before he could finish, Nagato interrupted him. "Jiraiya-sensei, if you're here to explain, don't bother."

"If you came to see us, then you're welcome."

Jiraiya frowned slightly. "I'm not here to explain, but I don't want you and Konan to make the wrong choices."

Nagato's calm voice rose with intensity. "Jiraiya-sensei, we're grown now. We've experienced much, learned much, and have chosen our own path."

"We tried to walk the road you advocated, but the outcome was clear—Yahiko died because of it. We were betrayed, and Akatsuki was reduced to just Konan and me."

"So now, we've chosen a different path."

"This is the path Yahiko once envisioned."

"So please, Jiraiya-sensei, don't try to stop us."

Hearing this, Jiraiya's heart sank. It was evident that words alone couldn't sway Nagato and Konan.

Shūichi, who had been observing, then interjected, "I have to agree with that—everyone has their own path and their own choices."

"Expecting someone else to walk the road you chose isn't exactly responsible."

Jiraiya's face dropped slightly; this guy Shūichi was actually undermining him!

Shūichi continued, "We're not here to persuade you or explain anything."

"After all, Yahiko's death really did involve that scumbag Danzo."

"Actually, I'm here today to make a deal with the Akatsuki."

Nagato's gaze landed on Shūichi. "A deal?"

"What kind of deal?"

Shūichi smiled. "Information."

"I've done extensive research on Hashirama cells, so I can sense them in you."

"This sensation is familiar. I once encountered a mysterious enemy with the same situation—he also had the Mangekyō Sharingan."

"One of my friends was taken by him, and another friend had a cursed seal implanted directly in his heart by that man."

Hearing this, Konan's expression changed, but Nagato remained impassive. "So, what exactly do you want to trade?"

"The identity of that man," Shūichi replied.

Nagato asked, "What do you have to offer in return?"

"Your previous information won't cut it."

Shūichi smiled again. "That depends on what you need."

"Since we're technically former comrades, I'm willing to accommodate as much as possible."

At that moment, Konan asked, "I heard you killed Danzo?"

Shūichi nodded. "Yes."

"On the very day Yahiko died."

At this moment, he seemed like a completely transparent person, spilling information without restraint. "My summoning creature was observing Danzo from above that day, so I know exactly what went down."

Curious, Nagato also asked, "Why did you kill him?"

Shūichi sighed. "There are plenty of reasons to kill Danzo."

"Some of them involve secrets of the village that I can't disclose, but I can tell you my personal reason."

"My reason is simple: Danzo threatened me back when I was still a student at the ninja academy."

"His very existence also endangered those I swore to protect, so I took him out."

Jiraiya, standing to the side, held his head in exasperation.

Nagato, however, nodded. "I see. You did the right thing."

Shūichi chuckled, "I swore years ago that I'd kill Danzo someday. I waited until this year, until I had the strength and the opportunity, and when I did, I didn't hesitate."

Nagato then revealed, "That man is Uchiha Madara."

Jiraiya's heart sank at those words. "So it's him…"

"A figure from that era, still alive—it's truly hard to believe."

Nagato looked at Shūichi, intrigued. "You don't seem surprised."

Shūichi nodded. "There aren't many Uchiha who could awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, let alone someone outside the village who also possesses forbidden Uchiha techniques. It wasn't hard to guess."

"When you eliminate the impossible, no matter how improbable, the remaining answer must be the truth."

Jiraiya spoke in a serious tone, "Nagato, allying with Uchiha Madara hides immense danger. Working with him won't end well."

Nagato replied calmly, "I disagree, Jiraiya-sensei."

"Partnering with Madara feels far safer than working with someone like Hanzō."

Jiraiya understood the deeper meaning behind these words and couldn't refute him.

Compared to Jiraiya, Shūichi had a better understanding of Nagato's perspective, so he wasn't trying to dissuade him. Instead, he seized the chance to sow a bit of doubt while clarifying the nature of Nagato and Madara's alliance.

Now that he'd gathered most of the information, he asked, "So, Nagato, what information do you want?"

Nagato replied, "I already asked."

"Now, Jiraiya-sensei, what do you plan to do next?"

Jiraiya looked at Nagato and Konan, memories of the past flashing through his mind.

They're completely different now.

War has changed so much, too much!

"Of course, I'm here to lead you back to the right path!" Jiraiya declared.

"The right path?" Nagato challenged. "What is the right path?"

"The one you're following, Jiraiya-sensei?"

"But hasn't Konoha always been at war with the other villages?"

"We, who've fought for peace, were struck down by despicable means. The path we've chosen now comes after deeply contemplating life and death."

"Jiraiya-sensei, what exactly is this 'right path' you speak of?"

"And isn't it a bit late for you to come and say this now?"

"So if we're not on the 'right path,' what do you plan to do, Jiraiya-sensei? Treat us as enemies and eliminate us?"

Jiraiya furrowed his brows. "Nagato, you're too extreme!"

Nagato shook his head. "No, Jiraiya-sensei, it's you who can't understand our pain. That's why your words sound so empty."

"You want us to understand others, but has anyone ever tried to understand us?"

"Jiraiya-sensei, Danzo is dead, but Hanzō isn't. Can you understand the pain of losing a comrade? The hatred of losing someone dear? Can you go and kill Hanzō for us?"

"If you can't…"

Nagato's gaze locked onto Shūichi. "Perhaps once you've lost a comrade, you'll understand."

Jiraiya sighed, "It looks like we need to test how much you've learned since we parted."

"Shūichi, step back!"

Shūichi didn't move. "It would be wise not to underestimate the power of the Rinnegan."

No one knew just how much mastery Nagato now held over the Rinnegan, but his legs were intact, and with the addition of Hashirama cells, they couldn't take him lightly.

If he had received Uchiha Madara's teachings like Obito, that would make things even more troublesome.

In the past, Nagato had mastered all six chakra nature transformations in just three years under Jiraiya's guidance.

At this moment, Nagato raised his hand. "To be honest, I'm quite interested in seeing Jiraiya-sensei's strength."

This movement…

Shūichi immediately flashed forward, positioning himself in front of Jiraiya.

With a fierce sound, chains shot out from all sides, forming a semi-circular barrier that enclosed both Shūichi and Jiraiya.

At the same moment, Nagato's technique activated.

Shinra Tensei!

A powerful force exploded, crashing into Shūichi's barrier. The impact created a roaring shockwave, but the barrier held.

It actually blocked it!

Nagato was slightly surprised. No wonder both Black Zetsu and White Zetsu had marked him as a priority.

Inside the barrier, a masked figure in a black cloak rose from the ground behind Jiraiya, warping the space around him.

"What?"

Jiraiya was shocked, but he couldn't counter with any ninjutsu in time.

Just then, a chakra hand gripped Jiraiya's shoulder.

In the next instant, Shūichi and Jiraiya vanished from the spot.

White Zetsu, who was controlling Obito, laughed with slight disappointment, "What a shame. Just a little closer, and we would have succeeded!"

Black Zetsu replied, "One eye isn't enough to keep up the pace."

"Of course, if we'd opened up the barrier, the Rinnegan's power would have overwhelmed them easily."

White Zetsu shrugged, "Don't blame me—Nagato moved too fast for us to coordinate!"

…

Inside a cave outside a small town, Shūichi appeared with Jiraiya collapsing beside him.

"Shūichi, was that masked guy really Uchiha Madara?" Jiraiya asked, getting up with a grave expression.

Shūichi shook his head. "No."

"It was Obito."

Jiraiya frowned. "Uchiha Obito… that technique, his Mangekyō Sharingan?"

"Incredible. I didn't even sense him getting close."

Shūichi took the chance to share some intel. "He phased right through my barrier. That sensation was definitely a space-time jutsu."

"Plus, it looks like Obito is completely under enemy control."

Jiraiya nodded, then gave a relaxed smile. "That was a close call!"

"We were almost taken out by them."

"But it seems this trip wasn't for nothing!"

"Given what we've seen, facing a combo like that without a space-time technique like the Flying Thunder God would be extremely challenging."

One opponent for distraction, while Obito's controller attacked from the shadows—most ninjas wouldn't stand a chance.

Shūichi nodded in agreement. "It's certainly a tough situation, especially since we don't fully understand Obito's Mangekyō abilities."

"And there's still Nagato's Rinnegan powers."

Jiraiya considered this and said, "The next step is to focus on gathering intel in these areas."

"Sigh… if we end up as enemies down the road, then that's simply unavoidable."

Shūichi reminded him, "Gathering information is crucial, but it's best not to act alone."

"Hmm… I'll take care of the intelligence gathering myself."

"With the Flying Thunder God technique, even if I can't defeat them together, I'll have an easier time escaping."

That way, there'll be no question about the intel's reliability.

Jiraiya thought for a moment and had to nod. Then, with a laugh, he said, "Looks like I might be falling behind the times!"

Shūichi chuckled. "That doesn't sound like the Jiraiya the Toad Sage I know."

Jiraiya laughed heartily, then spoke more seriously, "Seems like I'll need to train diligently too, or else the talented next generation might just leave me behind!"

(End of Chapter)

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