Read 20+ Chapter's Ahead in Patreon
"So, you really managed to lure Orochimaru in with that plan of yours?"
Inside a quiet inn in the Land of Hot Water, Kitagawa Gen and Jiraiya were packing up their belongings while discussing the events that had just unfolded.
Yet after hearing Jiraiya's explanation, Kitagawa Gen's expression turned somewhat odd, as if he couldn't quite make sense of the situation between those two.
"Tch, this great sage has his own clever ways."
Jiraiya let out a few smug chuckles, but when he caught Kitagawa Gen's strange gaze, he could only shake his head with a wry smile.
"Alright, don't look at me like that. I know Orochimaru most likely did it on purpose. Maybe he was trying to make me back off, or perhaps he was just trying to distract me. After all, Uchiha Itachi was also in it."
"That alone shows just how dangerous and troublesome this organization is. But this time, my objective is precisely that organization."
Jiraiya's intention was clear. Though he regretted not being able to delve further into the matter with Orochimaru, the threat posed by that organization, especially with two Mangekyō-wielding Uchiha in its ranks, forced even someone like Jiraiya to reassess his priorities.
Besides, in his eyes, investigating the organization was equivalent to investigating Orochimaru. It all came down to the same path in the end.
"Still, things have become a bit more complicated this time."
Jiraiya rubbed his chin, a slight look of concern surfacing on his face.
"That mysterious group Orochimaru is with has been hired by the Mizukage. That puts us at quite the disadvantage."
"Hah, you're not wrong."
Kitagawa Gen gave a helpless smile, simply going along with the topic at hand.
"But isn't the civil unrest in Kirigakure a good thing for us? I've heard that during past shinobi wars, they've always been picking fights with us."
"That's true. But now that the Mizukage is sheltering them, it's definitely going to interfere with our investigation."
Jiraiya rubbed his chin again, seemingly pondering what steps to take next.
"Looks like I'll have to head back and talk this over properly with the old man."
"Agreed."
Kitagawa Gen nodded, though he still felt the whole situation was somewhat surreal.
He was starting to see the pattern now. These two former comrades, Jiraiya and Orochimaru, were probably trying to set bait for each other.
Jiraiya did indeed know Orochimaru well, but what he didn't realize was that Orochimaru had already left the Akatsuki, which was actually leading him to Akatsuki.
And Orochimaru, being as unpredictable as ever, probably made up a convincing excuse using his own knowledge of Akatsuki and the intelligence he had on Kirigakure.
He conjured the explanation seemingly out of thin air, and yet it happened to align almost perfectly with Kitagawa Gen's memories. Because in the end, the true objective had always been the same—to strike at the Mizukage.
"So, was this just one big misfire that somehow led everyone toward a brighter future?"
Kitagawa Gen didn't even know what to say anymore. Everything felt wrong, and yet at the same time, it all somehow felt right?
All he could do was conclude that at least things were moving in a good direction.
"Alright kid, take your time packing up."
Just as Kitagawa Gen was internally ranting about the absurdity of all this, Jiraiya let out a quiet sigh.
"We're about to leave this beautiful Land of Hot Water. It's truly a pity..."
"You mean you're just going to miss the red-light district here because it's more lavish than anything in Konoha."
Hearing Jiraiya's words, Kitagawa Gen couldn't help rolling his eyes. Jiraiya, however, looked at him with clear disgust.
"Nonsense. Do you think someone as enlightened as I would be so easily swayed by such things? Besides, it's only natural for human beings to be drawn to beauty.
This Great Toad Sage was merely admiring a fleeting glimpse of brightness in the dull passage of time, savoring the vibrant hues of this vast mortal world.
You silly brat, what would you even know?"
"Hmph."
Kitagawa Gen didn't bother responding. That poetic nonsense Jiraiya was spouting was clearly about a place that didn't even let minors in.
And he had the nerve to claim he was merely appreciating beauty?
"Alright then, you pack up on your own. This great sage has something to take care of."
As he spoke, Jiraiya rose to his feet and made for the door, prompting Gen to call out anxiously.
"Wait, it's still broad daylight! We just got out of a fight not long ago, and you—"
"What are you imagining?"
Jiraiya shook his head, then let out another sigh.
"I'm going to that izakaya from before. The waitress there, her husband was killed by Orochimaru. This really doesn't have anything to do with us, but…"
At this point, Jiraiya voice trailed off, and he gave a wry smile.
"I just can't bring myself to walk away. Her family isn't doing well either. Since we happened to meet, I figured I'd help out a little."
"Anyway, you stay here and don't go wandering around. I'll be back soon."
Listening to Jiraiya's words, Kitagawa Gen fell silent.
It was a sentimental gesture, perhaps, but isn't that what makes someone human?
Still, Gen furrowed his brows. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was the one getting the short end of the stick here.
"Oh right, should I bring you back some oranges? I saw a vendor selling them in the street earlier. They looked really sweet."
Just as Gen was lost in thought, Jiraiya turned back to toss him the question.
"..."
"And change your clothes while you're at it. You look like a beggar in those tattered rags. Don't go around disgracing this great sage."
Waving his hand dismissively, Jiraiya finally took his leave.
"Tch."
Gen grumbled under his breath, holding back the words he wanted to say. He dropped his head to glance at his clothes.
Looking at the slashes and tears across the fabric, his mood inexplicably brightened a little.
"Still, I didn't expect things to go this smoothly."
This mission had indeed gone relatively well. Although the infiltration itself had failed, in the end, everyone walked away with something close to a "beautiful future."
In his battle against Kimimaro and Jūgo, Gen held the upper hand. However, lacking the Sharingan, it was only natural that he could not emerge entirely unscathed.
Getting grazed by Kimimaro's bone attacks or taking a couple of punches when caught in Jūgo's pincer strikes was to be expected.
Especially near the end, when Kimimaro had gone all out, unleashing his full chakra in a performance of the Dance of the Seedling Fern.
Even though Gen had used his Purple Lightning to defend himself and managed to cleave through many of the bone spears, a few had still pierced through and struck him.
And yet...
"The mission was successfully completed. I acquired Kimimaro's Yang Release, and now this change...?"
After obtaining the Yang Release power, this chakra instantly spread throughout his body, and he could immediately feel subtle changes taking place deep within him.
Under the influence of that energy, although his chakra did not show any obvious transformation, his speed and strength steadily increased.
But even that was not the most astonishing thing. The most significant change was in his ability to heal!
Driven by this newfound power, the wounds on his body began to close with astonishing speed, clotting and knitting together visibly before his eyes.
By the time Jiraiya had found him, he had already fully recovered.
"What an incredible power this is..."
Only now did Gen begin to understand the joy that Hashirama Senju must have felt.
Every time he clashed with Uchiha Madara, he ended up covered in wounds, but somehow, he always bounced back in no time.
Such powerful recovery ability made him practically a perpetual motion machine on the battlefield. Even Uchiha Madara had once lamented that "On the battlefield, no one can kill Hashirama."
Gen would not go so far as to compare himself to that legendary standard, but for him, this was already more than enough.
"After all, this strength is still developing. My body is still adjusting. Besides..."
He slowly clenched his fist and felt it. His bones seemed to be drawing in his chakra in a subtle, quiet rhythm.
It was just like what he experienced with his eyes. As though something was being nurtured.
Except this time, the pace was slower, and the chakra being absorbed was less intense.
"This is enough for now. After all, time is on my side."
With that, Kitagawa Gen took off his clothes, which were full of holes, and reached for a fresh set.
But just as he was pulling them on, a sudden realization struck him like a bolt of lightning.
"Damn it... I'm actually heading straight toward Ōtsutsuki Hamura, aren't I..."
**
**
[IMAGE]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Chapter End's]
🖤 Night_FrOst/ Patreon 🤍
Visit my Patreon for Early Chapter:
https://www.patreon.com/Night_FrOst
Extra Content Already Available