Both groups had their own tasks ahead, but before parting ways, they gathered for a rare moment of peace—a picnic. Kimimaro's unexpectedly refined cooking skills earned him praise from Naruto and his companions, especially Choji, who enthusiastically declared him second only to his own father.
Jiraiya, intrigued by Kimimaro's composure and strength, invited him aside for a quiet drink.
As they watched Naruto arguing with Sakura and Sai over something trivial, Jiraiya took a slow sip and said, "You remind me a bit of Orochimaru, you know. Calm, analytical… driven by ideals."
"I'll take that as a compliment, Jiraiya-sama," Kimimaro replied, raising his cup in a subtle toast. "I do believe in ideals—but not the kind Orochimaru pursued in the end. What Konoha originally stood for... that dream of peace through understanding and unity—somewhere along the line, it was forgotten."
Jiraiya nodded. "Konoha still tries. Compared to other nations, the Land of Fire is relatively stable. But yes, the shinobi world… it's not where it needs to be. That's why I travel. I want to find something—someone—that proves this world can be better."
"Have you found them yet?"
"Not yet," Jiraiya said with a bitter smile. "There's still too much war, too much suffering. Even civilians live under the shadow of ninja conflict. When even shinobi are divided by bloodline and status, what chance do those without chakra have?"
Kimimaro looked out at the horizon. "I've thought about changing it. But I don't speak of grand dreams. I'll do only what I'm capable of. If I had the power of the First Hokage… then maybe I'd have the right to dream bigger. Until then, I act within my limits. There's a saying I heard once: 'When poor, improve the self; when rich, aid the world.'"
Jiraiya fell silent. The words struck him—deep, personal. "You speak plainly… but sincerely. That makes it all the more convincing. You're from a strong clan. You have a kekkei genkai. Why care so much for civilians?"
A flicker of memory passed through Kimimaro's eyes. "When I was close to death, I dreamed—maybe of another world. I heard a phrase: 'Are rulers and nobles born to be so?' I don't know what it meant exactly. But it made me realize: having a bloodline limit shouldn't mean one is more deserving of life or dignity. That idea… is worth fighting for."
Jiraiya echoed the phrase quietly: "Are rulers and nobles born to be so…"
He looked at Kimimaro again, seeing not just a survivor of Orochimaru's experimentation, but someone with the spark of something greater—something revolutionary.
In his heart, a question surfaced: Could this be the Child of Prophecy?
He had always assumed it would be someone he trained personally—but what if he was meant to find the child, not raise him?
"…Would you consider becoming my student?"
Kimimaro blinked. He immediately guessed Jiraiya's motive—probably linked to the so-called "Child of Prophecy" spoken of by the Great Toad Sage. But he didn't laugh at it. After all, he'd died once. What was fate, really?
"It's an honor, Jiraiya-sama. To be taught by one of the Sannin... who would say no? But I must be honest. Orochimaru was once a teacher to me, and in some ways, still left his mark."
"Hah! That bastard wouldn't care. Besides, taking in one of his old students feels like a win," Jiraiya grinned.
"Then I'll call you sensei," Kimimaro replied.
Jiraiya waved a hand. "We're both wanderers right now. Besides, it might cause trouble if word spreads. Don't worry about titles. When the time comes, we'll train together."
"Very well. Jiraiya-sama, then."
After they rejoined the group, Naruto pestered Jiraiya about what they had talked about, but Jiraiya brushed it off. Kimimaro said nothing. Some truths were better kept quiet for now.
As Kimimaro walked, he thought about the conversation.
Jiraiya was perhaps the strongest person whose ideals could still be shaped. If he ever hoped to change the world, he couldn't do it alone. Allies would be essential—not just any allies, but powerful ones.
To change the system, he would need influence.
To defend his ideals, he would need force.
Among the common shinobi and civilians, it would be easy to gain support. But among the elite, among those who upheld the current structure…
That would take far more than words.
Perhaps, one day, he could try to find Nagato. That man had inherited Yahiko's dream and was committed—almost obsessively—to achieving peace, albeit through pain and deterrence. There was common ground there. After all, both Yahiko and Konan had come from nothing—war orphans from the Hidden Rain Village, children molded by chaos who longed for a better world.
But now wasn't the time. Seeking out Nagato recklessly wouldn't necessarily earn his hostility—Nagato still held respect for Jiraiya's teachings—but Kimimaro understood the real danger didn't come from Nagato himself. It was the shadows behind him—Tobi, known to most as Uchiha Madara, and that eerie creature, Zetsu. One wrong move, and he'd disappear before he could even speak.
One step at a time.
Reaching even a vague understanding with Jiraiya today was already the greatest gain.
"Let's go!"
Jiraiya and Naruto had already walked ahead, their figures growing distant on the path. Kimimaro turned and signaled his companions to follow.
"Kimimaro, your relationship with Lord Jiraiya seems to have shifted," Jūgo noted quietly.
Kimimaro offered a faint smile. "Your perception's improving, Jūgo. That Sage Mode sensitivity of yours is coming along well."
He added casually, "Jiraiya-sensei wants me to become his disciple."
"Ehh?!"
Karin, Jūgo, and Hanabi all exclaimed in shock. Hanabi, in particular, stared wide-eyed. The legendary Sannin had been her idols since she first heard stories of Konoha's strength.
"You don't need to look at me like that," Kimimaro said, shaking his head slightly. "It's nothing formal. He hasn't taught me a single jutsu. We just happened to find common ground. Ideals. He said he'd keep an eye out for me."
He didn't elaborate further. They didn't need to hear every detail. Over time, he had already begun passing on his beliefs to them—bit by bit, seed by seed.
"So don't go spreading it around," he added, voice low. "No need to show off. Being a Sannin's disciple isn't some glorious badge. Naruto's one too, remember?"
"Heh heh~"
The three glanced at each other. None of them bothered to reply. Typical Kimimaro—playing modest while clearly proud inside.
It didn't take long before they reached an abandoned underground base concealed within the cliffs.
Well, abandoned to others. Kimimaro knew every corridor by heart.
He paused at the entrance, eyes narrowing slightly.
"I didn't think Orochimaru would still trust me this much," he murmured. "These locations… they haven't changed."
A bitter smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Orochimaru had always understood people's hearts—what bound them, what broke them. And maybe, even now, he was still testing Kimimaro's.
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