At the gates of Amegakure, Rinjin set out northward with his newly transformed trio of disciples.
"Sensei, are we heading straight back to the village?" asked Shikaku, his voice tinged with curiosity.
"No," Rinjin replied, shaking his head and pointing northward. "We'll stop by to bid farewell to Jiraiya before heading home."
Hearing this, the three disciples obediently nodded.
It had been two years since they last parted ways. This journey was Rinjin's way of closely observing the character of these three kids.
Of course, regardless of their character, Rinjin had no intention of letting them enter the Land of Grass.
He had already given Riri explicit instructions: under no circumstances should Amegakure accept an organization called Akatsuki, especially not with Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan as its members.
As for the reason?
Rinjin didn't want the village he painstakingly built to be torn apart by a "darkened" Nagato. If that day ever came, killing him would be a dilemma, and sparing him would be an even bigger one.
In Rinjin's eyes, those three kids—especially Yahiko and Nagato—were walking disasters waiting to happen.
Traveling swiftly, Rinjin and his disciples finally reached Jiraiya's residence by noon the following day.
Jiraiya's wooden hut was perched on the border between the Land of Grass and the Land of Rain. The small structure was entirely made of wood, consisting of just a single room that served as both living and sleeping quarters.
Knocking on the door yielded no response. Just as Rinjin was about to call out, a familiar voice rang out from afar.
"Rinjin, over here!"
Hearing the voice, Rinjin immediately turned and walked toward it.
With a grin, he playfully punched Jiraiya in the chest, greeting him with the ease of old friends.
Behind Jiraiya, Yahiko, carrying a large fish over his shoulder, stole furtive glances at Rinjin, his heart still holding a grudge over what had happened two years ago.
Yahiko had a blind confidence in his ability to endure hardship. After all, he had grown up as an orphan, surviving through sheer grit and determination.
Up ahead, Jiraiya and Rinjin walked shoulder to shoulder, heading back toward the house.
"What brings you here? Are you heading back to the village?" Jiraiya asked.
Rinjin nodded with a smile. "It's been three years since I left. If I don't return soon, the fathers of these three brats might form a search party to hunt me down!"
At this, Jiraiya burst into hearty laughter. Indeed, only Rinjin could turn a single mission into a three-year escapade.
As they walked, Jiraiya glanced back at his own three disciples, his gaze lingering briefly on Nagato before he asked, "So, what's next? Planning to take on more students?"
Rinjin instinctively shook his head. "No way! These three have already given me enough headaches!"
Hearing this, Choza scratched his head awkwardly, a sheepish grin spreading across his face.
"So, what are your plans after that?" Jiraiya pressed.
"Nothing for now. I'm planning to take a break."
The two continued chatting as they entered Jiraiya's modest home.
Removing his shoes, Jiraiya walked over to a wooden plaque by the door and flipped it, turning the frog emblem inward and the red side outward.
Meanwhile, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan lined up and flipped their own plaques in unison, hiding the frog emblems.
Rinjin said nothing as he observed this, his eyes narrowing slightly as his gaze settled on the quiet, well-behaved girl.
Perhaps, many years from now, this girl's red paper would return to this house, covering that frog emblem…
The thought deepened Rinjin's sense of melancholy. This world seemed like a perfect circle—starting in sorrow and ending in sorrow.
Sighing softly, Rinjin exchanged a few more words with Jiraiya before rising to take his leave.
He had seen all he needed to see.
Jiraiya's mental state appeared stable and optimistic.
As for Nagato, the boy remained true to the original story, his Rinnegan hidden beneath his bangs.
Though Rinjin had no idea where Madara Uchiha had managed to acquire another Rinnegan, his curiosity had been satisfied.
So, the Rinnegan could be mass-produced after all!
The only reason Rinjin had left Madara with one eye back then was to see if the man could create another. Now that this goal had been achieved, it was time to move on.
Rinjin had no intention of harming Nagato—not now, not ever. Nagato was Jiraiya's disciple, his "savior of the world," and his hope.
Though Jiraiya had been thoroughly misled by the Great Toad Sage's prophecy, he seemed content in his delusion. Rinjin decided not to disrupt his happiness.
After all, if one Rinnegan could be created, then why not two?
For someone as formidable as Madara, producing another Rinnegan should be child's play.
Just as Rinjin was about to bid farewell and leave, Yahiko, who had been fidgeting nervously, suddenly stood up. His expression serious, he declared:
"I... I want to challenge you!"
"Yahiko!" Konan quickly grabbed the hem of his shirt, her voice filled with panic.
They had heard Jiraiya mention Rinjin on two occasions. While the details were vague, they had a general understanding of who he was.
This was the man who bullied Danzo Shimura, provoked the Uchiha clan, and extorted the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
To Konan, this towering man was nothing short of a demon.
"Let go, Konan! I want him to know that orphans can become strong too!"
Hearing this, Rinjin couldn't help but laugh inwardly.
This kid sure was stubborn.
It seemed that his refusal to take Yahiko in two years ago had become a thorn in the boy's heart.
Shaking his head with a wry smile, Rinjin had no interest in engaging with the child. Instead, he calmly explained:
"Your name is Yahiko, right?
Yahiko, there's no need for you to challenge me.
First of all, I was an orphan myself. So, telling me that orphans can become strong is meaningless.
Second, as a teacher, Jiraiya is far more patient than I am.
Lastly, he's stronger than me. Why go out of your way to seek me instead of learning from him?"
This subtle compliment left Jiraiya's nose tingling with emotion.
He recalled the time when he had received the prophecy of the "Child of Destiny" from the Great Toad Sage and resolved to guide the savior of the world.
Many knew of this ambition—Hiruzen, Orochimaru, Tsunade—but none of them truly believed in it.
The one who opposed it most vehemently was Rinjin.
Back then, Rinjin had pointed a finger at Jiraiya's nose, berating him with a mix of disappointment and frustration. That memory was still fresh in Jiraiya's mind.
And yet, here Rinjin was, willing to lower himself to elevate Jiraiya.
Jiraiya knew that Rinjin had always harbored grievances about his chosen path. Yet, despite this, Rinjin continued to support him in silent, subtle ways.
Like how Rinjin had used his writing career as an excuse to send Jiraiya money.
Rinjin hadn't changed.
A true friend—what more could one ask for?
Nearby, Yahiko furrowed his brows, confusion evident in his eyes.
Children were often rebellious, and Yahiko, having grown up enduring scorn and prejudice, was even more so.
To him, Rinjin's cold rejection two years ago had become a shadow over his heart. He believed that Rinjin's refusal stemmed from disdain for his status as an orphan.
But now, this man openly admitted that Jiraiya was superior as a teacher.
To his surprise, Yahiko believed him.
He had his own pride. In his eyes, being able to survive alongside Konan and Nagato proved his capability.
For Yahiko, the stronger the teacher, the better. And for a man to admit his friend's superiority in front of his students—well, that was something Yahiko couldn't fathom doing.
So, he believed it.
Meanwhile, Inoichi and Shikaku, heads lowered, exchanged a furtive glance, their eyes brimming with astonishment.
Shocked!
He actually believed Rinjin-sensei's nonsense!
Are all of Jiraiya-sama's disciples this gullible?
Or are we the only ones burdened with this level of cunning and deceit at such a young age?
Oh my god…
I'm so jealous of their innocence!
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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