"That seems to be something Orochimaru developed. He combined Juinjutsu with Ryuchi Cave's Sage Mode."
Jiraiya suddenly recalled the recent information he investigated and said, "That guy combined Sage Mode with Juinjutsu to master it. Didn't Uchiha Yoichi's student use it during the Chunin Exam? It must have been taught to him by Orochimaru."
"I heard it's similar to Sage Mode, but it consumes a lot of energy and can only be used for a few minutes."
Upon hearing this, Kushina asked, "Is the Sage Curse Seal dangerous?"
Jiraiya touched his chin and said, "Anything related to Natural Abilities is dangerous, but Orochimaru probably simplified the risks when he developed it. At least those three Genin used it without issue during the Chunin Exam."
"Then that's fine, you guys chat, I'll go cook."
After Kushina finished speaking, she hopped into the kitchen.
Jiraiya gave Namikaze Minato a look, and the latter nodded, indicating he understood. He would ask Kushina that evening why she inquired about the Sage Curse Seal.
Then the two returned to the house, and after closing the door, Jiraiya spoke in a low voice, "Minato, now that the war is over, I'm planning to leave the village for a bit to investigate what Great Master Toad mentioned last time."
"Jiraiya-sensei, let me go with you..."
Before Namikaze Minato could finish, Jiraiya interrupted him, "Minato, you should stay in the village. Konoha just went through a war and is in need of manpower. I had to plead with Sakumo for half a day to leave Konoha. If you also leave the village..."
Jiraiya didn't continue, but Namikaze Minato understood his meaning.
The village needs manpower urgently. If both master and apprentice leave the village simultaneously while the Fourth Generation Hokage needs people, and they use a flimsy excuse for a mission, what sense does that make?
"I haven't found any useful information from Orochimaru recently, so I plan to visit Ryuchi Cave, but I'll leave the village to you... I have a gut feeling that the person Great Master Toad mentioned is Uchiha Yoichi, but I have no evidence."
"Why do you have such a feeling, Jiraiya-sensei?"
"His demeanor, it's too domineering!"
Jiraiya sighed and continued, "Danzo is already continuing the authoritarian style of the Second Generation Hokage, but compared to Uchiha Yoichi, I even think Danzo is not as strong. If he clashes with Mount Myoboku..."
Namikaze Minato's expression turned serious, and he said to Jiraiya, "I understand, Jiraiya-sensei. I'll also try to gather information in the village."
"Mm, that's good. Do your best, but try not to be detected..."
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"Is he still doing those boring recovery exercises?"
"Mm... He can't be persuaded otherwise. Even though he has an artificial body with Hashirama Cells and just needs to rest to recover, he seems to think those exercises are useful..."
Shiro and Tobi spoke in turn, unable to see any potential in Obito and only feeling he was a fool.
However, since it was Madara's order, they obediently followed it.
"Ah, he's fainted again. This is the twenty-third time."
After seeing Obito pass out from exhaustion, Tobi picked him up and laid him back on the bed.
After a while, thanks to the Recovery Power of Hashirama Cells, Obito woke up quickly. Seeing Tobi and Shiro at his bedside, he asked, "How long was I asleep?"
"Not sure. There's no concept of time underground, but you were out for a while!"
"That's unnecessary information. Can't you tell me something useful?"
Uchiha Obito shouted in frustration, feeling these artificial people were not there to monitor him but to annoy him.
"Can you tell me anything about Rin?"
Shiro shook his head and said, "Who would go to Konoha to gather information? We only know the war is over... and that's about it."
"You guys are really useless then."
"We can't help it; we're here to monitor you!"
"Damn it!"
Obito clenched his fists in anger, though he was somewhat relieved. The end of the war meant Rin would no longer be in danger.
When he returns, he will protect Rin with even greater strength!
"By the way, where's the old man who claims to be my ancestor?"
Seeing the usually occupied seat now empty, Obito asked.
"Why do you say he claims? Don't you believe he's Uchiha Madara by now?"
Shiro said, "He's out gathering information."
"A ninja who's lived so long is unrealistic." Uchiha Obito couldn't help but retort, then suddenly asked, "Gathering information? Aren't you guys enough? Why does he have to go himself?"
The main body of Shiro said, "How could we possibly compare to Lord Madara? Some things only he can accomplish."
For example, controlling the Hidden Mist Ninja!
They had just captured the Three-tailed and were preparing to choose a Jinchuriki, but upon learning of this, Shiro reported it to Uchiha Madara.
Uchiha Madara also intended to lead Obito into darkness, to make him realize the reality of this Ninja World, so that Uchiha Obito would join their side.
On the other side.
The Akatsuki Organization was growing stronger. Although Uchiha Fugaku hadn't learned the essence of Uchiha Yoichi, his decision to avoid Hanzo was undoubtedly correct.
Hanzo was the Demigod of the Land of Rain, and confronting him never ended well.
They mainly focused on building relationships with civilians. If the Hidden Rain Ninja launched a large-scale search, civilians who believed in the Akatsuki Organization's ideals would help hide its members, rendering several raids fruitless.
That day, the veteran members of the Akatsuki Organization were holding a meeting. Their supplies ran out quickly, and the second batch obtained from Konoha was already used up.
After discussion, Yahiko decided to request another batch of supplies; even though there was still some time before the agreed date for the third batch, lacking resources meant even basic sustenance would be problematic.
Yahiko said to everyone, "The war is over in Konoha now, so I'm planning to go to Konoha again to request the third batch of supplies."
Konan worriedly asked, "Yahiko, it's not the agreed time yet. Konoha might..."
"I know, but now that the war is over, I've heard Konoha has elected a new Hokage. I plan to meet with the Fourth Generation Hokage and hope to gain more support from him."
Yahiko told everyone, and after previous experiences, he had grown; this time, he planned to use the Akatsuki Organization's importance in the Land of Rain to persuade Konoha's new Hokage.
If Konoha's Fourth Generation Hokage was a believer in peace, he would talk about the Akatsuki Organization's ideals and development. If not, well, it couldn't be helped.
"Who is the Fourth Generation Hokage of Konoha? Did they win or lose?"
Yahiko pondered and then said, "It seems to be the Konoha White Fang. As for Konoha's two wars, I believe they won. I heard that the Konoha Lightning Fang was unmatched on the battlefield, and thousands of Hidden Cloud Ninja perished at his hands..."
The information he received was several times removed, passed from hundreds to thousands.
However, when Uchiha Fugaku heard the name Uchiha Yoichi, he couldn't help clenching his fist. He constantly thought of revenge but lacked the strength. The gap between him and Uchiha Yoichi continued to widen.
He could only hope for Itachi's growth or join the Moon Eye Plan.
Looking at these three vibrant young people before him, Uchiha Fugaku could only silently apologize in his heart.
Though unclear about the specifics of Uchiha Madara's Moon Eye Plan, he knew that giving such a precious item as the Rinnegan to this young man would not end well for him.
"It's decided, we'll go to Konoha. Konan, you'll come with me this time. Nagato, you and Mr. Nankai will stay at the base."
After the discussion, Yahiko made his decision.