Chapter 258: Jiraiya's Return
Uchiha Madara seized the chance while Uchiha Dali was away from the village to launch a full-scale invasion of Konoha, intending to capture all nine Tailed Beasts and reclaim the Rinnegan from Uzumaki Nagato.
At this moment, he was fighting against Nagato, Yahiko, and the others inside the village.
Meanwhile, outside Konoha, a tall figure was walking toward the village. The once carefree face now carried a trace of solemnity.
"There are several powerful chakra signatures… it seems a battle has broken out in the village."
His line of sight was blocked by the towering trees on both sides of the road, and the village gates' high walls further obstructed the view ahead.
Thus, the tall man—dressed in a red vest over a brownish undershirt, with long, snowy-white hair that looked like pine needles—couldn't see what was happening inside the village.
But the constant rumbling, the trembling ground, and the repeated bursts of chakra shocks made it clear to him that something was wrong.
Just as doubt filled his mind, he suddenly turned his head toward his right rear side, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.
"Your chakra is still as unpleasant as ever… Orochimaru."
He spoke toward the woods behind him.
It looked as though he were talking to himself, but right after his words fell, the direction he was staring at erupted in a sinister, seductive laugh:
"Heh heh… long time no see."
"Jiraiya."
Orochimaru stepped out from behind the trees, smiling wickedly.
This tall, silver-haired man was none other than one of Konoha's legendary Sannin—Jiraiya, teammate of Orochimaru in the same generation and a disciple of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"What happened in the village? Don't tell me this is trouble you stirred up?"
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes and asked in a deep voice, staring at Orochimaru.
He knew well that his former friend had strayed from the right path ever since the end of the Second Great Ninja War.
That was why he asked so directly.
Until recently, Jiraiya had been wandering across the ninja world, traveling in search of inspiration for his books.
But after hearing about the end of the Third Great Ninja War and how a young man named Uchiha Dali had become the Fourth Hokage of Konoha—who, single-handedly, unified the entire ninja world, merging the Lands of Lightning, Earth, Wind, Water, and countless other nations—he grew deeply curious.
He couldn't help but think of the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku and his prophecy of the Child of Destiny.
So, Jiraiya had returned to Konoha to see Uchiha Dali for himself.
Yet upon arrival, he immediately sensed something was wrong.
Orochimaru did not answer Jiraiya's question. Instead, he dropped his sly grin, his eyes turning serious as he looked toward the village.
Then, folding his arms, he strolled forward lazily. "You haven't been back for a long time, so it's only natural you don't know what's going on, Jiraiya. If you're really worried about the village, see for yourself."
Though he didn't drop his guard, after watching Orochimaru's back for a couple of seconds, Jiraiya decisively followed him.
They had gone less than a hundred meters when the walls no longer blocked the view. With his vision suddenly opened, Jiraiya immediately saw a towering chakra giant, rising like a mountain into the sky.
At the same time, his eyes locked onto the man standing atop the giant's head—Uchiha Madara.
"This is…"
As a shinobi born in the early days of Konoha, when Madara and Senju Hashirama had not yet broken ties, Jiraiya had seen Madara before. Even later, when Madara parted ways, he had at least had some interaction with the village.
Naturally, Jiraiya had also witnessed Susanoo.
In an instant, he recognized Madara.
"That man… could it be Madara??"
He could hardly believe his eyes.
But Orochimaru soon confirmed his suspicion, glancing back at him. "So you still remember that man."
"Then surely you also remember those brats fighting him right now."
At this reminder, Jiraiya turned his gaze toward the ones battling Madara—Yahiko and Uzumaki Nagato.
With a single glance, his pupils shrank, his expression filled with shock.
"That's… Yahiko and Nagato?"
"Heh…" Orochimaru chuckled playfully.
"Why are they here?"
Jiraiya came back to himself, frowning as he questioned Orochimaru.
Back during the Second Great Ninja War, when Amegakure had attacked Konoha and Konoha retaliated deep into their territory, he had taken in three children from the Rain Village.
Jiraiya could never forget those times, nor those three children.
"And why is Uchiha Madara here as well?"
He pressed again.
Orochimaru folded his arms and fixed his gaze on the terrifying chakra giant radiating overwhelming power. Only after a moment did he reply:
"Much has happened while you were gone. It's not something that can be explained in just a few words."
"In short, the Fourth Hokage, Uchiha Dali, unified the ninja world and gathered all nine Tailed Beasts here. One of Madara's goals is precisely them."
"As for those kids, they've already joined Konoha."
With this brief explanation, Jiraiya grasped the general situation.
Learning that Madara was indeed here to cause trouble, he immediately felt the urge to join the battle.
"Since I've run into something like this, even if the opponent is Madara, I can't just stand by. Orochimaru, if you only want to watch, fine—but don't get in my way."
As he spoke, Jiraiya had already begun forming hand seals, preparing to enter Sage Mode.
He knew perfectly well that in his normal state, he could never fight Madara. Only Sage Mode might give him a chance.
"Heh heh… Jiraiya, you still haven't noticed the real problem, have you?"
"Madara isn't alive right now."
Orochimaru sneered as he looked at him.
"Not alive? What do you mean by that?"
Jiraiya froze, then suddenly realized something.
"Could it be…"
Of course, he had heard of the forbidden techniques created by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
The first thing that came to his mind was the legendary Impure World Reincarnation.
Orochimaru only let out a mocking chuckle, which was answer enough.
Jiraiya turned his gaze back to Madara, his expression instantly growing even more grim.
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