After finishing his account of the battle between Konoha and Naruto, Yosuke finally managed to organize his thoughts.
In truth, Naruto's hostility was directed solely at Konoha. That meant there was still a chance to set things right.
The real problem, however, was that Naruto was deliberately avoiding Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki.
The shinobi world was vast—finding a single person within it was like searching for a needle in a haystack. Just like Yosuke current situation with Orochimaru: if Orochimaru intentionally stayed hidden, there was no way to find him unless he caused trouble himself. Otherwise, all Yosuke could do was search blindly and rely on luck.
Minato Namikaze, once unrivaled across the shinobi world, now stood frozen in place, at a complete loss. Kushina Uzumaki covered her face, unable to stop her tears.
Yosuke comforted them.
"Minato, Kushina, don't rush things. From what you've told me, Naruto is already extremely powerful. There's no need to worry about his safety. Sooner or later, you'll meet him again. There will always be a chance to clear up the misunderstandings."
Minato nodded silently, then asked, "Yang Jie… I'd like to ask if the Owl Organization could also help search for Naruto."
"Don't worry," Yosuke replied. "Even if you hadn't asked, I would've done so anyway. The moment there's any news about Naruto, I'll inform you."
Minato and Kushina parted ways with Yosuke and his group. Yang Jie watched Minato as he departed.
Deidara couldn't help but scoff.
"Konoha really is rotten to the core. If Iwagakure had a powerhouse like that, the old man would've worshipped him."
Pakura asked in confusion, "Didn't I hear that your village's jinchūriki, Rōshi, was also forced out by the Tsuchikage?"
Deidara explained, "He wasn't forced out—that's just a rumor. The truth is, Rōshi and the old man just didn't get along. They were always fighting whenever they met. Two incredibly stubborn old men—neither would ever back down. In the end, Rōshi got fed up and left the village to wander as a monk."
"The old man never persecuted him. He's always been waiting for Rōshi to return to Iwagakure."
Pakura imagined the scene in her mind—
a short, red-nosed old man arguing furiously with a tall, bearded old man, both of them red in the face.
She couldn't help but laugh.
Itachi then asked, "Master, where are we going now? Are we searching for Naruto Uzumaki?"
Yosuke shook his head.
"We don't have any leads on Naruto at the moment. So I plan to head to one of Orochimaru's bases first and investigate. After that, we'll continue searching for Naruto."
"There's no need for many people to go to Orochimaru's base. If any of you have things you need to handle, go ahead."
Itachi said, "In that case, Master, I'll return to Yōne Village first. The village is gradually getting back on track, but staying completely isolated from the outside world isn't a good long-term solution. I plan to represent the village and establish trade cooperation with nearby villages or towns."
Deidara immediately jumped in.
"I'll go with Itachi!"
Gyūtarō scratched his cheek, glanced at the twin blades in his hands—Hiramekarei—and said,
"Then I'll head to Yōne Village too. I still need to give this 'toy sword' to that kid and take him to collect the rest of the 'toy swords.' I already promised him, after all."
Now only Pakura remained.
After hesitating for a moment, she said, "Then… I'll follow you for now, Yosuke."
Yang Jie nodded.
"Alright, then it's settled. Everyone keep an eye out for any news regarding Naruto or Orochimaru."
Yosuke took Pakura with him toward one of Orochimaru's known bases—located in the Land of Frost, north of the Land of Fire.
Meanwhile, Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki headed toward the Land of Bears.
Just as the couple stepped across the border, an extremely excited voice called out from behind them:
"Minato… Kushina… You're alive?! Am I dreaming?!"
The speaker was none other than Jiraiya.
Jiraiya had attempted to use Naruto's contract with Mount Myōboku to reverse-summon himself to Naruto's location. Unexpectedly, he was summoned instead to Minato—who was also contracted with Mount Myōboku.
Minato showed no joy upon seeing him.
"Jiraiya-sensei…"
Jiraiya immediately sensed the distance in Minato's tone and asked sorrowfully,
"If you're alive… then that means you already know about Naruto, don't you…?"
Minato nodded.
"…I've never regretted anything more. I sealed the Nine-Tails into Naruto because I wanted him to become Konoha's hero. I never imagined that you would treat him like this."
Jiraiya said urgently,
"Minato, I don't expect you to forgive Konoha. But I hope you can persuade Naruto—don't let him seek revenge against the village. After all, Konoha is your homeland!"
Minato lowered his head.
"I'm sorry, Jiraiya-sensei. We are no longer shinobi of Konoha. Our only identity now is that of parents who want to make things right for our child."
"If Naruto wishes to take revenge on Konoha, then we will support him unconditionally."
Jiraiya murmured in despair,
"How did things come to this…? Even you—once Hokage—have completely lost faith in Konoha?"
Kushina said bitterly,
"We watched Naruto's battle with Konoha from the shadows. Jiraiya-sensei, you must've heard what Naruto went through in the village."
"How do you expect Minato and me to forgive Konoha after that?!"
The blow hit Jiraiya hard—his body swayed uncontrollably.
Old man… do you even realize what you've done?
The Fourth Hokage, who once risked everything to protect Konoha, no longer wishes to shelter it…
Despair filled Jiraiya's heart.
Still unwilling to give up, he tried once more.
"Minato, Kushina… Naruto bears the fate of the shinobi world. He is—"
Minato interrupted him.
"The Child of Prophecy, right? The Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku told you that, didn't he? Kushina and I already knew about this during the Nine-Tails Incident."
Jiraiya stared at him in disbelief.
"If that's the case… then why, Minato, would you—"
Looking at Jiraiya's lonely, weathered figure, Minato felt a pang of pity. Naruto had become Jiraiya's disciple, yet in the end, Jiraiya had unknowingly been used as part of a greater plan. His heart must be in pain.
Even so, Minato spoke firmly.
"Back then, I made a choice. For the sake of the shinobi world, I sealed the Nine-Tails into Naruto and disappeared from the world together with Kushina. I hoped he would grow strong in Konoha and become the hope of the shinobi world."
"But what was the result?"
"I've already regretted my decision once. I won't regret it a second time."
"This time, I won't concern myself with Children of Prophecy or destiny."
"Kushina and I only want Naruto to live safely and happily."
Minato and Kushina's resolve left Jiraiya unable to see any path forward for Konoha's future.
Jiraiya gave a lonely, bitter smile.
"The Will of Fire… truly something people yearn for—and yet, something utterly despairing…"
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