socalfunplaces Chapter 531 The Kingdom of the Sea
Chapter 531 The Kingdom of the Sea
Chapter 531 The Kingdom of the Sea
Shuji's idea to contact Nagato was still in progress when urgent news from overseas arrived at the office first.
Nagato submitted an application to resume the martial arts competition.
The goal remains the same: to determine who owns the tailed beast chakra through the competition.
Shuji had no choice but to change his original plan.
Should I resubmit my application at this time?
Whether it was a few months earlier or a few months later, it wouldn't have made him think too much; he would have just agreed.
But it just so happens that it happened now, right at the moment when the Sheren side started to make a move.
When the Third Hokage arrived at the Hokage's office, Shuji was standing by the window, gazing at the moon in the night sky.
Minato was not wearing a mask, and his expression appeared solemn.
These two already know the general situation.
Shuji said, "We still need to continue contacting Nagato."
He has already figured out the priorities.
The moon has not yet shown any signs of approaching, indicating that Sheren's actions are still in the planning stage.
Moreover, the puppet came to pick up the person with a letter from Hiashi.
This shows that Hiashi Hyuga made the right decision and got off to a good start, given that he was mentally prepared.
So even if Toneri wanted to rebuild the ninja world ahead of schedule, he also had the idea of taking away a portion of the Hyuga clan members first to form the first batch of residents of the new world.
That makes things easier.
Shuji didn't have the ability to directly talk his way out of Toneri's life. But he did have a way to fool a not-so-shrewd kid and buy some time.
First, the Hyuga clan must be allowed to waver in their attitude; they should not be too resolute in their stance towards that side.
"Tell the Hyuga clan not to refuse outright yet. Tell that puppet that Hinata can go to the Takerigar territory under the escort of Konoha ninja."
"If the puppet agrees, then it agrees; if it disagrees, then the Hyuga clan will inform the guards that they are all members of the Hyuga branch family."
Xiu Si arranged it.
"Tell it again tomorrow morning that there's an urgent matter in the village and Hinata can't leave for the time being. Ask it if the other clan elders can go first."
"Be more polite. Say that the Hyuga clan is very concerned about Lord Taketori's illness and that the clan elders will convey their regards."
"Confirm whether it has the ability to convey information."
"If we have that, we can try to connect with Japan through this."
"If we can't get in touch right away, let's agree to one thing for now: don't rush to make concessions on Hinata and Hanabi's issues, and other personnel can move around frequently."
Shuji wasn't worried that the Hinata people would take their act too seriously. Even if a few individuals thought that way, it didn't matter. He just needed to create some time difference to resolve the two issues that were currently escalating.
"Third Hokage, I'm leaving Hyuga to you."
"I'll make some preparations and go overseas. We can't let Nagato's side be left alone right now."
"As for the rest, I'll leave it to the Fourth Hokage."
The Sixth Hokage immediately left the Hokage's office, and the Third Hokage instructed the Anbu to invite the Hyuga clan to come over.
Minato watched Shuji's retreating figure, his brows still furrowed.
"Given this turn of events, I wonder what will happen to Jiraiya-sensei."
Jiraiya was fine, but after learning that Nagato had officially announced the resumption of the martial arts competition, he suddenly realized that he had been tricked into revealing information.
He recalled the conversation from two days ago.
Nagato came to find him and asked about the Ten-Tails.
At the time, he thought it was a test, that Nagato was assessing whether he, as her teacher, could be trusted. So he responded cautiously, giving an answer that was neither concealing nor revealing anything.
Looking back now, that's not how it was at all.
Otsutsuki.
Ten tails.
Gnawing.
There is something truly hidden between these three words extracted from Nagato's few sentences.
These three words surfaced from his memory, piecing together a complete puzzle. Nagato hadn't come to him to extract information.
Nagato already knows about those things.
Nagato didn't trust the person who told him these things. That's why Nagato came to his teacher, pretending to already know the information, and using casual conversation to verify its authenticity.
There aren't many people like that; it's likely only Orochimaru and Zetsu.
They have probably become members of Akatsuki again.
Jiraiya sat by the inn window, watching the incessant rain of the past two days.
Their vigilance has really decreased a lot.
His disciple made the final shift in stance right before his eyes, and he only realized it belatedly when the result was laid bare before him.
But at least Nagato hasn't shown up with the Six Paths of Pain yet, which means things haven't reached the final stage. If you have to say that Nagato's stance has reverted to what it was three years ago, it's not something unacceptable.
He picked up paper and pen, quickly wrote down the coded message, and was about to summon the communication frog.
The toad jumped out first, carrying something in its mouth.
The village's latest secret order.
"Send Nagato to the Land of the Sea. Shuji wants to see him."
Jiraiya destroyed the secret order, and the trace of dejection on his face vanished.
Without packing up, he left the inn and went out into the rain.
Before they had gone far, a figure emerged from the rain.
The female ninja with blue-purple hair stood under the eaves where the rain couldn't reach her, her voice as indifferent as ever.
"Jiraiya-sensei."
"Oh, Minami." Jiraiya stopped in his tracks. "It's rare that you have time today."
"—Are you going to other islands to do some research, Jiraiya-sensei?"
"That's exactly what I was planning to do. But before I leave," Jiraiya smiled, "let me say goodbye to Nagato."
Xiao Nan did not back down.
"Nagato already knows, teacher."
The sound of rain filled the gap between the two sentences, and Pain's figure stepped out from the rain curtain.
"There are many islands in the sea that you haven't visited yet."
Seeing this, Jiraiya laughed heartily, "What's wrong? I paid for my journey normally, and you're already so annoyed with me?"
The Dao of Heaven declared: "This world is facing a threat."
Jiraiya said, "That's why everyone needs to work together, Nagato."
Jiraiya was unaware of how much information Nagato had obtained from Orochimaru and his group, so he had to provide information that would keep Nagato listening.
"Konoha has been preparing to deal with those things. And it has been looking for people who can fight alongside it."
Nagato said, "It's too slow. There's not much time left, teacher."
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"There's still time! Nagato!"
"He, Shuji, already knows about the enemy's existence, so he has always hoped that you could become a comrade-in-arms who can fight alongside him."
"That's what he's been hoping for from the beginning until now."
Nagato said, "He has too many concerns."
"Then tell him about the urgency you see, tell him what you saw."
"Nagato. Me, and Shuji—we've always believed you weren't our enemy."
Nagato hesitated. He remembered the hand Shuji had reached out to him on the rocks by the sea two years ago. He hadn't responded then.
The rain continues.
Jiraiya pressed his advantage: "At least listen to what he has to say, Nagato."
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The Heavenly Dao turned around and disappeared into the rain.
Xiao Nan remained standing there: "You too. No matter the outcome, you should leave now."
The paper scraps scattered from her body, blown by the wind into the rain, and she was nowhere to be seen.