Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Confluence!
Minato and the others didn't linger long at Raiden's house. Over lunch, they briefly discussed the upcoming mission and set a departure time before heading off to make their own preparations for the long-term task ahead.
Kushina, however, stayed behind. After helping Raiden clean up, she went to his study to immerse herself in learning the sealing techniques of the Uzumaki clan. Unlike Raiden, Kushina hadn't moved out of Mito's house after her passing, though Raiden had prepared a room for her at his place. Her strong sense of duty to Konoha kept her rooted where she was.
Kushina's dream of becoming Hokage hadn't wavered over the years, but her time working as an assistant at Konoha Hospital had opened her eyes to the harsh realities of the ninja world. Witnessing Raiden's near-fatal injury during his coma had ignited her desire for power—not for conquest, but to protect her loved ones.
This desire had driven Kushina to devote herself to mastering the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques. Raiden had shared several techniques with her, mostly at the D and C levels, with a handful of B-level techniques included. It wasn't a matter of withholding information; Raiden understood Kushina's current level and knew these were sufficient for her growth.
Raiden also recognized the danger of Konoha exploiting Kushina's strong sense of belonging to the village. The Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques and the Nine-Tails sealed within Raiden were their family's most valuable assets. Protecting these secrets was essential for their survival in a politically charged village like Konoha.
Two days later, Raiden gathered all the sealing technique scrolls into a compact collection he carried with him. Before leaving, he entrusted the key to his home's remaining sealing technique archive to Kushina, along with the task of overseeing the house in his absence. With his preparations complete, Raiden joined Minato, Fugaku, and Hiashi on a bright morning as they set off for the Land of Rain.
In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen stood by the window, pipe in hand, watching the village gate in the distance.
"Raiden and the others have departed?" he asked an Anbu behind him.
"Yes," the Anbu replied. "They've set out, and the team assigned to guard Lord Raiden is following closely. You can rest assured."
Hiruzen nodded, exhaling a puff of smoke. "Good. Fang, begin implementing the plan we discussed earlier. All Root ninjas are now under your command."
He paused, his gaze sharpening. "None of them are to leave Konoha without my explicit orders."
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Fang replied, bowing before vanishing from the room.
Hiruzen remained by the window, his expression pensive. After some time, he returned to his desk, picking up his crystal ball to observe scenes that lightened his mood.
The spring breeze carried the scent of blossoms as Raiden's group moved swiftly through the forests. All four were experienced travelers, maintaining a brisk pace.
"Minato, eight Anbu are following us," Hiashi reported as he caught up with Minato. "We're already ten kilometers out from Konoha, so it's no coincidence. They're tailing us. What should we do?"
Minato frowned but remained calm. "Anbu? Why would they be following us?" Fugaku asked, though his gaze shifted toward Raiden. Memories of the battle-scarred yard outside Raiden's house a few days ago lingered in his mind.
"What do you think, Raiden?" Minato asked after a moment of thought.
"Don't worry about them. Just keep moving," Raiden replied casually. He had sensed the Anbu's presence long before, recognizing their chakras as familiar. These were the same Anbu who had monitored him previously, likely assigned by the Third Hokage. Their presence was of no concern to him.
Minato nodded, trusting Raiden's judgment. Hiashi and Fugaku exchanged a glance but chose not to press the matter further.
The group traveled swiftly, crossing the forests and fields of the Land of Fire. After a few days, they reached the border and received a message via a Ninja Hawk.
"Jiraiya-sensei isn't at the Sanfang City base camp," Minato informed the group as he read the scroll. "He's in a town deep within the Land of Rain."
"Why would Jiraiya-sama be there? Is he on a mission?" Fugaku asked, puzzled as he examined the map accompanying the scroll. The marked location was in Iwagakure's former control zone, a chaotic and potentially dangerous area.
"What else would a pervert be doing there?" Raiden quipped. "Probably enjoying the 'customs' of the Land of Rain."
"Raiden!" Minato chided, blushing slightly. "Sensei Jiraiya is not that kind of person."
Raiden smirked but didn't press further. "So, what's the plan? Do we rest or keep moving?"
"We'll keep moving," Minato decided. "We still have some distance to cover."
Donning raincoats in preparation for the Land of Rain's unpredictable weather, the group pressed on.
In a small town within the Land of Rain, three young teens exited a shop laden with supplies. Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan were heading back to their makeshift home on the town's outskirts.
"Konan, you bought too much sake," Yahiko complained. "Jiraiya-sensei's drinking is out of control."
"Well, it's one of the few things he enjoys," Konan replied with a sweet smile. "Right, Nagato?"
Nagato, shy and easily swayed, nodded in agreement. Yahiko groaned in exasperation as they made their way into the woods. However, their lighthearted mood evaporated when the sound of ninjas approaching reached their ears.
"It's a ninja team," Yahiko said quietly. "Heading toward the town."
Konan and Nagato tensed. Their training under Jiraiya had instilled an instinctive wariness of strangers. "Let's go back," Nagato suggested nervously.
Before they could retreat, four figures appeared, blocking their path. The newcomers wore white raincoats, their faces partially obscured by the falling rain.
"The three of them should know where Jiraiya is," Raiden said, stepping forward. His words, meant to be calm, only heightened Yahiko's suspicions.
"Who are you?" Yahiko demanded, gripping a kunai tightly.
"We're looking for Jiraiya," Raiden explained. "If you know where he is, please take us to him."
Rather than easing their tension, Raiden's request made Yahiko more defensive. He lunged forward, aiming his kunai at Raiden's neck.
Raiden's reflexes were sharp, effortlessly catching Yahiko's wrist and disarming him. "Calm down," Raiden said firmly, lifting his head to reveal his face under the rain hat. His Konoha forehead protector gleamed in the dim light.
Yahiko froze, stunned. The boy before him was a Konoha ninja—just like Jiraiya.
(End of Chapter)
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