"You don't need to know how I found out. All you need to understand is that I can kill you at any moment."
Jiraiya spoke coldly.
There was no way he would reveal that he was a transmigrant. Keeping an air of mystery would also put psychological pressure on Kakuzu.
"When you were young, you were devoted to your village. You only became a rogue ninja and a bounty hunter because the village betrayed and abandoned you. I'm sure you don't want to experience that again—nor do you want others to suffer the same fate. I want to build a world of eternal peace, free from conflict. And for that, I need your help."
Jiraiya's voice was firm as he looked directly at Kakuzu.
The reason Kakuzu was obsessed with making money as a bounty hunter was because he wanted to build his own ninja village—the ideal village he had envisioned. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so desperate to accumulate wealth.
Even in the original timeline, Kakuzu and Kisame joined Akatsuki with the goal of fighting for peace in the ninja world. Among all Akatsuki members, they were among the few who genuinely desired peace, though their reasons for joining differed from the others.
Kakuzu let out a mocking laugh. "How ridiculous. You think you can bring peace to the ninja world? Who do you think you are?"
"Maybe my words sound foolish, but I have confidence that I can make it happen. If I didn't, why would I even tell you this? I could have just killed you instead—it would've been much simpler."
"You can mock my ideals, but at least I have the courage to dream, and I'm already working toward that goal."
"You've been chasing bounties non-stop just to fund the creation of your own ninja village, haven't you? But even if you gather enough money and build that village, do you really think it would survive in a world as war-torn as this? How long before it's destroyed like so many others?"
Jiraiya's words were cold and sharp.
Kakuzu was stunned. "Who the hell are you? How do you know what I'm thinking?"
He had never told anyone about his dream of building a peaceful ninja village. And yet, Jiraiya had seen right through him.
Jiraiya didn't bother answering. Instead, his hands formed a rapid series of seals. Inside the toad's stomach, a section of flesh wriggled, opening a gap. Stepping out, Jiraiya emerged from the toad's esophagus and saw Gamabunta and the others still locked in battle with the masked creatures.
The moment he stepped out, Jiraiya felt an eerie sensation—someone was watching him. His eyes snapped toward the source as he activated his Eye of Insight. Five shinobi were gathered in the distance.
In Sage Mode, Jiraiya's sensory abilities were incredibly sharp. The Root shinobi, who had gone unnoticed before, were now within his perception range.
"Bounty hunters? Or the ones who orchestrated this mission?"
Using both his perception and the power of his eyes, Jiraiya could sense the chakra flow of the Root operatives, but he couldn't see their clothing or symbols from this distance. His visual range wasn't limitless—even in Sage Mode, there were still limitations.
If his range were greater, he would have noticed them earlier.
"No matter who you are, since you're here, you won't be leaving."
Jiraiya's gaze turned icy, his killing intent surging.
"Gamabunta, you guys are taking far too long."
Seeing that they still hadn't finished off the masked creatures, Jiraiya voiced his dissatisfaction. Their efficiency was seriously lacking.
"I know. I'm a disgrace, huh?" Gamaken muttered self-deprecatingly, holding up his shield to block a Water Cannon attack.
"These things are bizarre. We've never encountered anything like them before. They don't seem to have any fatal weaknesses. We've sliced them apart multiple times, but the black tendrils just reconnect their bodies. It's as if they can't die."
Gamabunta huffed in frustration.
"Their weakness is their masks. Destroy the masks, and they'll die."
Jiraiya informed them calmly.
"If you knew that, why the hell didn't you say so earlier?!"
Gamabunta sounded irritated.
"I thought you'd figure it out on your own. Turns out I overestimated you."
Jiraiya swiftly formed a hand seal. Above the Water Masked Monster, a massive earthen mass appeared and came crashing down, pinning it to the ground.
Gamabunta seized the opportunity, his short sword slashing toward the creature's mask. A sharp crack echoed as fractures spread across the mask's surface—but it didn't shatter completely.
These masks were incredibly durable.
The Water Masked Monster thrashed violently, trying to resist. But then, a flash of steel cut through the air—Gamahiro's twin blades struck down, shattering the mask completely. A burst of thick, crimson blood sprayed out as the creature's body went limp, lifeless.
"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld."
Jiraiya turned his attention to the Lightning Masked Monster. The ground beneath it instantly transformed into a vast swamp, swallowing it up until only its head remained visible. The three giant toads worked together, swiftly finishing it off.
"Fire Release: Giant Flame Bullet."
Jiraiya unleashed a massive fireball, engulfing the stone pillar that trapped the Wind Masked Monster. The intense heat burned it to ash in seconds.
"That guy gave you so much trouble that you had to enter Sage Mode?"
Gamabunta glanced at the markings on Jiraiya's face, clearly surprised.
He knew full well how strong Jiraiya was.
"He wasn't that strong. But he could've killed you with ease."
Jiraiya shot Gamabunta a glance.
The toad boss fell silent.
Since when had he become the benchmark for measuring enemies' strength?
"There are still enemies nearby. Come with me—we're going to eliminate them."
Jiraiya looked in the direction of the Root operatives. Since he still had some time left in Sage Mode, he planned to use it to deal with them.
As for Kakuzu—trapped inside the toad's stomach, sealed with multiple layers of barriers, and firmly adhered to the fleshy walls—escaping was practically impossible. There was no need to keep a guard on him. Besides, there were no other enemy shinobi in the area.
"More enemies? How come I don't sense anything?"
Gamabunta took a long drag from his pipe, scanning the surroundings warily.
"By the time you sense them, their blades would already be at your throat."
Jiraiya leaped onto Gamabunta's head, pointing in the direction of the Root operatives.
Without hesitation, the three massive toads sprang forward at full speed, charging toward their next targets.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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