Chapter 496: Do Not Act Rashly

Tsunade had made it clear—this matter was now Shinki's responsibility.

"You're in charge of convincing Jiraiya. Good luck," she said, shrugging off the task with a nonchalant wave.

Shinki sighed. Tsunade was fully embracing her role as the hands-off Hokage, leaving him to handle the most delicate of situations.

He found Jiraiya lounging, clearly unaware of the storm brewing. Shinki didn't waste time with pleasantries.

"You can't leave your apprentice in the Land of Rain unattended," Shinki stated bluntly.

Jiraiya's carefree demeanor vanished in an instant. "Who are you talking about?" he asked, though a sinking feeling told him the answer.

When Shinki gave a slight nod, Jiraiya's heart clenched.

"Nagato..."

The realization hit like a ton of bricks. Jiraiya had always suspected something was different about Nagato, but hearing it confirmed left him reeling.

"It seems you already knew something was off," Shinki said, watching Jiraiya's reaction.

Jiraiya chuckled bitterly. "I noticed... small things. A power that didn't quite fit. But I wanted to believe..."

"That he was chosen?" Shinki finished. "Well, he was—just not in the way you hoped."

Jiraiya's face hardened. "How serious is it?"

Shinki's tone turned grave. "Very. This isn't just about Nagato. This affects the entire ninja world. Nagato has something that doesn't belong to him—a pair of eyes that will bring nothing but disaster."

"The Rinnegan," Jiraiya whispered.

Shinki nodded. "Those eyes aren't his. They were transplanted into him by Uchiha Madara."

Jiraiya froze. "Madara?! But he's dead—"

"No," Shinki interrupted. "He's very much alive, or at least was alive long enough to put his plan in motion. Nagato was just a tool to nurture the Rinnegan for Madara's use."

Jiraiya rubbed his face, struggling to process the revelation. "Madara used Nagato... He was just a child! How could anyone do that to him?"

Shinki's voice was calm but unyielding. "Madara didn't care about Nagato. To him, Nagato was just a means to an end—a host for his eyes. The tragedy is that Nagato doesn't even realize it."

Jiraiya's heart ached for his former student. "I have to help him. I can't let this happen."

Shinki sighed. "I understand your feelings, but you can't act recklessly. This situation is bigger than you or Nagato. If you try to intervene without a plan, you'll only make things worse."

"I still want to be part of the operation," Jiraiya insisted. "At the very least, I want to try to save him."

Shinki nodded. "Fine. You can join, but under one condition—you must not act on your own. No rushing to the Land of Rain, no contacting Nagato, and no tipping off the enemy."

Jiraiya hesitated but finally relented. "Alright, I won't act without orders. But promise me you'll do everything you can to save him."

"Yahiko and Konan should be safe," Shinki replied. "As for Nagato... it depends on how much control Madara and Black Zetsu still have over him."

Jiraiya clenched his fists. "I'll do whatever it takes to bring them back."

"Good," Shinki said. "Just remember—if you act rashly, you could doom them all."

With Jiraiya temporarily placated, Shinki turned his attention to the broader mission. Invitations to the Five Kage Summit were dispatched, with ANBU agents using flying summoning beasts to ensure quick delivery.

In Sunagakure:

The Third Kazekage read the invitation, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he handed his responsibilities to Chiyo and departed for Konoha, flying on his magnetic iron sand.

In Kirigakure:

Yagura was puzzled by the unexpected invitation. After careful deliberation, he decided to attend.

In Iwagakure:

Ōnoki stared at the invitation with suspicion. The timing, so soon after the Third Raikage's "gift," made him wary.

But ultimately, his curiosity won out.

"Even if this is connected to the Raikage, I need to know what Konoha has planned," he muttered, making his preparations to leave.