114. Showdown

Jiraiya listened to Nara Shikane's analysis, his expression growing solemn.

Jiraiya concluded, "So, Sora came to the Land of Grass for Uzumaki Miyuki, wanting her to replace Kushina as the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, is that right?"

Nara Shikane nodded and said, "Yes, Jiraiya-sama. The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki is a serious matter. Regardless of whether this is truly Sora's purpose, we should report it to Hokage-sama."

Jiraiya understood how important this matter was. As a weapon of war, the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki had to be handled with extreme caution.

"I will report this to the old man."

After Nara Shikane left, Jiraiya first wrote a letter to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

In the letter, he detailed the speculations about Uzumaki Miyuki and Nara Shikane's concerns, as well as Sora and Kakashi's request to be transferred to the Land of Hot Springs.

After asking a shinobi to deliver the letter to Konoha, Jiraiya stood up from his chair.

"Go find Sora. I need to speak with him."

Sora and Kakashi had just finished their meal at the base and were about to go rest when they encountered Jiraiya.

"Sora, let's talk."

Sora frowned. He wanted to talk again. This Jiraiya was really troublesome.

But Jiraiya outranked him and was powerful. Despite his reluctance, Sora couldn't refuse.

"Kakashi, you go back and rest first."

After Kakashi left, Sora and Jiraiya stood beneath a tree.

Jiraiya asked, "Sora, why were you looking for Uzumaki Miyuki?"

Sora frowned slightly, "I just happened to find her."

Jiraiya fixed Sora with an intense gaze, "Just happened? I doubt it's a coincidence. Shikane analyzed your actions since coming to the Land of Grass and determined that you were purposefully searching for someone.

Sora, you already know about the Jinchūriki plan, don't you? And you came to the Land of Grass specifically to find Uzumaki Miyuki.

Your goal is to have Uzumaki Miyuki replace Kushina as the Jinchūriki, isn't it?"

Sora's mouth twitched.

The people of the Nara clan were all highly intelligent and difficult to deceive. Unexpectedly, Shikane Nara had discovered his purpose through mere clues.

Since he was found out, there was no need to pretend anymore.

Sora admitted, "Yes, my purpose is indeed to have Uzumaki Miyuki replace Kushina as the Jinchūriki."

Jiraiya said seriously, "Sora, give up. This is impossible. Kushina has learned Lady Mito's sealing techniques. After becoming a Jinchūriki, she can suppress the Nine-Tails and prevent it from getting out of control.

Uzumaki Miyuki doesn't know these sealing techniques, and she won't be able to suppress the Nine-Tails. She could lose control and cause unpredictable damage to Konoha.

And Lady Mito has neither the time nor the energy to train Uzumaki Miyuki. So, Sora, don't waste time on things that won't yield results!

I can promise that, except for a few people, no one else will know about Kushina becoming a Jinchūriki. You don't need to worry about Kushina facing any unfair treatment in Konoha."

Sora had a sarcastic smile on his face, "So, in Jiraiya-sama's eyes, I'm a person who wastes time on futile endeavours? As for your promise, you seem unable to guarantee anything at all. Look at what happened to Lord Sakumo not long ago. His confidential mission was leaked to everyone. What else is impossible?"

Jiraiya opened his mouth but had no way to refute this.

Sora continued, "If Lord Jiraiya is worried that Uzumaki Miyuki will lose control after becoming the Jinchūriki and cause damage to Konoha, then please rest assured, this will not happen.

It's not too late for Uzumaki Miyuki to learn sealing techniques after becoming the Jinchūriki. Before that, I will suppress the Nine-Tails myself!"

Jiraiya looked at Sora in surprise, "You'll suppress the Nine-Tails? How?"

Sora activated his Mangekyō Sharingan, "Lord Jiraiya should recognize these eyes. The Mangekyō Sharingan can control the tailed beasts. Lord Jiraiya, do you still think I'm wasting my time on futile endeavours?"

Jiraiya stared at Sora's eyes in shock.

He hadn't expected Sora to awaken the upgraded form of the Uchiha clan's Sharingan, the Mangekyō Sharingan.

As far as he knew, no one in the entire Uchiha clan currently possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Yet Sora, who only had half Uchiha blood, had awakened it.

If the Uchiha clan learned of this, how devastated would they be?

Nevertheless, Jiraiya remained sceptical about Uzumaki Miyuki replacing Uzumaki Kushina as the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.

Jiraiya advised earnestly, "Sora, even if you have the Mangekyō Sharingan and can suppress the Nine-Tails, can you constantly monitor Uzumaki Miyuki?

The old man won't agree to this. After all, it's safest for Kushina to become the Jinchūriki, and with your Mangekyō Sharingan to help, Kushina will be even safer."

Sora deactivated his Mangekyō Sharingan and replied calmly, "Jiraiya-sama, I believe that success depends on human effort, not fate. That day hasn't come yet, so in my opinion, anything is still possible.

If there's nothing else, Jiraiya-sama, I'll go rest now. Thank you for your help with the transfer to the Land of Hot Water."

Sora turned and left, not caring whether Jiraiya had anything else to say.

Sora knew very well that no matter what he said, Jiraiya would report everything to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Rather than risking Sarutobi Hiruzen's suspicion, it was better to be forthright and let them know his intentions.

With his Mangekyō Sharingan, Sora believed that Sarutobi Hiruzen would definitely assess his value carefully.

Moreover, they were still at war, and as long as he distinguished himself, his importance would become increasingly evident.

When his value exceeded the risk of Uzumaki Miyuki becoming the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, then even if Sarutobi Hiruzen refused now, he would likely agree later.

What's more, there was also the Uchiha clan, which was like a thorn in Sarutobi Hiruzen's throat.

The Uchiha clan was very active on the battlefield now, with almost all their combat-capable shinobi assigned to various fronts.

Everyone in Konoha's other clans knew why the Uchiha clan was doing this.

The Uchiha clan wasn't working this hard for Konoha's glory; they had an ulterior motive. The current Uchiha clan had little influence with high-ranking officials like Sarutobi Hiruzen, and their hard work now was clearly aimed at gaining power.

Previously, when Uchiha Masaki had asked Uchiha Fugaku to apologize to Sora, Sora's Sharingan alone wasn't enough to warrant such respect. The main reason was that after giving up the Thunder Breathing technique, Sora had effectively become a member of the Hokage faction.

So Uchiha Masaki had shown goodwill to him simply as an investment in his future.

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