CHAPTER 21

The gentle rain murmured, falling softly on the edge of the Land of Fire. A weary-faced Orochimaru leaned against a tree, his pale complexion growing even paler, devoid of any color, a far cry from the formidable figure he once was.

A soft chuckle escaped his lips as a drop of rain hit the corner of his eye, blurring the line between rain and tears.

"Ah... but you must shed your tears now, or the future will become far more troublesome," Orochimaru muttered to himself, his expression turning even more enigmatic. With a quick turn, he set his sights on his next destination—Tianzhiguo.

Meanwhile, Kakashi supported Jiraiya and quickly reached the cave where Uzuki Xiyan had been placed. Gently laying Jiraiya down, Kakashi found some branches, lit them with a spark, and the chill of the cave was slowly driven away.

Both Kakashi and Jiraiya were drenched by the rain, and although the fire helped dry their clothes, they refrained from undressing out of consideration for the still-unconscious Xiyan. The fire provided warmth, and the crackling sounds of the flames filled the otherwise quiet cave.

Thankfully, their ninja constitution allowed them to withstand the cold without fear of illness, unlike ordinary people. After a short while, Jiraiya, having recovered from the somber mood, looked at Kakashi, who sat near the fire. Kakashi noticed the gaze but couldn't quite understand why Jiraiya was looking at him like that.

"Kakashi, I'm truly glad to see you like this, but it's a pity that Minato didn't live long enough to witness this change," Jiraiya said, a faint smile crossing his face. However, his tone was heavy with nostalgia and regret.

"I was lost before. I caused Teacher Minato a lot of worry," Kakashi replied, his voice quiet but full of emotion. "But now, I've found my way. I won't make the same mistakes again." The darkness that had once clouded his heart seemed to lift, as it had in his original life.

Jiraiya understood. He had seen the doubts and confusion in Kakashi's eyes, the same doubts Minato had seen. Minato's concern for Kakashi's well-being, especially after the loss of his team, was something Jiraiya had been aware of. Minato never saw Kakashi overcome that darkness, and it weighed heavily on Jiraiya.

Seeing Kakashi now, he was relieved that his student's path had shifted for the better. Jiraiya couldn't help but feel a pang of regret that Minato wouldn't witness this growth himself.

In Jiraiya's eyes, Kakashi now looked like the same bright, determined figure from their earlier days together—his silver hair as vibrant as ever, his commitment to his comrades as unwavering as it had always been.

"I'm glad you found your way out of that shadow. This time, I'm planning to leave Konoha for a while. When I do, the future of the village will rest on the shoulders of the younger generation," Jiraiya said with a small laugh, hinting at his departure.

Kakashi wasn't surprised. He understood why Jiraiya had returned: Minato's death, Orochimaru's defection. With those events behind him, Jiraiya had no reason to stay in Konoha. His wandering spirit had always led him to seek his own answers in the world.

Jiraiya's next journey wasn't only about Orochimaru, but also about finding the truth behind the "Child of Destiny." With Minato gone, who would inherit that fate? These were questions that Jiraiya needed to answer for himself.

Still, Jiraiya couldn't help but worry about Konoha. While the Third Hokage was still alive, there were signs of his declining strength, and in a few years, he might no longer be able to hold the village together. Konoha needed a new leader to rise, and Jiraiya had his eyes on Kakashi as that person.

The Kakashi of the past might have been too emotionally distant, but the Kakashi he saw now had the potential to lead. Jiraiya knew that with time, Kakashi could match the strength of his predecessors.

Kakashi, ever humble, nodded firmly. "I will do my best." His words were unwavering, fueled by his renewed sense of purpose. After all, Konoha wasn't just a place to him—it was home. It was where his heart belonged.

"Haha, I hope you don't disappoint me," Jiraiya said with a grin. "Next time we meet, if your strength has earned my respect, I'll teach you something fun."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. What could Jiraiya mean by something "fun"? Was it the Icha Icha Paradise series? He hadn't heard anything about it yet, but it seemed too early for that. Maybe it was a future birthday gift.

Kakashi wanted to ask but saw the mischievous glint in Jiraiya's eyes, signaling that his sensei was in no mood to reveal it. Kakashi let it go, curious yet patient.

At that moment, Uzuki Xiyan stirred, finally waking from her unconscious state. She blinked at the two men before her, her eyes widening as she recognized them.

"Master Jiraiya! Senior Kakashi!" she exclaimed, her voice shaky.

"Oh? The little girl's awake?" Jiraiya said with a smile, his expression softening.

Kakashi nodded, though he remained quiet.

Xiyan, now fully alert, quickly scanned the area. "Why is Master Jiraiya here? Where's Orochimaru?" she asked, her eyes searching for any sign of him.

Mention of Orochimaru darkened Jiraiya's eyes, but before he could respond, Kakashi spoke up.

"Orochimaru fled. We're alive because Jiraiya-sensei arrived just in time to save us."

Xiyan's face turned pale at the news. "Thank you, Master Jiraiya," she said gratefully, bowing her head.

"Don't mention it," Jiraiya replied casually. "Once the rain stops, we'll head back and report to the Third Hokage."

Xiyan was about to say something, but she saw the serious expressions on their faces and realized it was better to remain silent for now. She sat cross-legged, recovering her chakra.

Kakashi, too, took a seat, focusing on his own chakra. The battle with Orochimaru had left him feeling weak. He had been outmatched despite his best efforts. The gap in power had been too great, and if it weren't for Orochimaru's mercy, Kakashi might not have made it out alive.

Kakashi knew his path was clear: he needed to get stronger, faster. In the month since his rebirth, he hadn't grown as much as he hoped. He had to accelerate his training—if he was to defend Konoha, he couldn't afford to remain at his current level.