Jiraiya wanted to go to the Land of Rain.
Ren's expression turned strange the moment he heard that.
He really didn't understand—why did this guy always look like he was rushing toward death?
In Ren's memory, Jiraiya had once gone there alone… and died in a tragic battle. That death had indirectly pushed Nagato further into madness, eventually leading to the catastrophe over Konoha.
Now the situation had changed.
And yet—this man still couldn't suppress that suicidal impulse.
"Land of Rain… Nagato and Konan?" Ren tilted his head and asked.
Jiraiya nodded, his expression serious.
"They're my students. I've secretly visited before, especially after the alliance between Konoha and the Land of Rain improved. But because of that alliance, I couldn't investigate openly… and Hanzo would never agree to meet me."
He paused, then continued.
"But now—Minato tracked Uchiha Obito all the way there. That means there's a high chance Akatsuki has a base in the Land of Rain."
"I have to go."
His tone was firm.
"And you're familiar with the Land of Rain. I need your support."
Ren couldn't help but chuckle internally.
Obito… truly useless.
Such a perfect hidden base, and he still managed to expose it.
"Fine," Ren said lightly. "I'll support you."
"But I'm curious—if you really meet them, what exactly do you plan to do?"
Jiraiya froze slightly.
Minato, standing nearby, looked puzzled.
"Nagato… my senior?" he asked.
Jiraiya nodded with a bitter smile.
"Yes. Him."
Then he briefly explained everything—using the same version Ren had already fed to Nagato and Konan.
In short—
Everything was Danzo's fault.
Dead people made the best scapegoats.
Especially someone like Danzo—already infamous, already gone.
Perfect.
Minato's fists tightened unconsciously.
"Danzo…"
Back then, as Hokage, he had already found that man troublesome.
If not for the Nine-Tails incident… he would have dealt with him sooner or later.
Ren glanced at Kakashi from the corner of his eye before calmly adding—
"By the way… wasn't Kushina's childbirth location supposed to be top secret?"
The moment he said that—
Everyone's expressions changed.
Minato's voice turned heavy.
"Yes. Only a handful of people knew."
Silence fell.
Then the implication hit them all at once.
If Obito knew—
Someone had leaked it.
"…Danzo?" Jiraiya muttered.
Ren shrugged casually.
"Who knows? But he had the motive, the access, and the ambition."
"And we already know he had ties with Akatsuki before defecting."
That was enough.
The seed of suspicion was planted.
(And Ren had no intention of correcting it.)
Meanwhile, Naruto stood there, stunned.
So many hidden truths… behind that night?
Ren continued calmly.
"And Obito didn't just act once. He's been involved in almost every major incident tied to Akatsuki."
"Don't you think… Nagato's drastic change was a little too sudden?"
Jiraiya froze.
Ren's voice lowered slightly.
"What if someone guided him? Manipulated him—right when he was most vulnerable?"
"…Obito."
This time, even Tsunade spoke.
Jiraiya clenched his fists.
"That bastard…"
He was already itching to leave immediately.
"Relax," Ren said, waving his hand. "You'll go. I'll support you."
Tsunade shot Ren an annoyed look—but still nodded.
"Go if you want. I'll approve it."
Ren smiled.
"See?"
Then his tone shifted slightly.
"But before that—we need to talk about something more important."
Everyone's attention returned to him.
"Akatsuki is collecting Tailed Beasts."
He began listing things calmly—
Gaara… One-Tail weakened
Fourth Mizukage targeted
The Fire Temple incident… fake Nine-Tails chakra
Hidden alliances with other villages…
Finally—
He looked at Naruto.
"Naruto… is their real target."
Minato's heart tightened.
"…Because of the Nine-Tails?"
Ren nodded.
"And probably from the very beginning."
"Obito didn't just attack randomly that night. His goal was the Nine-Tails."
Silence.
Naruto clenched his fists.
Ren continued—
"And now Naruto is sixteen."
"That means the Nine-Tails inside him… has matured."
"That makes him the most valuable target."
Minato's expression darkened.
"…Then what should we do?"
Ren smiled slightly.
"Simple."
"We stop holding back."
"I'll release the seal."
"And—"
"I'll summon Kushina."
"And if necessary… Uzumaki Mito as well."
The room fell completely silent.
Naruto's eyes widened.
"…Mom?"
Minato whispered—
"…Kushina…"
Ren's voice softened slightly.
"You've both missed enough time."
"It's time to make up for it."
Meanwhile, in the Land of Rain—
Konan and Nagato stood by the window, watching the endless rain.
"Uchiha Itachi… is dead?" Konan asked quietly.
Nagato nodded.
"Good riddance."
Then his expression turned serious.
"I'm more worried about Konoha."
"Jiraiya… will come."
Konan didn't argue.
"…Yeah. He will."
And then—
A familiar voice sounded behind them.
"You two seem pretty clear-headed."
Ren.
Nagato sighed.
"You're here already?"
Ren walked in casually, smiling.
"Of course."
"Jiraiya's on his way. I came to warn you."
Konan frowned slightly.
"…So what's your plan?"
Ren sat down lazily.
"Simple."
"Don't hide."
"Let him see the truth."
Nagato's breathing slowed.
"…You want us to face him?"
Ren smirked.
"Not just face him."
"Fight him."
Konan blinked.
"…Fight?"
Ren nodded.
"Give your teacher a proper lesson."
"Let him understand reality."
"And while we're at it…"
His smile turned dangerous.
"We'll also give Obito a reminder."
"He caused this mess—he should enjoy the consequences."
Nagato and Konan exchanged glances.
Then—
They both nodded.
"…Alright."
Morning.
Konoha.
"HEY! REN! ARE YOU AWAKE?!"
Jiraiya's voice shattered the quiet dawn.
Inside the room—
Ren's eyes snapped open.
"…You idiot."
He pulled Yueyan closer, clearly intending to ignore it.
But she was already awake.
"…That's Lord Jiraiya, right?"
"Don't care."
"..."
Seconds later—
Tsunade's furious voice exploded outside.
"SHUT UP, YOU IDIOT!"
BOOM.
Silence returned.
Ren grinned.
"See? Problem solved."
Yueyan sighed helplessly.
"…You're really not a qualified Hokage advisor."
Ren stretched lazily.
"I don't get judged by mornings."
Outside—
Jiraiya sat beside a broken tree, looking miserable.
Ren walked out.
"Morning."
"…Not morning."
Jiraiya glared at him.
Then suddenly—
He bowed.
"Thank you."
Ren blinked.
"…For what?"
"For Naruto."
"For Minato."
"For giving them a chance… to be a family again."
Ren paused.
Then smiled.
"Don't thank me."
"That's something that should've happened long ago."
He looked up at the sky.
"Ninjutsu isn't good or evil."
"It depends on who uses it."
"And sometimes…"
"Letting the dead meet the living again—"
"…is the right thing."
Jiraiya stared at him.
"…You're really something, kid."
Ren just shrugged.
Then—
placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Let's go."
"Time to visit the Land of Rain."
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