Inside the cave, the bonfire burned brightly.
After catching up, everyone's emotions had settled somewhat.
Jiraiya, Yahiko, and Konan ate some roasted food while chatting.
"Sensei, the situation in the Land of Rain is similar to the Land of Waves. Can we achieve peace through the same kind of operation you carried out in the Land of Waves?"
"Hmm..."
Jiraiya didn't answer immediately.
The situation in the Land of Waves was definitely different from that in the Land of Rain.
The Land of Waves currently had no ninja village, so the various parties could reach a neutral, mutually beneficial agreement at both the national and village levels, satisfying the interests of all parties except the Land of Water, which sought maritime expansion.
That was why the plan had been successfully pushed forward, leading to the current state of peace.
The Land of Rain, however, had Amegakure and Hanzo, making it impossible to replicate the same approach. As for achieving complete peace through dialogue and mutual understanding...
It was highly unlikely!
Jiraiya felt a bit embarrassed.
Yahiko's current mindset was largely influenced by him.
Now, Jiraiya's thoughts had slightly changed from the past, so he could see the flaws in his previous ideas. However, when it came to solving the problems of the Land of Rain, he had no answers.
Jiraiya glanced at Kyohiko.
Should he ask for help?
Damn it!
Who's the teacher here?
Jiraiya, you're really too much!
"Kyohiko, what do you think?"
"Huh?"
Kyohiko was confused.
Wasn't this just about testing the effectiveness of a jutsu?
Why is this my problem now?
Not only was he stunned, but Yahiko and Konan were also dumbfounded, looking at Jiraiya in confusion. They couldn't understand Jiraiya's intention—
Such a major issue, and sensei is asking a child...
No matter how talented Kyohiko is, or how strong his abilities are, could he possibly understand the meaning of peace and war?
Maybe it's a test?
They glanced at Jiraiya, then at Kyohiko.
"The Land of Rain and the Land of Waves are quite different."
Kyohiko thought for a moment before sharing his thoughts.
Yahiko found it amusing but kept a serious expression and asked, "How so?"
"The reason the conflict in the Land of Waves could be resolved peacefully is that only the Land of Water was at a disadvantage. The enemies we encountered in the Land of Waves were mostly from the Land of Water."
Kyohiko replied.
Yahiko, who had initially been helping to set up the question, soon lost that mindset and listened intently to Kyohiko's words.
After one sentence, he was eager for more.
"What about our Land of Rain?"
"I don't know much about the Land of Rain, but your country is definitely stronger than the Land of Waves. However, being sandwiched between three major nations, achieving peace..."
It's difficult!
Kyohiko looked at Jiraiya.
"Sensei, I'm too young to know the answer. Do you have one?"
"..."
I have no answer.
Jiraiya cursed inwardly.
If he had an answer, he wouldn't have remained silent for so long.
"The situation in the Land of Rain is indeed different from the Land of Waves. I've been thinking about it for the past two to three years and still have no solution. That's why... Ah, I've put sensei in a difficult position."
Yahiko sighed, realizing Jiraiya had no good solution.
It made sense. If Jiraiya had a solution, he would have gone to the Land of Rain himself long ago, without them having to seek him out.
They trusted their sensei.
"However, Yahiko-senpai, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."
Kyohiko hesitated for a moment but decided to offer some advice.
Yahiko turned to him and solemnly swore, "Please, you and sensei can trust me. Today's conversation will not reach anyone's ears except Nagato's. Otherwise, may I be cut into a thousand pieces!"
Jiraiya hesitated for a moment but ultimately held his tongue.
He had no desires or ambitions and wasn't afraid of slander or rumors.
But what about Kyohiko?
This child was only eight years old, with incredible talent and a bright future. If he were to be caught in a scandal due to a careless leak, Jiraiya would never forgive himself.
"I don't know much about your situation in the Land of Rain, but I think you need to consider one thing..."
Kyohiko said, "Do you have the ability to engage in dialogue with Hanzo?"
Hanzo?
Engage with Hanzo...
Jiraiya was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized.
Yes!
Yahiko and his group developing their own forces in the Land of Rain was akin to a ninja organization secretly growing within the Land of Fire, outside the established clans.
If no one knew about it, that would be one thing. But once discovered, would Konoha let it slide?
Absolutely not.
His expression turned serious.
"That's right, Yahiko. Only by surviving can you have a future. As you are now, do you have the qualifications to sit down and have a peaceful dialogue with Hanzo?"
Why did the Land of Waves situation succeed?
Because the coalition of interests centered around Konoha and Kumogakure was strong enough to make the Land of Water back down.
Dialogue is based on strength.
As things stood, Yahiko clearly didn't have the strength to challenge Hanzo. Therefore, the survival and continuation of their organization depended on Hanzo's whims.
"The ability to dialogue with Hanzo..."
Yahiko muttered to himself, then his face showed shock and disbelief.
He understood what Kyohiko and Jiraiya were getting at.
But.
It was precisely because of this that Yahiko was shocked—
Sensei had initially been led astray by him, focusing on how to achieve peace. It wasn't until this child pointed out the crux of the matter that he realized the crisis they were facing.
No wonder sensei brought him along...
Yahiko was smart.
He quickly realized that a person's thoughts and beliefs don't change overnight. Sensei must have undergone a shift in his ideas and behavior after meeting Kyohiko.
Otherwise.
Why hadn't sensei taken any action before this year?
This child is the key!
Yahiko's gaze became intense, then dimmed again.
It's a pity he's from Konoha.
He bit his lip, deep in thought, and tugged at his hair in frustration.
"Currently, Lord Hanzo hasn't shown any unusual attitude toward us, and our group's purpose is to help the Land of Rain. If we leave the Land of Rain..."
If their unity broke, their cause would fall apart.
Yahiko knew that if a team's ideals collapsed, their downfall wouldn't be far behind.
"There's a place that's still in chaos and unclaimed."
Kyohiko hinted.
Yahiko said, "The Land of Rivers?!"
To the south of the Land of Rain, the Land of Rivers was currently a country without a ninja village, filled with wandering samurai and rogue ninjas—a land without an owner.
However.
It was also a country caught between major powers.
If the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire went to war, any ninja organization in the Land of Rivers could be targeted, or even wiped out.
Of course.
If they were strong enough, they could become mercenaries...
Kyohiko didn't spell it out, but Jiraiya, who was very familiar with these matters, quickly pieced together the situation from Kyohiko's hint.
Yahiko's face shifted between confusion, excitement, and worry.
Should they go to the Land of Rivers?
Konan thought for a while and said worriedly, "If we go to the Land of Rivers, we should head further south, right? Otherwise, we might get caught in the crossfire."
"Right."
Yahiko nodded.
Although it was jumping from one quagmire to another, at least the Land of Rivers currently had no ninja village.
In the short term, they could safely develop in secret.
"Regardless of the choice, only by becoming strong enough can you gain a voice and truly influence a nation. Until then, you must survive carefully, especially Nagato."
Jiraiya didn't elaborate on Nagato's situation.
But he believed Yahiko and Konan would understand.
Yahiko and Konan bowed deeply to Jiraiya and Kyohiko.
Then, Yahiko said, "Sensei, Kyohiko, thank you! I'm no longer lost."
"I hope we won't meet on the battlefield."
Some words were inappropriate for Jiraiya to say, but Kyohiko felt he had to say them.
He didn't want to "aid the enemy."
Yahiko said solemnly, "We definitely won't. Our goal is peace. If there's any news, I'll inform you as soon as possible."