Bang!
Jiraiya completed the hand seals.
A burst of white smoke erupted into the air.
But—
Nothing appeared.
"Failed?!"
Jiraiya's expression darkened.
He had intended to summon Fukasaku, then immediately undo the summoning, allowing Fukasaku to use the Reverse Summoning Technique to teleport him to Mount Myōboku. This was his foolproof escape plan.
However, the plan had failed.
Wait.
What did that boy just say?
Swish!
A golden flash streaked across the battlefield.
Menma vanished from his position, reappearing directly in front of Jiraiya.
Boom!
A devastating punch landed squarely on Jiraiya's stomach.
"Guh!"
Jiraiya's eyes bulged as intense pain radiated through his abdomen. His consciousness nearly blacked out.
What power!
Tsunade's monstrous strength was already terrifying, but this—this was on another level!
Before he could recover, a mass of golden chains shot out from Menma's hands, rapidly wrapping around him.
"This is…!"
Jiraiya's face contorted in shock.
"Adamantine Sealing Chains?!"
This brat had inherited Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique and Kushina's sealing abilities?!
Not good!
Jiraiya tried to struggle, summoning all his chakra to break free.
But he quickly realized—
His chakra was being suppressed.
The Adamantine Sealing Chains were designed to restrict even the Tailed Beasts. For a human, escape was nearly impossible.
"Give up, Jiraiya."
A calm voice rang out.
Kuro Kakashi raised his finger.
In an instant, dark markings slithered across Jiraiya's body.
"...Self-Inflicted Curse Seal?"
Jiraiya's heart sank deeper.
He attempted to move his arms—nothing. His body was completely immobilized.
His mind raced, analyzing the situation.
They had planned everything.
A Flying Thunder God ambush.
Adamantine Sealing Chains.
A paralysis curse.
Three layers of restraints.
He was one of the legendary Sannin. A veteran Kage-level shinobi.
And yet, he had been completely overwhelmed.
He clenched his fists, forcing himself to remain calm.
"...You planned this from the start, didn't you?"
Jiraiya's gaze flickered to his sleeve, where he noticed a black emblem—a Flying Thunder God marker.
That's how they got me.
The moment he attempted to escape, they struck, leaving him no chance to react.
"You underestimated us, Jiraiya."
Menma smirked.
"Did you really think we'd let you leave with valuable intel?"
Jiraiya's jaw tightened.
They had never intended to let him escape.
Damn it!
He had learned the truth about these invaders.
But now—
He would never get the chance to report it.
"...So."
Jiraiya swallowed, his voice calm but firm.
"You're not letting me go, are you?"
These damn invaders—
They wouldn't let him live after learning so much.
"For my father's sake, I'll spare your life."
Menma's words made Jiraiya's heart skip a beat.
"My father..."
Minato.
"Killing my father's former teacher would be a bit... extreme."
Jiraiya stared at him.
This brat wasn't sparing him out of kindness.
"Besides," Menma continued, "even if you're alive, you're no threat to the Empire's plans."
Jiraiya's fists clenched.
Not a threat?
This brat—this child—was mocking him?!
"However."
Menma's eyes gleamed.
"You may live, but your information... is another matter."
Jiraiya's heart pounded.
What is he planning?!
Menma placed a hand on Jiraiya's forehead.
"You—! What are you doing?!"
Jiraiya's mind suddenly felt... transparent.
Every memory, every thought—laid bare.
"In addition to space-time ninjutsu, I know a little about sealing techniques."
Menma grinned.
Jiraiya's stomach twisted.
This bastard—
He's planning to seal my memory!
Memories of Mount Myōboku.
Memories of the prophecy.
Memories of Naruto.
All of it—erased.
"Damn you!"
Jiraiya struggled against the restraints.
He wouldn't let this brat take his memories!
But before he could curse further—
Darkness consumed him.
He lost consciousness.
Yu no Kuni – A Small Inn
Jiraiya's eyelids twitched.
Slowly, he woke up.
"Ugh... where am I?"
He rubbed his forehead.
His memory was... hazy.
Did he black out from drinking too much last night?
Wait—
Hot springs!
That's right!
He had planned to visit the famous hot springs nearby to "gather research materials."
"Hehehe..."
A perverted grin spread across his face.
He jumped out of bed.
"Hot springs, here I come!"
Unaware that a crucial part of his past had been sealed away.
Unaware that he had come dangerously close to uncovering the truth—
And had lost everything in the process.
Meanwhile – The Empire's Headquarters
Kuro Kakashi watched as Jiraiya was teleported away.
His arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
"Menma."
His voice was calm.
"You have a cruel sense of humor."
Menma chuckled.
"Is that so?"
He turned, gazing at the horizon.
"One day, the seal will break. And when it does..."
His smirk deepened.
"I wonder how he'll react?"
Jiraiya had once known the truth.
Then, it was erased.
One day, when his memories returned—
The shock.
The despair.
The helplessness.
It would be... amusing.
Menma's golden eyes gleamed.
The Empire had no fear of enemies.
Not even a legendary Sannin.
The game had only just begun.
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