"Naruto: My Ninja Skills"Chapter 213: Jinchūriki
Orochimaru was an extraordinarily fortunate individual.
After all, experiencing both "cut to commercial break" and "skip through life" was exceptionally rare—possessing what others lacked made him uniquely blessed.
After freezing Orochimaru into a popsicle, Yūshin returned to Konoha and deposited him in the "vintage popsicle storage facility," where he could peacefully await his eventual thawing day.
Subsequently, returning to his alternate dimension, Yūshin prepared to organize his "garden."
First, Yūshin addressed the small God Tree he'd previously cultivated. He allowed this tree to devour the former "White Zetsu streetlamp," then after encouraging additional growth, the entire tree began emanating gentle luminescence... Admittedly, he'd merely improved the area's lighting conditions.
Next, he sorted through "soil samples" acquired from the Three Great Secret Realms. The entire process resembled bonsai landscaping—though Yūshin lacked expertise, he simply arranged mountain vegetation with varied elevations and tasteful placement.
Within such an alternate dimension, ecosystems from the Three Great Secret Realms could probably sustain themselves temporarily. After this period, everything would undergo corresponding changes... The alternate dimension's time wasn't frozen; naturally, phenomena would evolve with temporal progression.
Fortunately, Yūshin had created an artificial light source, ensuring local vegetation wouldn't completely perish.
The toad oil acquired from Mount Myōboku, while insufficient for eternal use, was more than adequate for mastering Sage Mode... Therefore, this natural energy-rich environment needn't be maintained indefinitely.
With Orochimaru silenced, comprehending natural energy and learning Sage Mode became Yūshin's primary current occupation.
But he remained unaware that within this alternate dimension, he wasn't the only one sensing natural energy.
Jiraiya descended from civilian ninja—his parents weren't even Fireflies members. In a sense, he represented the true "Konoha Dream" spokesperson.
Jiraiya's origins were ordinary, yet his life overflowed with extraordinary encounters.
One year ago, after graduating from Ninja Academy, he quickly became Third Hokage's disciple... Sarutobi Hiruzen, even before becoming Hokage while merely a Jōnin, habitually educated the next ninja generation.
Moreover, his disciple selection method proved fascinating—each three-member batch almost followed identical patterns: one ordinary background, one Fireflies background, one major ninja clan background.
Balancing Konoha's various factions, or perhaps courting Konoha's various factions—regardless, this approach remained sound. Even considering conspiracy theories, it constituted wise strategy.
Therefore, even if the "Legendary Sannin" couldn't obtain their title, they still assembled together... No matter what, Tsunade had to become Third Hokage's disciple—this represented inheritance.
Because Sarutobi Hiruzen was both First and Second Hokage's shared disciple, his Third Hokage appointment benefited from Senju Tobirama's strong advocacy. As reciprocation, Sarutobi Hiruzen must carefully cultivate Tsunade.
Frankly speaking, this constituted natural political transaction—whether representing warmly touching or coldly piercing matters remained unclear, but superficially appeared warmly touching...
Wicked, corrupt Konoha—power circulating only within small circles was truly incredible.
Regarding Hagūgen Aoi, more suitable than Tsunade—honestly, Hagūgen Aoi disdained Third Hokage's capabilities and refused becoming his disciple.
Aoi declared:
"I'm not targeting anyone specifically—I'm simply saying everyone present..."
Hagūgen Aoi somewhat disdained even her biological father's strength, let alone Sarutobi Hiruzen's... Ninjutsu Professor? Hah—incomparable to First Hokage's single finger, clearly a ninjutsu illiterate.
From this perspective, Jiraiya and Orochimaru, sharing Tsunade's team, somewhat resembled accompanying the prince's studies... Though elderly Orochimaru had burned out, young Orochimaru was just beginning his activity.
Regardless, ordinary origins and unremarkable talent yet becoming Third Hokage's disciple—this was Jiraiya's first extraordinary encounter.
Subsequently, he experienced his second extraordinary encounter—mistakenly arriving at Mount Myōboku, meeting Great Toad Sage, obtaining opportunities to learn Sage Techniques.
Then came his third extraordinary encounter—while "playing" at Mount Myōboku, sudden earth tremors occurred, then darkness fell.
Young Jiraiya accidentally became involved in Yūshin's "soil sampling" activities.
Currently, Jiraiya resided within Yūshin's alternate dimension.
Honestly, such minor operational errors couldn't be blamed on Yūshin—when transporting soil, some creatures inevitably got mixed in. Mount Myōboku had abundant toads.
Jiraiya's chakra signal intensity was truly weaker than toads—Yūshin simply regarded him as one among many toads.
Undeniably, Jiraiya possessed certain professional qualities. After being tossed around by space-time ninjutsu, he didn't scream but attempted independent environmental reconnaissance to assess his circumstances... Honestly, such professionalism proved problematic—screaming would've been better.
Fortunately, Jiraiya wouldn't starve in the mountains. Mount Myōboku offered abundant resources—Shima's personally taught protein-rich, juice-bursting, colorfully varied insect rice balls possessed extraordinarily high nutritional value.
Fresh water was even more abundant—besides mountain springs, tree sap could substitute if necessary.
Thus Jiraiya began "wilderness survival" within the alternate dimension—eating well, drinking well, sleeping well... Departure remained impossible. In this completely sealed alternate dimension, without "entry-exit permits," he couldn't receive reverse summoning chakra signals.
Previously, Jiraiya seemed to hear wailing sounds, but as he moved toward the source, those sounds abruptly ceased.
Shortly afterward, terrain underwent massive changes. When everything quieted again, Jiraiya no longer knew his location.
"What is this place? Isn't this Mount Myōboku? Could this all be trials Great Toad Sage arranged for me?"
Walking forward, Jiraiya stepped into some viscous substance—the sticky texture made him quickly withdraw his foot before properly stepping... This environment clearly differed from Mount Myōboku.
Cautiously, he advanced with uneven steps. After most of a day, exhausted, he lay sideways on the ground.
Then he discovered something moving on the distant "horizon."
Jiraiya scrambled up, carefully observing before discovering a large white fox frolicking through distant forests.
Jiraiya immediately gave chase. During this period, he'd encountered only various insects, reptiles, and amphibians—suddenly seeing mammals instinctively excited him.
The white fox quickly noticed pursuit... Hmm? What was happening?
It ceased frolicking, resuming dignified pacing.
Jiraiya catching the fox was pure fantasy—currently, he couldn't even defeat the fox's tail.
After considerable pursuit, Jiraiya realized the distance hadn't closed, finally understanding his two legs couldn't outrun the fox's four.
Helplessly, Jiraiya remained stationary. After he stopped, the fox also halted, and both began staring at each other.
"Hey, white fox, do you know how to leave here?"
Without alternatives, Jiraiya sought mammalian assistance... At least more reliable than requesting help from snakes and toads.
The white fox naturally understood human presence here was strange. It half-turned, pointing its muzzle toward a specific direction, then began slowly nodding with narrowed, elongated eyes.
Jiraiya looked in that direction, finally comprehending:
"Whoa... light source!"
He'd made a major discovery, finally understanding this environment's illumination source.
"Thank you, white fox."
Jiraiya expressed gratitude, then hurried toward that direction.
As distance decreased, light became increasingly clear. He discerned a luminous tree—more importantly, a house beside it.
"Anyone here?"
Shortly, Jiraiya reached the house. He called loudly first, and discovering no response, pushed the door open and entered.
Next, he located the kitchen, then wept with joy... Finally, proper human food!
After eating and drinking his fill, Jiraiya toured the house's various rooms, discovering life traces but no human presence.
Besides the house, the most bizarre element was that luminous tree. He left the house to climb it, hoping to reach the summit and discover escape possibilities.
However...
Somehow, the higher he climbed, the weaker he felt. Shortly afterward, he fell from the tree, fainting beneath it.
Honestly, though this God Tree couldn't compare to the original God Tree Ten-Tails, ordinary people approaching it so closely was purely suicidal behavior.
Jiraiya's painstakingly accumulated chakra was entirely contributed to the small God Tree.
Worse, his current position was problematic—equivalent to recovering chakra only to have it immediately drained.
If Yūshin didn't return promptly, Jiraiya would face eternal slumber, becoming fertilizer.
God Trees were far more ferocious than man-eating plants—they not only digested unfortunate victims' bones but absorbed their entire spiritual essence.
...
Yūshin wasn't currently in the alternate dimension—he was in Konoha Village, having received urgent notification of some major incident.
Hokage Office Building, top-floor conference room.
When Yūshin arrived, advisor Uzumaki Mito and Hideyuki, plus Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, had already arrived first.
People capable of using space-time ninjutsu were more prone to tardiness—this had nearly become natural law.
Yūshin surveyed the room, suddenly realizing the entire advisory council consisted of "his people"... Originally, though also "his people," Uzumaki Mito seemed somewhat detached, while the other advisor, Hyūga Clan Head, remained independently aloof.
Currently, Uzumaki Mito had become Yūshin's "descendant," while the Hyūga Clan Head was barely surviving, his life nearing its end.
Well, during the two years since Senju Tobirama's death, as Sarutobi Hiruzen continuously matured, the advisory council had transferred almost all Hokage-belonging powers to Third Hokage.
Theoretically, relinquished power cannot be reclaimed—Konoha currently represented Third Hokage's ruling era... theoretically.
This was thoroughly demonstrated in intelligence acquisition capabilities. Previously, various intelligence passed through the advisory council before reaching the Hokage; now the situation was reversed... Honestly speaking, the former represented special measures under special circumstances; the latter was normal.
Konoha's advisory council was very understanding, not clinging to power... Here was an excellent counterexample.
In the original timeline, Kirigakure had someone called "Genshi." This gentleman was born twenty-some years before Konoha's establishment, then after the "Bloody Mist Incident" when Fourth Mizukage disappeared and before Fifth Mizukage was forced to attend Five Kage Summit, he continuously held Kirigakure's power.
Nearly dying yet still gripping power—what was the point?... Regardless of purpose, this was also normal.
"What happened that absolutely requires my meeting attendance?" Yūshin immediately asked upon entering the conference room.
He'd clearly stated his retirement—don't seek him for trivial matters, preferably don't seek him for important matters either... Since they disregarded his wishes, Konoha not only had problems but major ones.
"Lord Yūshin, the situation is indeed extremely severe."
Sarutobi Hiruzen pointed to a nearby intelligence ninja, continuing:
"You explain the situation."
This intelligence-bearing ninja possessed very interesting identity—neither Aburame, Inuzuka, or Yamanaka, nor Hyūga, but a Sarutobi ninja... Hmm, the first three were Fireflies; Hyūga belonged to the advisory council.
"Yes, Lord Hokage, honored advisors. We've just received communication from Kumogakure. According to their statement, Kumogakure's two jinchūriki have gone berserk and lost control, apparently heading toward Land of Fire. Therefore, they're providing routine notification..."
Look—this was Sarutobi ninja function. His report was comprehensive, and "Lord Hokage, honored advisors" sequencing was accurate.
If other ninja saw Yūshin present, their report opening would definitely be "Lord Yūshin."
Ahem, returning to the intelligence itself:
Routine notification? More like liability disclaimer. Kumogakure's Tailed Beasts were Two-Tails and Eight-Tails—their jinchūriki losing control was normal. But losing control while escaping village control and coincidentally running toward Land of Fire?
"Definitely intentional. Kumogakure has always been dissatisfied with the last war's results. So-called jinchūriki rampage is certainly provocative behavior," Hideyuki directly rendered this judgment.
"Don't rush..."
Yūshin restrained Hideyuki's opinion—this was too hasty. Don't "judge by appearance"; avoid habitual thinking constraints. Kumogakure couldn't perpetually commit wrongdoing, right?
Besides, the Hokage should make such judgments.
"What about the jinchūriki identities? Did Kumogakure's intelligence provide explanations?" he asked.
"Yes, Lord Yūshin... Reportedly, they're brothers called Kinkaku and Ginkaku."
Yūshin:
"..."
"Alright, definitely intentional."
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