From the day Shiroishi first encountered Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan in Slum No. 3 of the Land of Rain, he knew that eventually, he would have to face Jiraiya.
The lives he had nurtured in his hands would inevitably draw the attention of the Shinobi World.
Yet, rather than fearing this meeting, he had rehearsed for it countless times.
If it were anyone else, he might have needed to set up disguises and traps.
But since it was Jiraiya, in a way, he was someone easier to communicate with—or perhaps to deceive.
Pushing open the door to the Breeding House, Jiraiya stepped inside.
As soon as he entered, he sensed an unexpected tranquility.
Unlike the damp and dilapidated slums outside, the interior of the Breeding House was clean, warm, and even carried a gentle fragrance.
The wooden walls were polished smooth, the lighting inside was soft, and a vase held dried flowers rarely seen in the Land of Rain.
On the wooden shelves, bottles of herbs, toolboxes, and small devices seemingly designed for incubation were neatly arranged.
Everything was orderly, yet it retained the warmth of life.
It didn't feel like a refuge in a chaotic era but more like a home where someone truly lived with care.
"Please, have a seat."
Shiroishi's voice came from the other side, calm and clear.
"I'll prepare something for you to drink."
With that, he turned and headed toward the kitchen.
Jiraiya looked around.
One entire wall was lined with bookshelves, filled with all kinds of books.
To his surprise, the contents weren't ninjutsu scrolls or medical notes but ancient historical theories, philosophy and existence, the Study of the Origin of Chakra, and so on…
Heavy, profound topics that were almost impossible to find in the hands of commoners in a war-torn land.
He took a few steps closer, casually pulled out a book, and flipped through a few pages. The pages were well-preserved, even wrapped in fine cloth at the corners.
"A person who likes reading…" he murmured, "really doesn't seem like an ordinary person."
Of course, books weren't valuable in the Land of Rain due to the war.
So, it wasn't strange to acquire many books; what was strange was that they could be preserved so perfectly.
Just then, Shiroishi approached with two cups of hot water.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
He placed the cups on the low table, and when he looked up, his eyes behind his glasses remained clear and gentle.
Jiraiya picked up his cup and caught a faint scent of herbs.
"You've collected quite a few books," he remarked casually, his tone probing.
Shiroishi smiled naturally. "Yes, I like history and philosophy."
"Oh?" Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips. "For someone your age, studying such things seems a bit early, doesn't it?"
Shiroishi didn't avoid the question, answering calmly, "Because I want to understand why a place like the Land of Rain has become what it is today. Why do war, poverty, and suffering repeat over and over? Is it really just because of the wars among the great nations?"
Jiraiya was taken aback.
The words unexpectedly struck a chord deep within him.
"Heh," he chuckled softly, taking a sip from his cup. "And what's your conclusion?"
Shiroishi shook his head, his smile fading slightly. "I haven't found the answer yet."
He paused, his tone softening. "Perhaps someone else will find it for me someday."
Jiraiya stared at him for a moment, a vague feeling rising in his heart.
A brief silence fell in the room.
The aroma of tea lingered, and the wind outside the window brushed gently, bringing a slight chill after the rain.
Shiroishi suddenly smiled, breaking the stillness.
"Perhaps I've said too much. You didn't come here to listen to my philosophy, sir."
"Indeed." Jiraiya set down his teacup, his expression turning serious. "I have many questions about those Ninja Beasts."
Shiroishi nodded slowly, adjusting his glasses.
"The existence of Ninja Beasts might be related to the ability I naturally awakened."
"Bloodline?" Jiraiya's eyes changed. "Are you from a Bloodline Family?"
Shiroishi gently spread his hands, a faint Chakra Light glowing in his palms.
"You could say that. My ability seems to be about nurturing life."
"Nurturing life?" Jiraiya frowned.
"Yes." Shiroishi's expression remained calm, his tone matter-of-fact. "My Chakra can stimulate biological cells, causing them to reproduce and fuse in special ways. Through this method, I can make certain lives be reborn. These Ninja Beasts were born because of this."
His tone was composed, yet it made Jiraiya's breath catch slightly.
"...The ability to create life?"
Jiraiya murmured, his expression complex.
Shiroishi smiled wryly, raising a hand to adjust his glasses again. "But this ability comes at a cost. Creating life consumes one's own vitality. My constitution has always been much weaker than ordinary people's."
Jiraiya was stunned.
He instinctively examined the child before him.
Shiroishi's complexion was indeed pale, his fingers slender, his breathing carrying a subtle weakness.
It didn't seem like an act.
"So that's why you chose to open a Breeding House?"
"Exactly." Shiroishi nodded, his expression still calm. "Rather than wasting life, it's better to let it nurture more lives."
At this moment, his tone was so sincere it was impossible to doubt.
Jiraiya fell silent.
He could sense the contradiction and pain in this young man's words, that sense of destiny—wanting to save yet being bound by fate—making him unconsciously think of another child he had taught.
"Then, why did you give those Ninja Beasts to those three?"
Jiraiya finally asked the most important question on his mind.
Shiroishi looked at him, his gaze profound yet still gentle.
"Perhaps because I see in them the hope of changing the Land of Rain. To me, they are the Children of Destiny."
Jiraiya was taken aback. "Children of Destiny?"
"Yes." Shiroishi smiled faintly. "When I see them, they carry pain yet still hold hope. And this kind of hope is something that has almost disappeared in the Land of Rain."
"So you believe they can change this country?"
"I don't just believe." Shiroishi slowly stood up, walking to the window and looking out at the rainy night. "I hope so."
He said softly, "All I can do is give them a little strength. As for destiny, they must write it themselves."
These words were nine parts truth, one part false.
The truth was he indeed wanted to use them to advance the evolution of the World Tree;
The falsehood was that behind that seemingly pure belief lay deeper calculations.
Jiraiya simply listened quietly, his gaze complex, the wariness in his heart gradually easing.
"Children of Destiny..." he repeated in a low voice.
Though it was just an offhand remark, it made him let down much of his guard and vigilance.
Because he believed this narrative.
Or rather, his life experiences had made him unable not to believe it.
He stood up and looked at Konan. "When you have time, bring Yahiko and Nagato here to let this owner check on your Ninja Beasts."
Konan nodded obediently.
"Understood, Teacher Jiraiya."
At that moment, Jiraiya glanced at Shiroishi with a complicated expression: "Your ability is quite unique. I hope you won't reveal it too openly, especially with Hanzo around..."