Konoha: Starting with Sage Mode

As expected, there was no trickery in the scroll, but its contents greatly surprised Jiraiya.

The scroll contained information about a secret supply depot that Sunagakure had set up on the battlefield.

He looked up at Kirito in surprise and asked, "Is...is this real?"

"Whether it's true or false, why don't you Konoha go and verify it yourselves? With the capabilities of Konoha, and the location provided by this information, you should be able to find the secret supply warehouse of Sunagakure recorded on the scroll very soon."

Kirito continued coldly.

"So what do you want, sir? Please be clear. Or, let's find a place to have a couple of drinks and have a proper talk. I know a nice tavern nearby. It's a bit late now, but it should still be open."

Seeing Kirito's attitude towards him, or more accurately, towards Konoha, Jiraiya decisively chose to get closer to him and smiled.

"That won't be necessary. If you're sure the information is correct, then bring a copy of the torture ninjutsu inheritance and enough resources to train thirty Jonin to this place. Remember, you must come alone. If I find something wrong, then the deal is off."

Also, don't try any underhanded tricks. I know all about the methods of that Dark Lord of Konoha from Root. Konoha only has one chance.

Upon hearing this, Kirito rejected Jiraiya's invitation without hesitation, saying coldly.

After saying that, he tossed Jiraiya a sign with words engraved on it, then without any hesitation, he burrowed back into the ground and quickly left the area.

Chapter 121: The Nine-Tailed Fox's Legacy (Part 1)

Seeing Kirito leave so decisively, Jiraiya had to retract his words of further attempts to get closer to him, and said with a wry smile, "It seems that Hattori Masanari has a lot of prejudice against Konoha."

He had actually expected this, after all, Konoha had just defeated Amegakure and turned the Land of Rain into a wasteland. It would be strange if Hattori Masanari, as an Amegakure ninja, didn't hate Konoha.

Perhaps this is why the other party initially chose to trade with Iwagakure instead of Konoha.

Moreover, Hattori Masanari seems to have suffered losses at the hands of Root, and is therefore very cautious about this deal with Konoha.

Jiraiya didn't know much about Danzo's Root unit, but he was clear that it was a force that did the dirty work for Konoha.

Their motto is that they will stop at nothing to protect Konoha.

Hattori Masanari's concerns were valid. Once the Root leader, who was currently imprisoned deep within Konoha's prison, learned of this, he might soon dispatch an elite Root force to extract what Hattori Masanari needed with minimal cost.

"Alright, let the teacher worry about this. I'll just pass on a message this time."

Jiraiya thought about it carefully, then shook his head and sighed.

After saying that, he immediately used the Shadow Clone Technique to create a shadow clone, and then sent the shadow clone back to the house to sleep.

This intelligence is extremely important. Once it is confirmed to be true, it will greatly influence the battle between Konoha and Sunagakure, and may even be an opportunity for Konoha to quickly defeat Sunagakure.

To ensure the intelligence could be delivered safely, he planned to personally deliver it back this time.

Furthermore, he didn't really trust the few Anbu ninjas sent by Konoha.

He had heard people say that there might be members of Root in the Anbu directly under the Hokage, but he just couldn't find out the truth.

He wasn't sure if it was true or false, but just in case, and to avoid letting the root leader find out at this time and ruining things, he had to be more cautious this time.

Once the shadow clone returned to the house, Jiraiya quickly went to the four ANBU ninjas who were there to keep him in touch with the village.

Four ANBU ninjas appeared after receiving Jiraiya's signal.

"The four of you will come with me to deliver the intelligence back."

Jiraiya smiled slightly, but his voice was somewhat cold, carrying an unquestionable tone.

"Ha~"

Upon hearing this, the four ANBU ninjas immediately answered in unison.

The next moment, Jiraiya and the four Anbu ninjas vanished from their spot and headed towards Konoha at an extremely fast speed.

At their pace, they should be able to return to Konoha Village before dawn.

"This Sannin is really meticulous. It seems that I should speak as little as possible when dealing with him in the future, so that he can't find anything out about me."

At this moment, Kirito emerged from the ground where Jiraiya and the others had disappeared. He used his soul perception to sense that Jiraiya was rapidly moving away with four Anbu ninjas, and said with a solemn expression.

At the same time, he couldn't help but admire the other person's meticulousness.

Jiraiya personally delivered the information back and also took away four Anbu ninjas who knew about his meeting with Jiraiya.

And then he wiped out the White Zetsu here.

If the news still leaks out, then it can only be said to be fate.

Of course, there is another way to ensure that everything goes perfectly.

It's just that neither Kirito nor Jiraiya will use it.

If it were Danzo and his Root group leading the mission to safely deliver the intelligence back, they probably wouldn't hesitate at all.

……

Meanwhile, deep within the Death Forest, in front of Mito's secluded villa.

A massive sealing altar has been completed, and now only the final inspection stage remains.

Kirito's true form was currently working with some elite ninjas from the sealing squad who were proficient in sealing techniques to repeatedly check whether there were any errors in the various sealing techniques on the sealing altar.

The sealing altar is the key item for sealing the Nine-Tails. The sealing formula engraved on it must be absolutely flawless, otherwise it will fail at the crucial moment and could really kill many people.

Aren't you going to rest?

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind Kirito.

Upon hearing the voice, Kirito did not immediately turn around. Instead, he continued to focus on confirming the correctness of the sealing technique before turning to Chizuru and saying, "Everyone else is still resting, so how can I, a disciple of Mito, be an exception?"

Because the Third Hokage agreed to allow the Uchiha clan to participate in this Nine-Tails inheritance operation, Uchiha clan ninjas have also appeared here.

However, only one Uchiha clan ninja appeared.

Many members of the Uchiha clan were somewhat dissatisfied with this, but considering Chizuru's identity, they reluctantly accepted it.

The Third Hokage and the three Hokage advisors were very satisfied with Homura Uchiha's decision. His suggestion that only Chizuru participate in the Nine-Tails' inheritance operation was met with no resistance and was unanimously approved.

"At this time, you should be staying by Lady Mito's side."

Chizuru saw through Kirito's lie at a glance.

With so many sealing ninjas here responsible for testing sealing techniques, Kirito is not really a missing piece.

"I'm at ease knowing that Mito-sensei is being taken care of by Nawaki and Tsunade-sama. Besides, they need to spend more time with Mito-sensei right now than I do."

Kirito's lie was exposed by Chizuru, and his expression froze. He answered somewhat uncomfortably.

Chizuru was silent for a moment after hearing Kirito's words, then said coldly, "I didn't expect you to be such a fool sometimes. Lady Mito is a very important person to you, isn't she? If you don't go see her and talk to her now, you'll never have another chance."

Upon hearing this, Kirito stared blankly at Chizuru.

"What are you looking at? Hurry up and go inside."

Chizuru, feeling somewhat unconcerned by Kirito's gaze, kicked his right leg hard and said coldly.

"Ouch, be gentle!"

Kirito pretended to be in pain, rubbing the spot where he had been kicked. Then, under Chizuru's fierce glare, he decisively abandoned his work of testing the sealing technique and ran quickly towards the villa.

Those around them noticed their conversation and couldn't help but smile before continuing to work diligently.

Everyone who came here knew that Lady Mito would be leaving soon.

Many of them had never met Mito in person, but that did not stop them from having great respect for Mito, the wife of the First Hokage.

They knew in their hearts that Mito had given his entire life for Konoha, and now that he was leaving, they had to send this great man of Konoha off on his final journey in a grand manner, and they were determined to seal the Nine-Tails safely into the body of a new Jinchūriki.

This is the only thing they can do for Lord Mito right now.

"You must say goodbye properly, so you don't have any regrets..."

Chizuru watched Kirito's departing figure and murmured to herself. Then, as if remembering something, her eyes suddenly welled up with tears.

Chapter 122: The Nine-Tailed Fox's Legacy (Part Two)

A heavy atmosphere permeated the villa, and Kirito felt a tightness in his chest as soon as he entered.

Because Mito is currently in an extremely weak state, the Third Hokage has set up the villa's defenses at the highest level. He has even personally come to guard the villa to prevent any foreign spy from launching a suicide attack on Mito, or the Nine-Tails from accidentally breaking its seal.

Kirito's entry into the villa did not attract the attention of the many powerful ninjas inside. He passed through without hindrance until he was finally stopped in front of Mito's room.

The person guarding the door at that moment was the Third Hokage. When he saw Kirito, he immediately said, "Kirito, if you want to see Lady Mito, please wait here. Lady Mito is speaking with Kushina alone."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

Upon hearing this, Kirito nodded and then obediently went to Nawaki, Tsunade, and Momoka.

The usually cheerful and optimistic Rope Tree was incredibly frustrated and sad at this moment. He hung his head dejectedly, but a hint of determination was revealed in his red and swollen eyes.

Upon hearing the Third Hokage's words, he immediately looked up at Kirito, nodded to him, and then lowered his head again, seemingly lost in thought.

Tsunade was far more mature than Nawaki; she had composed herself, though the sadness in her eyes was still hard to conceal.

When she saw Kirito approaching, she immediately smiled at him and tried to say something, but as soon as she opened her mouth, she couldn't say anything and could only force a smile at him.

Momoka maintained a blank expression. She had personally seen too many people off, and although she was inevitably saddened, she no longer showed her emotions. As the Senju clan's greatest pillar besides Mito, she had to remain strong at all times and never let anyone see her weakness.

When she saw Kirito, a relieved smile immediately appeared on her face.

At times like these, what she most wants to see is Kirito and the others spending more time with Mito, rather than going out to work hard.

Unfortunately, this child is sometimes too precocious, thinks too much, and always leaves himself to the very end.

Fortunately, Kirito has come to his senses now.

Kirito was also in a bad mood. He nodded to the three of them and stood quietly with them, patiently waiting for Mito and Kushina's meeting to end.

Mito and Kushina spent quite a long time together.

As Kirito waited, he couldn't help but recall all the moments he had spent with Mito over the past few years.

Mito was a good teacher, strict yet patient. She would always explain the knowledge of various sealing techniques to him in detail, and then conduct a surprise check every few days. If she found that he had not fully remembered the knowledge points she had explained a few days ago, she would punish him by making him copy the book.

Mito was also a good elder. Since he had no relatives in Konoha, she treated him as her own family and took good care of him through the most difficult initial stage.

Now that she's really leaving, Kirito suddenly feels like a huge void has formed in his heart.

I don't know how much time passed.

Suddenly, Kirito noticed someone staring at him with a very intense gaze, which made him slightly uncomfortable, and he finally snapped out of his reverie.