"Why didn't you stop Nagato from attacking just now?"
Jiraiya's voice carried a mixture of frustration and curiosity as he glanced at Minato, his expression shadowed with complexity. He knew Minato's abilities better than anyone. If the Yellow Flash of Konoha had intervened, Nagato wouldn't have had the chance to deliberately target Uchiha Yoruki.
In the face of Minato's unparalleled speed and strategic precision, few could gain the upper hand. Even Uchiha Yoruki, powerful as he was, knew this truth.
Minato, startled by the question, lowered his gaze. His blue eyes softened with hesitation as he responded, "I don't know how to explain it, Jiraiya-sensei. I… I didn't want to become their enemy."
Jiraiya's brows furrowed. "Is it because they're my disciples?"
"That's part of it," Minato admitted with a weary sigh. "But it's not the whole reason. Considering the situation, even if I had acted, it wouldn't have guaranteed a decisive advantage for us."
Minato's voice grew quieter, his thoughts turning inward. Nagato's strength, bolstered by the Rinnegan, was formidable. Though he lacked Uchiha Yoruki's sheer power, Nagato's potential made him an unpredictable adversary. Minato had analyzed the situation thoroughly. Even with his precise understanding of the enemy's tactics, the odds of completely neutralizing threats like Hanzo or Nagato without catastrophic consequences were slim.
Jiraiya, however, wasn't convinced. His voice took on a darker edge as he said, "Those three have already turned their backs on us. If it were you, Minato, you could've ended this."
"You mean… kill them?" Minato's tone was sharp, his gaze steady as he met Jiraiya's eyes.
"Yes," Jiraiya confirmed grimly.
But Minato shook his head, his voice resolute. "It might be possible with Yahiko or Konan, but I can't bring myself to kill Nagato. It's not just because of his connection to you, Sensei. It's because I see what drives him. Yahiko and Konan mean everything to him. If they were to die by my hand…"
Minato trailed off, his expression tightening. "We would create the most terrifying enemy Konoha has ever faced."
Jiraiya didn't interrupt. He knew the weight of Minato's words. Nagato's eyes—the legendary Rinnegan—weren't just a symbol of immense power. They carried the potential for catastrophic destruction. Jiraiya's thoughts drifted back to Nagato's childhood, a time when the boy's uncontrolled emotions had awakened an overwhelming force. It was a memory that haunted him still.
Minato continued, his voice heavy with conviction. "I'd rather pass up this chance than risk creating a nightmare for Konoha. Nagato, with his Rinnegan, might be the child of prophecy that the Great Toad Sage spoke of—the one destined to bring peace to the ninja world."
Jiraiya's gaze lingered on Minato, a mixture of doubt and admiration flickering in his eyes. He couldn't deny the logic in Minato's words, even if his instincts urged him to act differently.
Minato offered a faint smile, though his tone remained serious. "Your disciples are clever, Sensei. They're not looking to burn all bridges between the Rain Ninja and Konoha. Instead, they've drawn a line between themselves and the three-nation coalition, forcing Hanzo to make a decision."
Jiraiya's expression softened slightly, his lips curving into a faint, almost reluctant smile. "If that's the case, this coalition might fall apart sooner than I thought."
Minato nodded. "Exactly. Hanzo is no fool. He knows what's at stake for the Land of Rain. If he wants to protect his position, he'll have no choice but to abandon this alliance."
Jiraiya's shoulders eased, some of his earlier tension dissipating. If Minato's assessment was correct, then even without a decisive battle, the coalition's unity was already crumbling.
"You've found a way to defuse the tension while preserving Konoha's position," Jiraiya remarked, though a shadow of concern lingered in his tone. "Still, those three haven't yet reached their full potential. They're walking a dangerous path, and Hanzo won't appreciate their interference."
Minato's smile faded, his expression turning solemn. "True. Even a sapling that stands out too much risks being destroyed by the wind. But this is the path they've chosen. It's not something we can shield them from."
Jiraiya sighed, his gaze distant. "The road ahead of them is fraught with danger, and as their teacher, I can only hope they're prepared for what's to come."
Minato's voice dropped to a murmur. "And then there's the matter of Nagato's Rinnegan… Uchiha Yoruki won't let it rest. But this is a matter too significant for us to decide alone. It's something the Hokage will have to address."
The two shinobi exchanged a look, their mutual understanding unspoken yet clear. They nodded and turned to rejoin the main force, the weight of their conversation heavy in the air.
Inside a large, dimly lit tent, the tension was palpable. Hanzo's eyes, cold and calculating, swept over the three figures before him. His voice, laced with irritation, broke the silence. "Our alliance ends here."
Rōshi, standing to the side, shrugged indifferently, but the other two—Kitsuchi and the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa—reacted with visible displeasure.
"Are you afraid?" Rōshi sneered, his voice dripping with mockery.
Hanzo's gaze darkened, but he kept his composure. "I joined this alliance for mutual benefit, nothing more. Now it's clear that you can't provide what I need."
Rasa's lips curled into a scornful smile. "You've gained nothing from this war, yet you're already retreating. How can you stomach such humiliation?"
Hanzo's expression hardened. "You misunderstand me. Strength is what truly matters in this world—not reputation. If I continue this farce, I'll only weaken myself further. I refuse to let your failures drag me down."
Kitsuchi's eyes narrowed. "Do you realize the consequences of defying the major ninja villages? You'll isolate yourself completely."
Hanzo's laugh was sharp and humorless. "Do you think I fear you? Look around you. Konoha's strength has grown too overwhelming. You should worry more about surviving their counterattack than threatening me."
Anger flickered across the faces of Rasa and Kitsuchi, but before they could retort, Hanzo turned sharply on his heel and strode out of the tent.
Outside, the Rain Ninja awaited him in tense silence. The atmosphere was oppressive, charged with unspoken fear and unease. Hanzo stopped, his piercing gaze sweeping over his subordinates.
"Investigate everything about the Akatsuki organization," he ordered, his voice icy and commanding. The air seemed to grow colder, his words carrying a foreboding chill.
The Rain Ninja nodded in unison, their movements brisk and deliberate as they dispersed. Hanzo stood alone, his thoughts shrouded in darkness.
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