Naruto: Five Lives, Five Times the Excitement

Chapter 257 Jiraiya intercepts Yekura

Upon hearing Yekura's name, Shisui's heart sank slightly.

Over the past few years, Pakura has been very active in the battles between Konoha and Sunagakure, causing great casualties to Konoha ninjas.

Shisui was worried that Pakura's arrival would pose a huge obstacle to Konoha's attack.

Even Kyosuke's expression turned serious.

If the Sand Ninja's strength increases, the Leaf Village's offensive will become worse, and as a Leaf Village ninja, Kyosuke's battles will become more dangerous, which is not what he wants to see.

Shisui and Kyosuke exchanged a glance and continued their interrogation: "Will Yekura participate in the upcoming battle? Or does she have other missions?"

Makino Nanahara replied, "She left today to go to the Land of Rain on a mission."

Zhi Shui continued, "What mission? How many people did she take with her? How do you know about this?"

With the war so intense, Yekura, a strong member of the Sand Village, actually left the battlefield to carry out a mission in the Land of Rain. Shisui felt that this information was worth investigating further and immediately asked for details.

Makino Nanahara replied, "I don't know what her mission is, nor how many people she took with her. However, the One-Tailed Jinchuriki, Tasaka Chisuke, will go with her. It was Tasaka Chisuke who told me about Yekura's mission to the Land of Rain."

Kyosuke was surprised to hear Makino Nanahara's words.

He couldn't understand why Chisuke would leak mission information to others.

Does Chisuke have some scheme in mind that requires him to leak this information?

Kyosuke planned to ask Chisuke that evening, hoping to learn some tricks.

Shisui found it strange. As a Jinchūriki, Tasaka Chisuke wouldn't easily reveal mission information to others when carrying out a mission. He was worried about the authenticity of this information, so he asked a follow-up question.

Why did he tell you this?

Makino Nanahara continued, “Lady Yokura and Rasa are at odds. Tasaka Chisuke is worried that Rasa will find out her whereabouts, so he asked me for a safe route out of the camp.”

Is it a factional struggle within the Sand Village?

Sigh, this is true of Konoha and Sand Village; the struggle for power and profit is simply human instinct.

Shisui sighed inwardly and continued to ask questions. Makino Nanahara could not answer, so Shisui stopped the interrogation and made Makino Nanahara fall into a coma.

During Shisui's interrogation, Noriko treated Itachi, Obito, and Rin, stabilizing their injuries.

Kyosuke looked at the sky; the sun was setting and about to disappear below the horizon, and the surroundings were gradually darkening. He immediately gave the order.

"It's getting dark, which will provide cover for our operation. Let's retreat to camp immediately."

Kyosuke had his shadow clone carry the wounded and Makino Nanahara, and the group quickly returned to the Konoha camp.

Back at the camp, Kakashi stayed behind to settle everyone, while Kyosuke and Shisui took Makino Nanahara to see Nara Shikaku.

Inside the tent, Kyosuke reported on the mission. Nara Shikaku ordered Makino Nanahara to be taken away for further interrogation, and then praised Kyosuke a few times.

"You did a great job. Yecang's intelligence is very important. Now you can go back and get some rest."

Nara Shikaku was like a head steward, managing the Konoha army's food, drink, sanitation, marching and deployment, intelligence analysis, and tactical strategies. He was extremely busy every day.

Kyosuke didn't dare delay Nara Shikaku's time, so he took Shisui and was about to go back when he saw the two of them about to enter, blocking Kyosuke's way.

"Haha, Kyosuke, you've grown a bit taller since I last saw you."

With a hearty laugh, Kyosuke saw a tall man with long white hair.

It was Jiraiya.

Beside Jiraiya was Minato Namikaze.

"Lord Jiraiya, Teacher Minato."

In formal settings, Kyosuke was very polite, greeting them warmly and stepping aside with Shisui to make way for the two big shots.

Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze stepped into the tent and spoke with Kyosuke at the same time.

"The old man asked me to lead men to support Minato, so I've come to find Shikaku to arrange these men."

To ensure victory in this war, the Third Hokage dispatched Jiraiya to lead Konoha's main force to support the battlefield.

In fact, in order to enhance Minato Namikaze's prestige, Jiraiya, as his teacher, had to become his assistant.

Fortunately, Jiraiya was broad-minded and unrestrained, and not interested in power. Others might not have been able to accept such an arrangement.

Minato Namikaze, Jiraiya, and Shikaku Nara began discussing information about the reinforcements and arranging their camp.

When Kyosuke realized that he had nothing more to do, he was about to leave with Shisui when Nara Shikaku stopped him.

"Kyosuke, tell Jiraiya-sama what just happened."

Kyosuke, though confused, still explained the information in detail with Shisui.

After listening, Jiraiya turned to Nara Shikaku and asked, "Do you want me to intercept and kill Pakura?"

Shikaku nodded: "Yes. Amegakure is an ally of Sunagakure. Pakura's trip to the Land of Rain is likely to seek Amegakure's support. If we can intercept and kill Pakura, not only will Sunagakure be deprived of Amegakure's support, but we can also reduce one of Sunagakure's major combat forces."

At this point, Shikaku revealed a relaxed smile: "Originally, our combat strength was also tight, and I was still hesitating whether to intercept Yekura. After all, Yekura's strength is so great that ordinary people are no match for her. However, Lord Jiraiya, your arrival was just in time, and you solved this problem."

Minato Namikaze, being Jiraiya's disciple, was concerned about Jiraiya's safety and said with some worry, "Could this be an enemy trap? We've gathered a lot of false information lately."

Just as Shikaku was about to answer, Jiraiya burst into laughter and patted Minato Namikaze on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, I'm not afraid even if it's a trap. If we can really get rid of Yekura, it will be a great help in the war."

With a confident smile, Jiraiya looked at Shikaku and asked, "When do I set off?"

Nara Shikaku replied, "We'll set off now, but I'm prepared to provide you with a few team members."

Kyosuke, who was standing quietly to the side listening, felt a sudden jolt in his heart, worried that Shikaku would come looking for him.

As it turned out, Kyosuke had worried too much. Shikaku had assigned Jiraiya three teammates: Hyuga Hizashi, Shirakumo Hayato, and Akimichi Tou.

All three of them were powerful Jonin. With Jiraiya in a team with them, they would not only be more confident in intercepting Pakura, but even if they fell into a trap, there would be a very high chance of a safe retreat.

Upon hearing Nara Shikaku's arrangement, Jiraiya and Minato Namine both nodded, finding it quite appropriate.

Of the three, Hyuga Hizashi was on the front lines, while Shirakumo Hayato and Akimichi Tou were reinforcements brought by Jiraiya.

A dozen minutes later, Jiraiya and his three companions set off immediately, marching rapidly northwards.

Kyosuke watched all this silently, then followed Shisui to the makeshift hospital to visit the injured Obito, Rin, and Itachi.

Seeing that the three were in good condition, Kyosuke spoke with them for a few words before returning to his own camp.

In the middle of the night, Kyosuke entered a dream and began to betray Konoha's information. Finally, he scolded Sensuke: "What are you thinking? You actually told Makino Nanahara about the mission. Now Konoha knows that you and Pakura are going to the Land of Rain. Jiraiya has already led a team to intercept and kill you."