Naruto: Konoha’s Trickster, Starting as the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki-Chapter 786 - 786: Jiraiya’s Resignation

Orochimaru remained silent the entire time, simply standing off to the side, though his eyes never left his disciple.
Back then, because he had collaborated with Danzō, Danzō had pushed him out to take the fall. If not for Kazuyama Gekkō advising him early to secure a retreat, he would have been completely controlled and discarded.
Later, when he left for the Land of Waterfalls, it was Kazuyama Gekkō who connected him with the Daimyō's Manor and secured Turtle Island for him.
To think that he, the teacher, had been saved by his disciple again and again… this was fate.
Jiraiya had fallen into silence as well. He knew about Shimura Danzō, but believed that Orochimaru's cooperation with Danzō had been a mistake from the start.
Now that Danzō was dead, Orochimaru should be able to return to the village.
"Jiraiya, some choices can never be reversed once made."
"This is the path Orochimaru chose."
"But… I do envy him a bit. At least he had the courage to pursue his goals."
"And I envy this bastard for having such a good disciple."
Tsunade let out a small laugh beside them. Seeing Orochimaru and Kazuyama standing together, she thought they truly looked like a matched pair.
The teacher—Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, the living symbol of cunning and serpentine shadows.
The student—Kazuyama, one of the Twin Ghosts of Konoha, a figure who moved through the darkness.
A perfect combination.
"Tsunade, even you…"
"This is reality, Jiraiya. Let it go."
Hearing Tsunade also take Orochimaru's side, Jiraiya felt all the strength leave his body.
So his stubbornness really was nothing more than obsession?
"Jiraiya…"
"I met with sensei before coming here."
"We talked a lot. I'm no longer a shinobi of Konoha—I'm just a wandering ninja now."
"I won't involve myself in Konoha's affairs. I only came out this time because the ninja world is in danger. When this is over, I'll return to the Land of Waterfalls to continue my research."
"As for what happened in the past… it's already over."
At last, Orochimaru spoke. Looking at the white-haired man before him—this old friend who had spent years chasing after him—he quietly exhaled.
They were old enough now that some things had to be let go.
Not that he cared much either way. After all, Jiraiya had never managed to find him. All these years and not once. If Orochimaru hadn't come out on his own, Jiraiya wouldn't have found him even in another lifetime.
It wasn't an exaggeration. With Turtle Island, Orochimaru could go anywhere after resupplying. Even if Jiraiya searched every corner of the ninja world, he would never find him.
"…I understand."
After a long silence, Jiraiya uttered only those words, then turned and walked away without another sound.
Seeing this, the three of them understood—he still hadn't come to terms with it. But the truth was already laid bare. He just needed time.
"That only leaves the Puppeteer. What should we do?"
"Should we go? Or leave it to them?"
After Jiraiya left, Tsunade turned her gaze toward the battlefield again. While they had been talking intensely here, the fighting on the other side had been just as fierce.
Kakashi's group of four had used every technique they could think of, but Kabuto's strength was overwhelming.
They could only stall—not win.
"Let's go, sensei."
"Back then in the Land of Rivers, we were already fighting puppeteers. Now it's the Fourth Shinobi World War, and we're still fighting puppeteers."
"Ah… this must be the fate of us teacher and student."
"They've already done all they can. Let's end this fight."
Kazuyama said this and began walking toward the battlefield.
Orochimaru chuckled and followed.
Tsunade still had healing duties, so she couldn't go along.
Watching the pair walk toward the battleground, she shook her head lightly before turning back to the main forces to resume her unfinished work.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the battlefield—
Smoke filled the air. All of Uchiha Madara's shadow clones had vanished. A bolt of lightning shot forward, racing straight at the final Susanoo.
"Lightning Oppression: Thousand Generations Dance!"
With a furious shout, the blow came crashing down.
Even with all his strength behind it, Shirai's strike caused the blue Susanoo to tremble only slightly—no damage at all.
"Is that the best you can do?"
"How disappointingly weak."
Uchiha Madara crossed his arms, arrogance overflowing from his expression. His superior gaze only fueled the Fourth Raikage's fury, and his strength surged again.
It was true that rage could bring out power far beyond one's usual limits—Shirai was proving it.
"Kakushin! Don't you dare underestimate me!"
But such an attack was still nothing before Uchiha Madara. Without moving himself, he simply allowed Susanoo to swing an arm and blasted Shirai away.
Compared to the lightning-wrapped fists of the Raikage, Susanoo's punch was far more direct. Both glowed blue, yet they were not remotely the same.
Under this strike, Shirai could only retreat and defend.
"Melting Release! Dissolving Monster Jutsu!"
"Shikigami Dance: Rotation!"
But soon, Terumi and Konan moved in to continue the assault.
Corrosive liquid surged from Terumi's mouth, instantly forming a river that engulfed Susanoo.
Konan's paper turned into countless sharp spikes, raining down from above and preventing Susanoo from leaping. Many sheets carried explosive tags, detonating mid-attack.
"Melting Release and paper manipulation?"
"Child's play."
Though the corrosive liquid wore down Susanoo, Madara remained unchanged—only Susanoo transformed.
From its skeletal form, it shifted into a four-armed version, manifesting four light swords at once.
Boom!
The four blades struck in different directions, their fierce sword aura obliterating both the Melting Release and the Shikigami Dance techniques.
"Now's our chance!"
"Kushina, let's go!"
"Right!"
"Adamantine Seal!"
Numbers made a difference—attacks came one after another.
The moment the sword strikes landed, Minato and Kushina appeared before Susanoo.
A powerful Rasengan with distinct chakra fluctuations slammed into Susanoo's chest.
At the same time, Kushina's Adamantine Chains erupted from the ground, binding Susanoo once more.
"Kushina! Nice work!"
"Next—Wind Release: Rasengan!"