Sasuke stood atop a jagged cliff, his body crackling with the ominous glow of Black Lightning. His mastery over the technique had become evident as he summoned the Kirin—glowing eerily black—effortlessly, directing its raw, destructive power toward the ocean below. Lightning illuminated the dark sky, and his gaze hardened with determination. Darui stood nearby, nodding in approval, while the Raikage observed silently, arms crossed.
"You've made progress, boy," the Raikage said gruffly. "But power without purpose is meaningless. Don't forget why you fight."
Sasuke's sharingan spun lazily as he met the Raikage's gaze. "I won't."
"Too bad you haven't made progress in other matters of productivity," Ay commented with a scowl.
Sasuke did not meet his eyes. His brain spun with fragmented images, thoughts, ideas, and feelings. He contemplated his impending escape, parsed it for any last minute improvements or flaws he hadn't seen before. The flaws were glaring, but they weren't new to him. He could work around them.
Sakura, meanwhile, back in Konoha, danced like a specter in the moonlit training ground. Her movements dual-wielding the White Light Chakra Sabre and her wakizashi were fluid and precise, honed to perfection. She sparred with Yugao, who, despite her immense skill and practiced form, could no longer keep up. Sakura anticipated each strike with her enhanced reflexes and with her impeccable chakra control she adhered the blade of her sword to her mentor's own, disarming her former mentor with a swift, twisting motion.
Yugao smiled, a hint of pride in her expression. "You've surpassed me, Sakura. Your skill is undeniable. But don't get cocky. True mastery is a lifetime pursuit."
Sakura sheathed her blades, breathing heavily but with a victorious glint in her eye. "I understand, sensei. Thank you for everything."
In the private office of the Hokage, Tsunade sat behind her desk, a bottle of sake between her and Jiraiya, who sat opposite her. Both were flushed from drinking—the bottle was half empty—and the normally tense atmosphere of the room was softened by their easy banter.
"You know," Tsunade said, her voice carrying a nostalgic tone, "I've been thinking. Why didn't I ever give you another chance?"
Jiraiya leaned back in his chair, a teasing smile on his face. "Oh, come on, Tsunade. Do I need to list the reasons? Let's start with my tendency to peep in hot springs—"
"You don't need to remind me. Still… I wonder sometimes." She snorted and gazed into her saucer, as if the answer to her lingering questions might be hidden in her sake.
Jiraiya's grin faded slightly, and his eyes softened. "We both had our burdens, Tsunade. And I wasn't exactly the man you needed me to be back then. You've always been the strongest of us. Even now."
"What do you think of the next generation?" she asked, changing the subject tersely. Tsunade looked away, her expression unreadable. After a long pause, she poured them both another drink.
Jiraiya smiled again, though there was a somber undertone to his voice. "They're incredible. Naruto especially. He's got a fire in him I haven't seen in years, and the chakra of your grandfather, to boot. And Sakura's shaping up to be a remarkable kunoichi. She's already an Anbu captain, a master of Kenjutsu, and she'll surpass me in Fuinjutsu—just you wait. Sasuke, though… he's strong, and competent, but that boy's walking a fine line."
"I worry about him too. But Naruto seems to keep him grounded. For now." Tsunade nodded, her brow furrowing. She felt a vague sense that she might be simply shelving a burgeoning issues for her future self to find.
Jiraiya swirled the sake in his cup, his gaze distant. "Speaking of Naruto, I've got some intel on the Akatsuki leader. Pain. He's in the Hidden Rain Village. I plan on leaving tomorrow to infiltrate it."
"You're going alone?" Tsunade's hand froze mid-pour. She looked up at him, her eyes wide.
Jiraiya nodded. "I have to. If I can confirm his identity and learn more about their plans, it'll give us the edge we need."
Tsunade slammed her hand on the desk, her voice trembling. "You don't have to do this, Jiraiya! You're one of the legendary Sannin, but even you aren't invincible. Please… don't go."
Jiraiya reached across the desk and placed a reassuring hand on hers. "Tsunade, this is what I've been training Naruto and Sakura for. This is the culmination of everything I've worked toward. If I don't do this, more lives will be lost."
"Take Sakura, Anko, Yamato… anybody." Tsunade's eyes filled with tears, but she quickly wiped them away. He shook his head and she felt her chest ache. "Promise me you'll come back."
"You know me, Tsunade. I'm too stubborn to die." Jiraiya smiled, his usual carefree demeanor returning. But he didn't promise her. He couldn't lie to Tsunade. As he left the office, his smile faded, and a somber determination replaced it.
Jiraiya stood in silent contemplation, on a cliff overlooking the village, the moon casting a pale light on his figure. He stared at the illuminated grandeur of his home with a wistful sense of finality. He couldn't shake the foreboding feeling that he might be bidding his home a last, solemn farewell. He whispered to himself, "Naruto, Sakura… even you, Sasuke. I'm counting on you all. The next generation will have to grow strong to quell the rising tides."