Marvel: Trading with Worlds

"Don't say that. Are you really going to capture me, Tsunade?"

Though Jiraiya still had his signature white hair, his face and body had changed significantly. If not for their ten years of shared history, Tsunade might have struggled to recognize him.

"I have no interest in capturing you," Tsunade replied, taking a sip of shochu. "But I also have no interest in dealing with a Konoha traitor. No matter your reasons, don't come looking for me."

She set the cup down with a sharp clink and added with a displeased expression, "It was bad enough that I had to plead with Orochimaru. Otherwise, do you really think he would have sent Namikaze Minato to run around the world playing games with you? What an idiot."

The more she spoke, the angrier she became.

Jiraiya had left Konoha for his own reasons, but in Tsunade's eyes, he had disregarded his identity as a Konoha shinobi.

"Tsunade, I left Konoha for a reason—" Jiraiya started. "For the sake of peace in the ninja world. It was an unavoidable choice."

Jiraiya knew Tsunade well. The fact that she was scolding him meant she still saw him as a friend. If she had coldly told him to leave or reported him to Konoha, that would have meant true disappointment.

For now, there was still room for discussion.

"Mount Myōboku, Ryūchi Cave, and Shikkotsu Forest are revered as the Three Great Sacred Lands," Jiraiya continued. "Not just because of their powerful Sage Arts, but also because they hold knowledge spanning thousands of years."

He leaned forward slightly.

"Tsunade, I don't know what kind of abilities the immortals of Shikkotsu Forest possess, but I can tell you about the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku."

Tsunade's interest was piqued.

She had signed a summoning contract with Shikkotsu Forest and maintained a strong bond with Katsuyu.

In the past, she had even attempted to learn Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode.

However, at the time, her chakra reserves and recovery ability weren't strong enough.

Unlike Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode, which required precise balance between natural energy, spiritual energy, and chakra, Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode demanded an incredibly powerful recovery ability and immense chakra reserves.

Otherwise, the natural energy would overwhelm the body, turning the practitioner into a bloody pulp.

But if one succeeded, Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode granted something akin to an immortal body—capable of regenerating even from a fatal wound, like a pierced heart.

Tsunade had failed to master Sage Mode, but she had developed an S-rank Forbidden Technique in its place—Ninja Art: Mitotic Regeneration.

It wasn't the same, but it complemented the principles of Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode.

"And what is this ability you're talking about?" she asked.

Jiraiya took a slow sip of his drink.

"Prophecy."

His voice was calm, yet firm.

"The Great Toad Sage has never been wrong."

He swirled the liquid in his cup before setting it down.

"The last person who followed the Great Toad Sage's prophecy was the Sage of Six Paths himself."

Tsunade narrowed her eyes.

"And in the end, he defeated his enemy and saved the ninja world," Jiraiya continued. "Now, the Great Toad Sage has given another prophecy. And I believe I've found the one at the center of it—Kain."

Tsunade scoffed.

"Heh. So that's your angle, Jiraiya? You're wasting your time."

"Tsunade, if you don't believe me, ask Katsuyu," Jiraiya countered. "Shikkotsu Forest has existed for just as long as Mount Myōboku. Katsuyu should know what happened back then. It would understand better than anyone."

He sighed.

"I've spent a long time gathering information, but I can't find anything about Kain's origins. It's like he appeared out of thin air in the Land of Rain."

Jiraiya's expression darkened slightly.

"And as for the power backing him—that so-called 'American nation'—" he paused, then added, "I've traveled as far as the Land of Rainbows, but I still don't know where they truly come from."

"The Great Toad Sage's prophecy names him—the one who will end the ninja world. Tsunade, I hope you take this seriously. Orochimaru has been in contact with Kain long before you, perhaps even before I was. If you don't believe me, you can ask the Immortal Katsuyu."

After finishing his words, Jiraiya noticed that the food he had secretly ordered had just been packed. Without wasting any time, he bid Tsunade farewell and quickly left with his takeout.

Tsunade, still slightly confused, didn't fully process the situation until she went to pay the bill.

Then, realization hit her.

"That bastard!"

Her voice echoed through the izakaya as she cursed Jiraiya.

Because of that idiot, she now had to figure out what to eat for the rest of the night.

"Are we really going to live here from now on?"

Kushina nestled into Kain's arms, still struggling to adjust to her new identity.

Just like that, she had become the wife of the daimyo—a position she had never even dreamed of before.

"For now," Kain replied. "Once the capital is rebuilt, Sky City will become the new Daimyo's residence. At that time, Konoha Village will also be moved closer to the capital, so you can go back whenever you want."

He understood that Kushina was still getting used to everything, so he took the time to explain his future plans.

Kushina wouldn't feel isolated. Konoha would be just ten kilometers from the capital—only a few minutes away if she ever wanted to visit. And in the meantime, she could always take Naruto back for visits once Kain left.

After all, the Guardian Ninja were protecting both of them.

As for the Fire Nation itself, Kain didn't plan on staying there for long. But even when he left, everything would be properly arranged.

No one dared to defy the daimyo's orders.

The madness of the previous daimyo before his death had been a brutal reminder of the power a daimyo held. In comparison, Kain's rule was much milder—at least, they were still alive.

The development of the media and internet was now under the control of the Kain Chamber of Commerce. 

Kain wasn't stingy when it came to funding these advancements, and the Red Queen had already deployed numerous engineering robots to assist in the process.

Infrastructure projects—roads, electrical grids, and more—were being handled by the Fire Nation's officials.

Kain had given clear goals and deadlines to his ministers:

All roads and railways must be completed within three years.

Failure to do so? Even if they were nobles from ancient bloodlines, they'd have to resign and disappear.

And if anyone dared to commit corruption or fraud?

Immediate confiscation of property.

That law had been a recent addition by Kain himself.

Additionally, Konoha Village was directly involved in the Fire Nation's infrastructure efforts. Ninjas were put to work digging, compacting soil, and transporting heavy materials—tasks that would take normal workers days but could be completed in mere hours by trained shinobi.

The amount of work Kain had assigned to Nawaki alone would keep Konoha's ninja busy with missions for four to five years.

"Is it really going to be that big?" Kushina asked in awe as she studied the schematic diagram of the future capital. "There will be millions of people living here by then..."

She couldn't believe it. A city of this scale would undoubtedly become the center of the ninja world.

"The plan is actually designed to accommodate tens of millions of people," Kain corrected. "But right now, the Fire Nation's population isn't quite there yet. Instead, we can bring in people from smaller nations. Their daimyo don't care about civilians or refugees anyway."

Just as he mentioned smaller nations, Kain suddenly remembered something he had ordered two days ago.

Realizing it was almost time, he turned to Kushina and said—

"Kushina, it seems there's an Uzumaki in Kushinobu Village. I've already sent someone to bring her to the Land of Fire. Maybe you knew her when you were young."

Hearing this, Kushina smiled. "Really? I always thought I was the only Uzumaki left in the ninja world. Well, aside from Naruto."

"There should be more. A clan as large as the Uzumaki wouldn't just disappear completely. But it's true that many have gone into hiding. I'll help you find them—one by one."

Before Kain could finish speaking, Kushina suddenly hugged him tightly.

A soft fragrance filled his senses, and whatever else he had planned to say vanished from his mind.

Let's get down to business here!

"Kushina, shouldn't you thank me?"

"Of course... but—"

Just as she was about to agree, she suddenly became alert.

She had been tricked by Kain too many times before, developing an almost radar-like intuition about his schemes. 

Perhaps it was even an evolution of her Kagura Mind's Eye, now acting as a unique bloodline ability specifically tailored for detecting Kain's nonsense.

"What do you want me to do?"

"That thing."

Kain leaned in and whispered something into her ear.

Upon hearing his request, Kushina's face turned a mix of embarrassment and anger. She immediately punched him—hard—several times.

"You always come up with the most shameless ideas!"

Despite her complaints, she eventually lowered her head, her lips slightly parted.

Moments later, a protective spell shrouded the entire courtyard, ensuring absolute privacy.

Inside, a rather intense 'springtime' scene unfolded.

Amegakure (The Land of Rain)

"Boss Yahiko, Ryunosuke was injured by those bastards from Rain Shinobi Village! This is the sixth attack this month! They're clearly targeting us!"

Inside Akatsuki's hideout, Shota, covered in wounds, furiously reported the latest attack to Yahiko. Though he had several cuts himself, his injuries were minor compared to Ryunosuke's.

To make matters worse, the Akatsuki organization was desperately low on medical supplies. They had no bandages left, forcing them to rely on makeshift herbal remedies to stop the bleeding.

"How bad is Ryunosuke's condition?" Yahiko asked urgently.

"Leader Konan is treating him now. His injuries are serious, but the others only suffered minor wounds..."

Before Shota could finish, Nagato cut in.

"Shota, you're still bleeding. Go get treated."

"I'm fine. The organization barely has any medicine left—we should use what we have to treat Ryunosuke and the others first."

Hearing this, Yahiko clenched his fists and lowered his head slightly in frustration.

Previously, Akatsuki had a decent stock of medical supplies, but they had used most of it treating injured civilians in the Land of Rain. Now, they had almost nothing left for their own people.

Yahiko made up his mind.

"I'll go find more medicine." He looked at Nagato. "Until I return, you're in charge of the organization's operations. If Rain Shinobi attacks us again—don't hold back. Akatsuki stands for peace, but we will not allow ourselves to be trampled."

Nagato nodded. "Understood. But Yahiko, where exactly are you planning to get the medicine? The organization's funds..."

He hesitated.

With Akatsuki's usual principles, they couldn't ignore the civilians they had helped—but that also meant they had almost no money left.

Their usual method of funding—completing missions for payment—would take too long under these circumstances.

"Don't worry, Nagato. I'll handle it."

Yahiko set down the latest issue of Ninja Weekly and flashed a confident smile.

…

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