Chapter 40: Heading Toward Ōtsutsuki Hamura
"So, you used that method to bait Orochimaru?"
Inside a hot spring inn in the Land of Hot Water, Kitagawa Gen and Jiraiya were packing up while exchanging thoughts on recent events.
However, as Jiraiya explained, Kitagawa Gen's expression became increasingly strange. He couldn't quite make sense of the relationship between those two.
"Tch, this Sage has his ways,"
Jiraiya gave a smug hum, but seeing Kitagawa Gen's look, he could only chuckle and shake his head.
"Alright, stop looking at me like that. I know Orochimaru probably did it on purpose.
He might be trying to make me back off or just distract me. After all, Uchiha Itachi was there too.
That means this organization is both dangerous and troublesome. But this time, they're my target!"
Jiraiya's goal was clear. Even though he regretted not being able to dig deeper into Orochimaru's actions, the presence of two Mangekyō Sharingan users in the same organization meant he had to prioritize.
From his perspective, investigating the organization was investigating Orochimaru — it all connected.
"But things just got a bit more complicated,"
Jiraiya rubbed his chin, his expression slightly troubled.
"Orochimaru's group—this mysterious organization—they've been hired by the Mizukage. That's going to make our investigation a lot harder."
"Hah, yeah... I guess,"
Kitagawa Gen let out a dry laugh and tried to keep the conversation going.
"But if there's civil strife in the Hidden Mist, that's not all bad news, right? I've heard they caused plenty of trouble in the past wars."
"True, but with the Mizukage shielding them, it'll make things difficult for us."
Jiraiya frowned thoughtfully, clearly running scenarios in his head.
"Looks like I'll have to go back and talk this over with the old man."
Kitagawa Gen nodded, though his mind was still trying to process the weird chain of events.
He could now tell that both Jiraiya and Orochimaru were essentially... fishing for each other.
Jiraiya knew Orochimaru too well — but didn't realize Orochimaru had already left the Akatsuki. This whole thing was likely a setup, leading Jiraiya toward them on purpose.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru, based on his own knowledge of Akatsuki and intel on the Mist, had fabricated a half-truth that just so happened to align shockingly well with Kitagawa Gen's own memories.
So… everyone ended up heading in the right direction, by accident?
"Was this a happy accident where everyone gets a good ending?"
Kitagawa Gen was baffled. Everything seemed wrong — and yet, somehow right?
Well, at least things were moving in a positive direction...
"Alright kid, take your time packing."
While Kitagawa Gen was mentally cursing all the messy twists, Jiraiya let out a dramatic sigh.
"It's such a shame to leave the beautiful Land of Hot Water behind..."
"You mean it's a shame Konoha doesn't have such... luxurious entertainment districts?"
Kitagawa Gen rolled his eyes, unimpressed.
"Nonsense! This Sage is above such things!"
Jiraiya scoffed, waving off the accusation before speaking in an almost poetic tone.
"I merely appreciate the fleeting beauty in this mundane world. The vibrant hues of life... the brilliance hidden in ordinary days.
You, child, know nothing of art or soul."
"Tch."
Kitagawa Gen wasn't buying it — flowery words couldn't mask the fact that Jiraiya had been frequenting those kinds of places. And some of them didn't even allow minors!
"Anyway, you finish up. This Sage has some matters to attend to."
Jiraiya turned toward the door, prompting Kitagawa Gen to call after him.
"Wait, in broad daylight? You just fought a battle! You—"
"Don't get the wrong idea,"
Jiraiya waved him off and sighed.
"I'm going to that bar again. One of the waitresses there — her husband was killed by Orochimaru.
It's not directly related to us, but... I just can't ignore it. Her situation's tough. Since I'm here, I might as well help."
He gave a wry smile.
"Stay here and don't wander off. I'll be back soon."
Kitagawa Gen fell silent. It was a sentimental gesture, but wasn't that what being human was about?
Still... he couldn't shake the feeling he was getting the short end of the stick.
"Oh right, want me to bring back some oranges? I saw some sweet ones being sold in town."
As he was thinking, Jiraiya turned back with a casual offer.
"..."
"And change your clothes. You look like a beggar. Don't embarrass this Sage."
With a wave, Jiraiya finally walked off.
"Tch..."
Kitagawa Gen sighed in defeat, then looked down at his tattered clothes.
Seeing the scratches and rips, he felt a little better.
"Guess things went pretty well this time."
Even though their infiltration had failed, it was still a productive mission. Everyone, in the end, seemed to benefit.
During his battle with Kimimaro and Jūgo, he had mostly been on the offensive. Of course, without a Sharingan, it was impossible to come out unscathed.
Getting grazed by Kimimaro's bones or taking a hit or two from Jūgo was expected. Especially at the end, when Kimimaro went all-out with Dance of the Seedling Fern.
Even though Kitagawa Gen used Purple Lightning to defend and destroy many of the bone spears, a few still pierced through.
But then...
"After completing the mission and absorbing Kimimaro's Yang Release... these changes started happening?"
The Yang chakra had spread through his body, triggering some kind of transformation.
His chakra felt... calmer, but his strength and speed were definitely increasing.
Most notably — his recovery ability.
Wounds that would normally take days to heal had already closed before Jiraiya returned. The speed was truly visible to the naked eye.
"What an unbelievable power..."
Kitagawa Gen could now understand why Hashirama Senju was practically invincible on the battlefield.
No matter how often he was wounded in his battles with Madara, he always recovered.
Such absurd regeneration made him a perpetual engine of war. Even Madara had to admit: "No one can kill Hashirama on the battlefield."
Kitagawa Gen wasn't at that level — but this was more than enough for him.
"Besides, I'm still developing and adapting to the power... and—"
He clenched his fists slightly and noticed something:
His bones were absorbing chakra — subtly, steadily.
Just like his eyes were doing.
It felt like something was growing within, though the process was slower in the bones, and the chakra absorption was more restrained.
"But that's fine. I've got time on my side."
With a small smirk, Kitagawa Gen removed his torn clothes and put on a new set.
But just as he pulled them on, realization struck him.
"Oh crap... am I heading straight toward Ōtsutsuki Hamura?!"