Naruto: Eating Kaido's Azure Dragon Devil Fruit-Chapter 262: Child of Prophecy?

Konoha Frontline Main Camp, Commander’s Tent.

Jiraiya was looking at the map on the table, his brow deeply furrowed.

He had just received a message from another reconnaissance team. The previously discovered traces regarding Kitsuchi had been further confirmed to likely be a decoy deliberately set by Iwagakure, meant to confuse and divert Konoha’s forces.

"Tch, it’s not that simple after all."

Jiraiya rubbed the space between his eyebrows. "That guy Kitsuchi wouldn’t expose his trail so easily. Seems like it was a wasted trip."

He felt some regret, but it also seemed within reason.

On the battlefield, truth and falsehood were the norm.

Simultaneously, the image of that young figure wearing the Azure Dragon mask involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

’Azure Dragon, Sora...’

Jiraiya silently repeated this name in his heart. This was the second time he had seen this youth.

The first time was years ago at the Ninja Academy. Back then, he only thought the boy had decent talent in taijutsu and didn’t pay him much mind.

Who could have imagined that in just a few short years, that kid would grow to such an astonishing level!

To confront the Third Raikage head on, earn the name "Konoha’s Azure Dragon", his strength already stood at the pinnacle of the shinobi world.

’This speed of growth is simply unheard of...’

’The Child of Prophecy that the Great Toad Sage spoke of, the one who will guide the transformation of the shinobi world... could it be him?’

As soon as this thought emerged, even Jiraiya himself was startled.

The Child of Prophecy should be his student, it should be Nagato who possesses the Rinnegan.

But, Nagato and the others now...

And this Sora before him, mysterious, powerful, seemingly rising out of nowhere, shrouded in layers of mist.

Coupled with the Great Toad Sage’s altered prophecy before...

"S, Sir Jiraiya! Lord Azure Dragon has returned! He... he brought back Kitsuchi!"

"What?!"

Jiraiya, who had been deep in thought, snapped his head up, his face filled with astonishment, even more shocked than when pondering the Child of Prophecy moments before.

"Brought back? Alive or dead?"

"It’s... it’s alive! Although unconscious, his breathing is stable!"

Jiraiya immediately stood up and strode out of the tent, his heart filled with utter disbelief.

False intel? Real target?

Captured alive?

This was no longer something that could be explained by simple, formidable strength. What level of precise judgment, terrifying tracking ability, and overwhelming combat prowess was required for this?

On the open ground of the camp, Sora stood calmly, carrying the unconscious Kitsuchi slung over his shoulder like a dead dog.

The surrounding Konoha ninja had gathered, looking at the distinctive bulky frame and Iwagakure flak jacket, exclaiming and murmuring in surprise.

"It really is Kitsuchi!"

"My goodness, Lord Azure Dragon actually captured him alive!"

"Wasn’t it said that trail was fake? How did Lord Azure Dragon find him?"

"Nani, the intel was false?!"

Jiraiya walked up close, carefully confirming it was indeed Kitsuchi himself, and that he was merely unconscious, his injuries not appearing fatal.

He looked up at Sora, whose face was calm as if he had just returned from buying groceries. That feeling of inscrutability surged within him again.

He had just confirmed the intel was false, and here not only was the real target found, but captured alive and taken prisoner?!

’This guy...’

Looking into Sora’s placid, unrippled eyes, that thought about the ’Child of Prophecy’ rose uncontrollably in Jiraiya’s heart once more.

’Perhaps... he really needs to be re evaluated.’

"Sora, you..."

For a moment, Jiraiya didn’t know what to say. "How did you find him? And managed to..."

Sora set down Kitsuchi from his shoulder and said plainly,

"Got lucky. Tracked their real retreat route and intercepted them successfully within the Land of Fire."

He said it lightly, but Jiraiya could imagine the danger involved and the absolute strength it displayed.

Kitsuchi was no pushover. He was a famous powerhouse from Iwagakure, and he would surely have been accompanied by elite guards.

To intercept and capture him alive within the Land of Fire, this level of strength and skill was staggering.

Jiraiya clapped Sora firmly on the shoulder and laughed loudly,

"Good! Well done!"

"This is a big catch! The Tsuchikage’s son, a high ranking member of Iwagakure! This is an enormous merit!"

He immediately gave orders to the ninja beside him,

"Quickly! Take Kitsuchi into strict custody, apply the strongest seals, absolutely no mistakes are allowed!"

"Yes!"

Several members of the sealing corps and guards immediately stepped forward, carefully carrying the unconscious Kitsuchi away.

Watching Kitsuchi being taken away, Jiraiya turned to Sora and said,

"Sora, you have accomplished a great deed this time! With Kitsuchi in our hands, we can take a greatly advantageous position in negotiations with Iwagakure! We might even be able to use this opportunity to force Iwagakure to withdraw from the war, or sign a treaty favorable to us!"

He grew more excited as he spoke, as if seeing the dawn of the war’s end.

At the same time, he was carefully observing Sora’s reaction.

"I will report this to the old man immediately. The village will not forget your contribution!"

Sora nodded, not surprised by this.

This was one of the important reasons he had captured Kitsuchi alive.

Jiraiya continued,

"You’ve worked hard. Go and rest for now. Leave the next steps to me. I will ensure Kitsuchi is used to his maximum value."

"Yes."

Sora acknowledged and turned to walk towards his own tent.

Watching Sora’s retreating back, the excitement on Jiraiya’s face gradually faded, replaced by an expression of extremely complex seriousness.

’Child of Prophecy... Child of Transformation...’ He chewed over these words repeatedly in his heart.

’Sora, will you ultimately be the dawn guiding the world towards peace, or the source of an unknown storm?’

He shook his head, temporarily setting aside these profound thoughts.

Regardless, capturing Kitsuchi alive was tremendous news for Konoha. He had to immediately begin arranging the follow up matters, striving to secure the greatest benefits for Konoha.

As for observing and pondering Sora, that would have to wait for another time.

...

Three days later.

Sora sat cross legged inside his tent, silently practicing his Lightning Release Chakra Mode.

The sound of footsteps approached outside the tent, followed by a cough. Then, Jiraiya’s tall figure entered.

"Not disturbing your rest, I hope, Sora."

Jiraiya sat down cross legged directly opposite Sora in a casual manner, a hearty smile on his face, but a trace of gravity lurked deep in his eyes.

"Lord Jiraiya." Sora gave a slight nod in greeting.

"Haha, no need to be so formal."

Jiraiya waved his hand dismissively, pulling out a small flask from his robe and taking a swig, letting out a breath smelling of alcohol.

"You’ve accomplished a great feat this time. That guy Kitsuchi is a trump card in our hands now."

He paused, his tone taking on a somewhat conversational note.

"By the way, what’s your view on the upcoming negotiations?"

The gaze behind Sora’s mask remained calm and unrippled as he replied plainly,

"I am merely a ninja who carries out missions. Negotiations are matters for the higher ups to consider."

"Hey, you sly kid."

Jiraiya pointed at Sora but didn’t press further, instead sighing.

"To be honest, I’m hoping we can use this opportunity to force Iwagakure to withdraw from the war in one move. It’s not just Kitsuchi we’ve captured. We’ve also taken many Iwagakure elites prisoner in battles large and small before this. The bargaining chips are substantial enough."

"If we can end hostilities with Iwagakure here, Konoha’s pressure will lessen significantly. Those kids... might also have fewer sacrifices."

Sora listened quietly without interjecting.

Jiraiya’s idea was beautiful, but reality was often harsher.

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