Ch 165

When I finally met Jiraiya's eyes, his expression was caught between disbelief and something else more distressing. 

The conflict in his face weakened something inside me. A small ache formed in my chest because I could tell he didn't fully accept what I'd told him. He didn't fully believe me. At least not yet. 

I had expected shock, maybe denial, but seeing it so plainly unsettled me. I thought he trusted me more than that. 

"You don't believe me," my voice was thinner than I wanted it to be. He didn't answer right away, and the silence made the sadness settle deeper. I tried again, words rushing out before I could slow them. 

"Do you ever think about how I survived the Uchiha massacre? How I survived Orochimaru? How I survived the Akatsuki? You know how impossible that should have been." 

Before I could continue, he lifted his hands slightly. "Ishi," he said, steady and calm, "I do believe you. I know you wouldn't lie to me." He exhaled, shoulders dropping. "But it is a lot to handle." 

Relief washed through me. "I know it is. It's a big bite. But it's the truth." I finally felt myself breathe again. 

After a moment, Jiraiya asked, "When was the first time you knew? When did this ability start?" 

I hesitated. 

While I didn't tell him the full truth, it was more than I ever thought I'd tell anyone. 

"Before Naruto was born," I answered. 

Jiraiya's jaw tightened. "You've been carrying this on your shoulders since you were a child..." 

He went silent after that. The lines on his face deepened, and without warning, anger flickered across his features. The shift confused me. 

I frowned and asked, "Why do you look angry?" 

He let out a deep sigh, rubbing his forehead. "Because this means you've known about your family's death long before the reasons for it ever existed." 

I nodded. I had long made peace with that truth. "The Uchiha massacre. I tried to leave, tried to remove myself from it, but it was no use. No matter what I did, everything moved toward the same point." 

Jiraiya's frown deepened, but this time it held sorrow instead of anger. He stepped forward and pulled me into a hug. His arms were warm and firm, and for the first time in a long time, I let myself relax completely. Peace rushed through me. 

There was a sort of realization that sparked in my mind. I was safe right now, no one could hurt me at the moment. 

But I quickly snapped out of it, I couldn't afford to relax fully into the hug. I didn't want to waver at this important moment. 

When he finally spoke, his voice was calm. "For the record, Ishi... you survived because you were smart. Just knowing the future couldn't have been the only reason. You made choices that kept you alive. You fought for yourself." 

Damn, how can he be so comforting? 

I leaned into him slightly, letting the comfort stay. I never knew I needed this. 

"Thank you," I whispered. And I meant it. So much more than he'll ever know. 

We stayed like that for a long time. I didn't try to pull away, not even once. There was no reason to anymore. 

Jiraiya was the closest thing I had to a parent who was still alive, and in that moment, he had eased wounds I'd carried for years. 

His arms around me brought a sense of safety I hadn't felt since childhood. I wanted the hug to last forever, or at least as long as he would let me hold on. 

But eventually, he loosened his grip, and I stepped back. The warmth of the moment stayed with me, and will forever. 

I was happy. Truly happy. 

Then, my stomach dropped. 

The reason I had sought him out hit me abruptly. 

"Jiraiya," I suddenly said, "you can't go to the Rain Village." 

His face changed from gentle concern to confusion. "Why not?" he asked. "This is an important mission. One I personally agreed to take." 

"You can't go," I said again, firmer, leaving no room for debate. "If you do, you'll die." 

I didn't sugarcoat this, it needed to be said. It will not be eased out of me, I will be as firm as I have to be. 

He frowned, but it wasn't disbelief. It was resolve. He accepted it too easily for my taste. "Then that's all the more reason to go." 

"No." My voice came out harsher than I meant. "I can tell you everything you want to know. Everything. Just don't go there." 

He watched me for a moment, weighing my desperation against his duty. At last, he nodded. "Alright. Tell me what you know." 

I took a breath and began speaking quickly, not wanting him to change his mind. 

"The Rain Village is controlled by your former students. They've taken over, and they hold a grudge against the entire shinobi world. They'll kill anyone who enters, especially you." 

His eyes widened, but before he could react further, I continued, "And Danzō is working with the Akatsuki and Orochimaru. Look at his arm, Jiraiya. He's filled it with Sharingan. He stole them from the dead." 

He froze completely, staring at me as if the sun rose from the west. 

Shock held him still before his breathing eased and his shoulders lowered. "How sure are you?" he asked quietly. 

"It's fact," I said without hesitation. "You can find the proof easily. He's also a major reason behind the Uchiha massacre. He feared them. He wanted their power. That's why I never wanted to stay in the Leaf." 

The undeniably heavy words hung between us. Jiraiya didn't question me further. He only looked at me, almost unable to comprehend what I had just told him. 

If he were to go find out about this himself, acceptance would've been quick. He'd have no time to process as he would be fighting for his life. 

But now, with no present threat, his mind had time to process what would've been impossible before. 

It didn't help that I was the messenger, I'm sure doubt is creeping in his mind, but logic will prevail. 

All the random pieces of the puzzle are finally connecting, and with my added information, the story is now complete. 

This war has been in the marking for decades, long before I was alive. Long before everyone was. And Jiraiya finally woke up to the reality of the situation. 

It was bad, and he knew it.

A/n Ok I did not know how long I left you, I seriously didn't think it was 3 months. But to be fair, this isn't the first time (not good). But I always come back. I will try to write as many chapters as possible until I run out of time and energy. Stay tuned!! Enjoy~