Chapter 191:
"Transformation Jutsu: Toad Form, and the way you use toad oil to enhance Fire Style attacks—Red She-Wolf, who exactly are you?!" Tsunade clenched her fist, clearly showing she wouldn't let this go without getting an answer.
"Since you've figured it out... I guess there's no helping it," Red She-Wolf suddenly raised her head. "That's right, I'm none other than the legendary former Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku—Jiraiya!"
"You bastard! If you were alive all this time, why didn't you come find us sooner?!" Tsunade landed a punch right on Red She-Wolf's head.
"Well, I couldn't help it. S.H.I.E.L.D. had me placed under constant surveillance near Orochimaru. I only just recently found a chance to escape. And besides, I was supposed to be dead—I didn't want to meddle too much in the affairs of the living..."
"Master Jiraiya." Naruto walked up beside him, looking down at the clearly shorter Red She-Wolf.
"So it really is you, Naruto. Come on, you're not going to cry at your age, are you..." Red She-Wolf looked up at him. "Still, I can't believe it. You actually became Hokage."
"Wait a second, Master Jiraiya—don't tell me you came back just because you were worried about how I'm running the village," Naruto said, surprisingly sharp.
"Hahaha, no way, you're overthinking it, Naruto."
Jiraiya gave a foolish laugh—but Naruto wasn't the naïve kid who could be brushed off with one of Jiraiya's silly grins anymore.
"Naruto, there are too many people around. We should head back to the Hokage Residence," Shikamaru reminded him from the side. Although the area had already been secured by Konoha's Anbu, no one could guarantee there weren't other surveillance methods at play.
"Yeah." Naruto nodded. "Master Jiraiya, come with us back to the Hokage Residence."
"Perfect timing—I've got intel on S.H.I.E.L.D. to share with you all."
Despite his usual goofball demeanor, when it came to serious matters, Jiraiya could be surprisingly earnest.
Inside the Hokage's Office, Hokage Residence
"Nothing's changed at all in this place." Jiraiya looked around the office, stopping in front of the wall where the portraits of the Hokage generations hung. "The Sixth Hokage was that brat Kakashi, huh... Honestly, when I was just brought back and learned what had happened in the ninja world, I was completely shocked. I couldn't believe that after I died, you guys went through the Fourth Great Ninja War, fought Uchiha Madara—that monster—and even Kaguya Ōtsutsuki..."
"Lord Jiraiya, is it possible that the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. is one of the Ōtsutsuki clan?" Shikamaru asked.
"I don't know." For once, Red She-Wolf's expression turned serious. "The entire time I was with S.H.I.E.L.D., I never once saw the Director. I couldn't even figure out the organization's true purpose. I suspect that everyone we know—whether it's the Avengers or the Justice League—are just outer members. The true inner circle likely consists only of the Director and Deputy Director..."
"As for the organization's objective, we've gathered some intel—it's called the 'God Among Men' plan, and it came from Hydra," Shikamaru explained.
"...I see. They want to become gods and bring eternal peace to the ninja world? Sounds a lot like what the Akatsuki once wanted." Jiraiya stroked his chin. "What's this Hydra, though?"
"They're currently allied with Konoha. Once, they were a secretive group capable of checking S.H.I.E.L.D.'s power. Though they're no longer a force on the battlefield, their intel on S.H.I.E.L.D. is exactly what Konoha needs," said Shikamaru.
"I see..." Jiraiya nodded. "Even if Hydra is our ally now, we must stay cautious. You can't put full trust in an organization when you don't know what's truly going on behind the scenes."
"Actually, I believe Hydra can be trusted," Future Boruto suddenly spoke up.
"Hm? And who are you? Come to think of it, you look a lot like Naruto."
"Master Jiraiya, this is Boruto from the future—my son," Naruto said with a smile.
Being able to introduce his own child to a long-lost elder—being able to witness his child grow into a dependable adult—was something any parent would find deeply fulfilling.
"In the future, due to Gray Wolf, a bioweapon crisis broke out. Hydra gave me the means to come back in time and change that future. That's why I trust them," Future Boruto explained.
Meanwhile, in the Kara Organization's Alternate Dimension Base—
"You've kept me waiting, Monk. I'm ready now." A middle-aged man, cigarette in mouth and a backpack on his shoulder, approached Koji Kashin.
"So that's all the luggage you've packed for your escape? Looks pretty light."
"Don't underestimate scientific ninja tools, Koji."
"That so..." Koji slapped the ground, summoning a toad. "Still, you'd better put out that cigarette. The inside of a toad isn't exactly well-ventilated."
"Got it." The man took a final drag before reluctantly tossing the half-smoked cigarette. "But seriously, Koji, do we really need to rush? Gray Wolf from S.H.I.E.L.D. is there too."
"This is our only chance. After the recent battle, Isshiki is at his weakest. And besides, the Gray Wolf with S.H.I.E.L.D. isn't even the real one—just a puppet," Koji said.
"...Hey, hey, you two middle-aged guys getting all chummy in broad daylight—isn't that a bit much? And Amado, where do you think you're going? Lord Isshiki hasn't given you permission to leave."
"Delta..." Koji glanced at Amado, who had already crawled into the toad's mouth. "You wouldn't mind if I kill her here, would you?"
After all, Delta was Amado's creation.
"You two plan to betray the organization?! Hmph! Then I can't just stand by and do nothing!"
"Relax, Koji. I anticipated this," Amado said, addressing Delta. "It's bedtime now, Delta."
Delta, who had just been brimming with hostility, suddenly collapsed.
"A forced shutdown command? Don't tell me you've implanted that in me too, Amado."
"Who knows? All right, Koji. Let's get started."
"Good luck."
"You too, Monk."
"...Ninja Art: Reverse Summoning!"
After teleporting the toad away, Koji gazed at the now-open passage and slowly stepped through.
Defeating Isshiki—killing Isshiki—that was the very purpose Amado had created him for.