Super Swampert roared furiously, bracing its limbs against the ground as its massive body leaped upward through the World Tree's roots. Mud splattered everywhere as it dragged chunks of earth into the air, its fist carrying extreme cold and gravitational force capable of shattering mountains, aimed directly at Shiroishi.
That punch contained not only Swampert's own rage but also the last vestiges of Jiraiya's buried resentment.
Yet Shiroishi merely raised a hand.
"Enough."
His palm rotated slightly, fingers closing around Super Swampert's fist. The strike that should have torn through anything halted between his knuckles, its residual shockwaves causing the World Tree's inner walls to tremble violently but advancing no further.
"Let's make a deal, Teacher Jiraiya."
His voice was soft yet cut through all explosive sounds.
Jiraiya froze, unable to speak before Shiroishi's arm pressed downward.
Boom!
The entire Super Swampert was slammed back to the ground, its colossal body kneeling amidst the intertwined roots, its heavy arms cracking the earth beneath.
The World Tree's roots instinctively tried to entangle the Pokémon but were suppressed by Shiroishi's will, twitching helplessly nearby.
"Within the World Tree's domain," Shiroishi looked down from above, "you stand no chance."
Jiraiya slowly wiped blood from his lips, silently observing the scene. He understood perfectly - that earlier strike represented his and Swampert's ultimate combined effort, yet it still failed to truly harm Shiroishi himself.
Seemingly reading his thoughts, Shiroishi lightly tapped the roots beneath his feet, eliciting a deep resonance from the World Tree's depths.
"Here, every inch of soil, every wisp of air, is under my control."
The patterns on the tree bark glowed faintly for a moment before returning to stillness. The oppressive sensation of the entire space being an extension of his body pressed clearly upon Jiraiya once more.
Indeed.
Fighting within this home field advantage, he and Swampert were battling inside someone else's heart.
Jiraiya offered no argument, merely gritting his teeth. Shiroishi wasn't simply a blank-slate Ōtsutsuki - he was a monster enhanced by the World Tree's domain.
"So don't be so eager to throw your life away, Teacher Jiraiya."
Releasing his grip on Super Swampert, Shiroishi stepped back half a pace, his sleeves fluttering as his Red Cloud Black Robe billowed slightly.
"Let's discuss a transaction."
"That punch of yours made me want to confirm something."
"Bonds truly can break through many limitations. Since that's the case, there's no need for me to grind you into dust right now."
Both man and Pokémon stared coldly at him, neither responding.
Unperturbed, Shiroishi continued: "As long as you agree to one condition - no information about the Land of Rain shall be leaked in any form. Including written accounts, oral descriptions, telepathic communication, summoning contracts, the Toads' reverse summoning... any method constitutes violation."
Jiraiya's eyes sharpened: "And then?"
"Then," Shiroishi slowly extended his other hand, tracing a circular light pattern in the air, "I'll give you three years to prepare for a final battle."
"Three years?" Jiraiya repeated.
The light pattern rotated slowly in the air, the World Tree's energy flowing along its rings as they expanded outward, faintly outlining the shape of the Land of Rain upon them.
Shiroishi's gaze was confident and resolute.
"Within three years, you may use every means at your disposal—"
"Return to the Hidden Leaf Village, study Forbidden Techniques, go to Mount Myōboku, lobby various ninja villages, organize the forces of the Shinobi World, and cultivate the so-called Children of Destiny you believe in."
When he mentioned the term "Children of Destiny," his tone carried obvious sarcasm, yet held a trace of leisurely anticipation.
"And after three years," Shiroishi reached out and clenched his fist, the halo abruptly contracting to a single point, "I will fully open the borders of the Land of Rain, allowing the entire Shinobi World to witness my Pokémon World and the gap between you and me."
"At that time," he added with a smile, "we will settle this once and for all."
Jiraiya listened quietly, his expression unreadable.
"The price is—"
"During these three years, I must remain silent about everything here?"
"Yes." Shiroishi nodded. "As long as you don't disclose the World Tree or my true situation, and don't proactively rally the Shinobi World to interfere with the Land of Rain prematurely, you will be free during these three years."
He paused, adding casually, "Of course, if you insist on gambling—have me kill you now, desperately break out of this domain before you die, and scatter fragmented clues to Mount Myōboku, the Hidden Leaf Village, or even Orochimaru—"
Shiroishi spread his hands. "I don't mind. But in that case, Swampert will die, the Land of Rain will remain closed, and the intelligence you leave behind will likely be wasted, since the Children of Destiny haven't been found yet, right?"
A shadow flickered in Jiraiya's eyes.
Shiroishi continued:
"Conversely, if you agree to this deal, three years later I will open the gates wide. Everyone will be able to enter the Land of Rain and see the world I've created."Then you can lay all the truth before them—they will be more terrified, but also more awake.""
"You're very confident," Jiraiya spoke, his voice hoarse.
"No," Shiroishi shook his head, his gaze growing even firmer, "I simply believe that once you truly revisit all the filth, entanglements, and interests of the Shinobi World, you will understand more clearly than you do now."
"The Ninja System is the real problem."
"And the order of the Pokémon World—"
He pointed toward the distant city where Trainers and Pokémon shadows darted among the streets,
"—will be more... 'ideal' than you imagine."
Jiraiya remained silent.
Swampert watched him with heavy eyes.
Shiroishi slowly descended, his toes touching the roots of the World Tree as he approached Jiraiya.
"Don't worry."
He extended his right hand, a complex seal gradually materializing in his palm.
This isn't some verbal agreement, but a contract at the World Tree level."
The mark was woven from countless fine tree patterns and crystalline veins, with a blank ring at its center.
"If you agree," Shiroishi explained, "we will form this contract under the World Tree—"
"You won't be forcibly restricted in your freedom of movement, controlled by me mentally, or implanted with Leech Seed."The contract has only one constraint—"
"You cannot proactively disclose the core secrets of the Land of Rain and the World Tree within three years.""
"And if violated?" Jiraiya asked.
"Then the World Tree will automatically reclaim your life," Shiroishi said calmly. "I won't need to lift a finger."
The air grew utterly still.
Jiraiya could sense that this mark wasn't merely a Sealing Technique, but something closer to a system-level authority binding.
Once this contract was signed, it wouldn't be something that could be easily broken by any method of termination.
Swampert let out a low, muffled growl, as if seeking his opinion, yet also seeming to say—
"I'll follow your lead."
Jiraiya closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
If he refused now, he could continue fighting desperately, even at the cost of his own life,
attempting to tear open a gap in the heart of this tree and bring some fragments out.
But in that case—
Swampert would likely dissipate in the World Tree's backlash.
He didn't want Swampert to perish here; he wanted to protect his Pokémon too.
Shiroishi was confident, so confident that he could use three years to overturn the thousand-year order of the Shinobi World.
Three years.
Three years...
"You really... won't interfere with my actions?"
"As long as you keep the agreement," Shiroishi nodded, "you'll still be that wandering old man, free as ever."
The World Tree trembled faintly, as if urging him on.
Slowly, Jiraiya raised his hand.
"...I agree."
"I will not leak any core intelligence about the Land of Rain or the World Tree for three years."
"But after three years,"
Jiraiya stared into Shiroishi's eyes, enunciating each word clearly, "I will come to you with the answer of the entire Shinobi World."
Shiroishi showed a satisfied smile.
"That's enough."
He stepped forward, and their palms met slowly above the roots of the World Tree.
Hum!
Light erupted from their joined hands, ripples spreading in all directions along the World Tree's roots.
The light of the contract carved a barely noticeable mark on Jiraiya's chest before completely fading away.
Shiroishi released his hand and took a slight step back:
"The pact is complete."
"Now begins the three-year agreement. Also, about the Children of Destiny intelligence—should I tell you?"