Thinking about it carefully, Jiraiya was indeed right.

Unknowingly, Konoha not only regained the strength it had before Orochimaru implemented the "Konoha Collapse Plan", but it was even better than before.

Thinking of this, Shuimu's heart moved.

"Not only is the strength of Konoha Village much stronger than in the original book, but the other people I have been associated with have also experienced similar phenomena and have become stronger."

The Six-Tails Jinchuriki of the Hidden Mist Village has returned, and he did not lose much combat power in the capture of Yugao. After Yanliu suffered a blow from Mizuki, he seemed to have hope of moving to a higher level.

With some confidence, Mei Terumi even made a surprisingly bold deal with Konoha, trying to bring the Three-Tails back to the Hidden Mist Village.

Not only that, the Seven-Tailed Jinchuriki Fu, the Four-Tailed Jinchuriki Lao Shi, and the Two-Tailed Jinchuriki Yumoto, some of them escaped the fate of death, and some received Mizuki's meticulous "guidance", so they will surely not be careless and get caught easily again.

Xiaochun and Haruno Sakura, who have a direct connection with Mizuki, begin to learn the Sage Mode, which was originally absolutely impossible to learn.

Not only that, the fighting power of the jonin in the village is constantly increasing.

Kakashi Hatake, Might Guy and Asuma Sarutobi also felt a lot of pressure. Judging from their aura, their strength should have improved significantly.

Especially Hatake Kakashi, in order to maintain a minimum of dignity in front of Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto and Haruno Sakura, he also took more time to practice.

From a biological point of view, the possibility of drastic changes in a short period of time is extremely small, but because of the existence of chakra, the effects caused by Mizuki can be continuously accumulated and spread, eventually forming a huge wave that sweeps across the entire ninja world. Mizuki has realized this.

However, this very clear change is somewhat puzzling.

Except for a few who were killed due to Mizuki's influence, basically they are developing in a better direction. Even Nagato and Uchiha Obito, Mizuki doesn't believe that after being tricked by Mizuki so many times, they will not learn their lessons and become weaker than in the original.

The principle of evolution that the fittest survive is deeply rooted in people's minds.

But this deeply rooted perception is actually problematic.

Evolution is the qualitative change from low to high, and it has a clear vector.

To be more precise, the variation of organisms should be called evolution, and the direction of change in species is completely divergent and unpredictable.

People take it for granted that most change is harmful, but is it really so?

Because of natural selection, most of them are not fit for survival and disappear, but those that survive are definitely more advanced organisms?

Which one is more advanced: the elk eating grass with its head down or the giraffe eating leaves with its head up?

Unable to judge.

Those who survive are not necessarily the best.

Derivation rather than evolution, this is the reality that Shuimu understands.

But there are some special cases...

"Is it the anthropic principle? No, it's the catfish effect!"

Although the theory of the catfish effect itself is debatable, the actual effect cannot be ignored.

If it was just a coincidence, it would be fine, but if not...

Mizuki, who was frowning in thought and muttering to himself with his head down, caught Jiraiya's attention.

"Why, what's wrong?"

"Sorry, I just remembered something."

Mizuki didn't say much, and Jiraiya didn't ask any more questions.

"Anyway, Konoha should be able to protect itself now, and it's about time for us old guys to retire..."

"Well?"

Mizuki was stunned for a moment, then he understood that this was Jiraiya's idea.

"Next, shouldn't I say: It's time to do something I want to do?"

"Hahaha……"

Jiraiya laughed when the truth was revealed, and walked up to pat Mizuki on the shoulder.

"Tsunade is right. Talking too much to a guy like you is going to make me angry. You are quick-witted and unforgiving with your words!"

Mizuki also smiled knowingly:

"Master Jiraiya still can't let it go, that's normal. But you still have to be cautious and don't rush it!"

"After hearing about Nagato and the others, I've been thinking about it for a long time, but I couldn't make up my mind. Seeing that the village is so strong and still doing well without me, I feel relieved... And Naruto, he will become a great ninja sooner or later!"

"Has it been decided?"

"That's about right. I can't just leave the disciple I've taught for so many years on the wrong path..."

“I see!”

Ninjas like Jiraiya are all extremely determined people. It would be great if they could be easily persuaded. Perhaps such people exist, but Mizuki is definitely not one of them.

"Don't worry, at least it's not the time yet. I have some personal matters to deal with!"

Shuimu shook his head:

"Does Lady Tsunade know?"

"Tell her then!"

Having said that, Mizuki knew that Jiraiya had already planned it.

"Tell me the truth, Master Jiraiya, what exactly are you trying to achieve?"

Jiraiya's face was gloomy, and a trace of reminiscence appeared:

"I know the personalities of those three children. People with good hearts will never go astray so easily. There must be a reason!"

"If you can't persuade him to come back, what are you going to do?"

"There must be a way, absolutely!"

Jiraiya said firmly.

"Even if I can't do it, Naruto can definitely do it. He's a genius who can create miracles!"

Mizuki rubbed his forehead helplessly. As expected, they were the kind of guys who couldn't stop anything when they were hot-blooded. Even communicating with Orochimaru was not this tiring.

"Excuse me, Master Jiraiya, you may think that success or failure is not important. Even if you fail, it may have a positive impact on Naruto. I don't deny that this possibility is quite high, but please think about it from Naruto's perspective. If there is a choice, he still doesn't want you to take risks!"

Always take it for granted that everything is designed.

It is really arbitrary to think that an arrangement is foolproof without carefully considering whether it is what others want.

"Maybe, but like I said before, I have to do something that I won't regret. Now I feel like I can do it!"

Okay, Mizuki gave up trying to persuade me.

"We should discuss this with Lady Tsunade. If possible, try to postpone it until the Three-Tails is captured. It would be too reckless to act alone. There is no need to sneak in to gather intelligence now..."

Delay it for a while. If you really can't avoid it, you must make more preparations. Mizuki doesn't want to go to that damn place called Rain Country.

In the heavy rain, there are traps everywhere. You might get trapped in the barrier and caught at any time. The Flying Thunder God Technique is not omnipotent. There are barriers that can seal the space!