"T-t-this, you you you…"
Jiraiya is stunned, the revelation so shocking that he suspects Nagato sent Itachi to test him!
Itachi sighs and briefly explains how he was sent by the Third Hokage to infiltrate Akatsuki.
After listening, Jiraiya grows even more shocked, his wariness easing slightly, but he still can't fully trust Itachi.
After all, Sarutobi Hiruzen is dead, and now no one can verify if everything Itachi says is true.
"I can't confirm the truth of your words, but you said you can release the Edo Tensei control—what's the method?"
"Two ways."
"First: I know the hand seals and chakra flow method to release Edo Tensei. As long as you learn and use them, you can break free from control."
"That simple? What about you?"
"I've already undone my bindings; I'm free now."
"No drawbacks? How could Nagato let you release it?"
"From what I know, there shouldn't be any drawbacks. But you might not succeed in using it."
"What do you mean?"
"The technique's user can share the vision of Edo ninjas. Our conversation might be monitored by the leader. Even if you learn the release seals, the moment you try to use them, the leader will likely take control and restrain you immediately."
Itachi speaks honestly.
He's studied nearly everything about Edo Tensei, so he knows their secret conversation can't be hidden from Nagato at all.
"Huh?"
Jiraiya is shocked and confused again. Nagato can share vision the whole time?
Doesn't that mean they're conspiring out loud?
Then what's the point of saying all this? Even if he knows the release seals, he can't bypass Nagato's control to use them successfully.
Is this Itachi an idiot?
Wait, then how did Itachi manage to release his own bindings?
Both of them are Konoha loyalists—would Nagato treat this guy specially?
"Then you…"
"Second way: I have a Mangekyo Sharingan from my close friend, containing the eye technique Kotoamatsukami. It can forcibly negate Edo Tensei control and free you!"
"The strongest genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami?!?"
"Correct. However, the right eye's Kotoamatsukami has a limited duration. Even if it alters the target's will, the effect wears off after some time. It needs to be reapplied repeatedly to maintain control over the target."
This is the difference between the left and right Mangekyo Sharingan's Kotoamatsukami.
The left eye can almost permanently alter a target's will, but its cooldown is over ten years.
The right eye can only alter a target's will for a short time, but its cooldown is also very short, just a few hours.
"So… even if Kotoamatsukami successfully releases the Edo Tensei control, it needs to be recharged every so often? Otherwise, you'll return to being controlled?"
"Exactly!"
"Then what's the point?"
"At least it gives you a chance to escape from here," Itachi replies.
"Wait… Even if it works, everything you've said—Nagato's hearing it, right? He won't try to stop it?"
"He will."
"Then what's the point?"
"I'm free now, enough to use Kotoamatsukami. If you can temporarily break free from control, we can work together to break out. Between the two of us, there's a chance one of us could escape and bring information back to Konoha Village…"
This is the choice Itachi offers Jiraiya.
"And then? Information gets back, and we win?"
After being bombarded with information, Jiraiya is now numb and despairing about it.
Even if the information gets back, so what?
Can it defeat Akatsuki's entire hellish army?
Even thinking with his backside, he knows it's impossible! Besides, Konoha already knows most of Nagato and the others' abilities.
Information is crucial, but under an absolute power gap, no amount of information can turn the tide!
"Of course not. This is a war Konoha is almost certain to lose…"
Itachi admits honestly.
"Hehe! So you're just passing this tough problem to me? Your personality's a bit like that guy named Fugaku…"
"So, what's Jiraiya-sama's choice?"
"If you choose to betray now, aren't you afraid Nagato will take it out on your brother?"
"Sasuke is still useful to him, and he also hates Konoha. The leader won't kill Sasuke…"
"I see. One last question: the Sennin Nagato mentioned, does he really exist?"
"He does."
"You saw him with your own eyes?"
"Experienced him personally…"
"Any hope of winning?"
"Only despair…"
Itachi is brutally honest, sharing everything he knows. Facing Tenshou Sennin, who can forcibly travel through space and time, he truly can't see the slightest chance of victory.
Hearing this, Jiraiya nods sadly, suddenly understanding:
"I get it. You didn't come to save me—you came to convince me to give up, didn't you?"
"…"
Itachi doesn't answer, silently agreeing.
He's no longer the arrogant boy who destroyed his clan. Reality has smoothed his edges, and he knows his limits and capabilities. That's why he chose to entrust the future to Sasuke.
But now, facing an even stronger new Akatsuki, he's even more powerless to resist.
Given the certainty of defeat, rather than Konoha fighting to the death and losing everyone, surrendering and surviving might not be the wrong choice.
"I know what I need to do. I'll try my hardest to convince Konoha to surrender. Besides, do I have any other choice?"
Jiraiya shows a bitter smile, truly giving up.
"Even if it all ends, Konoha Village won't thank you."
Itachi warns one last time.
"I understand. Even if I succeed, I'll probably be a traitor and accomplice in the eyes of everyone in Konoha, facing all their scorn!"
"A coward who surrenders to the enemy first and dares to return to persuade his own village—truly a beast…"
"The feeling of falling from hero to accomplice, looks like I'll have to experience it too."
Jiraiya shakes his head, already imagining the scene.
"Thank you, Jiraiya-sama!"
Itachi nods gratefully, thankful for the understanding and decision of one of Konoha's Sannin.
Then he explains a few more things, gestures for Jiraiya to prepare, and leaves the secret room.
He leaves time and space for Jiraiya alone.
The torment of being a traitor—he knows it better than anyone.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
After Itachi leaves the secret room, he realizes.
Outside the room.
Nagato Edo Tensei leads everyone, silently standing guard.
Clearly, the so-called "going to extract the Bijuu" was just a pretext for him and Jiraiya.
If Jiraiya and Itachi inside the room had made the wrong choice, Nagato and the others waiting outside would have acted immediately, dealing with these two unstable factors first before sending the army to flatten Konoha Village!
"Itachi, you did well."
"Rest assured, Leader, I won't make the wrong choice again."
Itachi nods expressionlessly, assuring him.
He knows that Nagato, now turned ruthless, isn't as easily fooled as before.
Fortunately, he anticipated this and didn't give this bastard leader a chance to find fault.
"Let's go, we'll form the formation to extract the Bijuu."
"Ready!"
"By the way, do you think it's necessary to revive your father with Edo Tensei too?"
"…"