“Asuma, why did you say that?”
Realizing what Hawking had just said, Asuma looked at him with confusion, not understanding why Hawking would say something so ominous. Beside him, Kurenai also furrowed her brows, waiting for an explanation.
“I possess a natural ability to see through destiny,” Hawking said. “Although I can’t always activate this ability, whenever it does, it has never been wrong. Just like last time, when I predicted you’d have a child soon.”
“This time, I saw you facing a life-threatening situation very soon. So… be careful,” Hawking added, cryptically patting Asuma on the shoulder before leaving without giving them a chance to ask more questions.
Asuma and Kurenai were left standing in the wind, bewildered.
“Don’t worry. He might just be joking. Seeing through destiny? How can that be real?” Asuma tried to comfort Kurenai, who looked visibly shaken by Hawking’s words.
But Kurenai held Asuma’s hand tightly and said, “Hawking doesn’t seem like the type to joke about such things. Plus, don’t forget he’s from Mount Myoboku. It’s said that the toads there can predict the future. I’m afraid…”
As a seasoned jonin, Kurenai would typically dismiss such superstitions. But now, with her maternal instincts heightened by her pregnancy, she found herself more sensitive and inclined to believe in these warnings, especially since Hawking had accurately predicted her pregnancy.
“Alright, I’ll go talk to Lady Tsunade and ask her about Hawking’s ability to see the future. She should know more about Mount Myoboku,” Asuma promised, trying to ease Kurenai’s worry.
Although Asuma was skeptical of Hawking’s words, he knew reporting this information to Tsunade was still essential. Tsunade had previously instructed them to report any unusual intelligence about Hawking, believing there was more to him than being just a summoner from Mount Myoboku. Initially, Asuma had noticed ANBU watching Hawking, but recently, the surveillance seemed to have been lifted.
The next day, as soon as Hawking was summoned, Kakashi informed him that Tsunade wanted to see him. Wasting no time, Hawking headed to the Hokage’s office.
“Tsunade-sama, is this about Asuma?” Hawking asked directly upon entering, guessing that his conversation with Asuma had reached Tsunade.
If Asuma and Kurenai hadn’t taken his words seriously, he would still use this opportunity to raise the issue and pique Tsunade’s curiosity, leading to the same outcome.
“Yes, Asuma spoke to me yesterday. I want to know if what you said is true,” Tsunade replied bluntly, getting straight to the point. Asuma’s potential death was a serious concern for her.
Asuma might not know, but Tsunade was aware that Hawking wasn’t just from Mount Myoboku; he was from another world entirely. So, his claim to foresee the future wasn’t entirely implausible.
Hawking nodded solemnly. “I wouldn’t joke about something like this. I can indeed see through destiny and predict the future, though this ability activates randomly. However, when it does, it’s never been wrong. If we don’t intervene, Asuma will certainly die within half a month.”
“You mentioned not interfering with destiny. Does that mean there are ways to change it?” Tsunade asked, her interest piqued.
While skeptical, Tsunade couldn’t dismiss Hawking’s words outright, given the gravity of the situation. Predictions of the future weren’t unheard of in their world. She had heard numerous stories from Jiraiya about the Great Toad Sage’s prophecies.
“Well, there are ways, but…” Hawking feigned reluctance.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. “Is there a problem?”
Hawking sighed dramatically. “To be honest, since I can foresee destiny, I also have the ability to alter it. But this comes at a significant cost to me. So…”
“Asuma is crucial to the village. Hawking, we’ll compensate you for whatever it takes,” Tsunade interrupted, understanding Hawking’s implication and willing to pay the price to save Asuma.
She wasn’t naive. If it turned out to be a hoax, she could revoke the compensation. For now, it was crucial to hear Hawking’s solution.
“I can foresee the events by burning part of my soul, gaining visions of Asuma’s death, and thus gather the information needed to prevent it. In return, I want Konoha to teach me all its sealing techniques without holding back,” Hawking stated in his terms.
Sealing techniques were one of the jutsu types he valued most. Many entities had immortality traits, some with undying bodies, others with immortal souls. Even if he could defeat them, he couldn’t kill them. Sealing techniques could solve this.
Moreover, Konoha’s sealing techniques were versatile, not just for sealing individuals but also for sealing energy, abilities, etc. Unlike Flying Thunder God or Edo Tensei, which required exceptional talent, sealing techniques were a structured system anyone could learn, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.
“I thought you might want… Fine, it’s a deal,” Tsunade agreed immediately, surprised yet relieved by Hawking’s request. She had expected him to ask for powerful offensive jutsu, considering the formidable enemies he might face in his world.
However, sealing techniques were incredibly valuable and versatile, making them a wise choice. With the deal made, she hoped to prevent the fate Hawking had foreseen and save Asuma.
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