“Jiraiya, pull yourself together. I still need to focus on the negotiations with Naoki.”
“Sensei, old man, handling all these political matters really doesn’t suit me,” Jiraiya lamented. Speaking a few pleading words to the stern-faced Hiruzen, Jiraiya couldn’t bear it any longer and, without warning, transformed into a puff of white smoke, disappearing from Hiruzen’s sight.
“Reverse summoning to Mount Myoboku,” Hiruzen muttered, his eyes narrowing as he quickly realized Jiraiya’s destination. He pondered silently, wondering if the summoning of Jiraiya at such a crucial moment signaled that these negotiations would bring about some world-altering event. Reflecting on the recent occurrences, Hiruzen’s thoughts settled on the memory of a young figure.
If changes were to happen, it would likely involve him. But in the end, it was just a prophecy, Hiruzen mused, returning to his scrolls. Destiny isn’t something that simple.
——
“Long time no see, young Jiraiya,” Fukasaku said, smiling at Jiraiya, who appeared flustered from the sudden summoning and relief upon recognizing his surroundings.
“Huh? Did I summon you in the middle of playing with a girl? Did you forget your money again, young Jiraiya?” Fukasaku shook his head. “That’s not a good habit.”
“Not at all,” Jiraiya, still disoriented from the sudden summoning, blushed and coughed a few times to cover his embarrassment. “Fukasaku, let’s not talk about such trivial matters. Why did you summon me in such a hurry? Is there something important you need to tell me?”
“Of course,” Fukasaku raised his hand. “The Great Toad Sage had another vague but significant dream, so we needed to summon you quickly to address it.”
“Is that so?” Jiraiya’s expression turned serious. “Alright, Fukasaku, let’s go. We need to hear the Great Toad Sage’s prophecy quickly; I have important matters to attend to on the other side.”
“Alright, young Jiraiya, you never change your hurried nature,” Fukasaku sighed, leaping onto Jiraiya’s shoulder. Smelling the blood on Jiraiya, Fukasaku asked, “Are you still on the battlefield? How is Konoha faring now? It’s been a while since we got any news.”
“No longer on the battlefield,” Jiraiya said, hesitating when mentioning Konoha. “The situation isn’t great, but after the peace talks with the Mist in the next few days, things should improve.”
“Peace talks, huh?” Fukasaku nodded, not delving deeper.
Thank goodness, Jiraiya thought, wiping the sweat from his forehead. Although the sages would eventually learn about Konoha’s defeat, he couldn’t bring himself to say it.
“Jiraiya, don’t always look like you’ve done something wrong. Kids should tell the truth, unlike their fathers who often lie,” Fukasaku chided.
“I know, Fukasaku. I really do. Please continue,” Jiraiya said, listening to Fukasaku’s rambling until they reached the familiar courtyard. Only then did Jiraiya turn serious again. Fukasaku stopped, taking a breath.
“Young Jiraiya, go ahead,” Fukasaku said. Jiraiya nodded solemnly, looking at the massive, orange-skinned Great Toad Sage seated on the stone bench, eyes closed.
“Great Toad Sage, do you have a new prophecy for me?” Jiraiya asked loudly.
“Hmm?” The Great Toad Sage opened his eyes, recognizing Jiraiya’s white hair. “Oh, it’s been a while, young Jiraiya. My prophecy is…” The Great Toad Sage closed and opened his eyes again, “Who is this?”
“It’s young Jiraiya! Young Jiraiya!” Fukasaku shouted, jumping impatiently on Jiraiya’s shoulder.
“Oh, it’s young Jiraiya. Fukasaku, don’t be so hasty. How old are you now, young Jiraiya?”
“Hurry up and tell him, old master!” Fukasaku urged. The Great Toad Sage chuckled, then spoke seriously.
“Young Jiraiya, have you seen a child with the Shikotsumyaku and the Byakugan?”
Jiraiya’s face darkened, his heart tightening as he nodded. “Great Toad Sage, of course, I have. That’s Naoki from the Mist Village.”
“Naoki? Haven’t heard that name in a long time.”
“That’s a surname,” Jiraiya corrected.
“Oh, right. A surname, the Shikotsumyaku surname. Can someone with such power change the world?” The Great Toad Sage mumbled, and Jiraiya couldn’t catch his words.
“Great Toad Sage, what are you talking about?” Jiraiya asked.
“Nothing, young Jiraiya. Let’s get to the prophecy; you’ll be quite busy in the future.”
“Alright, Great Toad Sage,” Jiraiya said, holding his breath. Seeing the Great Toad Sage starting to doze off, Jiraiya knew he was about to speak and felt anxious.
Naoki being part of the prophecy? This could be troublesome.
“Young Jiraiya, this prophecy is different from the others. It has no clear direction or outcome.”
“Ah?” Jiraiya swallowed hard, trying to stay calm. “Not even you can see through Naoki? You’re the Great Toad Sage!”
“Indeed, young Jiraiya,” the Great Toad Sage said, his usually steady tone wavering, making Fukasaku’s expression grow serious.
“In my dream, the future was either shrouded in dense fog or fragmented. The futures I once saw are now unclear.”
“In the future, I remember vividly a scene where a person with the Shikotsumyaku and Byakugan was surrounded by a crowd, shouting something.”
A scene with him at the center? Naoki is the Mizukage, and it’s not surprising.
But.
With his manipulative abilities, will those surrounding him be only from the Mist?
Wiping his forehead, Jiraiya was about to ask but stopped as the Great Toad Sage’s voice turned mystical.
“I also saw a continent filled with plants bearing strange fruits, and the traces of Bloodline Limit ninjas were everywhere. They were building, healing people, and doing things I couldn’t understand.”
“In short, young Jiraiya, this is a future unlike any I’ve seen. Naoki has a different path, leading to an unclear, foggy future.”
“So, young Jiraiya, keep working hard.”
“Wait, Great Toad Sage,” Jiraiya called out. “Will the Child of Prophecy’s future still come true?”
“Who are the people around Naoki? And those Bloodline ninjas and strange plants, what’s their connection?”
“The old master is asleep again,” Fukasaku sighed, shaking his head. “Young Jiraiya, you have to find the answers yourself. Good luck.”
In a puff of white smoke, Jiraiya found himself back in his familiar room. The scrolls he dreaded were processed and stacked neatly.
Hiruzen, holding a cup of cold tea, looked at Jiraiya.
“Jiraiya, was it Mount Myoboku calling you again?”
Jiraiya, distracted, nodded, smiling bitterly.
“Sensei, those things, I…”
“Don’t say it, Jiraiya,” Hiruzen, understanding his stubborn student, stood up, advising gently.
“Don’t get lost in prophecies or fate. Remember, you must strive for what you want in your heart to truly change your destiny.”
Seeing Jiraiya’s awkward expression, Hiruzen sighed.
“Alright, Jiraiya, take care of yourself.”
Jiraiya lowered his head, staring at the intricately woven bamboo mat.
What path should you take, Jiraiya?
“Hokage-sama, we have a report.”
“Come in.”
Hiruzen took the scroll, nodding. As the Anbu left and closed the door, Hiruzen read the report quickly, his face darkening.
Danzo is hunting the remaining members of the Seven Swordsmen.
Hiruzen quickly understood Danzo’s intentions.
He plans to gain immense prestige by defeating them after the treaty, aiming for the Hokage position.
It’s not a bad strategy, but why not use that power on the battlefield or even slightly resist when Naoki attacked Konoha?
Danzo, you’re not fit to be the Hokage.
With the village in such a state, there’s no time to waste here.
Sealing the report, Hiruzen spoke.
“Jiraiya, if they don’t relent in two days, prepare to accept those conditions.”
“Sensei, this…”
Jiraiya looked at Hiruzen’s exhausted expression.
The prophecies and futures are gone, the pain for his sensei and the defeat filled Jiraiya’s heart.
After a long pause, he sighed deeply.
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