In the evening of that day, Jiraiya arrived at Mount Myōboku via the Reverse Summoning Jutsu, preparing to seek an audience with the Great Toad Sage.
The Great Sage was a 'figure' from the same era as the Six Paths Sage, and his lifespan had long exceeded a thousand years. Relying on his prophetic abilities, he continuously gave predictions to various heroes of the Ninja World, 'fine-tuning' the direction of the entire world. What deep meaning was there in this? Or was it at the Six Paths Sage's behest? It was unknown.
Now, his age was truly too great; even as a so-called'Sage,' his aging body could not sustain prolonged thought. Frequently peering into fragments of the future even more so left his soul in a weakened state. Many times, this Great Sage had to maintain his vitality through hibernation.
Jiraiya did not get to see the Great Toad Sage, the spiritual pillar of Mount Myōboku, as he was in deep sleep. He could only go to see Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima, who were relatively younger and usually managed Mount Myōboku.
Sage Fukasaku and Jiraiya had the best relationship. Having practiced Sage Jutsu for hundreds of years, calling him a'Sage' was purely flattering; his life-level was still far from it. However, Jiraiya greatly respected Fukasaku and Shima, always addressing them with the title'Sage,' which he used during his youth at Mount Myōboku.
In another timeline, after Jiraiya's death, it was Fukasaku who taught Naruto how to use Sage Mode, indicating a deep bond between them.
"Oh, Jiraiya, what brings you here so suddenly? Have you eaten? Should I ask his mom to prepare some food for you too? His mom—little Jiraiya is here! Prepare more dinner!" Sage Fukasaku shouted at the top of his lungs.
Sage Shima's reply came from the kitchen: "Got it! Today, I'm making your favorite insect feast! You're in for a treat! Little Jiraiya, eat plenty!"
Jiraiya's face turned green. For him, eighty percent of his skills were learned at Mount Myōboku, and his emotional attachment to this place was the deepest. But the food at Mount Myōboku was truly inedible. He had come in a hurry today and hadn't even brought any rice balls.
At this point, he gave two dry laughs and explained his purpose. He described Ino's plan and finally asked Fukasaku for his opinion: "...That's how things are. You know Minato; he was my most cherished disciple. Honestly, if I could bring Minato back to life, I'd even be willing to trade my old life for his. I'm a very dull person, with low aptitude, poor comprehension, and I'm a bit foolish. I can't figure out many things at all. If Minato were still alive, he would definitely do a better job than me."
Fukasaku listened quietly.
Jiraiya poured out his heart, talking incessantly.
Towards the end, he spoke of his hesitation: "But is doing this really a good idea? I believe there's a high probability it will trigger a Shinobi World War, and Minato's revival would become the fuse. Countless people would die then. Sage, I... I'm very hesitant. If we do this, will Minato resent me? Will it cause him a lot of guilt? That child is so kind. I'm truly afraid, afraid that because of my own incompetence, I'll make him bear all the blame."
Jiraiya didn't express himself precisely, but Fukasaku understood the general meaning.
Good heavens! You're making a big move! Reviving Minato Namikaze? Did I hear that correctly?
Mount Myōboku once possessed a 'Sage Talisman' that could bring people back from the dead. It had accumulated the Sage power of several generations of Sages. However, this talisman was used up during the time when the Six Paths Sage, namely Otsutsuki Hagoromo and Hamura Otsutsuki, fought against their mother.
It was just one talisman; once used, it was gone.
Now, Mount Myōboku no longer had such a revival method.
He mused, "Bringing the dead back to life is an absolute taboo. I remember Minato passed away using the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, didn't he?"
Jiraiya nodded, "We have a way to retrieve his soul from the Shinigami."
Really? Fukasaku expressed serious doubt. Does your Village still have such capable Ninja?
He then raised another question: "This forbidden Ninjutsu of bringing the dead back to life is truly shocking. The cost must be immense, right? Who would be willing to use such Ninjutsu?"
Jiraiya continued to nod. Ino had secretly met with him, bringing Uchiha Shisui, who believed in 'born a Konoha person, die a Konoha ghost.' Jiraiya had read records of Kotoamatsukami in the Third Hokage's notes and understood it.
He continued, "We can also find people 'willing' to cast the forbidden Ninjutsu."
How to kidnap an eighty-year-old woman at that time was all within the professional scope of Ninja; such details did not need to be discussed with Mount Myōboku.
Fukasaku's gaze was a bit blank. Is your Village really so full of talented people? Should I just join your Village?
He thought over the entire matter in his mind; it seemed there were truly no problems on the technical level.
The only concern was the consequences. To deal with the Masked Man, and then revive someone who had been dead for many years, with a high probability of triggering a Shinobi World War afterward—was it worth it?
"Hmm, I can't make a decision on this matter either, little Jiraiya. Come with me to see the Great Elder."
"Okay."
Fukasaku led Jiraiya to see the Great Toad Sage.
Fragments of the future were inherently extremely vague, and the future could change at any time.
The initial prophecy only mentioned that Jiraiya was a key figure in guiding the Child of Prophecy. For this one sentence from the Great Sage, Jiraiya abandoned the Village, abandoned Orochimaru, his 'close friend,' abandoned Tsunade, and spent most of his life wandering the world.
Later prophecies became more specific, such as "the green-eyed boy who calls the names of the nine beasts and plays with them."
After Jiraiya's death, the prophecies for Naruto were even more accurate, like "meeting an octopus" today and "fighting a boy with Dojutsu Power" tomorrow.
It was as if he had witnessed it with his own eyes.
Now Jiraiya was still alive, not an 'old friend's son' like Ashura's reincarnation, so the Great Sage's prophecies were still vague.
After acting crazy for a while, the Great Sage left the prophecy "Golden hair will change the world" and then fell asleep again.
Jiraiya was a bit confused. Is someone with golden hair the Child of Prophecy? There are too many people with golden hair!
Minato Namikaze and Naruto, father and son, both have golden hair. Expanding the scope, Tsunade and Ino also have golden hair, as do Yugito, Temari, and Samui. Who exactly are you talking about!?
Jiraiya decided to stay quietly at Mount Myōboku for two days, to think things through carefully before making a decision.
On the other side.
Thinking that his eyes could still contribute to Konoha, Shisui eagerly went to find Uchiha Itachi.
The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, had only been in office for a little over a year, had an excellent personal image, and his work style was highly praised. If this leader could truly be revived, Shisui was willing.
Using Kotoamatsukami to control an eighty-year-old woman to her death did not cause much moral pressure for Shisui. The two sides were already enemies, and sacrificing an enemy's life for the life of their own leader was beyond question.
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