Chapter 389: Mount Myoboku
"Altering perception? Isn't that just Shisui's Kotoamatsukami?" Kabuto asked.
Among the currently known ninjutsu capable of altering perception, there was only Shisui's Kotoamatsukami and the Uchiha's Izanami. Other people's genjutsu relied on direct control.
Tobitake Tonbo nodded. "It's a large-scale Shinjutsu that can change the cognition of everyone in the entire Shinobi world. A super-wide-range Kotoamatsukami, even more powerful than the genjutsu of that young girl I encountered before."
He briefly explained the forbidden jutsu of Yakumo Kurama's clan. Developed at the cost of many lives, that perception-altering forbidden jutsu was very similar to this Otsutsuki Shinjutsu. However, the Kurama clan's jutsu was actually quite limited in range; it only altered the perception of those who came into contact with the clan.
It was a localized change—a feeling of causality where the technique would only trigger when a person established an informational link with the Kurama family. In contrast, the Otsutsuki Shinjutsu was preposterous, capable of rewriting the cognition of the entire world.
Based on the information Tonbo possessed, in the future, the Eighth Hokage, Shikamaru, would manage to temporarily crack the enemy's Shinjutsu through sheer intellect, only to be altered again later. He didn't know much more; he only had a slight understanding of those Shippuden plot characters.
"Oh? The Kurama clan once had such a forbidden jutsu? Can we get a sample to study?" Upon hearing this, Orochimaru's desire for exploration surged again. He had heard of this clan before and knew they birthed a genius every so often, but he hadn't expected such a secret.
Such an ability definitely needed a countermeasure. No wonder Tobitake Tonbo hadn't stopped his pursuit of strength even after the war ended, instead working hard to grow stronger during this peaceful period. If it were him, knowing this intel, he would also be taking precautions. Altering perception was terrifying. Just look at Kabuto—how much he had changed.
Tonbo: "The art is lost. However, I still have a portion of that girl's physical matter. But it can only be studied within a seal; it's an object created by Yin Release, and once the seal is broken, it will vanish. Additionally, I've preserved her memories. I want you to help me revive her. Her ability might be useful against the Otsutsuki enemies."
He pulled out a sealing scroll with the character for Kurama in the center. Then he produced another scroll with the character for Memory. It had been a long time; he felt a bit nostalgic for that obedient girl who loved to paint.
"Interesting." Orochimaru took the scrolls. Hearing Tonbo's praise, he was already intrigued. An ability that even Tobitake Tonbo praised must be extraordinary.
"I'll leave this to you then. I'm going to find Naruto and have him send me to Mount Myoboku to see the Great Toad Sage," Tonbo stated.
"Understood. Go on. Even if you don't find inspiration for a countermeasure from the Great Toad Sage, I will help you find a way. Trust in the wisdom of Orochimaru."
Tonbo had brought too many good things; Orochimaru's heart was racing with excitement. Time and time again—Otsutsuki bodies, the Kurama forbidden jutsu, and the person created by it. Everything, including the intelligence, made him unable to stop. He hoped Tonbo would continue to bring him surprises in the future.
Poof!
Tonbo vanished from their sight.
Keigo Tobitake listened to the conversation between the three elders, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information. His dad, Teacher Kabuto, and Teacher Orochimaru were all so incredible. He decided he had to do it too—he set a goal to develop his Kekkei Tota before reaching adulthood.
On a spacious carriage, Naruto held Hinata as they leaned against each other.
"The scenery this season is so beautiful, but Hinata, you're much more beautiful than the view," Naruto said, looking at the cherry blossoms and the scenery outside the window.
Hinata's face turned red. "The scenery doesn't matter, as long as you're here, Naruto-kun."
The sour stench of love invited leaves and petals to slap against their faces, as if even nature couldn't stand it and wanted to cover them up. Today marked the end of the first month of their honeymoon, and they were currently on the road back to the village. Fortunately, Kakashi-sensei had given them time. However, Naruto felt a bit suffocated at the thought of returning to Konoha and facing the mountain of studies awaiting him. How he wished the honeymoon could last a little longer.
Poof!
Suddenly, Naruto was startled and shielded Hinata.
"Hello. Sorry to interrupt your honeymoon, but I need Naruto's help with something, so I had to drop in."
Tobitake Tonbo looked at Naruto's protective stance and felt a bit guilty. My bad, my bad.
"Tonbo-ojisan! What are you doing here? You nearly gave me a heart attack; I thought we were under attack."
The winds of conflict never truly died. Despite the Shinobi Alliance and the Ninja Association, the inherent flaws of ninja nature couldn't be completely uprooted. There were still many restless people causing trouble everywhere.
Hinata, meanwhile, puffed out her cheeks. Their honeymoon was almost over, and they were about to return to the village. To be interrupted at a time like this... she really felt like using Gentle Fist to freeze Tonbo-sensei. How annoying!
"So, what does Tonbo-ojisan need me for?" Naruto had matured a lot, losing much of his childhood naivety. This was the weight of family responsibility.
"I need you to take me to Mount Myoboku to see the Great Toad Sage," Tonbo said directly.
"The Great Toad Sage? What do you want to see him for?" Naruto thought about it but couldn't imagine why. "Well, whatever. I haven't seen Fukasaku-sama and the others in a while anyway. I'll take you there."
Since it was Tonbo-ojisan asking, there was definitely a reason. Naruto didn't delay. He wove the hand signs.
"Reverse Summoning Jutsu! Hinata, you come too. I'll introduce you to Fukasaku-sama and the rest."
A massive summoning array appeared on the floor. Naruto held Hinata, and Tonbo stepped inside.
Poof!
The scene shifted, and they appeared in what looked like a giant-sized world. The surrounding trees and flowers were gargantuan—like a world seen through the eyes of a dung beetle. Occasionally, they could see toads happily passing by, some massive and some small.
"We're here. This is Mount Myoboku. Tonbo-ojisan, let me tell you, everything here is super big. There's just one problem: the food is disgusting." Naruto complained about the cuisine of Mount Myoboku.
"What dense natural energy."
Tonbo expanded his perception, feeling the rich natural energy in the air. it was several times denser than the energy in the Land of Snow. No wonder there were only three Great Sage Regions in the world. This was the difference. He felt his permanent Sage Mode—the ratio of chakra to natural energy—becoming slightly unstable due to the sudden surge in ambient energy.
"Naruto, wait for me a moment. I need to adjust."
After speaking, Tonbo began to balance his chakra with the natural energy of this specific environment to recalibrate his Sage Mode.
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