"Great Toad Sage, should we join the battle directly?"
"The five great nations of the ninja world, the three major ninja villages, and numerous smaller countries have all made their move."
"Nip disaster in the bud."
[Fukasaku looked at the drowsy toad sage and said.]
["At this rate…"]
"The ninja world will be thrown into chaos."
"Naruto Uzumaki, the Devil Child..."
"His power is terrifying!"
"We're probably close to reaching that level already!"
[After a long while.]
Shima spat.
[After cursing the old senile man a few times.]
[Turn and leave.]
[After Shima left.]
The giant toad sage slowly opened his eyes.
[His cloudy old eyes gazed down at Fukasaku, whose face was grave.]
He said in a deep voice, "I sense a familiar presence."
"I believe our old friends from the other two holy sites have also sensed this."
["but..."]
"I'm certain it's not Yuu."
"This feeling..."
"He seems more like Indra."
Fukasaku frowned.
"Indra?"
"How could this be?"
"Nothing is impossible," the Great Toad Sage shook his head.
[Then he added:]
["future..."]
"I can no longer see the future."
"It was pitch black."
"If I insist on going to see it, I'm afraid I'll pay with my life."
"However, my lifespan was already running out."
"Paying such a price is worthwhile."
"However, it seems as if a powerful force is interfering with the future."
"Even if I pay with my life, I probably won't see anything."
[Upon hearing this.]
Fukasaku's face was filled with astonishment.
The future? Can't see it?!
This was the first time it had heard of such a situation from the Great Toad Sage.
Judging from the appearance of the giant toad sage, this is most likely the first time I've encountered him.
[The giant toad sage just now had blood spilling from its mouth, probably because it forcibly looked into the future.]
"Now we're just waiting for Jiraiya to make his decision."
"If he still believes in prophecy."
"Then you will definitely make the right decision."
"If only Jiraiya were born..."
The Great Toad Sage did not continue speaking.
Fukasaku takes a deep breath.
He glanced back at Mount Myōboku outside the hall.
[He said in a deep voice:]
"No, I won't let that happen."
"If Jiraiya doesn't want to, we won't force him."
"But the future of the ninja world, the future of Mount Myōboku, should not be shrouded in darkness."
"That kind of deathly silence..."
"I absolutely will not allow it!"
[Having said that.]
Fukasaku left without looking back.
The giant toad sage watched its retreating figure.
[A long sigh.]
[The Child of Prophecy.]
[This permeated most of Jiraiya's life.]
This is the current outcome.
It's really hard to accept.
[Mount Myoboku has once again surpassed the other two major sacred sites.]
[They've entered the fray head-on.]
Opportunities are never waited for.
It was won through struggle.
If this succeeds...
[So. ]
The other two holy lands will be suppressed by them for hundreds of years to come.
But this time...
The Great Toad Sage sensed something was amiss.
[Last time, Mount Myōboku personally intervened.]
[That was a thousand years ago.]
[This caused Hagoromo Otsutsuki to become enemies with his mother, Kaguya Otsutsuki.]
This is why Mount Myoboku firmly holds its position as the foremost sacred site.
The giant toad sage shook his head.
Slowly close your eyes and continue trying to see the future.
[...]
[The Ninja World.]
[Within the Land of Fire.]
[After the Allied Shinobi Forces' surprise attack team and the Daimyo's guards left.]
Jiraiya remained frozen in place.
He walked along, looking lost and dejected.
[Aimlessly.]
After wandering around for a while, we returned to the dilapidated little village we had been in before.
Looking at the scattered lights.
Jiraiya suddenly stopped in his tracks.
[Just sitting there on the empty street.]
[After a long while.]
Jiraiya took a deep breath.
[He suddenly stood up.]
["no!"]
"I have to go find Tsunade and explain everything!"
"Only she can persuade Naruto."
[...]
[Former Uchiha stronghold.]
["Hehehe~"]
"I knew you'd come."
"Well then, my mission is complete."
Sasuke stared at him expressionlessly.
["stop."]
Kisame Hoshigaki, carrying Samehada, stopped in his tracks.
I can roughly guess what Sasuke will say.
Therefore, he simply smiled mockingly and interrupted Sasuke before he could finish speaking.
"Naruto-kun personally invited me to the Land of Whirlpools."
"The leader of Akatsuki is now Naruto-sama."
Sasuke frowned slightly.
[but. ]
[When he saw the red chakra emanating from Kisame Hoshigaki's palm.]
He nodded.
"It's inside."
"The injury seems to have stabilized."
Kisame Hoshigaki said something.
He then turned and left.
I've wasted a lot of time here...
Kakuzu and Hidan have probably already arrived at the battlefield.
He didn't want to be left behind.
"Thank you."
Kisame Hoshigaki offered a strange thank you.
[After Kisame Hoshigaki leaves.]
Sasuke stood there for a while.
Take a deep breath.
[This moment.]
It's finally here.
This time.
He will never lose again!
I will absolutely not allow myself to fail!
[I promised, I won't lose again!]
[Gah——]
At this moment.
[Within the former Uchiha territory.]
A multicolored black crow flew out.
[A flock of crows followed behind.]
[Seeing this.]
Sasuke knows.
I haven't come to the wrong place.
[That beast, Uchiha Itachi, is inside!]
[Whoosh—]
[The next moment.]
Sasuke disappeared from the spot.
[Buzz—]
[The Sharingan with three tomoe.]
[Just arrived at the gate.]
Sasuke's dark eyes.
[Then the Sharingan automatically activated.]
[Boom!]
The main gate of the former Uchiha headquarters opened automatically.
[Click—]
[A strange noise.]
Then, the interior came into view.
[Looking at Itachi Uchiha, who sat calmly in the head seat.]
Sasuke sneered.
His eyes instantly filled with murderous intent.
[Snap—]
[Step into it.]
Without the slightest hesitation.
[Boom!]
[As Sasuke entered the main hall.]
The door behind them closed automatically.
Uchiha Itachi, seated at the head of the table, remained motionless.
[Just looking at Sasuke's three-tomoe Sharingan.]
Suddenly he said:
"Just how far can your eyes see?"
"My silly little brother~"
"You ask me how far I can see?"
Sasuke snorted coldly.
[Keep moving forward.]
"Not far."
"I can already see myself killing you."