He Had to Die

Sage Mode was a power countless ninjas dreamed of yet struggled to control.

Jiraiya had initially thought Eiji's talent would only be slightly greater than his own.

With the toads' help, perhaps he could barely reach the threshold of Sage Mode.

However, he had never expected that Eiji would not need anyone's help at all.

There was no lengthy preparation, nor any need to spend time gathering Chakra.

With nothing more than closing and opening his eyes, the immense Natural Energy had already harmonized perfectly within him, and he instantly entered Sage Mode.

Moreover, Eiji's Sage Mode was nearly flawless. Aside from a little golden eyeshadow around his brows and eyes, there was almost no visible difference.

Eiji's first attempt had achieved such astonishing success that it stirred unprecedented waves across Mount Myōboku.

Toads of all sizes and colors from across Mount Myōboku came rushing over.

They curiously sized up the White-Haired Kid and whispered among themselves.

Even the strange and somewhat arrogant Gamabunta couldn't help sighing in amazement.

"This kid is even more impressive than Minato."

Gamabunta remembered the Little Blondie who had died young.

He had always worn a smile like a little sun.

Many years ago, Jiraiya had brought him to Mount Myōboku, where he had also learned with the help of the Toad Sage.

Compared to Jiraiya, Minato's Sage Mode had been far superior, with barely any change to his face.

However, he still needed time to gather Senjutsu Chakra, and could only maintain it for a limited period.

This White-Haired Kid was even better than Minato.

A monster. He really was a monster.

Eiji's aura gradually stabilized as he carefully sensed the power within his body.

He was overflowing with power!

If the occasion had been more suitable, he would definitely have performed a proper Uchiha cackle.

The Great Toad Sage studied Eiji for a long while. The boy's performance had far exceeded his expectations as well.

He remembered that the last ninja who could enter Sage Mode by simply clapping his hands had seemed to be called Hashirama.

The Toad Sage looked at Eiji kindly. "How do you feel?"

"Pretty good. I've never felt anything like this before."

The Toad Sage fell into thought again. How long had Eiji maintained Sage Mode?

Seven or eight minutes, perhaps?

He seemed to be maintaining it quite well. His aura was steady, and his Chakra flowed smoothly.

There was no sign of strain at all.

"Little Jiraiya, you've taken in an incredible student."

After saying that, the Toad Sage stared at Eiji for a while longer.

"I can dream of everything happening in the Shinobi World, great or small—even an ant. But why is there no trace of you in my dreams?"

"It is almost as if you never belonged to this world in the first place."

Eiji looked at the Great Toad Sage in surprise. You even saw through that? What a genius.

The Toad Sage gave Eiji one last look before closing his eyes and returning to his dreams.

Seeing this, the toads watching gradually dispersed, afraid of disturbing his rest.

Before leaving, Fukasaku and Shima warned Eiji once more.

"When there is no danger, don't use Summoning Jutsu. When you encounter danger, don't use Summoning Jutsu either."

The corner of Eiji's mouth twitched. "...Then what am I supposed to do if I get beaten to death? Won't you two seniors feel bad?"

"Hmm... Then we'll come help you out, if we have the time."

"Fine. I'm off."

Eiji grinned widely. His trip hadn't been in vain.

He had learned Sage Mode and gained a whole group of hired muscle.

They probably couldn't defeat the big boss, but helping clear out some small fry shouldn't be a problem.

Jiraiya and Eiji left Mount Myōboku.

Having achieved his goal, Eiji hummed a tune and was about to leave when Jiraiya called him back.

He was now extremely interested in Eiji.

"Want to try Konoha's traditional Bell-Grabbing Game?"

A playful smile appeared on Eiji's face. "Are there any restrictions?"

"Use your full strength." Jiraiya hung the bells at his waist. "Just like when you fought Orochimaru."

The two stood facing each other, and the air seemed to freeze.

"Here I go!"

The moment he spoke, Eiji's figure vanished.

"So fast!"

Jiraiya's pupils contracted slightly. He suddenly felt a fierce gust of wind coming from behind!

He abruptly twisted around and swept a powerful spinning kick toward Eiji's chest!

Eiji neither dodged nor retreated. He raised an arm and easily blocked it.

Immediately afterward, he exhaled and shouted, sending a punch roaring toward Jiraiya like a cannonball!

Jiraiya grunted and was sent flying several meters by the pure force of the blow. He broke several branches before finally steadying himself.

"Tch. This kid is incredibly strong. He might even rival Tsunade."

Jiraiya's gaze became utterly serious.

He rubbed his numb arm. "Again."

The two fought for a long time.

They did not stop until both were panting heavily with exhaustion.

As for the bells, no one knew which corner they had been knocked into long ago.

They might even have been smashed to pieces.

"Eiji, I don't think I have anything left to teach you."

Jiraiya leaned against a tree and pulled out a copy of Tale of the Strong-Willed Ninja.

"I'm giving you this book. I hope it proves useful."

Eiji did not need to ask. He already knew what Jiraiya was about to do next.

Search for the legendary Child of Prophecy.

Eiji did not know what to say. Jiraiya spent all day pondering those ethereal dreams.

Why couldn't he spend that time properly looking after Naruto and helping him grow?

Sigh. What a lecherous old man. There's nothing to say.

"Eiji, look after Naruto for me for a while."

Eiji froze. Oh no. Why does that sound so ominous?

It sounded like he was entrusting Naruto to his care before dying.

Jiraiya gazed into the distance. "Once I've found the Child of Prophecy and captured Orochimaru, I'll return to the village and become a carefree old man."

Eiji was breaking out in a cold sweat. At that moment, Jiraiya was like an old general on a stage, covered in flags from head to toe.

Still, judging by the timeline, Jiraiya could live for several more years.

As long as the Akatsuki Organization was dealt with before then, everything would be fine.

"I'm off. Give my regards to the Old Man."

With that, Jiraiya walked away unsteadily.

Eiji quietly raised a middle finger.

What an irresponsible old bastard. What teacher teaches for one day, tosses over a book, and then walks away?

If this were modern society, I would have filed a million complaints against you by now.

I'll have your salary docked!

Jiraiya's departure did not cause any stir in Konoha.

Everyone continued living their own lives.

Everyone except Danzo.

Deep within the dim Root base, Danzo raised his single eye and coldly stared at the uninvited figure before him.

"Orochimaru, how dare you come to Konoha? Don't you know they're all searching for you?"

Orochimaru's figure slowly emerged from the shadows, his Golden Snake Eyes glittering with dangerous light.

"They're nothing but a bunch of self-important fools. Anyone capable of catching me has yet to be born."

Danzo did not argue with Orochimaru over that. Instead, he brought up the Wood Style he had been longing for.

"I spent so much money and obtained so many test subjects for you. Has the Wood Style Experiment still made no progress at all?"

Orochimaru shook his head. "The quality of the test subjects is far too poor. There's no point wasting time on them."

Danzo suddenly snorted. "That Uchiha who invaded Konoha wasn't your subordinate?"

At those words, Orochimaru was instantly furious.

Why was everything blamed on him?

It would have been one thing if Konoha knew nothing. Even Danzo was now pushing the blame onto him.

Idiots. Every last one of them!

"I'll say this one more time: that matter had nothing to do with me. If I had been operating behind the scenes, Konoha would have completely collapsed by now."

Danzo fell silent for a moment. Then he stopped dwelling on the matter and instead applied pressure.

"Hiruzen's trust in me is already far weaker than before. You must hurry and obtain what I want!"

Orochimaru slowly ran his tongue over his lips, revealing a greedy and sinister smile.

"Kill Uchiha Eiji for me and bring me his body intact. Perhaps then there will be hope of obtaining what you want."

Danzo's eyes widened. "What do you mean, kill Uchiha Eiji?"

"Orochimaru, are you out of your mind?"