Mount Myōboku was the most pleasant of the Three Great Sage Locations in both scenery and climate.
Emerald trees swayed, mountain streams murmured, and sunlight danced across the crystal-clear water like scattered gems, glittering brilliantly.
Enormous mushrooms, strange vegetation, and massive stone pillars rising into the sky stood alongside huge frog statues lining the roads.
It truly had the air of a sacred land.
When Fukasaku and Shima appeared before Gamamaru, their expressions were still somewhat dazed, but they quickly understood what had happened.
Little Jiraiya was already dead...
The two frogs revealed sorrowful expressions at the same time, then looked toward Gamamaru, who remained seated in his place.
"Great Lord, Little Jiraiya, he..."
Gamamaru shook his head, cutting Fukasaku off. His always-closed eyes opened into narrow slits, revealing a hint of white that added a touch of ferocity to his normally benevolent appearance.
"Fukasaku, go retrieve the Sage's Talisman."
Fukasaku froze at those words. The last time the Sage's Talisman had been used was during the era of the Sage of Six Paths, wasn't it?
But he soon revealed a delighted expression.
"Great Lord, are we using it to save Little Jiraiya?"
Gamamaru still shook his head, denying Fukasaku's assumption. "Go, Fukasaku."
Gamamaru did not say it outright, but Jiraiya no longer had any use in Mount Myōboku's future arrangements. The Sage's Talisman was far too precious to be used on him.
A trace of disappointment flashed through Fukasaku's eyes when he heard Gamamaru's words, but he could neither question the Great Lord nor demand anything from him.
Fukasaku hopped toward the back mountain.
Gamamaru then looked at Shima, who was still nearby. "Shima, go to Mount Myōboku's Barrier Center. We'll need you to activate Mount Myōboku's barrier shortly."
Shima's expression changed as well. If retrieving the Sage's Talisman