The Great Toad Sage's Origins; the Era Tree Traverses Time and Space

The Great Toad Sage's Origins; the Era Tree Traverses Time and Space. Above a dense forest at the border of the Land of Demons.

Jiraiya was speeding along with the Body Flicker Technique, his white hair streaming in the wind.

He was considering how he should broach the subject after meeting Chiyo. After all, the Great Toad Sage's prophecy and request were no trivial matter.

Suddenly, the space before him rippled without warning, like a stone cast into a tranquil lake.

The next moment, a dark figure stepped out of thin air and landed steadily atop a treetop, robes fluttering. It was Chiyo Uchiha.

He had appeared so abruptly, as though he had been standing there all along. His aura blended into heaven and earth; if not for the naked eye, his presence was nearly impossible to detect.

Jiraiya abruptly stopped and landed on the branch of another great tree. Looking at Chiyo, whose aura had become increasingly unfathomable, he could not hide the shock in his eyes.

He had long known that Chiyo's strength was terrifying, but personally witnessing the manner in which he had arrived still sent a chill through his heart.

This was definitely not an ordinary Body Flicker Technique. It was more like...

He had directly crossed space?

"Jiraiya."

Chiyo spoke first. His voice was calm, without any pleasantries between old acquaintances, going straight to the point.

"What do you want with me?"

Jiraiya composed himself. The frivolous expression on his face vanished, replaced by seriousness.

He took a deep breath and spoke in a low voice.

"Chiyo, I came back this time at the Great Toad Sage's request. He wants you to go see him."

"The Great Toad Sage?"

Chiyo raised an eyebrow slightly. Naturally, he was no stranger to that name—the founder of Mount