Great Toad Sage

Kazashiro met the Great Toad Sage for the first time.

This old Toad, said to have lived since the time of the Sage of Six Paths, is now lying on its seat with its eyes closed, just like a human.

It took the two immortals, Fukasaku and Shima, a great deal of effort to revive this great immortal.

"Arno... Ah, you must be Xiao Kazashiro..."

With Fukasaku's prompting, the Great Toad Sage accurately pronounced Kazashiro's name.

Jiraiya was speechless. This immortal could actually pronounce Kazashiro's name correctly, but why was it that when it came to Jiraiya himself, his name was always called strange nicknames like "Perverted Jiraiya" or "Jirai-iro".

"It is I."

Seeing Jiraiya kneeling respectfully on one knee, Kazashiro did not do the same. Instead, he stood upright with his hands behind his back.

"Hey, Fifth Generation, isn't that a bit too rude?"

Jiraiya's complaints reached Kazashiro's ears, startling him.

Had I gotten carried away? How could I have Jiraiya that old lecher Jiraiya calling someone rude?

It's clear that this renowned hero of the Shinobi World truly respects the Toad of Mount Myōboku.

However, Kazashiro wasn't buying it.

What he hates most is when others use prophecy to bind someone's entire life.

"I've heard that the Great Toad Sage can foresee the future, so I've come specifically to seek his guidance."

Kazashiro ignored Jiraiya and instead took a step forward, looking up at the Great Toad Sage.

"Ha, ha, ha, Jiraiya, you've brought along a fine junior..."

Kazashiro's words did not displease the Great Toad Sage. On the contrary, he praised Jiraiya, who had brought Kazashiro, and then looked at Kazashiro.

The atmosphere suddenly fell silent.

Looking into the other person's large eyes, Kazashiro unconsciously became nervous.

This silence lasted for a long time.

"Zzz..."

Until snoring came from the sage's mouth.

Good grief, you're asleep, aren't you?!

Kazashiro's face darkened, and he looked away.

"Hey, old man, how come you just fell asleep like that?" Elder Shima's temper was as fiery as ever, and he shouted loudly.

"Ah, sorry, sorry, hahaha, Kazashiro and Hao Se are the same, right..." The Great Toad Sage suddenly woke up and laughed somewhat embarrassedly.

"It's Jiraiya..." Jiraiya was speechless.

"Little Kazashiro, I cannot foresee your future, perhaps because your origin does not come from this world..."

The Great Toad Sage's words sent a chill down Kazashiro's spine.

This was something even the Slug Sage hadn't noticed, yet this seemingly charlatan Great Toad Sage actually...

"I saw some blurry fragments in my dream, um, it was a place completely different from the Shinobi World..."

The Great Toad Sage carefully recalled the contents of his dream, but was somewhat unsure whether what he had seen was real.

"It was my rudeness."

Kazashiro lowered his head.

This encounter convinced him that this immortal was indeed not to be underestimated.

Jiraiya looked at Kazashiro with a puzzled expression; he couldn't understand the true meaning behind the words spoken by the Great Toad Sage.

Or rather, he dared not imagine the deeper meaning behind it.

"You want to learn the Senjutsu of Mount Myōboku, right? That's good. Facing those enemies, Senjutsu will be your greatest asset." After saying this, the Great Toad Sage lowered his eyelids again, and his tone became somewhat ethereal.

"Go, once you have finished cultivating the Mount Myōboku Senjutsu, a white snake will guide you to the last sacred land."

A soft snore came from the immortal's mouth again, but this time no one disturbed him.

"This is the first time in all these years that this senile old man has said so much."

Shortly after leaving the palace where the Great Toad Sage lived, Elder Shima began to complain.

"Hey, wife of the child, how can you call that man senile?!"

Fukasaku hurriedly covered Shima's mouth.

"Alright, go keep those two company. I need to prepare dinner. Oh, Jiraiya, remember to eat before you leave tonight."

"Ah, oh..." Jiraiya dared not disobey the other party's order and nodded with a mournful face.

"Um, I won't go..." Kazashiro weakly raised his hand. He really didn't want to experience eating bugs a second time.

What, you're asking where it was the first time?

Then you'll have to ask the hospitable Slug Sage.

Led by Fukasaku, Kazashiro arrived at an excellent location for cultivation.

"Since you've trained in Senjutsu, I don't need to go into detail about the precautions. Jiraiya, have this kid sign his name on the scroll."

Fukasaku's words signify that Mount Myōboku has fully accepted this new student.

After Kazashiro pressed his handprint on the scroll with his blood, Jiraiya put away the scroll and accompanied Fukasaku into the distance, leaving Kazashiro alone to comprehend it.

"Sorry, this kid has had a terrible personality since he was little."

The man and the Toad stopped a considerable distance from Kazashiro, Jiraiya hurriedly apologized.

"It's alright. Every prodigy has their own temperament. To be honest, I thought Minato was already the most talented ninja in the Shinobi World, but I didn't expect the Fifth Generation to be even more outstanding than him."

As Tsunade said, people are always very tolerant of geniuses.

Fukasaku didn't seem to mind Kazashiro's personality; instead, he praised the other's talent.

"To be honest, Jiraiya, I've heard about what's going on in the Shinobi World. You really should work on improving your Sage Mode; you can't always rely on the two of us."

"There's nothing I can do. To you two, I'm the same age I was when I mistakenly entered Mount Myōboku. I'll always be just a child." Jiraiya's answer was very open-minded. He was not cut out for Sage Mode, and he knew that better than anyone else.

"Speaking of which, didn't you recently take on a disciple named Obito? I think that kid has quite a bit of talent; perhaps we could let him give it a try."

Seeing Jiraiya's state, Fukasaku didn't say much and instead brought up Obito.

"Yes, I had the same idea. I'll find a chance to bring him over when I get back." Jiraiya nodded. Of the Three Great Sage Locations, only Mount Myōboku cared about the situation in the Shinobi World. The other two holy lands seemed to have no intention of getting involved in the world.

In particular, the mysterious Ryūchi Cave was one that Orochimaru had once pursued, but he was intimidated by its terrifying rules and was unable to take another step forward.

"In short, I'm entrusting this unruly Hokage to you. Although he can be quite sharp-tongued, this kid has a passionate heart and is an excellent ninja who would give his life for his comrades."

Jiraiya's expression turned extremely serious.

"Yes, I know." Fukasaku nodded, and the two of them simultaneously turned their gaze to Kazashiro in the distance.