The World's Will Is Changing

"Besides me, who is the Hokage, who else can bear this anger?" Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed deeply, turning his head to look out the window, his gaze carrying a hint of unspoken meaning.

"But..." Orochimaru wanted to argue a bit more, but was interrupted by the old man's unquestionable tone.

"Alright Orochimaru, let's end the discussion here. Our relationship is far more than just teacher and student. I am the Hokage who carries the hopes of the Konoha people, and you are the supreme commander of the front lines. Do you understand?" Hiruzen Sarutobi said earnestly, tapping his pipe on the table.

"I understand, Teacher." Orochimaru nodded slightly.

"Well, there's no need to be so serious. You're a great hero. Show some corresponding spirit, you're a benchmark for the villagers now, set a good example."

Realizing the atmosphere had become a bit heavy, Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly tried to lighten the mood.

"It's just a false name. I'm only acting on the shoulders of countless comrades. If I fail, how can I face them?" Orochimaru shook his head and denied it.

"You, you're just too serious and too rigid. Learn more from Jiraiya's mindset, it will do you good." Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head, his tone full of helplessness.

"Regardless, you've made a great contribution this time. Everyone knows the importance of this battle. The Sand Ninja have gone too far, extending their reach to Mount Kikyo."

"One step further and it will be our homeland. Your victory in this battle has bought Konoha a rare chance to breathe. The Sand Ninja won't have the energy to launch another large-scale attack on us in a short period." Hiruzen Sarutobi said solemnly.

"This way, we can focus most of our energy on dealing with the Stone Ninja."

"It is my duty as commander to break the crisis for the village. There's nothing to it, Teacher." Orochimaru replied calmly to the old man.

"This is your only flaw, you don't fight for anything and you're too easygoing. You'll lose things this way." Looking at his indifferent disciple, the teacher, no longer in his prime, couldn't help but hold his forehead and smile wryly.

"By the way, has that brat Jiraiya sent back any information recently?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.

Whenever he thought of his unreliable disciple, Hiruzen Sarutobi would get a headache. He was one of the Sannin, a war hero, yet instead of developing the village and training new recruits, he believed a Great Toad Sage and ran off to find some so-called Child of Prophecy all over the world? His recklessness caused him to miss so many opportunities, even that child Tsunade...

"Sigh... this disobedient child." The old man let out a helpless sigh, feeling increasingly tired in body and mind.

"Uh, about Jiraiya, he did send back some information, but it's nothing major." Orochimaru thought for a moment before replying.

"Oh? Tell me about it." Hiruzen Sarutobi raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting Jiraiya to have any results.

"According to him, a few days ago while passing through the Land of Rain, he inadvertently heard about a new organization that had emerged within the Land of Rain, named 'Akatsuki'."

"It's an organization dedicated to strengthening the Land of Rain, improving the lives of its citizens, and reviving the country. They only operate within their own borders and have never made any moves to expand outwards. They pose no threat to Konoha."

Orochimaru recounted Jiraiya's intelligence verbatim.

"Hmm~ The Akatsuki organization... the Land of Rain..." Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly said after taking a deep drag from his pipe.

"Hanzō is also lucky. After the last Ninja World War, he overused his country's resources and the people's trust, yet an organization dedicated to the future of the Land of Rain still emerged. I can only say, as expected of the Land of Rain."

"It's truly remarkable for a small country to stand firm for so many years amidst the friction of being caught between great powers." Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head slightly, a hint of admiration in his tone.

"Teacher, besides that, Jiraiya also brought back some not-so... uh" Orochimaru's expression suddenly became strange, and he paused before continuing.

"Not-so-reliable news."

"Ha, it's the prophecy from that Great Toad Sage, isn't it?" The old man answered without thinking, clearly understanding his two disciples' temperaments perfectly.

"Hehe, Teacher knows best. It is indeed the Toad Sage's prophecy."

"And it's only one sentence."

"What sentence?" The old man raised his eyelids and pressed.

He said:

"The will of the world is changing."

"The will of the world is changing." The Great Toad Sage slowly said to Jiraiya below.

One day earlier, the wandering Jiraiya suddenly received a summons from Mount Myōboku. The two Toad Sages, Fukasaku and Shima, appeared simultaneously to explain the situation.

"You mean, the Great Toad Sage suddenly wants to see me? And he said there's an important prophecy he absolutely must tell me?" Jiraiya scratched his head in confusion.

"Yes, little Jiraiya. The Great Toad Sage personally entrusted us to inform you, which means the matter is very serious." Shima said solemnly, wanting Jiraiya to understand the gravity of the situation.

"Is that so? Then there's no time to delay, let's return to Mount Myōboku now."

"Reverse Summoning Technique!"

A moment later, beside the Toad Oil Waterfall on Mount Myōboku, inside a massive temple.

Several large toad oil lamps flickered with a dim yellow light, illuminating the space within the hall.

Upon entering, the first thing one saw was the huge lotus pedestal inscribed with the character "Sage". Seated on the pedestal was the Great Toad Sage.

Looking at the colossal figure above, Jiraiya couldn't help but exclaim.

"Even though it's not the first time I've seen it, I'm still shocked."

"I can only say, as expected of one of the three great Sage Lands."

"You've arrived, little Jiraiya..." Just as Jiraiya was sighing, the Great Toad Sage seated on the lotus pedestal opened a sliver of his eyes and slowly spoke.

"I have come upon hearing your summons, Great Toad Sage." Jiraiya said respectfully.

"Is there an important prophecy you wish to tell me this time? It's been a long time since you last gave me information about the Child of Prophecy..."

"Is that so... I feel like I just took a nap; has that much time already passed?" the Great Toad Sage said, propping open his half-closed eyelids and speaking slowly, his tone carrying a sense of ancient weariness.

"In my last dream, I saw that indistinct figure, the legendary Child of Prophecy, the one who could change this Ninja World." As he spoke, the Great Toad Sage tilted his head back, his gaze seeming to pierce through Mount Myōboku and reach the Ninja World, as if he could see the Ninja World struggling in the mire, battered by war.

"Yes, it was precisely because of your prophecy last time that I set out to find that legendary Child of Prophecy, but... some mistakes were made, and it ended up unresolved for now." Jiraiya's voice was low, his gaze dimmed considerably, as if recalling something he'd rather not mention.

"Indeed, the Ninja World at that time truly only needed one Child of Prophecy to change it," the Great Toad Sage said with regret.

"What do you mean? What do you mean 'the Ninja World at that time'? Great Toad Sage, has the Ninja World undergone some other change?!" Jiraiya pressed urgently.

"Not long ago, I once again glimpsed a corner of the future in a dream. The Ninja World then will be completely different from now..." As he spoke, the Great Toad Sage's gaze suddenly became profound, and a light flickered in his cloudy eyes.

"Sun and moon guard, stars bow in deference. High above the Ninja World, an indistinct figure sits enthroned."

"I can feel it; the Ninja World is speaking to me." The Great Toad Sage suddenly opened his eyes.

"What did it say?!" Jiraiya hastily asked.

Then, in the next second, a cold voice rang out.

"The will of the world is changing..."