The Three Great Sage Lands of the Shinobi World—Mount Myoboku, Ryūchi Cave, and Shikkotsu Forest—seemed to exist apart from the world, yet they kept a close eye on it at all times.
Aside from humans, their inhabitants were the most powerful intelligent beings in the Shinobi World.
The Sarutobi Clan's monkey Summoning Beasts were quite powerful too, but when it came to Senjutsu, they still fell a little short.
Of the three, Mount Myoboku kept the closest watch on the human world. There were countless shinobi who had turned into toad statues while training in Senjutsu.
Rikusei strongly suspected that the Great Toad Sage, who could see a thousand years into the future, was keeping close tabs on the current Shinobi World.
After all, he had known the whole script since the era of the Sage of Six Paths, and his Telescope Technique had broadcast quite a few iconic scenes.
Stepping over a dead tree lying across the path, Rikusei steadied the scroll on his back and called to the figure ahead, "Teacher, do you know the way?"
Madara turned at the question, shot him a cool glance, then continued walking.
Wasn't that obvious?
When Hashirama learned Senjutsu, Madara had asked him about it. He remembered the route to Shikkotsu Forest perfectly. Following him couldn't go wrong.
The two walked along the dirt path through the woods, when the repeated croaking of frogs from the roadside grass caught their attention.
There was no pond or stream nearby.
Rikusei stopped and eyed the rustling grass suspiciously. Have they come looking for us already?
A frog in a cloak hopped onto a rock, brushed the grass off his clothes, and twitched his long black-and-white eyebrows. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Fukasaku of Mount Myoboku. I'd like to invite you to Mount