"The one with the power to change the Ninja World... a person of miracles."
As the Great Toad Sage's words faded, the surrounding mist seemed to freeze for an instant.
Everyone turned toward Kou at once, surprise and confusion mingling in their eyes.
Kou pointed at himself, his expression calm. The light in his Six-Tomoe Rinnegan did not waver.
"By 'a person of miracles,' do you mean me?"
"Heh. Whether I do or not, don't you already know the answer?"
The Great Toad Sage spoke with a faint, unreadable smile.
His eyes were half-lidded as he gazed at Kou from beneath the shadow of his brow, that knowing smile still on his face.
Kou appeared calm, but his heart sank.
It would have been a lie to say he felt no unease meeting the Great Toad Sage, who had lived for a thousand years.
Even setting aside the sage's power and methods, those prophetic dreams that glimpsed the future were trouble enough.
Just how much does he know about me?
Kou stared impassively at the Great Toad Sage. A dark glint passed through his Rinnegan.
Did he foresee my future, or...
"Relax, Kou.
That damn toad is just trying to scare you. You don't need to take him so seriously."
The White Snake Sage spoke cheerfully at the sight of Kou's grave expression.
She patted Kou's shoulder with one plump hand, then curled her lip at the Great Toad Sage.
"The only useful thing about this old toad—those annoying prophetic dreams—stopped working ages ago.
These days, I bet he dreams of nothing but those disgusting bugs."
"...Heh. Still as sharp-tongued as ever, old friend."
The Great Toad Sage's face stiffened. Then he gave a helpless smile and addressed the others with a touch of melancholy.
"The big fat snake is