Mount Myōboku
"Manji, you're here. Have those two aliens outside made any moves lately?"
A toad with white eyebrows hopped over to Manji.
White-Browed Toad
The one who actually controlled Mount Myōboku now.
At this point in the original story, the Great Toad Sage hadn't been born yet.
White-Browed Toad was also Manji's summoning beast.
"Yes. From what I know, those two aliens seem to have fallen out. I want to take this opportunity to see if I can deal with them."
Manji spoke in a low voice.
White-Browed Toad was one of his own; there was no need to hide anything.
"Is that so? But Manji, those two aliens are incredibly powerful, and the monster they have is terrifyingly strong."
"It'll probably be very difficult to get rid of them."
White-Browed Toad's expression turned grave.
Ever since the two aliens had descended, the toads, with their keen senses, had already sensed that they meant trouble.
"One of them, an alien named Kaguya, found me and wants to join forces to eliminate the other one, an alien named Isshiki."
"It'd be a hassle to explain everything, but you just need to trust me, White-Browed Toad."
Manji spoke slowly from his chair in the Toad Great Hall.
Manji knew it'd be too much trouble to explain, so he simply left all that out. He couldn't very well tell him that he knew the story because he'd crossed over from another world, could he?
"Manji, I trust you. You're the first human we at Mount Myōboku have truly trusted. You've been one of us for a long time."
White-Browed Toad spoke warmly.
"Right. White-Browed Toad, I came to ask if I could borrow a few things from you."
Manji got straight to the point.
White-Browed Toad immediately replied, "No need to be polite. You've been one of us for a long time. Treat Mount Myōboku like your own home. Take whatever you want!"
"Take it! Take whatever you like!"
"That's very kind of you..."
Manji smiled.
Manji was currently the only human at Mount Myōboku, and the first human to sign a contract with them.
So Manji was practically one of them~
I'm from Mount Myōboku, so speak Mount Myōboku to me!
"Great. I'd like a few Toad Talismans. Also, could you find me a few toads who can use sound-wave genjutsu? And does Mount Myōboku have any kind of treasure that can conceal someone's presence?"
Manji asked.
"Toad Talismans and sound-wave toads are easy!"
White-Browed Toad pulled several Toad Immortal Talismans from his mouth and handed them to Manji. "These are extremely precious. We can only make a few dozen a year, and I'm the only one at Mount Myōboku who can make them."
"Thanks!"
Manji took the Toad Immortal Talismans, smiling.
He remembered these things very clearly!
In the original story, the Sage of Six Paths had stabbed his younger brother straight through, then used a Toad Immortal Talisman to bring Hamura back from the brink of death.
It was practically an immortality totem.
And after Ōtsutsuki Hamura woke up, he'd even helped the Sage of Six Paths beat up Kaguya. That showed just how much senjutsu power these things contained!
After taking the Toad Immortal Talismans, Manji hurriedly tucked them into his clothes.
"As for a treasure or senjutsu that can conceal your presence, I really don't know..."
White-Browed Toad pondered for a moment, then said, "Let me check the scrolls!"
With that, White-Browed Toad leaped onto a huge bookshelf.
He pulled out a scroll even bigger than Manji!
Then he began poring over it carefully.
After a long while, White-Browed Toad let out an astonished cry!
"Wow! There really is one! The ancients weren't lying!"
"The wisdom of the Toad Ancestors is truly profound!"
White-Browed Toad hurried over to Manji, brimming with excitement.
Manji was surprised too. He'd only asked on a whim and hadn't expected there to be something after all.
But then again, it made sense.
Who knew how many years Mount Myōboku had been around?
And it was a native power of Earth. How could it not have a few unorthodox tricks?
"According to ancient texts, if you use flax grown on Mount Myōboku and combine it with Toad Oil and senjutsu, you can make a garment that conceals your presence and lets you blend in with your surroundings so that no one notices you."
"But keep in mind, this garment won't make you completely invisible. It only conceals your presence, like a chameleon in the human world. If your opponent has special ocular powers, or you walk right up to them, they can still see you."
White-Browed Toad cautioned him sternly.
Manji thought it over. Ōtsutsuki Isshiki probably wouldn't keep his Byakugan activated all the time, would he?
"Fine, that'll do. See how long it'll take you to make one for me."
Manji nodded, deciding that something was better than nothing.
"I'll try making one for you right now. I'll do my best to get it done."
White-Browed Toad replied.
"Sorry for the trouble. I'll come back to pick it up later."
Manji nodded slightly. Then he used the Summoning Jutsu to leave Mount Myōboku.
The next time he appeared, Manji was in a cave by the water.
He was also carrying several jars of fine liquor he'd brought from the human world.
The home of the Monkey Demon Clan.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's Enma, generations later, had signed a contract here.
A huge white-furred ape appeared in an instant!
"Isn't that Manji?"
"Weren't you getting along famously with those toads from Mount Myōboku? What brings you to my lousy place?"
White Ape King spoke with a mocking edge.
"Hahaha..."
Manji chuckled awkwardly.
There was a reason White Ape King treated him this way.
Originally, Manji could have chosen either the Mount Myōboku tradition or the Enma tradition.
But he'd chosen Mount Myōboku, one of the Three Great Sage Regions.
That was why White Ape King was always making snide remarks about him.
"White Ape King, it's been ages. Where have you been making your fortune lately?"
Manji gave an awkward laugh as he walked over, handing White Ape King the fine liquor he'd brought from the human world.
White Ape King's eyes lit up when he saw the liquor, and he took it at once!
Then he folded his arms and snorted. "Hmph. I could tell you, but you'd never come. You're always running off to that pile of toads."
"Let bygones be bygones. I'm here because I'd like you to help me with something..."
Manji walked over and patted White Ape King on the shoulder with a smile.
Isshiki's abilities were far too effective against ninjutsu. The only way to land effective attacks on him was with Taijutsu.
And the Monkey Demon Clan specialized more in physical combat.
That was why Manji had come to see them.
The two sat on stone seats and began to talk.
"Mm, what good liquor~"
After downing two or three cups, White Ape King looked at Manji.
"Oh?"
"You remembered me? Now you remember me?"
White Ape King raised an eyebrow at Manji.
Manji: "I did!"
White Ape King: "Too late!"
Even so, White Ape King had always been a loyal friend, and he still chose to help Manji.
"Go on, then. Who are we killing?"
White Ape King took another swig and spoke boldly.
Manji smiled and said cryptically, "What if I told you I wanted to take on those two aliens out there? Would you dare come with me?"
"Hahaha! Of course! Why wouldn't I?!"
"As long as they're alive, I'll even slay the gods for you!"
White Ape King's face flushed as he laughed heartily.
Manji raised an eyebrow. "Those aliens aren't ordinary. You know that."
"Haha, as it happens, I've fought that male alien before!"
White Ape King said smugly as he drank.
"What?! You fought Ōtsutsuki Isshiki?"
Manji was startled and hurriedly looked at White Ape King.
Seeing Manji's shocked expression,
White Ape King felt even more pleased with himself!
"Mm-hmm. Not only that, I fought that guy for three days and three nights. In the end, I just couldn't keep going, so I ran back to the Summoning Realm."
"That guy wasn't all that special, if you ask me. He still needs more training!"
After saying that, White Ape King drained another cup of liquor.
Before you continue