First Entry to Mount Myoboku!

Jiraiya stared at Sasuke with a grave expression.

This could be a big problem—or a small one.

The main thing was, even Gamabunta didn't know why he had been summoned.

Jiraiya had even asked Gamabunta to consult the Toad Sage.

Yet all he got in return was an answer of "unknown."

That only made Jiraiya more curious.

There was now a way to forcibly summon a summoned beast.

What about in the future?

Who could guarantee that someone wouldn't develop a way to forcibly control summoned beasts?!

Most importantly, this was the Uchiha!

Although Jiraiya believed the Uchiha hadn't been responsible for the Nine-Tails Rebellion, the higher-ups had been using it as an excuse to suppress the Uchiha for years.

If they really researched a Dojutsu that could control summoned beasts because of this...

And combined it with a way to summon them that ignored the rules, then...

"I don't know."

"I found this Card."

"When Orochimaru attacked me, this Card suddenly drew some of my chakra, and then a giant toad appeared..."

Sasuke cleared himself of any connection to the matter in a few quick words.

He shouldn't make the lie sound too practiced.

Besides, he was a five-year-old child. Who would doubt such a plausible lie?

"You found it?"

Jiraiya's mouth twitched. He suddenly felt rather unwell.

If Sasuke hadn't been so casual about it, Jiraiya might have had some doubts.

But...

This was so obviously made up on the spot that Jiraiya couldn't bring himself to suspect him in the slightest.

"Mm."

Sasuke nodded.

Judging by Jiraiya's reaction, he seemed to be out of danger for now.

All he needed to do next was find a way to keep Jiraiya by his side for a while.

After that, things would be simple...

"I need to verify what you've told me."

"Come with me somewhere. Do you dare?"

Jiraiya suddenly thought of a very effective way to test him.

Especially with a kid like this, whose resolve wasn't very firm yet. It could work wonders!

"I dare."

Sasuke nodded.

His eyes showed some confusion, but there was also a hint of determination.

"Good!"

"Let's go!"

Jiraiya finished speaking and reached out to grab Sasuke.

Then he unrolled the scroll on his back.

"Shhk!"

Jiraiya bit his finger and pressed it against the scroll.

"Poof!"

A cloud of white smoke rose, and Jiraiya and Sasuke disappeared.

Inside the Hokage Office.

In Fugaku Uchiha's study.

"Uchiha Sasuke was taken away by Jiraiya?!" [Hiruzen Sarutobi]

"Sasuke was taken away by Lord Jiraiya?" [Fugaku Uchiha]

One was shocked, the other confused.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was shocked because he wondered whether Jiraiya was planning to take Uchiha Sasuke as his student.

If so, some of his plans would have to change.

After all, with his connection to Jiraiya, Hiruzen Sarutobi could win the Uchiha's favor more easily.

Perhaps he could even do away with some of the other obstacles.

Fugaku Uchiha, meanwhile, was simply confused. He didn't know what Jiraiya was planning...

Inside Mount Myoboku.

Looking at the world around him, which seemed straight out of a fairy tale, Sasuke put on a curious expression.

Although he knew where he was, a five-year-old child still had to show some childish wonder.

"This is Mount Myoboku, one of the three great sacred places of the Ninja World."

"Gamabunta, whom you summoned before, is one of the toads who lives here."

"Come on. I'll take you to meet someone."

As Jiraiya spoke, he started walking.

Sasuke reluctantly pulled his curious gaze away and followed him.

At this point, Sasuke was a little nervous too.

Were they going to meet the Great Toad Sage?

That guy had been alive since the era of the Sage of Six Paths.

And Sasuke knew quite a lot about the Great Toad Sage.

He was a little worried the old toad might see through him with his ability to predict the future.

For now, though, he could only keep those worries to himself.

Soon, the two of them reached a Palace.

Two toads stood atop the statues in front of it.

Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima!

So they really were going to see the Toad Sage?

"Little Jiraiya, did you bring this kid here because of what happened last time?"

Sage Shima spoke.

"Yes."

"I still want the Toad Sage to take a look."

Jiraiya didn't deny it and stated his purpose plainly.

"Come in."

A deep, distant voice came from inside the Palace.

Just hearing it sent a tremor through Sasuke's mind.

It even felt as if the voice had reached into his soul.

"Let's go."

Jiraiya said two words and stepped into the Palace.

Sasuke couldn't move his feet.

A powerful pressure had enveloped him.

There was no doubt that the one releasing that pressure was the Toad Sage.

What was that old toad trying to do?!

Wouldn't it be better to go look for the Child of Destiny they were searching for?

If they really couldn't find him, Sasuke could tell them who it was. It was Naruto!

Why was the old toad trying to prove himself against him?!

The more Sasuke thought about it, the angrier he got.

If the giant toad Gamabunta hadn't saved him, Sasuke would probably have turned around and left.

"Thud!"

Gritting his teeth, Sasuke took a step forward.

It was only one step, but the pressure instantly intensified.

His head felt as if someone had struck it with a hammer.

"Huff... huff..."

Panting heavily, Sasuke slowly raised his head and stared at the Palace before him.

"Thud!"

Sasuke took another step.

This time, not only did the pressure grow stronger, but he also felt as if his soul were under attack.

He staggered and nearly fell down the steps.

Once he regained his balance, Sasuke continued upward.

Each step took several times longer than the last.

His breathing grew heavier and more ragged.

Pain showed on his face.

The only thing that remained unchanged was the determination in his eyes.

Inside the Palace, a huge screen showed Sasuke clearly.

"Little Jiraiya, when you first climbed these steps to the Palace..."

"You didn't make it up even one step."

"It took you five tries to manage the first step."

"And it took you a total of eight days!"

Before Sage Fukasaku could continue, Jiraiya recounted everything that had happened to him back then.

That was why Jiraiya now looked as if he'd seen a ghost.

Even if the Uchiha were geniuses, this was going too far!

Could you even call someone like that a genius?

He was practically a monster!