The Great Escape from Mount Myōboku

Jiraiya had only just come to his senses when Sage Fukasaku appeared before him.

"Jiraiya, you're here."

"You're the one who dragged me here out of nowhere, but you're acting like you've been waiting forever." Jiraiya dusted himself off and complained loudly, "Boss Fukasaku, why did you summon me in such a hurry? I've got important business to take care of."

"I'll keep practicing Senjutsu once I reach my destination and get settled."

Years of experience had worn away Jiraiya's youthful impatience. He knew mastering Sage Mode took steady work. Rushing would get him nowhere.

Since there was no hurry, he had grown lazy about it and left the task of mastering Sage Mode to his middle-aged self.

"Of course there's something important! But I'm not the one who wants you. The Great Toad Sage asked me to summon you at once."

"The Great Toad Sage?"

Jiraiya's expression sharpened. Dropping his carefree manner, he followed Sage Fukasaku quickly into the depths of the hall.

Ignorance made people fearless.

The closer Jiraiya came to mastering Sage Mode, the better he understood the toads' reverence for the Great Toad Sage.

His power truly surpassed imagination.

The man and the toad entered the hall.

Sage Fukasaku hopped in front of the Great Toad Sage. "Great Sage, little Jiraiya is here."

"So you've come, Jiraiya—"

Those few words stirred something in Jiraiya's heart.

He sensed at once that the Great Toad Sage was different today.

Usually, the Great Toad Sage was drowsy and half-asleep, his eyes half-lidded and his manner languid. He often mumbled, sometimes even pretending he couldn't tell who had come. But now, the thousand-year-old founder of Mount Myōboku had clear eyes and seemed remarkably alert.

That should have been a good thing.

Yet an unsettling thought flashed through Jiraiya's mind.

As