In Konoha, listening to the intelligence relayed by the scouts, Uchiha Mirai, sitting at the Hokage's desk, showed a look of astonishment.
The Kumogakure retreated completely, gathering up all the ninjas it had previously dispatched. The entire village was sealed off, seemingly cutting off all contact with the outside world.
This is unprecedented in the history of the Ninja World.
Uchiha Mirai frowned slightly.
The fact that Kumogakure is implementing a village lockdown policy at this time is quite suspicious.
As Five Great Shinobi Villages, Kumogakure is one of the strongest powers in the Ninja World. If the village were sealed off, the resulting losses would be terrifying.
Putting everything else aside, just the sheer number of ninja missions alone would yield astronomical rewards.
The fact that the Kumogakure gathers its Cloud Ninja are out on missions will inevitably lead to a significant decrease in the mission success rate.
What caused Kumogakure to make such an unwise decision?
Of course, it's also possible that the Kumogakure is currently facing internal and external troubles, as well as external threats from Konoha, so choosing to seal off the village to preserve its lineage is not impossible.
Uchiha Mirai's eyes flickered slightly.
This possibility is very low.
The reason is simple: the Kumogakure has never been a village that would willingly swallow its losses.
Having had so many dealings with the Kumogakure, he had a deep understanding of their way of dealing with Kumogakure.
It can be summed up in four words.
Just do it!
The name of the Cloud Ninja Barbarians is known throughout the Ninja World.
To get them to back down voluntarily, we need to adopt a decision like sealing off the village—a move that clearly shows weakness or even surrender.
Uchiha Mirai believed the possibility was extremely low.
"It seems these guys have ulterior motives; are they plotting something?"
A faint smile played in Uchiha Mirai's eyes as she gazed out the window.
The Kumogakure's actions suggest they're planning something big.
He had no worries what the other party was planning.
When soldiers come, generals will block them; when water comes, earth will dam it.
Besides, he's someone who enjoys challenges.
The more thorough the preparations of the Kumogakure, the greater his interest became.
"It's time for the unchanging winds of the Ninja World to blow."
Just as Uchiha Mirai was expressing her amazement, the other Three Great Shinobi Villages in the Ninja World also received intelligence about the unusual activities of Kumogakure.
"What are those barbarians from the Cloud Ninja up to?"
In the Tsuchikage Office, Ōnoki's brows were furrowed, and his face was gloomy.
Unlike Konoha, Iwagakure and Kumogakure are mortal enemies.
The person who understands you best in this world is not your friend, but your enemy.
Having fought against Kumogakure for so many years, Ōnoki had long been deeply aware of his ambitious neighbor.
"Shutting down the village and holding out isn't like those barbarians; they're probably preparing something..."
Ōnoki's gloomy eyes flickered slightly.
Not long ago, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki of Kumogakure was captured by Konoha, and now Kumogakure has closed its doors?
He would never believe those barbarians would do it willingly.
But what exactly the other party was planning, Ōnoki had no idea.
Too many changes have occurred in the Ninja World during this period.
Ōnoki gazed out the window with a melancholy expression, looking out at the thriving Iwagakure.
The years of recuperation and development have allowed Iwagakure to gradually emerge from the shadow of the Third Great Ninja War, and the village is developing in a positive direction.
But now, Ōnoki sees a storm brewing in the bustling Iwagakure outside his window.
"The weather's about to change..."
Mount Myōboku.
As one of the Three Great Sage Lands in the Ninja World, Mount Myōboku possesses an aura of mystery that transcends the Ninja World itself.
The Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku, a legendary sage whose lifespan is unknown, is as famous as the White Snake Sage of Ryūchi Cave and the Slug Sage of Shikkotsu Forest.
However, he possessed an ability that neither of the other two immortals had.
A prophecy in a dream.
"Little Jiraiya, I recently had a strange dream."
The Great Toad Sage on the Taiseki pedestal, wearing a black academic cap and with a peculiar crystal sphere engraved with the word "oil" hanging around his neck, was gazing wistfully and with deep emotion at the white-haired man below.
"Strange dreams? Great Toad Sage, forgive my bluntness, but haven't you had enough strange dreams already?"
Jiraiya, and the Great Toad Sage summoned him in a great hurry—all for a dream?
"No, this time is different; it concerns the Child of Prophecy."
Jiraiya's pupils contracted slightly.
Child of Prophecy???
Long ago, when he first strayed into Mount Myōboku, he was burdened with the heavy responsibility of finding the Child of Prophecy.
Over the years, he has traveled throughout the mountains and rivers of the Ninja World in search of the Child of Prophecy.
"Toad Sage, your prophecy was that 'a boy with azure eyes would frolic with the nine- Tailed Beast in the forest.' Could it be that you have information about that boy with azure eyes?"
Jiraiya's voice trembled, tinged with excitement and anticipation.
Has he finally gotten any news after searching for so long?
"No."
The Great Toad Sage shook his head. His expression seemed to change at that moment, no longer the previous melancholy, but a solemn, petrified look.
"In my dream, the Ninja World underwent a complete transformation—no! Or rather, I can't even be sure if it was the Ninja World at all."
"The whole world has turned into a strange, grayish-brown planet, covered with indescribable, bizarre plants."
Jiraiya was shocked and immediately pressed for answers.
"What about the Child of Prophecy? Isn't he supposed to change the Ninja World?"
The Great Toad Sage's voice was bitter.
"In the new prophecy, there is no longer Child of Prophecy, only a gigantic lizard that blots out the sky..."