In the empty mindscape, an unknown amount of time had passed.
"...Indra's reincarnation has yet to mature, so-Jiraiya, I leave all of this to you."
The Sage of Six Paths' voice echoed through the vast emptiness, carrying a steadiness tempered by the passage of countless years.
"Only love can make all of this possible. Only love can bring true peace to the entire Ninja World-Jiraiya."
His figure slowly grew transparent, its edges blurring like a painting gradually scattered by the wind. Starting at his feet, the fading spread upward, merging him little by little into the boundless void.
The nine black Truth-Seeking Orbs began to dissolve as well. Each lost its luster before crumbling into fine motes of light, drifting slowly in every direction like ashes scattered by the wind.
Jiraiya stood on the water, watching the Sage of Six Paths gradually disappear.
The entire void returned to its empty silence. The ripples on the water slowly settled, leaving only Jiraiya's reflection and the grayish-white, starless sky overhead.
Jiraiya stood there, his breathing a little steadier, going back over every word he had just heard.
The stories of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, and Hamura Ōtsutsuki, and the entanglement between the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan.
Then there was love. The Sage of Six Paths' guidance was more like a key that had just been placed in his hand; he would have to find the matching lock himself.
He slowly opened his eyes.
The air of Mount Myōboku flooded his senses once more.
The damp scent of moss, the roar of a distant waterfall, the drip of water along the cavern walls-everything was back to normal, as though he had never left.
He sat cross-legged on the stone platform in the center of the great hall. Before him was the