Shinobi World No. 1.
Autumn, Konoha Year 43.
Mount Myōboku.
A thin veil of mist always shrouded the sky here. Sunlight filtered through it, casting dappled light and shadow over enormous mushrooms and strange plants. The toads lived in their own world, some practicing ninjutsu, some meditating, and others chasing one another in play. This place was utterly different from the war-torn shinobi world, like a corner of another world, forgotten by time.
Minato Namikaze sat cross-legged on an ancient stone platform, his hands forming hand seals, his eyes closed in concentration. Around him, natural energy slowly gathered like invisible threads. He had already been here for seven days.
Seven days earlier, a giant toad had suddenly appeared outside the Hokage Office window at Konoha Headquarters, bringing a message from the Great Toad Sage: "Child of Prophecy, come to Mount Myōboku." Minato had not hesitated. He knew that the Great Toad Sage's prophecy was something his teacher Jiraiya had pursued all his life. And now, the "Child of Prophecy" in that prophecy seemed to point to him.
"Minato."
A deep voice sounded behind him.
Minato opened his eyes and turned his head. A giant toad wearing a short purple jacket, with a sword at his waist, stood behind him. His gaze was sharp and his expression stern. It was the Toad Sage Fukasaku.
"Lord Fukasaku."
Minato stood and bowed slightly.
"The Great Toad Sage wishes to see you."
Minato's breath caught slightly.
"Now?"
"Now."
Fukasaku turned and walked farther into the stone platform.
Minato followed him through patches of strange plants and around giant mushrooms, finally arriving before a dark cave. Deep inside, a massive figure was faintly visible-the Great Toad Sage, the founding ancestor of Mount Myōboku, a toad who had lived for over a thousand years. Its body