With this new change, my friend definitely won't be able to leave today!
He had already discerned the seriousness of the matter from the Great Toad Sage's attitude.
Once the teacher finishes speaking with the students... they will definitely call a meeting and come up with a solution!
Jiraiya's reaction.
This piqued Orochimaru's curiosity!
It seems the message my friend brought back today is more than just defeat.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to say it with such confidence.
If you want me to stay!
Orochimaru's yellow vertical pupils narrowed slightly, and he silently followed Jiraiya's steps.
This guy has completely changed his usual ways.
And now that they've returned, they're not even trying to hide the information?
As he marveled at how much his friend had grown since they last met, his heart sank.
Because even close friends didn't hide the news of the defeat, they recklessly passed it on to those who were interested in the matter.
This proves that the information they brought back was truly astonishing!
Or rather, bad enough!
Silently, I followed the footsteps ahead and left the small ditch beneath the stone sculpture.
Walk onto the Stone Slab path specially paved by Konoha!
He ignored the changing expressions of the passing Ninja after they saw the person ahead.
Orochimaru's mind raced as he analyzed what Jiraiya had brought back!
There's no way around it; he's destined to be the top scientist among future Ninja.
Sufficient curiosity and a thirst for knowledge are the driving force behind scientists!
This thing has absolutely nothing to do with gossip.
" Jiraiya's armor is covered in wounds; he has returned in a sorry state and is heading towards the Hokage Building!"
This brief message came from the mouth of the first Ninja to see the two.
It quickly spread among all kinds of people!
If one side returns alone and in a sorry state, then the outcome for the other side goes without saying.
Although no specific intelligence has been received from the Front Line.
But the Senju, the neutral Shinobi Clan, and the Hokage's side.
Each company is now carefully laying the groundwork for their actions!
We left Ryūchi Cave.
Following the guidance of Tagorihime!
The green-skinned, white-haired Fukasaku embarked on his journey once again.
We walked along the dark passage.
After spending roughly the same amount of time, they emerged from the tunnel.
Then it saw the underground world before it, radiating various dim lights!
Looking around, I didn't find any landmarks like Ryūchi Cave.
Fukasaku could only leap towards a large mushroom in front of him, fueled by Chakra.
"Bang!"
The tiny Toad landed, sending the dust around the mushroom flying into the sky.
Before it could search Fukasaku, a gentle female voice sounded from beside it, " Toad, what are you doing in the Shikkotsu Forest?"
The sudden sound startled Fukasaku, Fukasaku to tremble involuntarily!
It had clearly carefully sensed its surroundings before emerging from the tunnel and not seeing any signs.
In its perception, there was no sign of life around it!
It had barely taken a step when the voice rang in its ear.
Although I knew the Shikkotsu Forest was eerie, this is no excuse to scare Toad like this!
It quickly raised its upper hand to prove it meant no harm, and replied loudly, "I Fukasaku of Mount Myōboku, sent by order to pay my respects to the Shikkotsu Forest in Katsuyu Sage."
"I was just arriving and didn't see the sign. Please forgive me if I have been rude!"
The Toad died today, and now we're arriving at the killer's lair.
This is why it is so pragmatic and wise.
Previously in Ryūchi Cave, even though Tagorihime wanted to attack it.
But once it revealed its identity, it was immediately safe!
Even her departure was escorted by Tagorihime.
This is a place without cold, dampness, or drooling beasts.
But this place was actually the most dangerous part of its journey.
If the Katsuyu really won't open, it will definitely be willing to attack itself!
After all, killing one Toad is killing, and killing two is just a change in quantity!
Although in terms of the food chain, the relationship is Mole - Toad -snake.
But in this world where there is Chakra and Natural Energy!
The food chain, in most cases, doesn't really mean anything!
They received a reply from this unexpected intruder.
In this once quiet underground world, Fukasaku's surroundings instantly erupted into a frenzy.
Nearly ten thousand blue Mole, each about one centimeter in size, quickly crawled toward the vicinity.
Then Fukasaku into those fearful eyes!
Instead of attacking, the Mole quickly assembled together!
" Toad, what did you send me here for?" asked Blue-and-White Insects made up of thousands of tiny worms, waving its two antennae.
Upon hearing this, Fukasaku quickly suppressed his fear.
He reached into his trench coat on the left side and pulled out a letter with his right hand!
It replied with even greater respect than when it had met the White Serpent: " Fukasaku of Mount Myōboku greets the Katsuyu Sage!"
"I am here on the orders of the immortals to deliver this letter and bring back your reply."
There's no way around it; one's just trying to scare the Toad, and the other actually knows how to kill Toad.
Just like the difference between this sentence and "meeting the White Snake"!
As an ancient Toad had lived for eight hundred years, it knew very well what it should do!
Seeing the green Toad cautiously perched on the mushroom, the small Katsuyu shook its antennae.
Two more Katsuyu, each two meters tall, then appeared around them.
The two of them crawled forward, took the envelope, and handed it to the Katsuyu that was in charge.
After the Katsuyu, who was in charge, finished reading.
Its antennae began to twitch faster!
After a long while, the Katsuyu, being the master, nodded slightly, and the gentle female voice rang out, "Tell the Toad that I agree!"
"Yes, Katsuyu Sage, Fukasaku will return now to convey your message to the sage!"
The hand that had previously held up the envelope came together in a gesture of respect. After straightening up, the white-haired, green-skinned Fukasaku confirmed that there were no objections from the other side.
It quickly mobilized its Chakra and jumped towards the exit!
Wait until the outsiders leave.
The three giant Katsuyu immediately split apart and reverted to their original forms!
After the crawling sounds ended, the underground world near the passage returned to silence.
At the heart of the underground world!
A blue Mole that had filled the entire space resumed its activity and continued to split its body.
Shikkotsu Forest is almost full!
Before that, it still wanted to wait.
Because we have to wait until we finish talking to that person!
Only then can it make the most correct choice!
The benefits and solutions offered by the Toad.
That's a short-sighted solution!
If you want to grow, or rather, if you don't want to starve.
Therefore, growth cannot be stopped!
In this situation, the best solution is to reach an agreement.
This is at least the second time in a thousand years that it has seen someone capable of solving its own problems!
It doesn't want to wait until the next millennium!
Because it can't be sure if it will have the chance to meet such a suitable person again in the future!
The snake was unaware of its own problem.
That guy's just good at fighting.
The Toad knew this perfectly well, because Toad have the ability to foresee the future!
But the Toad still sent people!
Besides being a test, this also meant that the Toad had left a loophole for cooperation.
Only in this way can the two sides avoid a complete and irreconcilable conflict!
But... do I really have a chance to turn around now?
Konoha.
Inside the top-floor office of that building, which resembled a rice cooker.
I sat opposite that large desk, which was piled high with File.
Still wearing his armor, Jiraiya Sarutobi's request, reported on the battlefield situation using a map, "Since yesterday, the area around Kisen Island has been experiencing severe weather, which reached its worst point this morning."
"With coordinated attacks both inside and outside Senju Island, they destroyed our observation points and key nodes within the island. Based on this intelligence, we deduced that Senju was about to make a move, so we dispatched our forces to the selected battlefield to prepare!"
"The enemy first attacked from the air with a single Wood Release user, and I chose to stay above and deal with them alone."
"Immediately afterwards, the enemy used the weather to create waves from a distance. Wood Release blasted the only entrance and laid a delaying lightning array. At that time, the waves were about forty meters high. The lower-ranking ninjas chose to join me Jonin blocking them, while the middle and Genin retreated to avoid the first wave and then organized the battle."
"It could be blocked by High-Level Ninjutsu Wood Release ninjutsu, leaving the chunin Genin with insufficient time to retreat."
"After the waves came, most of the Merchant Ninja and their Large Unit of Genin were rendered incapable of fighting by the impact of the waves. The enemy ships entered and began to harvest the enemy's supplies, and I then arranged for them to organize a retreat."
"But I couldn't stop the Jonin team, nor could I defeat the Wood Release. In fact, due to the arrival of subsequent Wood Release reinforcements, I had no choice but to retreat!"
"I have no idea what the current evacuation situation is on the island...!"
As he shared key information, he pointed to the map to help the two understand today's battle more clearly.
When it came to what happened next, Jiraiya didn't know what to say!
After all, he, as the Large Unit, fled first, and he did so without even knowing the situation of his men.
This... is really hard to accept!
But that was the situation at the time; one link in the chain collapsed, and the enemy began to play their game.
Then it will be an unstoppable collapse!
After hearing Jiraiya's description, neither of them knew what to say for a moment.
The teams are Fifty-Fifty; one side is stronger and the other has more players!
Furthermore, the stronger side was the attacker, so logically the fight shouldn't have ended like this.
The choice of Wood Release is indeed frustrating; weakening the opponent's weather is one aspect, but exploiting the weather for attacks is another.
You could even say that even if someone's plan has a hiccup, they can still increase their chances of winning by one or two levels by taking advantage of the weather!
However, if the Wood Release plan could have been stalled even a little, Jiraiya wouldn't have lost so badly!
Orochimaru shook his head slightly; he didn't approve of many of his friend's decisions.
Although this decision seems to have no problem.
However, the choice of friends always conflicts with the role of the commander!
Furthermore, in several instances, the friend's decisions were too rigid and indecisive!
If he reached the point where he could no longer stop the waves.
So what's the point of fighting?
Just let the summoned beasts attack the main force as much as possible, then lead the rest of the group and leave!
In this way, most of the elite ninjas at the middle, Special Jonin, and Jonin can be protected.
As for those who were trapped but didn't die after being swept away by the water...
Who told them to be so weak they couldn't even stop the water?
After listening to his disciple's account, Hiruzen Sarutobi his pipe, took a few deep drags, and said, " Jiraiya, this battle wasn't entirely wrong, but it wasn't entirely right either!"
"I didn't expect the enemy to use the weather like that, but it's not a big problem!"
"But what's wrong with retreating a bit in such obviously unfavorable weather?"
"Remember, when you're at a disadvantage and there's nothing you can do to change it, why not lower your expectations for the battle a bit?"
"You must... and you must remember that you are the commander, not a lone wolf."
"Therefore, in many cases, some enemies can be completely dealt with by your subordinates. If you're worried that one person isn't enough, then use two or three. But the commander should never be easily replaced by someone else!"
"Because the others are on the offensive, the remaining enemy forces simply need to execute the plan. But you are on the defensive, so dealing with more issues requires command and coordination!"
He really wanted to say the truth directly, "You need to know that the other side is Shinobi Clan and we are Commoners. It's profitable for us to be worn down. You're just using Wood Release to say so much because you don't want to waste your energy."
But if the opponent were Orochimaru, this disciple would definitely understand his thoughts.
Because they can see the problem from a higher perspective!
It's like the choice between saving one person or saving five.
They only consider things from their own self-interest, deciding which side is more in their best interest.
Instead of the so-called right or wrong!
But Jiraiya is the kind of person who likes to choose right from wrong!
This prevented him from saying those words.
Others can say what they want, but Jiraiya can figure it out for himself!
But these words just can't come out of his mouth!
After briefly explaining Jiraiya's problem, Hiruzen Sarutobi put it out of his mind.
It's just a minor setback, a power struggle between small groups; this problem isn't easily solved!
And there's still a chance to snatch it back later!
So he exhaled a puff of smoke and asked, "You said something important happened earlier, can you tell me now? What is it?"
Previously Jiraiya would always report something important as soon as he arrived.
But upon learning that there was no rush, he chose to listen to the situation on the battlefield first!
After hearing about the battlefield, he realized that some things couldn't be explained clearly, so he lost interest in paying attention to them anymore!
The teacher asked me what I had initially wanted to report.
Jiraiya, who had been reflecting on his actions after being criticized, immediately Jiraiya and solemnly said, "Master, the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku wishes to meet you!"
"Hmm?" Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was smoking, looked at the person opposite him with some confusion.
That disciple from the Sacred Land just signed, and he's incredibly arrogant!
Why do you suddenly want to see me now?
Orochimaru, who was also a contracted member of the Sacred Land, was also somewhat surprised by these words.
Because he was very familiar with the rules of the Sacred Land.
Besides those going to sign the contract, who else wants to go?
That's out of the question; signing a contract with Ryūchi Cave is either a death sentence or a gamble.
Want to bring someone along? It's already considered polite if they don't just eat what you bring on the spot!
Noticing their surprise, Jiraiya didn't give them a chance to ask questions and continued, "Just before we returned from our defeat today, the Great Toad Sage woke up!"
"It told me that the previous prophecies were wrong, and someone who shouldn't have appeared had appeared."
"That person brought endless war to the Shinobi World, and the Shinobi World has completely lost hope for the future."
"Even Mount Myōboku has been affected and is in ruins, which means that a war of life and death is about to begin."
"So it wants to meet you!"
Upon hearing Jiraiya's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi, dressed in Hokage robes and wearing a red straw hat, frowned and his face darkened.
Today we suffered such a defeat, and instead of thinking about how to improve, we're not reflecting on how to do better.
Instead, the important thing being reported—what kind of bizarre prophecy is this?
And you still have to go see that mystical Toad yourself?
Is he very free and idle all day?
This disciple went to Mount Myōboku right after signing the contract.
After they came back, they started talking about prophecies, like blue eyes bringing peace and all that!
Now the Toad prophecy has changed again, and it's escalated to a matter of life and death?
The never-ending war—when has it ever stopped in the past thousand years?
"Life or death"? When has a loss never been a matter of life or death?
He disliked and distrusted the initial prophecy very much.
And this prophecy goes without saying!
It could even be said that this prophecy is full of flaws!
Living in the Shinobi World, you always have to rely on the sword and blade in your hand.
If prophecies were useful, why would everyone be fighting tooth and nail to get them?
Why not just wash your neck clean and wait for the Child of Prophecy to kill you?
Regardless of right or wrong, or strength, just look at whether the prophecy says you deserve to die.
If you can believe this stuff, then you might as well believe that since we're all going to the Pure Land anyway, everyone should just stop fighting and arguing!
Since we're all going to die anyway, what's the point of arguing, right?
I noticed the change in the teacher's mood.
I know the teacher really dislikes this kind of mystical stuff!
"Ahem!" Orochimaru, who had been watching the show from the sidelines, coughed lightly and interjected, " Jiraiya, the Great Toad Sage Orochimaru the future."
"Does it make any more specific predictions?"
Meeting Jiraiya's questioning gaze, Orochimaru's cool voice rang out, prompting, "For example, who is the one who brought trouble?"
"Or what forces? Who fought whom in the war?"
How cruel is the loss of hope?
Did it provide any information similar to this?
My friend was so certain that he wouldn't be able to leave today.
He thought it was something important!
But who would have thought it would be some kind of prophecy?
For him, prophecy and such were irrelevant.
He shares the same attitude as the teacher: he dislikes and disbelieves!
If he believes in prophecies, does that mean his parents died in the war, and therefore they deserve to die?
Isn't this because the parents lacked the power to protect themselves?
From this perspective, he really disliked so-called prophecies!
But the teacher was a little angry because she heard her friend take this so seriously.
So if he didn't come to interrupt and ease the tension between the teacher and his friend, who else could?
Upon hearing Orochimaru's questions, Jiraiya nodded and then shook his head, saying, "There is a definite person. The person the Great Toad Sage mentioned who shouldn't be here is Senju Wood Release."
"But the other detailed letters...!"
"What?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi, whose face had been grim, listened to the exchange between Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
He quickly asked to confirm, "You mean, the person in the prophecy is Uka Senju?"
Looking at the teacher who confirmed and the friend who nodded.
Orochimaru couldn't help but lower his head and grin.
Why wasn't this crucial information shared sooner!
If you had said so earlier, would the teacher have been unhappy?
The prophecy is something most people don't believe, but those who do clearly want to cooperate.
This kind of information... Orochimaru sighed helplessly in his heart!
He saw the disciple opposite him nod in confirmation of his question.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a casual puff of his pipe and said, "That Great Toad... the sage, the person it prophesied was Senju's Wood Release: Uka."
"The prophecy says that the Senju brought about an endless war, Shinobi World lost all hope."
" Mount Myōboku is ruined because of this person, and now you want to meet me, right?"
"Yes, teacher!" Jiraiya nodded in confirmation.
"Smack!"
With his free hand lightly tapping the table, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression brightened, and he asked, "When will we meet?"
"Hurry up, Great Toad..."
"Since it's such a rush, let's not wait any longer." Having confirmed the information Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted Jiraiya's "What a Great Toad!" and stood up, saying, "Let's go, I'll take care of something, and then you can take me there!"
After Jiraiya named that person...
He felt there was nothing wrong with believing in prophecies!
The current public opinion is definitely going to turn against the Thousand Senju, which is poised to begin.
And now, such a reason has come knocking on our door.
Wouldn't that solve the problem perfectly?
Our side has achieved the peaceful elimination of evil!
Those who believe will naturally come; those who don't believe will remain neutral or turn against Senju!
Without this readily available excuse, the number of people who would side with Senju would not be small after being impacted by this wave of public opinion.
With this thing, we can at least salvage some of the situation.
Furthermore, Mount Myōboku even stated that it itself was destroyed by Wood Release!
Wouldn't it be perfect to discuss bringing Mount Myōboku into our camp as well?
He remembered Jiraiya saying that there were a great many Toad on Mount Myōboku!
Most of them still possess various abilities and strengths.
Isn't this a free benefit that increases our strength?
Of course, the extent of these benefits depends on how much Mount Myōboku actually believes in prophecy!
But as for the source of the prophecy, it should be based on what Jiraiya said.
Even if we don't have to recruit everyone, surely it wouldn't be too difficult to get a Jonin to sign a contract, obtain a Sacred Land Scroll, and find Toad summoning beast?
If they can't even do this, does Mount Myōboku have the right to make prophecies?
He believed all the prophecies!
Mount Myōboku should at least provide some source for its prophecies to avoid appearing desolate, right?
Although we haven't seen that Great Toad yet.
But in his mind, Hiruzen Sarutobi had already started tying a napkin around his neck and picking up his knife and fork, fully prepared to savor the delicious food!
Seeing the teacher's two contrasting attitudes and Jiraiya's somewhat bewildered expression.
Even Orochimaru, who was watching from the side, couldn't help but pinch his philtrum.
He hadn't laughed for years, and he didn't want to break his composure because of these two people!
He had already discerned some of the teacher's personality.
He was the complete opposite of his idealist friend!
Yet these two always manage to stand on the First Shinobi World War for some inexplicable reason!
That's something I really admire...
" Orochimaru, don't leave today!" Hiruzen Sarutobi of his pipe after leaving his desk and instructed his disciple, "Stay in the office, or go find Shinnosuke and hang out for a while!"
"If you're in a hurry, you can send your men back with the items to deliver the message."
Upon hearing this, Jiraiya had his back to the teacher, gave his friend a wink.
It's as if he's saying whether what he said before was right or wrong; if he doesn't want you to leave, he definitely won't let you leave!