Under the tranquil moonlight, the courtyard of the Ten Family's old residence appeared exceptionally serene. However, this tranquility was shattered by a series of hurried footsteps. Tian Mai, stepping through the moonlight, rushed into the Ten Family's old residence like a whirlwind. Her figure appeared somewhat disheveled in the moonlight, her cloak was torn and askew, and her chest heaved violently, as if she had just experienced a long and arduous journey.
As she rushed into the courtyard, she found Tian Yueqing squatting in the center, placing a flower wreath on her eldest daughter Tian Yu. The moonlight, like water, shone on Tian Yueqing's red hair, making it shine like a burning flame. Hearing the noise, Tian Yueqing looked up, a bitter smile playing on her lips—a smile of helplessness and bitterness born of hardship. She asked softly, " Tian Mai, you're the first one back. Many important things have happened in the Shinobi World lately. Did you get any useful information from the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku?"
"Sister Yueqing!" Tian Mai ripped off her cloak and said urgently, " The Great Toad Sage used his Prophecy Technique to help me see the Mirai! The Prophecy Technique said that my husband will return to Konoha in five years!" Her voice trembled slightly, a result of excitement and anticipation. Her eyes shone with light, as if she had seen a glimmer of hope.
The wreath fell to the ground with a "thud," Tian Yueqing abruptly stood up, knocking over the bamboo basket beside her. The sound of shattering porcelain came from the corner of the courtyard. Hearing the commotion, Senju Ga, Dō Senju, and Gi Senju rushed out from their respective rooms. Senju Ga held a broom, Dō Senju held a rolling pin, and Gi Senju clutched unfinished dumpling wrappers. Their faces were filled with astonishment and urgency; they were deeply shaken by Tian Mai's words after learning that Tsubasa would return to Konoha in five years.
"What did you say? Say it again! It's so good that Tsubasa is really alright," Senju Ga, her hands trembling as she grabbed Tian Mai's shoulders, her nails digging almost into her flesh. This usually gentle woman had bloodshot eyes; the last time she had seen her so agitated was when the whole family was feeling utterly disheartened. She desperately wanted to hear more about Tsubasa from Tian Mai.
Tian Mai took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. She began to recount the Great Toad Sage's prophecy, the scene within the blood-red mist, and the process of signing the contract. Her voice was sometimes low and sometimes high, as if drawing everyone into that mysterious world of prophecy. When she spoke of the scene of Ōtsutsuki Genshō wielding his sword, Senju Ga suddenly covered her mouth, exclaiming in horror, "An alien? Never mind all that, as long as Tsubasa can come back. As for what happens afterward, we'll figure out a way to deal with it together."
Dō Senju frowned, pondered for a moment, and then said, " Tsubasa has been saying all these years that he wants to lead everyone to conquer the stars. It seems that Tsubasa knows that aliens exist. This Ōtsutsuki Genshō seems to be the leader of the aliens." His voice carried a hint of worry, but also revealed his thoughts on the Mirai.
Tian Mai continued, " The Great Toad Sage also told me that the Mirai world will be full of unknowns and dangers, but as long as we unite as one, there are no difficulties that cannot be overcome, and even the prophesied Mirai can be changed. Therefore, I have decided to go to Mount Myōboku to establish a sect and improve my strength, so that I can help my husband in the Mirai. This is also the condition I agreed to for protecting Mount Myōboku Great Toad Sage."
The atmosphere in the courtyard instantly became tense upon hearing this. Dō Senju slammed the rolling pin on the stone table, making the oil lamp flicker. He shouted, "No way! Just for a prophecy that may or may not be true, you're going to take two children to Mount Myōboku? Tenpi is only two years old, and Ten'u is only one year old!" His voice was filled with anger and worry, clearly unable to accept this decision.
However, just then, Tenpi suddenly appeared out of nowhere, clutching a wooden sword taller than himself. His face was flushed red as he loudly proclaimed, "Father said that one should start Immortal Cultivation as early as possible!" Although his voice was still childish, it was full of determination. The precocious Ten'u, hiding behind his brother, sniffled and whispered in agreement, "I... I... go... I'm not afraid... of the Toad!" A hint of stubbornness shone in his eyes, as if he was already prepared to face difficulties.
Ame Senju listened quietly, her needlework continuing uninterrupted, the gold thread shimmering in the moonlight. She slowly bit off a strand of thread, then looked up, speaking in a calm yet firm tone, "If the children want to go, let them go. Ultimately, they will have to face the dangers of the Mirai." Her eyes gleamed with wisdom, as if she had already seen through all the possibilities of the Mirai. "This old body of mine will go to Mount Myōboku to take care of you. With me, their grandmother, with them by their side, you can rest assured, sister-in-law."
Tian Mai's eyes instantly welled up with tears. She looked at Ame Senju, the old woman who usually loved to bask in the sun and savor fine wine with her eyes half-closed, but now the flame burning in her eyes was no different from when she was young. Back then, after her husband's death, Ame Senju resolutely decided to go to the battlefield, and she had the same stubborn and resolute look in her eyes. She knew that Ame Senju's decision was not only a support for her children, but also a belief in the Mirai.
Tian Mai took a deep breath, knowing she bore the mission and hope of changing the Mirai. She had to become strong, she had to build a powerful force for her family and husband. She raised her head, her gaze resolute as she looked at everyone, and said, "I will take the children to Mount Myōboku. There, I will establish a Immortal Cultivation sect, recruit those with Immortal Cultivation cultivation, and train more capable ninjas to protect our homeland and help my husband. I will show him that the women of the Ten Family can also hold up the sky!"
Senju Ga said: Should we tell the others about the prophecy of Mount Myōboku now? After all, some people are feeling uneasy right now.
Tian Yueqing: Mother, we absolutely cannot tell anyone. It would be best if none of the sisters knew. First, we cannot verify whether the prophecy of Mount Myōboku is true or false. Second, what if we announce it and change the Mirai, harming our husband who is currently undergoing tribulation? So it would be best if we did not tell anyone, otherwise the consequences might be unimaginable.
Everyone nodded after hearing Tian Yueqing's words. For the safety of Tsubasa, they had no choice but to Genin world suffer a little.
In the stillness of the night, Tian Mai squatted alone on the stone steps before the martial arts arena. Moonlight, like water, shone on the jade pendant in her hand, engraved with the words " Limitless " (Limitless), a Dao given to her personally by Tsubasa. She gently stroked the faintly visible contract runes at her waist, a surge of indescribable emotion welling up within her. Suddenly, she remembered the words of the Toad Sage: " Mount Myōboku is rich in spiritual Spiritual Qi; if Spirit Gathering Array could be set up, it would truly be an excellent place for Immortal Cultivation." These words, like a seed, took root and sprouted in her heart, filling her with new hope and determination.