Marvel: Trading with Worlds

At Mount Myōboku, the life and death of a contractor can be confirmed through the summoning scroll. When a contractor's name disappears from the scroll, it signifies that Mount Myōboku has lost them.

This method is not exclusive to Mount Myōboku—Shikkotsu Forest and Ryūchi Cave also confirm a contractor's status in the same way.

"Master Fukasaku, Master Fukasaku! Something has happened!"

A toad frantically jumped up and down in front of Fukasaku, panicking as it addressed the much smaller elder toad before it. "Jiraiya is dead! He canceled Mount Myōboku's summoning contract just now, and even the scroll toad can't sense him anymore!"

"What did you say? Little Jiraiya is dead?"

Fukasaku's aged face twisted in disbelief. Without hesitation, he performed the Reverse Summoning Technique, but his celestial chakra only summoned a puff of useless smoke. No one responded.

"Little Jiraiya... he's really dead. What about Minato? Is Minato still alive?"

Without waiting for the toad's report, Fukasaku performed the Reverse Summoning Technique again. This time, he could still feel a connection with Namikaze Minato, but there was no response to the summoning.

The messenger toad hesitated before speaking, his tone filled with worry. "Master Fukasaku, Brother Ken was summoned by Jiraiya, and he hasn't returned yet."

Fukasaku sighed. "I will discuss this with the elder. You should go back for now."

"Understood, Fukasaku-sama."

The messenger toad nodded and quickly hopped away. The realization hit Fukasaku—Jiraiya's death had just been discovered by them. If Toad Ken were still alive, he would have canceled the summoning technique and returned to Mount Myōboku.

Without delay, Fukasaku called for Shima, and together they approached the Great Toad Sage.

"Is that you, Fukasaku? It has been a long time."

To Fukasaku's surprise, the Great Toad Sage was already awake. He quickly stepped forward. "Great Master, Little Jiraiya is dead!"

The Great Toad Sage was silent for a moment before murmuring in confusion, "Little Jiraiya... who is that?"

Shima's temper flared instantly. "You senile old fool! Have you even forgotten Little Jiraiya?"

The Great Toad Sage remained unbothered and spoke slowly. "That is not important. What is important is why I have awakened this time, Fukasaku. This dream… it was terrifying."

Fukasaku tensed. "What exactly did you dream about?"

"Destruction. Everything… destroyed." The Great Toad Sage's voice was solemn. "Mount Myōboku is gone, Fukasaku. Everyone will die."

Shima huffed in frustration. "What kind of prophecy is that? Mount Myōboku has existed for thousands of years! You must be sleep-talking again, old man."

"Old lady, don't insult the elder," Fukasaku chided.

But the Great Toad Sage remained indifferent. "No bickering, no bickering… Fukasaku, I recall that besides Little Jiraiya, there is another contractor—Little Minato. From now on, Mount Myōboku's hope rests on him. Give it to him."

"That?" Fukasaku's eyes widened in shock. "I understand, my lord."

For the first time in Fukasaku's centuries of memory, such a thing was being entrusted to someone.

Meanwhile, in Konoha Village, the sudden disappearance of so many people could not go unnoticed.

Even with the efforts of the Ino–Shika–Chō and Sarutobi clans, who used Shadow Clones and the Transformation Technique to cover up the losses, it was not a sustainable solution.

The Transformation Technique could be detected, and many of those who had died were registered ninja of Konoha. One mission could easily expose the ruse.

Although Sarutobi Hiruzen was rescued by Namikaze Minato, the aftermath of the explosion left both of them unconscious for a long time. They barely regained consciousness the next day, and when Sarutobi Hiruzen finally awoke, he realized he had lost an arm.

Can you still be a ninja with only one arm?

A taijutsu specialist might manage, but Sarutobi Hiruzen was already in his fifties. At this age, even a taijutsu-focused ninja would struggle against the village's special Jōnin. And Hiruzen had never focused on taijutsu to begin with.

"Master Third, should we head back first?"

Namikaze Minato asked, hesitating. He had initially wanted to suggest that Hiruzen learn one-handed hand seals—something Minato had studied before—but he hesitated. The Third Hokage was a master of ninjutsu. Would suggesting such a thing be insulting?

"Let's go, Minato," Hiruzen said. "I need to speak with the Nara clan about Shikaku… and Jiraiya…"

A deep sorrow settled in Hiruzen's heart.

Jiraiya had been the student who suited him best. The very teacup he drank from had been a gift from Jiraiya more than ten years ago. And Shikaku…

He still remembered when Shikaku's father, Shikayo, had brought him to visit the Sarutobi clan, saying Lu Jiu will surpass me one day. I hope you can look after him.

But now…

The Sarutobi clan, the Ino–Shika–Chō ninjas—so many were gone.

Even Enma, his long-time summon, might not have survived. Just before he was taken away by the Flying Thunder God, he had seen the ape demon writhing in pain.

Minato, too, felt a deep sadness. That last attack had resembled the Raikiri technique mentioned in Kakashi's reports.

In other words, their survival had been pure luck. If Minato hadn't used every last bit of his chakra to teleport them to a distant Flying Thunder God marker, they might have been captured.

After resting for a while, Minato took military ration pills to restore his chakra. Then, he and Sarutobi Hiruzen hurried back to Konoha.

As they neared the village, Minato used the Flying Thunder God Technique to instantly bring Hiruzen home.

Their return caused an uproar in the Sarutobi residence—especially when everyone saw Hiruzen's missing arm. Fortunately, Sarutobi Biwako, a skilled medical ninja, treated his wounds again, easing some of his pain.

"Minato, let's stay here for now," Hiruzen said gravely. "We need to carefully consider what comes next."

Minato nodded. "I understand, Lord Third. I'll speak with the Nara clan."

Hiruzen sighed, then donned his hat and cloak before leaving for the Nara compound.

Before long, the mournful cries of grieving clansmen echoed through the estate. The Nara had suffered a devastating loss—Shikaku, their newly appointed patriarch, had perished on a classified mission. And worst of all, they couldn't even make the truth public.

But even in death, certain matters had to be handled. Since the Ino–Shika–Chō and Sarutobi clans were closely allied, a formal death report and funeral request were soon placed on the Hokage's desk.

"Poisoning? Suspected retaliation from Root?"

Orochimaru scoffed as he read through the documents submitted by the Ino–Shika–Chō and Sarutobi clans. With an irritated flick of his wrist, he tossed the papers into the trash.

"Only an idiot would believe such nonsense," he muttered. "And Nawaki actually handed this to me?"

Hyūga Hiashi, standing nearby, sighed. "The Third Hokage is being extremely uncooperative. He won't allow any of our people to investigate, and… it seems he's been using the Transformation Technique."

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.

"Namikaze Minato returned to the village a few days ago. It seems something happened while they were away," he mused. "But let's set aside the destruction for now. I'll find someone who can give me answers."

Shaking his head, he considered Minato's recent absence. The pieces fit together.

If this had nothing to do with Kain, then Orochimaru would personally send Anbu to investigate.

Because if Kain wasn't involved…

Then who in the entire ninja world had the power to defeat Sarutobi Hiruzen so thoroughly?

…

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