Naruto: Off the Rails from Tsunade’s Lap Pillow!

Mount Myoboku.

Poof!

Jiraiya appeared amidst clouds of smoke.

"Young Jiraiya, long time no see."

Sage Fukasaku, wearing a gray robe, seemed to have already known he would come.

His face remained completely unreadable.

"Chief Fukasaku, how's your health?"

Jiraiya showed a warm smile as he asked.

"Same as usual."

Sage Fukasaku waved his hand and said, "Go visit Lord Great Toad first. He's been expecting you. We can chat later—come over for a meal at my place."

"Can we skip dinner?"

Jiraiya twitched slightly at the corner of his mouth, his smile faltering.

That food is fit for frogs, not humans.

"You're not interested in eating Shima's cooking?"

Sage Fukasaku rubbed his chin, somewhat puzzled. "I think it tastes great, personally."

"No way, not at all!"

Jiraiya quickly shook his hands. "I'll definitely visit Lady Shima later."

"Great then."

Seeing Jiraiya agree, Sage Fukasaku smiled and said, "Shima will be very happy."

Jiraiya thought to himself, *I'd much rather skip the dinner.*

Just thinking about those brightly-colored insect dishes turned his stomach.

Nothing beats the joy of drinking and chatting up pretty girls at an izakaya.

Following Sage Fukasaku, Jiraiya soon arrived deep within Mount Myoboku.

A rather towering temple stood ahead.

"Huh."

Jiraiya couldn't help but feel surprised.

Today, the Great Toad Sage was actually awake.

Not only that, but he hadn't even gone through his usual routine of demanding, *"Who approaches the Great Toad Sage?"*

Something was off.

Jiraiya recovered from his surprise but still felt uneasy.

Could it be another new prophecy?

"Little Jiraiya," the Great Toad Sage said, narrowing his eyes, "have you found the Chosen One yet?"

"A few days ago, I confirmed a lead. Just as I was about to return to Konoha, you summoned me here to Mount Myoboku."

He paused briefly, hesitating a little before speaking.

"The only slight issue is—he's not my student, he's Tsunade's."

"What's the problem with that? Given your history with Tsunade, you can still mentor him."

Sage Fukasaku chuckled beside them. "But how can you be certain he's the Chosen One?"

In the ninja world, it's common for someone to have multiple teachers.

Back in the original story, when Jiraiya took Naruto Uzumaki as a student, Naruto had already been taught by Kakashi Hatake.

Knowing the dynamics among the Sannin well, Sage Fukasaku suggested this approach.

"His name is Natsume. He's already become Hokage—and incredibly powerful, possessing both the Sage Mode from Shikkotsu Forest and the Senju Clan's Wood Release bloodline limit."

Jiraiya explained briefly. "Most importantly, he's quite young. His impact on the ninja world is only going to get bigger."

Except for the fact that Natsume wasn't his student, Jiraiya was nearly one hundred percent certain he was the Chosen One.

If he wasn't, Jiraiya couldn't think of any other young ninja who could top him.

"Hearing your description, he does sound like the one indeed."

Fukasaku Sage nodded and turned his gaze toward the Great Toad Sage. "Great Elder Toad, what do you think?"

Jiraiya turned his gaze toward him as well.

After all, he had eyes that could peer into the future.

The Great Toad Sage fell into brief contemplation.

A fusion of Sage Mode and [Wood Release]… wasn't this just like the reincarnation of Hashirama Senju?

As a toad who had lived for over a thousand years, it knew—and had experienced—a great many things.

For instance, the two sons of Hagoromo Otsutsuki, the Sage of Six Paths: Asura and Indra.

It had long suspected that the so-called Children of the Prophecy were none other than their reincarnated forms.

Now, Natsume's case felt eerily familiar.

Could he truly be one of the Sage of Six Paths' sons?

Yet one thing that troubled it was how Shikkotsu Forest always reached him first once more?

It had even arranged Jiraiya years in advance, yet ultimately failed.

What a nuisance!

The Great Toad Sage mused silently before finally speaking. "Whether it is or not, young Jiraiya, you must make your own judgment."

Truthfully, it wasn't entirely certain.

However, the prophecy did say Jiraiya would be the teacher, so it probably wasn't wrong.

"Yes, sir!"

Jiraiya immediately replied. "Soon I'll return to Konoha and spend some time observing Natsume to better understand his nature."

"Hmm."

The Great Toad Sage asked further, "Have you found any leads on the one destined to destroy Mount Myoboku?"

Several years ago, Jiraiya first heard this prophecy from it.

Because the Great Toad Sage hinted at a special eye, he focused on the Hyuga clan and Uchiha clan.

So he returned to Konoha and happened upon Orochimaru, Danzō Shimura, and Shisui Uchiha engaged in battle.

Seeing the [Mangekyo Sharingan] and [Susanoo], he thought perhaps they had found the individual mentioned in the prophecy.

Jiraiya originally intended to speak with Shisui Uchiha personally when a mysterious Wood Release user suddenly appeared and took him away.

Combining [Wood Release] with the [Mangekyo Sharingan], and acting with such cruelty.

Jiraiya was convinced that this mysterious Wood Release ninja was the destroyer of Mount Myoboku.

Unfortunately, he had never been able to track him down.

Later, during the night the Uchiha Clan was slaughtered, this figure had appeared once more.

But he hadn't been in Konoha then, missing another clue.

Until recently, when several long-missing Uchiha resurfaced, reigniting his hopes.

"Oh…!"

"There's one lead," Jiraiya said after thinking for a moment. "I'm planning to go back to Konoha to confirm it.

"I'll report back afterward."

"Do so quickly."

The Great Toad Sage said gravely, "Recently, I've often dreamed again—each time seeing Mount Myoboku drowning in rivers of blood. I fear the day of destruction draws near."

"How can that be?!"

Shock flashed across Jiraiya's face.

"I don't understand it myself either."

Fukasaku glanced at the Great Toad Sage and added, "Toad warriors are stationed across the ninja world, yet none have encountered anyone comparable to the Sage of Six Paths."

They specifically mentioned the Sage of Six Paths because it believed whoever could destroy Mount Myoboku would certainly not be weaker than the legendary sage.

After all, the Great Toad Sage himself stands as the ultimate benchmark.

And it also has the White Snake Sage and the Katsuyu Sage, both of whom could offer their aid.

The Three Great Holy Places have always been united. If one were to face danger, the other two would never remain idle.

In other words, this person must possess the strength to face all three Sages directly.

After much thought, Sage Fukasaku could only think of the Sage of Six Paths as having such strength.

Actually, the Great Toad Sage considered Kaguya Otsutsuki and Isshiki Otsutsuki.

But the former had been sealed away, and the latter was already dead.

As for Kaguya breaking free from her sealing, the Great Toad Sage believed it impossible.

First, he knew that even now, the Sage of Six Paths was still trying to rescue his mother.

Second, if she had broken free, heaven itself would have already descended into chaos.

As for Natsume—no, the Emperor of the Ancestral Country—he had already passed away peacefully long ago according to historical records.

"Great Toad Sage, do you have any new clues?"

Jiraiya asked in concern. "I'm not sure whether the clue I found in Konoha will actually lead us to him."

"Your clue might be correct."

The Great Toad Sage regained his composure and said, "That's exactly why I called you here today."

"Correct?"

Jiraiya frowned slightly, then asked with surprise, "You mean he is in Konoha?"

"That's right."

The Great Toad Sage nodded. "According to the new prophecy, this individual is indeed from Konoha Village, though I can't confirm whether he is truly a ninja from there."

"I see."

Jiraiya let out a breath and said seriously, "I will definitely track him down!"

"I look forward to your good news."

The Great Toad Sage slowly closed his eyes and, after a short while, began snoring loudly.

Jiraiya couldn't help scratching his head.

That was truly the Great Toad Sage.

Even with knowledge of an approaching disaster, he remained composed.

"Little Jiraiya, let's go."

Sage Fukasaku jumped onto Jiraiya's shoulder. "Come to my place for dinner before heading back to Konoha."

The Hokage Building.

After confirming that Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki were becoming stronger under Mui's guidance, Natsume returned to Konoha Village.

He picked up a document at random.

Huh?

It was information about the legendary Hokage, Danzo Shimura.

He had appeared in the Land of Demons.

Interesting.

Natsume rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Is he trying to make contact with Miko Shion?

No, wait—that doesn't sound right. Maybe Yomi instead?

In the original story, it was Danzo who awakened the foreign demon Moryo and summoned an army of ghosts.

So, the mission request from the Land of Demons should arrive soon, right?

When Natsume previously met the Miko Kikuri, he had made a promise, and also obtained some destiny value from Shion.

There's no reason she wouldn't come looking for me.

Hmm, I'll deal with it when the time comes.

For now, Natsume planned to handle matters concerning Hozuki Castle first.

A knock echoed from the door.

"Come in."

Natsume looked up and saw Shizune entering.

He immediately felt puzzled.

These days, she rarely visited the Hokage Building.

Either following Tsunade around gambling or practicing medical techniques at Konoha Hospital.

"Ms. Shizune, what brings you here?"

Natsume smiled and asked, "Was it Teacher who sent you here?"

Shizune gave him a glance and slowly said, "It's Master Jiraiya. He's returned and is talking with Lady Tsunade now. And they're discussing you."

"Ah?"

Natsume's eyes narrowed slightly.

For one thing, he hadn't anticipated Jiraiya's return.

For another, he was surprised that Shizune had taken the initiative to bring this information.

But upon thinking, it made sense.

Though Jiraiya held great prestige in Konoha, in Shizune's heart, he ranked below both Tsunade and Natsume.

"What are they discussing?"

Natsume asked curiously.

If it were trivial, Shizune wouldn't have gone out of her way to tell him.

"There are two things."

Without hesitation, Shizune recounted the two prophecies from Mount Myoboku.

Prophecies weren't particularly sensitive information.

Moreover, Jiraiya would never hide anything from Tsunade.

As for why she hadn't sought out Natsume—it stemmed more from unfamiliarity than distrust.

"Thank you, Ms. Shizune."

Natsume said sincerely.

Although these so-called prophecies couldn't influence him, knowing them in advance gave him an opportunity to plan ahead and accumulate some destiny value.

"No… problem."

Seeing the look on his face, Shizune suddenly became flustered and said, "If I could help, that's enough."

Natsume paused briefly.

Before he could react, Shizune quickly added, "I should head back first, or Master Jiraiya might suspect something."

With that, she hastily turned and left.

Still, her departing figure somehow resembled someone fleeing in panic.

"Do I look like a cannibal? Why'd she run off so fast?"

Natsume couldn't help but mutter.

This chapter hasn't ended yet!

But it must be said that the Great Toad Sage's prophecy carries weight.

It was just strange that Jiraiya considered him the Child of the Prophecy.

Though at first glance, he did seem to fit.

The title "Child of the Prophecy" sounded grandiose but boiled down to just one requirement: possessing power strong enough to unify or destroy the ninja world.

To many, Natsume seemed like Hashirama Senju reborn.

The reason he earned the title "God of the Ninja World" was because he brought peace to the warring era.

If Jiraiya lived during Hashirama's time, calling him the Child of the Prophecy would make perfect sense.

Even the Great Toad Sage wouldn't have objected.

For Natsume, being labeled the Child of the Prophecy was trivial, but destroying Mount Myoboku was certainly intriguing.

However, before that, though, he needed someone to take the fall first.

Someone with a special eye, who uses Wood Release and has connections to Konoha.

That would be... you!

Obito Uchiha, or rather, Madara Uchiha.

Let Jiraiya chase after him instead.

After all, out of respect for Lady Tsunade, Natsume couldn't handle him directly.

Thinking thus, he appeared at the Uchiha clan's residence.

"Natsume."

Mikoto Uchiha immediately stood, her face lighting up instinctively with a smile.

Before Natsume even spoke, she had already rushed forward and embraced him.

For reasons she couldn't explain, Mikoto felt as if a heavy burden had finally lifted from her heart.

Ever since Sasuke Uchiha went on his mission, she had been worried.

Seeing Natsume, even though she wanted to ask about him, she couldn't help but go first.

"Worried about Sasuke?"

Natsume smiled and asked.

"Mm."

Mikoto lowered her gaze, her face tinged with a faint blush.

She didn't understand what was happening to her.

Ever since she'd confirmed that Tsunade was pregnant, something inside her had felt unsettled.

"Don't worry. He's doing perfectly fine."

Natsume thought for a moment before saying, "I could even take you to meet her later on."

Truth be told, Mikoto Uchiha could use some combat training.

That monster called Satori would be perfect for this.

And it might just give Sasuke Uchiha a bit of a maternal shock at the same time.

Hmm, that scene seemed pretty good.

"Thank you!"

Mikoto Uchiha lifted her head, her eyes brimming with gratitude and confusion. Biting her lip, she displayed a quiet charm laced with restraint.

She had already realized that ever since coming into contact with Natsume, her body had started changing.

"Aunt Mikoto, are you trying to thank me?" Natsume asked gently, gliding his hand along her warm cheek.

Mikoto's heart pounded violently. Her body quivered slightly.

The next second, she covered Natsume's mouth with her own lips. She ignited like a wildfire, as if trying to consume him completely.

Feeling her searing breath and watching tears stream down her face, Natsume couldn't quite understand what was going through this woman's mind.

What stage were they at now?

Well, this certainly made things easier for him to talk business.

Under these circumstances, she'd probably agree to anything he said, right?

Even if it involved Jiraiya, one of the Sannin.

Natsume suspected that if Fugaku Uchiha came back from the dead, Mikoto might not be as decisive as before.

For someone who's fallen into darkness, coming back is incredibly hard.

Time passed.

An hour later, Natsume finished what he came to do.

In her dazed state, Mikoto agreed to many of his requests.

Would she regret those decisions once she woke up?

But by then, it would already be too late.

Natsume glanced at the sky. It was still early. Instead of going home, he headed straight to the Hokage Building.

[Four Thousand Words]

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