Chapter 321: The Prophecy
"Jiraiya-sama!"
Upon seeing the arrival, Shisui immediately bowed respectfully.
Tonari grinned as he looked at the man sitting on the window sill and called out unceremoniously, "You pervy old man."
At Tonari's words, Jiraiya staggered slightly, while Shisui covered his mouth and laughed.
Now that Tonari's strength had reached a level where he stood above nearly all others, every detail of his past had become a topic of interest.
Among those stories was his first encounter with Jiraiya—in a bathhouse.
So Shisui understood why Tonari addressed Jiraiya like that.
That particular "grudge" had been formed between the two very early on.
"You lecherous little brat, don't think just because you're the Hokage now that I won't beat you up!"
Jiraiya flipped into the room, rolling up his sleeves, looking like he was ready to throw down.
"Come on then! Let's see what you've got!" Tonari rolled up his Hokage robes, equally combative.
Jiraiya froze for a second, glanced at Shisui, then suddenly had an idea.
"Out of respect for your student being here, I'll let you off today. Can't have any ugly rumors floating around."
Tonari waved to Shisui.
"Shisui, you can go. I want to see what this old man thinks he can do to me."
Shisui hesitated, glancing between his teacher and one of the Legendary Sannin. He didn't know what to do.
But Tonari didn't give him any time to think and waved him off quickly, almost ready to use a jutsu to kick him out.
"Hahaha—don't worry about it. Go on, little Uchiha. I want to see if your teacher's slacked off since becoming Hokage," Jiraiya said with a hearty laugh.
Truly worthy of the title "Jiraiya the Gallant."
Finally, under the combined pressure of both masters, Shisui left the office, still feeling uneasy.
After he was gone, Jiraiya glanced at Tonari, still rolling up his sleeves.
"Your student's not bad—three-tomoe Sharingan at his age, and he doesn't seem weak."
"Well, of course. Do you know whose student he is? Whose grandstudent he is?" Tonari said proudly.
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed.
"You mean Orochimaru took in someone like you? That snake has no teaching skills—he's nothing compared to me. My student is the Yellow Flash himself, Minato Namikaze!"
Tonari rolled his eyes.
"Please. Like you had anything to do with it."
"What do you mean I didn't?!"
"Minato's two best techniques—Flying Thunder God and the Rasengan—neither of them came from you. If anything, they're more connected to the Second Hokage, Tobirama."
True enough. Minato had learned Flying Thunder God from the Scroll of Seals, which originated with Tobirama.
As for the Rasengan, he developed it himself—only after Tonari had explained the concept.
"Well... okay, but Minato's ninja way—that came from me! A ninja's true strength comes from their will, from their path. That's what I taught him!"
Jiraiya seemed to find comfort in that, finally breathing a sigh of relief.
Tonari raised an eyebrow. He didn't expect Jiraiya to come up with something like that on the spot.
As Jiraiya wore a victorious expression, Tonari suddenly burst out laughing.
Seeing Tonari laugh, Jiraiya was stunned for a moment before he too realized what had just happened—and laughed with him.
"Hahahahaha—"
Their laughter echoed throughout the entire Hokage building.
Shisui, walking away nervously, heard their laughter and finally let out a breath of relief.
Soon, the laughter subsided.
"Any new top-tier material?"
"Are you kidding? Don't insult my abilities. I'm about to release a new book!"
"Oh? What is it? Don't tell me it's another 'Ninja Path of Endurance'. That one was so dry only Minato enjoyed it."
"Not this time. This time, I'm combining all my collected materials into one masterpiece—Make-Out Paradise!"
Tonari was stunned.
The timing might not be perfect, but anyone familiar with the Naruto world knew this book was legendary.
It helped Kakashi emerge from his emotional shadows and became an all-time bestseller across the ninja world.
It also propelled Jiraiya to fame as an author.
"Excellent! Just hearing the name makes me feel like it'll be a hit! You need funding? I'll invest. Just give me a cut of the profits."
Jiraiya blinked.
"You trust me that much? Sounds suspicious."
"Of course I trust you. You're the Pervy Sage!"
"Pervy Sage? Hmm... that doesn't sound bad. I think I'll use that as my pen name!"
"Anyway, show me the material. Let me help you check the quality. Heh heh..."
"All here."
…
An hour later—
After thoroughly "reviewing" Jiraiya's masterpieces, Tonari looked ready to bankroll the entire publishing venture.
Eventually, the two agreed: Tonari would fund the project, Jiraiya would write the content, and they'd split profits 70/30—with Tonari taking the larger share.
Even if Jiraiya went to a normal publisher, he'd likely earn even less. So publishing through the Konoha News Division made sense—profits would benefit the village either way.
Jiraiya was thrilled to have help releasing his book.
He couldn't possibly know that this new title would soon sweep the ninja world—especially with Tonari's full marketing support.
Both men left the meeting satisfied.
Jiraiya wanted to publish; Tonari wanted to make money.
"Alright. That's the side business. The real reason I rushed back from the front lines is something important," Jiraiya said.
"Oh? Something more important than this?" Tonari looked surprised.
Jiraiya's expression turned serious, and Tonari quickly sobered.
"It's about your master's summons. You know Orochimaru's snakes come from one of the Three Great Sage Realms—Ryūchi Cave, right?"
Hearing the name, Tonari had a hunch what this was about.
He nodded.
"I do. Not only Ryūchi Cave, but also that Tsunade-nee's slugs come from the Shikkotsu Forest. And your toads—are from the legendary Mount Myōboku."
"Exactly. And on Mount Myōboku, there's a powerful toad that has lived for over a thousand years—The Great Toad Sage."
Jiraiya continued,
"Though he's old and his hearing's not great, he has one amazing ability—dreaming."
Tonari's brow twitched.
"I know how that sounds. But you can't underestimate it. He's the only toad in existence known to dream—and his dreams can see the future."
"He once gave me a prophecy. He dreamed that I'd meet the Child of Prophecy, who would change the world, and I would be their teacher."
"So? Did you ever meet that so-called 'Child of Prophecy'?" Tonari asked.
Jiraiya scratched his chin.
"I thought I did. But over time... I wasn't so sure. But that's not why I'm here."
He became serious again.
"A few days ago, while you were signing peace treaties with the other villages, the Great Toad Sage summoned me."
"He said he had a dream—a prophecy about you. And that I must bring you to him immediately."
Tonari was stunned.
"A prophecy? About me?"
Jiraiya nodded solemnly.
"Yes. And he seemed... anxious. I've never seen the Great Toad Sage act like that. So I suggest we go now."
Tonari hesitated briefly, then nodded.
"Alright. Let's go."
He had never been to Mount Myōboku and was curious to see it.
Jiraiya beamed and unrolled the giant scroll on his back.
"Ready?"
Tonari nodded.
Reverse Summoning Jutsu!
Poof—
When the smoke cleared, the two were gone from the office.
When Tonari opened his eyes again, he was greeted by birdsong, fragrant flowers, warm sunlight, and gentle breezes.
It was paradise.
Strange plants—different from any in the ninja world—grew in abundance, radiating faint glows.
Even the insects perched upon them were massive. One larva was the size of Tonari's forearm.
This place... would be perfect for retirement, Tonari thought.
Assuming the food's edible.
"This is Mount Myōboku," Jiraiya said. "Come on, we need to see the Great Toad Sage right away."
He didn't stop for even a second.
As they walked, Tonari spotted countless toad statues in the foliage.
These were not decorative.
They were failed sages—summoners or toads who tried to master Senjutsu but lost control of natural energy, turning to stone irreversibly.
Unlike Tonari, who had relied on tailed beast chakra to balance natural energy, most people couldn't manage it safely.
Mount Myōboku was beautiful—but dangerous.
"Little Jiraiya, you're finally here! The Great Toad Sage has waited a long time. If you'd delayed any longer, he might've fallen asleep—and who knows how long until he woke again?"
A small green toad with white facial hair and a black cloak appeared before them.
It was Fukasaku.
Another, with purple hair and lips, followed—Shima.
"Hurry, husband! This is no time for chatter. Take them to see the Great Toad Sage before he nods off again!"
"Fukasaku-senpai! Shima-senpai!" Jiraiya greeted them with respect.
Though small, these two were powerful Senjutsu masters and elders of Mount Myōboku—ranking above even toads like Gamabunta and Gamaken.
"Right, right! Let's go, Jiraiya, Tonari. Follow us!"
With that, the two toads hopped toward a distant staircase.
Jiraiya followed, and Tonari narrowed his eyes as he observed them with his Rinnegan, noting the dense Senjutsu chakra within them.
After a moment, he followed.
He was curious to finally meet the legendary Great Toad Sage—Gamamaru—who had helped the original Sage of Six Paths, Hagoromo, and his brother Hamura, in the ancient war against their mother, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
As they climbed the steps, they finally arrived.
There sat the Great Toad Sage.
His body was orange, eyes golden-yellow. Around his neck hung a string of prayer beads with a purple gem in the center, inscribed with the kanji for "oil."
He wore a scholarly hat and sat peacefully on a plush green chair adorned with a silk sash bearing the kanji for "sage."
Beside him were two enormous jars and a cup—evidence of frequent drinking and dreaming.
The moment Tonari saw him, his body stiffened.
His Rinnegan could feel it: the monstrous Senjutsu chakra within this slumbering toad far surpassed his own in Sage Mode.
When the toad opened his eyes, it felt like Tonari's very soul was laid bare.
Fukasaku and Shima hopped to their respective positions.
Fukasaku called out loudly,
"Great Toad Sage! The one you dreamed about—Tonari of Konoha—Jiraiya has brought him!"
The old toad stirred.
He slowly opened his eyes and looked directly at Tonari.
But Tonari had already felt the gaze moments earlier.
"…Who goes there?" the Great Toad Sage asked.
Fukasaku facepalmed.
"Do you have to start with that every time?"
The Great Toad Sage grinned wider.
Jiraiya stepped forward.
"Great Toad Sage, it's me—Jiraiya. The one you asked to bring Tonari. Here he is."
He gently nudged Tonari forward.
"Great Toad Sage," Tonari greeted respectfully.
The sheer intensity of the sage's Senjutsu chakra warranted that respect.
The toad leaned forward.
"Ah? Who?"
Tonari sighed and said clearly,
"Great Toad Sage, I heard you were looking for me. I am Tonari, the Fourth Hokage of Konoha!"
Understanding finally dawned.
"Ohhh—you're Tonari! I couldn't see clearly with your eye covered. I thought an old friend had come to visit..."
He looked wistful.
Tonari's eyes narrowed slightly.
Others might think he meant Tonari's Sharingan—but both he and the sage knew it was the eye he wasn't showing.
The Rinnegan.
The same eye once possessed by Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki—his old friend.
Tonari stepped forward and bowed.
"Great Toad Sage, may I ask... what is the prophecy you saw about me?"
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