Chapter 267 – The Great Toad Sage's Gamble
Just kidding. The Great Toad Sage wasn't a fool.
Now that the world was watching, stepping into the spotlight was like stepping into a trap. After what happened to Ryūchi Cave—being crushed after choosing the wrong side—it was clear that recklessly taking sides could be fatal.
With the unpredictable and domineering personality of the Fifth Hokage—Uchiha Yuta—anyone who chose the wrong alignment would be completely destroyed. That included sacred places like Mount Myōboku.
Besides, siding with Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo and Ōtsutsuki Hamura? Without concrete benefits, there was no reason for Mount Myōboku to give up its neutral stance.
To choose a side was to lock yourself in. To choose a side was to erase your own options. To choose a side was to risk losing everything.
"Whew… lucky I refused," the Great Toad Sage muttered. "Otherwise, the consequences would have been disastrous."
Fukasaku and Shima let out long sighs of relief. After wiping cold sweat from their brows, they exchanged glances filled with dread.
They never imagined that the Sage of Six Paths—Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo, and his brother Ōtsutsuki Hamura, would personally come to Mount Myōboku… and demand that the Great Toad Sage speak on their behalf.
It was a direct and dangerous invitation to choose sides. Fortunately, the Great Toad Sage had declined, and both Fukasaku and Shima silently thanked the heavens.
---
"Great Toad Sage, do you understand what you're saying?"
Ōtsutsuki Hamura's voice turned cold. "We came here to give you face. If you throw that face away... then maybe Mount Myōboku doesn't need to exist anymore."
His tone carried thinly veiled threats.
"Our patience has limits. Make the wise choice."
"What did you say!?"
Fukasaku and Shima erupted.
"Ōtsutsuki Hamura, have you forgotten who saved you?!"
"Most people at least know how to show gratitude. You're just biting the hand that fed you!"
They were furious. If anyone else had said this, it would be one thing. But Ōtsutsuki Hamura? He owed his very life to Mount Myōboku and now dared to threaten them?
"Ha!"
Hamura sneered shamelessly. "You saved me because you wanted to. Don't throw it in my face now. You're really overstepping."
"Y-you—!"
Fukasaku and Shima were speechless. They had seen shameless people before, but Hamura was in a league of his own. It made their stomachs churn.
---
Meanwhile, Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo and the Great Toad Sage sat in silence, staring at each other.
Both were ancient beings. Both cunning. Both calculating.
Trying to read each other's minds was pointless.
After a long stare, both offered faint smiles—mutual wariness hidden beneath politeness.
"Great Toad Sage…" Hagoromo finally broke the silence. "I know what you want. Once we defeat the Fifth Hokage—Uchiha Yuta—I'll make Mount Myōboku the sole holy land in the ninja world. And you… will become second only to me."
"Is that so?"
A flicker of ambition lit up the Great Toad Sage's ancient eyes. "You said it. Not me."
Back during Kaguya's era, the Great Toad Sage had acted for the sake of Myōboku. But Hagoromo had betrayed him—establishing Ryūchi Cave and Shikkotsu Forest as equal sacred places. That betrayal had burned for centuries.
Now… he finally had leverage.
Especially after Ryūchi Cave submitted to Konoha and Uchiha Yuta, this was Mount Myōboku's last chance to rise again.
To outsiders, Mount Myōboku had always seemed aligned with the Sage of Six Paths. So this move wouldn't appear too suspicious.
"Happy cooperation…" Hagoromo offered.
"Happy cooperation," the Great Toad Sage replied, eyes cold behind his smile.
---
"Let's go."
Ōtsutsuki Hamura's tone was flat. "When the combined forces of Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Otogakure reach Konohagakure… that's your cue."
"Understood."
The Great Toad Sage nodded without hesitation. He already knew Hagoromo's tricks. Hagoromo wanted him to play the role of savior again.
He wasn't thrilled—but he'd play his part, for now.
---
Then—
"What about the giant screens?"
Fukasaku's sudden question pierced the room like a kunai.
Silence.
Everyone froze.
Whether it was Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo, Ōtsutsuki Hamura, or the Great Toad Sage, their expressions twitched.
Damn it, Fukasaku! You had to bring that up?!
Those enormous screens—now visible all over the world—had been installed by none other than Uchiha Yuta, the Fifth Hokage.
Bringing them up now? It was like slapping Hagoromo and the Great Toad Sage across the face.
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