"Lord Elder?"
Fukasaku had never seen the Great Frog Sage lose composure like this before.
Earlier, despite his anxiety, he'd still maintained a certain dignity.
Now it was completely gone.
Replaced instead by a rare emotion—panic.
For the Great Frog Sage, such fear was unacceptable.
"Lord Elder, this is Natsume, the Sixth Hokage of Konoha Village."
Fukasaku immediately recognized Natsume.
But just like the Three Serpent Goddesses of Ryuchi Cave, he'd never met Kaguya Otsutsuki either.
So naturally, he didn't understand.
One Frog Sage and a Hokage charging headlong into Mount Myoboku's main base—wasn't that practically offering themselves up?
And wasn't Jiraiya the one who said Natsume was the Child of the Prophecy?
What exactly was going on here?
"Natsume?"
The Great Frog Sage paused briefly. Even he himself wasn't entirely sure.
After all, the prophecy had been vague.
There was always the possibility Jiraiya had mistaken the identity.
But there was no time to think further.
"Fukasaku, remember my orders."
The Great Frog Sage raised his hand, enveloping Fukasaku in Sage Chakra and sending him flying away.
But moments later, a violent crash echoed through the chamber.
Fukasaku was thrown back.
Fortunately, protected by the Sage Chakra, he wasn't injured.
"The space has already been sealed—we cannot escape."
The Great Frog Sage trembled. A flicker of despair passed through his eyes.
This level of sealing power surpassed even what the White Snake Sage was capable of.
Only one person could be responsible—Kaguya Otsutsuki.
And she must be at the height of her power.
In other words, being sealed for a thousand years hadn't weakened her in the slightest.
Though he didn't understand what had happened, the Great Frog Sage knew Mount Myoboku was in grave danger.
"Lord Elder, this is…?"
Finally, Fukasaku realized the problem.
The Great Frog Sage couldn't even send him away safely.
How preposterous was that?
At the same time, it implied the enemy's power exceeded the Great Frog Sage's by an overwhelming margin.
The prophecy was about to unfold.
Mount Myoboku would be destroyed.
Fukasaku was overwhelmed with despair and fear.
How could things turn out like this?
"Fukasaku."
The Great Frog Sage opened its mouth and spat out a golden light, which landed in Fukasaku's hands.
It was a talisman engraved with the character 'Immortal' (Sage).
"This is the Sage's Talisman. It holds the power to restore life to the dead."
The Great Frog Sage instructed, "Give it to an ordinary frog to deliver the message to Jiraiya."
"Lord Elder, why don't you use it yourself?" Fukasaku anxiously asked. "No outsider even knows about the existence of the Sage's Talisman."
"The Sage's Talisman isn't all-powerful," the Great Frog Sage shook its head. "I'm their primary target. I'll definitely draw special attention, maybe even preventing me from using it at all."
"Just how strong is this enemy? How could someone prevent even the chance to use it?"
Shock and confusion etched themselves across Fukasaku's face.
"She is the mother of the Sage of Six Paths—Kaguya Otsutsuki."
The Great Frog Sage exhaled deeply. "Fukasaku, go now while you still have time."
Fukasaku remained rooted to the spot.
He had never seen her before, but he had heard tales of Kaguya Otsutsuki.
No wonder the Great Toad Sage behaved like that.
They hadn't even fought yet but had already surrendered.
Sage Fukasaku snapped out of his daze and quickly retreated.
Only one Sage's Talisman existed, which meant only one toad could be saved.
All the other toads would perish.
Including him.
["Due to your actions, the fates of White Snake Sage, Tanagami no Mikoto, Ichikishimahime no Mikoto, Tachibana no Tsumi Himiko, Kabuto Yakushi, and others have changed. You've gained a total of 360 destiny points.]
A prompt chimed from Tamaki of Destiny.
Ryuchi Cave had too few famous snakes in the end.
But despite that, this was still a substantial reward.
And Mount Myoboku would yield even more.
"Kaguya."
Natsume came to a stop.
From where he stood, he could already see the temple in the distance.
Meanwhile, frogs were continuously gathering around him.
Once they reached deeper into Mount Myoboku, the three of them were naturally detected.
But with White Snake Sage present, none of the frogs dared approach.
Kaguya Otsutsuki turned her head toward Natsume.
She didn't speak.
True to her usual style.
But White Snake Sage was even more shocked.
So it wasn't an illusion after all.
This man actually had the power to command Kaguya Otsutsuki.
What the hell!
White Snake Sage silently mused that living long enough let you see anything.
"I'll take over from here. There's no need for you to fight anymore,"
Natsume smiled as he spoke, "We've come all this way—I should at least do something. Otherwise, what's the point?"
"No."
Kaguya Otsutsuki replied coolly.
Given Natsume's current strength, facing all of Mount Myoboku still carried considerable risk.
She wasn't willing to let him fight alone.
White Snake Sage clicked his tongue.
It sensed something was off.
Kaguya Otsutsuki appeared unusually concerned for Natsume.
Throughout its long life, it had seen similar situations.
Love or family bonds.
"Is this okay?"
Natsume leaned forward and gently kissed her on the corner of her mouth.
White Snake Sage gawked in disbelief.
You've got to be kidding me!
It felt as if its entire snake life had been turned upside down.
This was even more shocking than getting beaten up earlier.
Kaguya immediately wrapped her arms around him from behind.
Warmth and softness spread through him.
Then, a faint fragrance filled his senses.
Natsume reciprocated her affection.
Faint white lights floated around him like stars in the night sky, flickering gently.
This chapter isn't over yet—there's still more excitement to come!
White Snake Sage quickly retreated backward.
This was the pure chakra of the Otsutsuki Clan.
Completely different from ordinary human chakra.
It could easily rival natural energy.
Looking at Natsume, White Snake Sage felt jealous.
If it had access to so much chakra, it definitely could surpass the Great Toad Sage.
The white glow became increasingly intense.
Suddenly, Natsume felt an itch in both eyes.
He paused briefly.
Could it be the Rinnegan?
In the end, though, it fell just short.
Even so, he felt full of energy.
His chakra surged like a vast ocean.
The two separated.
"This is yours—for now."
Kaguya Otsutsuki ran her tongue across the corner of her lips and said, "The price is ten days."
Natsume stared at her faint smile, rendered momentarily speechless.
He felt like he'd been cheated again.
But if it was to win a smile from such a beauty, it wasn't too bad after all.
White Snake Sage, witnessing this, instantly raised Natsume's status in his mind to match that of Kaguya Otsutsuki.
Absolutely untouchable.
It resolved to return later and properly reprimand its serpent descendants.
They must obey—or none shall survive.
Having obtained Kaguya's chakra, Natsume continued walking forward.
The number of frogs increased steadily.
However, due to White Snake Sage's presence, none dared approach him.
Given their long-standing understanding, the Three Great Holy Places naturally recognized how terrifying the three sages were.
At the temple entrance, Sage Fukasaku and Lady Shima appeared—one on the left, the other on the right.
"We are unsure what brings the three of you to Mount Myoboku today."
"Bring out Gamamaru."
White Snake Sage spoke up first. "You two aren't qualified to make decisions here."
Perhaps because they now had a central figure, the other frogs grew bolder.
"This is Mount Myoboku!" shouted a giant red frog with an enormous pipe in its mouth and a short sword strapped to its body.
Gamabunta.
One of Jiraiya's most commonly summoned frogs, and also among the strongest in Mount Myoboku, alongside Katsuyu and Manda, helping to establish the fame of Konoha's Sannin.
Upon hearing that, White Snake Sage's expression immediately darkened, releasing a wave of violent pressure outward.
Affected by this force, the weaker frogs all fell to the ground, unable to move.
"White Snake Sage!"
Gamabunta unsheathed his short sword and slashed forward.
The oppressive force weakened slightly—yet remained overwhelming in power.
"Stand down."
Great Toad Sage rose from his throne and stepped into view before the assembled frogs.
For most frogs present, this was their very first time seeing Mount Myoboku's true master.
Normally, they only saw Sage Fukasaku.
Even less so outside the temple grounds.
Great Toad Sage's frail, aged frame looked as if it might collapse at any moment.
Yet nobody would dare underestimate him.
"White Snake."
Great Toad Sage fixed a foggy gaze on the towering White Snake Sage. "You have betrayed us."
"No." White Snake Sage shook his head without emotion. "Mount Myoboku and Ryuchi Cave have always been enemies. There has never been allegiance—so there can be no betrayal."
Seeing this, Great Toad Sage understood the other's position clearly.
But unlike White Snake Sage, he could not simply surrender outright.
Moreover, Kaguya Otsutsuki probably wouldn't accept that either.
Great Toad Sage turned his gaze toward Natsume.
He didn't understand why Natsume was here?
According to prophecy, the one fated to destroy Mount Myoboku possessed two traits:
A special eye,
And ties to Konoha.
Now both pointed to Kaguya Otsutsuki—which seemed deeply suspicious.
"But yet here he was," he mused silently.
Given Kaguya's nature, how could she possibly share ties with Konoha?
Moreover, Natsume appeared to fit the description of the Child of the Prophecy.
[Sage Mode] combined with [Wood Release].
What reason could bring them together?
"Natsume..."
Great Toad Sage knew death might be inevitable.
But before dying, it had to understand what was truly going on with Natsume.
This would be the final thing it did for Jiraiya.
"You are the Hokage of Konoha."
The Great Toad Sage asked gravely, "Mount Myoboku has always treated Konoha Village well. Why are you here?"
"Treated well?" he smirked. "Are you referring to Jiraiya?"
"Do you think he belonged to Konoha Village, or to Mount Myoboku?"
"It was a mutual agreement."
The Great Toad Sage paused, then countered, "Mount Myoboku has helped Konoha Village through many crises. Wasn't that enough?"
"You've overstepped your bounds."
Natsume shook his head and asked, "Great Toad Sage, have your prophecies ever been wrong?"
"No."
The Great Toad Sage answered, "Mount Myoboku is destined for destruction, but not by you. You're the Child of Prophecy, destined to oppose Kaguya Otsutsuki."
Sowing discord?
Impressive.
You've got nerve.
Natsume narrowed his eyes and asked, "Why do you say I'm the Child of Prophecy?"
The Great Toad Sage glanced at Kaguya Otsutsuki.
She didn't react at all.
He instantly sensed something was wrong.
Given her nature, how could she just sit there quietly?
Seeing this, the White Snake Sage's lips curved into a slight smirk.
Don't get it, do you?
Old fool.
You've always played the all-knowing god-like figure thanks to your prophecies,
But even you will someday face things you cannot comprehend.
"You possess Wood Release and Sage Mode."
The Great Toad Sage continued his persuasion, "You're destined to become the next Hashirama Senju, bringing peace to the ninja world and crushing all opposition."
"Ohhh!" he exclaimed, realization dawning.
"So, by your logic, I should kill her now?"
Natsume pointed at Kaguya Otsutsuki and asked.
"Yes."
A sudden unease gripped the Great Toad Sage.
Could this Kaguya Otsutsuki truly be an imposter?
But that made no sense.
If even the White Snake Sage had betrayed them, how could this possibly be fake?
No matter how hard he thought, he couldn't grasp the true relationship between Natsume and Kaguya Otsutsuki.
Even Hagoromo Otsutsuki and Hamura Otsutsuki would never dare act like this.
"Do you think she's the one who will destroy Mount Myoboku?"
Natsume activated his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan and laughed, "Actually, it's me."
The Great Toad Sage's breath caught.
That special eye—tied to Konoha's legacy.
Clearly, Natsume embodied that role far better than Kaguya Otsutsuki ever could.
Who exactly is the Child of Prophecy?
The Great Toad Sage sighed and said, "I see."
Visibly, its body became energized.
A surge of Sage Chakra flooded its body, as if it had regained its prime.
But this was clearly drinking poison to quench thirst.
"Stay safe—he's going all out."
The White Snake Sage warned.
Natsume nodded.
"You two step back."
The Great Toad Sage raised its head, its belly swelling rapidly before it expelled a massive orb through its mouth.
A colossal ball of Sage Chakra erupted forth like a cannonball.
Natsume clapped his hands together and entered Sage Mode.
[Sage Art: Water Release: Water Formation Wall]
He wanted to test just how much his strength had improved after obtaining Kaguya Otsutsuki's chakra.
The water sphere and the water wall clashed, sending a surge of water everywhere.
Under the astonished eyes of many frogs, the water wall didn't budge at all.
The Great Toad Sage's chest tightened.
This human's Sage Art was truly no weaker than his own.
It was unfathomable.
Ordinary humans couldn't dream of reaching his level in Sage Arts. Even being able to use Sage Art properly marked someone as a genius among geniuses.
No wonder he was the ruiner of Mount Myoboku.
His strength very likely surpassed that of the Sage of Six Paths.
Though victory seemed unlikely, the Great Toad Sage refused to fall without a fight.
With a sudden leap, his massive form enveloped in golden light smashed through the water wall like a falling mountain.
CRASH!
The entire Mount Myoboku quaked violently.
A massive plume of dust erupted where the Great Toad Sage landed.
But before the dust could even clear, a wooden dragon erupted from underground, coiling tightly around him.
[Sage Art: Wood Release – Wood Dragon Technique!]
The Great Toad Sage shuddered as flames suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
The wood dragon caught fire immediately.
However, the fire burned sluggishly.
The Great Toad Sage remained trapped.
Natsume quickly weaved another hand seal.
[Sage Art: Water Release – Water Severing Slash!]
This technique was a hallmark technique originally used by Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage.
A highly compressed stream of water lanced forward like a razor-edged sword.
The Great Toad Sage spat out a water sphere to intercept the oncoming jet.
But it was sliced cleanly in half. The powerful stream continued forward, piercing through the Great Toad Sage's shoulder.
It had aimed directly for a vital spot but barely missed due to the dodge.
Blood sprayed out.
"Grandpa!"
The other frogs cried out in alarm. Some were already getting ready to jump in.
"Stay back! This is beyond your strength!"
The Great Toad Sage broke free from the wooden dragon's grasp and landed again.
His shoulder wound sealed rapidly.
He fixed Natsume with a gaze colder than ever before.
[Sage Art: Gate of the Great God!]
Without hesitation, Natsume continued weaving seals.
One crimson torii gate after another rained down from the heavens.
Sensing danger, the Great Toad Sage vanished from sight in an instant.
Reappearing elsewhere, he flung open his jaws and shot out his long tongue.
[Sage Art: Wood Release – Spikes Technique!]
Natsume didn't flinch. He drove a punch straight forward, striking the tongue dead-on.
Spikes of wood erupted from his arm, skewering the tongue and spreading outward to pierce the Great Toad Sage himself.
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