Today, the atmosphere at Mount Myōboku was particularly heavy. Jiraiya had been urgently summoned and was quickly escorted by the two elder toads into the grand hall where the Great Toad Sage resided.
"Great Toad Sage, do you have new instructions for me?" Influenced by the solemn mood, Jiraiya's tone unconsciously became more serious.
"Little Jiraiya, the threads of fate have completely unraveled."
The first words from the Great Toad Sage struck Jiraiya like a thunderclap, leaving him momentarily stunned.
"What do you mean by this, Great Toad Sage?" Jiraiya asked anxiously, momentarily forgetting proper etiquette as he raised his head to meet the sage's eyes. One man and one toad locked gazes, and Jiraiya's heart sank further. The look in the Great Toad Sage's eyes told him it was serious.
"Is this because of the Akatsuki?" After a moment of silence, Jiraiya asked.
"Yes, and no," the Great Toad Sage replied.
"The deviation in fate does indeed involve the Akatsuki, but they are not the sole variable."
"Then who is the variable?" Jiraiya asked curiously.
"Deidara," the Great Toad Sage answered directly, catching Jiraiya completely off guard. He had expected a cryptic prophecy or an ambiguous answer, but this was shockingly straightforward.
"Deidara?" Jiraiya was momentarily dumbfounded. His impression of Deidara was limited to their last encounter, when Deidara had used a clever method to break free from his genjutsu before escaping.
Although he was aware that Deidara was a member of the Akatsuki and had participated in many of their actions, Jiraiya had never considered him particularly significant.
"Yes," the Great Toad Sage confirmed with a nod, his voice growing weaker.
"Jiraiya, eliminating Deidara and restoring the Akatsuki to their destined path is the last chance to bring the threads of fate back on track."
"But..." Jiraiya smiled bitterly. "He's incredibly strong. I don't think I could defeat him, even with the help of Fukasaku and Shima."
"How about with me?"
The Great Toad Sage's next words were even more shocking.
"You're going to act personally?" Jiraiya felt as though thunderbolts were striking him one after another.
The Great Toad Sage, a being from the same era as the Sage of Six Paths, was offering to intervene. What kind of fate could provoke such a reaction?
But the Great Toad Sage shook his head, denying Jiraiya's assumption.
"I am old and can no longer fight."
This time, the Great Toad Sage didn't wait for Jiraiya to speculate further. He continued, "But I will pass my power to you. The task of saving the world's fate will be yours."
Jiraiya's heart trembled violently. Coupled with the oppressive atmosphere of Mount Myōboku today, he realized the gravity of the situation.
"Does it really have to come to this?" he asked, his voice filled with sorrow and disbelief.
The Great Toad Sage responded with a resolute sigh. "Little Jiraiya, you don't understand."
"The ninja world is far more dangerous than you can imagine. If the threads of fate are altered and the future becomes uncertain, the most likely outcome for the ninja world is complete and utter destruction."
"Therefore, no matter what, you must restore the threads of fate!"
A profound sense of responsibility descended upon Jiraiya, weighing heavily on his shoulders. Yet, in that moment, he found a surprising sense of calm amidst the overwhelming pressure.
"This time, it won't just be us taking action."
"I've also enlisted the support of Ryūchi Cave and Shikkotsu Forest. Their strength will be under your command as well!"
"Now, are you willing to accept this power and responsibility?"
Jiraiya nodded firmly. "I am willing!"
"Come forward."
As the transfer of power began, the Great Toad Sage gradually lost its vitality.
"Hagoromo, this is all I can do. The rest is up to you."
Shikkotsu Forest.
After being healed by Katsuyu, Tsunade had been recuperating in Shikkotsu Forest for the past few days.
The recent events had been overwhelming, leaving her unsure of how to face others or where to go once she returned to the ninja world.
Konoha had been destroyed, the Akatsuki's despair-inducing dominance loomed over them, and she had been manipulated by Danzo using Kotoamatsukami. It was all too surreal and humiliating.
But today, Katsuyu had summoned her and delivered a series of revelations that made everything feel even more unreal.
"So, I'm supposed to help Jiraiya restore the threads of fate?"
"In simpler terms, I just need to defeat all the enemies, right?" Tsunade asked uncertainly.
The main body of Katsuyu, towering high into the clouds, playfully waved its feelers. In its sweet, goddess-like voice, it replied, "Lady Tsunade, that's essentially correct."
Although Katsuyu was ancient and powerful, its mind remained eternally childlike. This was because Katsuyu was, in essence, a collective lifeform, its consciousness formed by the aggregation of countless smaller slugs. However, this aggregation was incomplete, resulting in its youthful demeanor.
"Lady Tsunade, are you willing to accept this power and responsibility?"
Tsunade nodded. "I am willing."
After all, she couldn't just sit idly by and watch the world be destroyed, could she?
She stepped forward. Unlike the Great Toad Sage, Shikkotsu Forest and Ryūchi Cave were responders. They would share a portion of their power with their chosen individuals, rather than transferring their entire essence.
Ryūchi Cave.
Reincarnated as Yusuke Uzumaki, Orochimaru was reverse-summoned to Ryūchi Cave. Since Obito was preoccupied with his escape, their temporary disappearance wouldn't raise suspicion.
The White Snake Sage lay lazily, briefly explaining the situation to Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru, are you willing to accept this power and responsibility?"
Instead of answering immediately, Orochimaru licked his lips with interest and asked, "As far as I know, the Akatsuki are also striving for peace."
"They don't seem like villains. Isn't it an exaggeration to say they'll bring about the world's destruction?"
Perhaps due to the gravity of the situation, the usually irritable White Snake Sage took the time to explain further.
"Orochimaru, good intentions don't always lead to good outcomes."
"The ninja world harbors countless hidden dangers. If the original threads of fate are followed, these dangers will eventually be overcome."
"But if we allow the Akatsuki to continue their actions, they might succeed—or they might fail. The latter is far more likely."
"The original path guarantees success. Any alternative that doesn't ensure a 100% success rate is, in essence, an act of harm. Do you understand?"
"So, they must be destroyed, even if their intentions are good?"
"Yes, it's a necessary sacrifice," the White Snake Sage affirmed with a nod.
"Then, can you tell me what these hidden dangers in the ninja world are?" Orochimaru asked again.
The White Snake Sage chuckled cryptically. "That, I cannot tell you."
"Orochimaru, you yourself are a dangerous individual. Revealing such information to you would only complicate matters further."
Orochimaru shrugged. "Fair enough."
"Now, Orochimaru, are you willing to accept this power and responsibility?" The White Snake Sage uncharacteristically adopted a serious expression.
To the astonishment of the three Divine Priestesses present, Orochimaru shook his head.
"No! I refuse!"
"I reject anything unchanging. The Akatsuki have stirred new winds in the ninja world, and I find that exciting. Why would I go against them?"
"Orochimaru, do you realize what you're refusing?" Tianxin, one of the Divine Priestesses, exclaimed in disbelief. This was a portion of the White Snake Sage's power! Even they coveted it!
The White Snake Sage, however, remained calm. "I knew you'd say that."
"That's why I've chosen someone from your subordinates to take your place. I hope you don't mind."
A round-faced young man with glasses stepped forward. He adjusted his glasses and, with a hint of deference, addressed Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru-sama!"
Orochimaru showed no signs of anger. Instead, he looked at the bespectacled youth with amusement.
"So it was you, Kabuto!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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