"This actually seems like a good idea," Jiraiya said. Indeed, he hadn't yet consulted the Great Toad Sage about the specifics of the Prophecy's Child.
Perhaps within that prophecy lies some crucial clue.
"Then I'll head off immediately to consult the Great Toad Sage."
Spending half a year in Amegakure showed Jiraiya that big changes were coming to the Ninja World—changes that would bring disaster to countless people.
Although it might already be too late, he still wanted to find this Prophecy's Child as soon as possible.
Minato also understood that not long from now would begin the Second Great Ninja War. Clearly, his teacher Jiraiya had sensed the approaching war and was trying to do something to stop it.
"Teacher Jiraiya, although I don't believe myself to be the Child of the Prophecy, since I am your disciple, I still bear responsibility in this matter. Would you allow me to accompany you and meet the Great Toad Sage together?"
With Minato's current abilities, performing a Reverse Summoning Jutsu to travel to Mount Myoboku would still be slightly beyond his capability.
But if it's Teacher Jiraiya, there wouldn't be any problem at all.
Considering Minato's unexpected request for a moment, Jiraiya replied, "Don't you have classes at the Ninja Academy?"
Minato answered, "Teacher, since you know I've already become a Genin, you should also understand that my current assignment is Kushina's personal protection duty. Recently, for certain reasons, she hasn't been attending school..."
Although he now had those memories and understood that Kushina was being protected as a Jinchuriki, he couldn't reveal what he knew and could only pretend to be unaware.
When Jiraiya heard this, a heavy feeling settled in his chest—he already knew about Kushina's situation, but it was top-secret information. Even though Minato served as her guard, he still wasn't cleared to know about it.
"Well then, if you're willing, come along with me." Nodding, Jiraiya performed the Summoning Technique right where he stood, summoning out a toad no bigger than a palm.
"Please tell Elder Fukasaku that I request him perform a Summoning Technique to transport Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze to Mount Myoboku."
This little toad was one of Mount Myoboku's messenger toads. After receiving Jiraiya's instructions, it ended the summoning and vanished without a trace.
"Puff!" "Puff!"
Several minutes later, two clouds of smoke filled the living room of Minato's home—and with them, master and apprentice disappeared directly from this place.
...
That sensation of spatial shifting had already been imprinted into Minato's very soul.
Actually, the concept behind the Flying Thunder God Technique bears a strong resemblance to that of the Summoning Jutsu.
In an instant, the scenery before Minato's eyes changed completely.
Their arrival appeared to be inside some sort of dwelling. As they materialized, a voice immediately greeted them.
"Little Jiraiya, long time no see."
Minato turned his gaze to the speaker. A humanoid toad stood upon a stool, nearly matching him in height.
It had snow-white hair, eyebrows, and beard, its voice extremely kind.
Minato had trained under Jiraiya and even practiced Sage Mode before, so he immediately recognized who this was.
One of the Two Great Toad Sages of Mount Myoboku, Elder Fukasaku.
"It's been a long time too, Boss," Jiraiya said respectfully. The toad sage before him was decades older than him.
Elder Fukasaku nodded slightly with a smile, then turned his gaze toward Minato. "So this is your disciple?"
Minato bowed politely and said, "Greetings, Elder Fukasaku."
"This young man seems quite impressive."
Elder Fukasaku said, glancing toward Jiraiya. He had taken an immediate liking to Minato, even though they had barely exchanged more than a greeting. Having lived for hundreds of years, his ability to judge character was extraordinary. Moreover, there was something inherently likable about Minato that naturally drew others in.
"Where's Big Sis?" Jiraiya looked around. Naturally, they were inside Elder Fukasaku's dwelling.
The "Big Sis" he mentioned was the other of the two great sages—Sage Shima.
"She went to look for ingredients," Elder Fukasaku replied.
Upon hearing this, Jiraiya's expression abruptly changed, as if recalling a very unpleasant memory. Minato also twitched slightly at the corner of his eye—the taste of Shima's cooking had somehow etched itself into his soul.
A flavor you can never forget…
"Forget that," Fukasaku interjected. "You brought your disciple here to Mount Myoboku today because of that prophecy, right?"
Jiraiya nodded and explained his intentions to Elder Fukasaku.
"That actually might work," Fukasaku mused. "Alright then, little Jiraiya, little Minato—follow me." After listening to Jiraiya's explanation, Elder Fukasaku felt this plan was worth trying.
He then turned to Minato and added, "Since your disciple is already here, if he truly is the Child of the Prophecy, the Great Toad Sage should be able to sense something."
In no time, the two men and one toad left Fukasaku's home.
As Minato gazed upon the familiar landscape of Mount Myoboku, memories surged within him and he couldn't help but feel emotional. He had trained here once before; now, reborn, he returned again.
But this time, the outcome of his life would no longer be the same.
"Well well, if it isn't Jiraiya."
On their way to the Great Toad Sage's chamber, they encountered a giant toad smoking a large pipe. Smoke poured out of his mouth like swirling clouds.
This was none other than Gamabunta, the boss toad of Mount Myoboku!
During the Nine-Tails incident, Gamabunta had helped Minato temporarily suppress the beast and shattered its Tailed Beast Ball. Had he not done so, that single attack could have caused catastrophic damage to Konoha.
Jiraiya greeted him and introduced Minato.
However, Gamabunta usually paid little attention to kids—even if the kid was Jiraiya's student.
Back then, Minato had gone through a lot to earn Gamabunta's recognition.
As a summoning beast, Gamabunta ranked among the highest classes—equal to Orochimaru's Manda and Tsunade's Katsuyu.
Because of this bond with their respective summoning beasts, the three were known not only as the Sannin, but also by another title. [The Summoners Trio!]
The Great Toad Sage's chamber was located at the very peak of Mount Myoboku.
Naturally, the Great Toad Sage's chamber was much bigger than any human dwelling.
Minato and Jiraiya, led by Fukasaku, entered the chamber. Inside sat a toad slightly larger than Gamabunta.
He had a weathered look and bright red skin.
In truth, he had lived for over a thousand years—
long before the history of Ninja.
When the Great Toad Sage saw the visitors, his aged yet deep voice spoke.
"Ah, so it's Jiraiya…"
Jiraiya immediately bowed and said, "I apologize for the interruption, Sage."
Minato also bowed along with Jiraiya. It was only then that the Great Toad Sage noticed him and quickly asked,
"Who's this kid next to you?"
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