The Great Toad Sage.
Originally named Gamamaru, he was the one who once guided Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki to rebel against his mother, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
Kakashi didn't know exactly what kind of psychological journey Hagoromo—the man known as the Sage of Six Paths—had gone through to eventually seal his own mother.
But that wasn't important right now.
He had arrived.
He stood before the massive palace where Gamamaru resided.
Led by the two Great Toad Sages, Kakashi stepped into the palace. Upon entering, his gaze was immediately drawn to the colossal presence directly ahead.
It was a giant, elderly toad wearing a black academic cap. His eyes were closed, and his wrinkled skin made him look as though he were deep in slumber. Based on appearance alone, he looked ancient, as if he might pass away at any moment.
For some reason, Kakashi had a faint feeling that this being was not as simple as his outward appearance suggested. It wasn't that he had noticed any specific clue; it was pure intuition.
"Great Sage, the Hokage has arrived," Fukasaku Sage said softly as he stepped toward the Great Toad Sage.
However, the Great Toad Sage remained unmoved, seemingly still immersed in his dreams.
"You old fossil! The Hokage is here! Wake up already!"
Compared to Fukasaku, Shima Sage was much more temperamental. This matched the description of her personality that Jiraiya had given earlier.
"Oh, oh... it's little Fukasaku and little Shima. Hmm, and who else was there... I forgot."
Under Shima's roar, the Great Toad Sage finally woke up slowly. His gaze drifted past Fukasaku and Shima, lingered briefly on Jiraiya, and finally settled on Kakashi, who was calmly observing the scene.
"Great Sage, I am Jira—"
Jiraiya was already used to the Great Toad Sage's forgetfulness and was about to identify himself when the Great Toad Sage interrupted him.
"The human youth from the prophecy..."
"I see you."
The Great Toad Sage's words caused Jiraiya to freeze. He looked at Kakashi with surprise.
In the prophecy the Great Toad Sage had given him previously, it was said that during his travels and writing, Jiraiya would take the Child of Prophecy as a disciple—a child who would bring a revolution of either destruction or hope to the shinobi world. In that prophecy, the Great Sage didn't know exactly who the Child of Prophecy was.
But regarding the current prophecy for Kakashi, the Great Toad Sage explicitly stated that he "saw" him.
"Great Sage, what exactly do you see in me?"
Kakashi had never truly believed in these so-called prophecies. In the original story, the Child of Prophecy was undeniably Naruto. But in the end, what did Naruto actually bring to the shinobi world?
Nothing truly changed. Even in the era of Boruto, when dealing with Naruto's son, the four Kage of the Wind, Earth, Lightning, and Water dared to use the threat of war to pressure Naruto. They truly acted as if they didn't know how to spell the word "death."
"Young human..."
The Great Toad Sage's massive eyes didn't look aged at all; instead, they possessed a clear, bright, and innocent quality.
"I see you bringing both destruction and rebirth."
"You have ignited the flames of war, and the entire shinobi world prostrates at your feet. Among those who resist you, a youth with the Rinnegan curses you, and a youth with the Sharingan stands against you as an enemy."
"You bring a revolution that leads the shinobi world toward an unknown direction."
"In this time, no one can remain a bystander. Everyone is forced to participate, becoming either your enemy or your friend."
"The outcome of all this is shrouded in mist. Even I cannot see the final result."
The Great Toad Sage's prophecy was long, but clear. It left Jiraiya standing there in a daze.
A youth with the Rinnegan? Cursing Kakashi? Is it... Nagato? But isn't Nagato dead?
Kakashi's heart stirred slightly upon hearing this. The Great Toad Sage's prophecy was easy to interpret.
The youth with the Rinnegan was either Nagato or Madara Uchiha. The youth with the Sharingan was either Madara or Obito Uchiha. As for the part about everyone being unable to remain bystanders and being forced to participate...
"Great Sage, in this process, what role does Mount Myōboku or the three Great Sage Regions play?" Kakashi looked at the Great Toad Sage and asked a somewhat dangerous question.
However, the Great Toad Sage shook his head. "Shikkotsu Forest and Ryūchi Cave both have Sages like me presiding over them; I cannot prophesy about them. As for Mount Myōboku..."
"A physician cannot heal himself."
He can't see it, or he's unwilling to say?
Kakashi couldn't force the Great Toad Sage to answer. He let the matter drop and pivoted to his main goal. "Then, what should I do?"
Hearing Kakashi's question, the Great Toad Sage responded leisurely, "Do what you wish to do. The future is ethereal and will not change because of a single individual. Perhaps, in the grand scheme of things, your very actions to change the future are the steps that lead you toward that known destiny."
"Do not strive for the sake of changing the future; strive for what you yourself want to do."
"Because fate is already cast. Even if you do nothing, everything in the unseen will push you toward that established future."
This old guy really has a way with words, Kakashi thought cynically. He stopped dwelling on the prophecy and stated the purpose of his visit.
"Great Sage, I wish to learn Sage Mode. Is Mount Myōboku willing to lend me a hand?"
Since the future couldn't be changed, the logical path was to actively engage and seek the greatest chance of survival within it. This was a principle anyone should understand.
"Regrettably, young human, Mount Myōboku cannot provide you with assistance."
The Great Toad Sage shook his head at Kakashi, leaving the two Toad Sages and Jiraiya in a state of shock.
In the previous prophecy, the Great Toad Sage had clearly stated that Mount Myōboku would play a role. If possible, building a good relationship with the current Hokage was the best choice. Furthermore, Mount Myōboku had already signed contracts with Jiraiya (one of the Legendary Sannin) and Minato Namikaze (the Fourth Hokage). Since Kakashi was Jiraiya's grand-disciple and Minato's student, it stood to reason that signing a contract with Kakashi would be the ideal move.
Two Hokage from one lineage. If this opportunity were presented to Ryūchi Cave, those snakes would likely be fighting over him.
Kakashi narrowed his eyes. No one knew what he was thinking at that moment.
"The future cannot be changed. Whether I choose to help or not, the outcome remains the same."
"Now, young human, do you understand the logic within this?"
Fukasaku Sage looked at the Great Sage, feeling completely stunned. While the logic might hold up, if they helped now, they could at least earn the Hokage's favor. Even if Mount Myōboku's choices failed in the future, they would still have a lifeline...
My wife was right, Fukasaku thought. This old guy really has gone senile.
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