Inside the cavern of Mount Myōboku.
The Great Toad Sage and Jiraiya stared at the remaining scrolls.
"You think these contain Tailed Beast Bombs?" the Sage asked.
"They should," Jiraiya replied.
He pointed to seven of them.
"These seven are likely extracted from the Nine-Tails. Sealed Tailed Beast Bombs."
The Great Toad Sage nodded.
Its long tongue lashed out—
Swish.
All seven scrolls disappeared into its body.
Only one scroll remained.
"That one should contain a Wood Release clone," Jiraiya judged.
"Most likely."
Instead of swallowing it, the Great Toad Sage flicked it aside, letting it fall beneath its seat.
Jiraiya frowned.
"You don't need that one?"
The Sage's voice turned cold.
"That one contains a clone of the tumor."
"…Tumor?"
Jiraiya froze.
Was it referring to… Drake?
The Sage exhaled smoke slowly.
"Konoha's Drake is a malignant tumor of the ninja world."
"Our objective… is to eliminate him."
Jiraiya's expression darkened instantly.
"What are you saying? Isn't this about protecting the village's future?"
"No."
The Sage's ancient eyes gleamed faintly.
"To save the ninja world, the tumor must die."
"But he's the Fourth Hokage!" Jiraiya protested.
"You do not understand certain truths," the Sage replied quietly.
"No," Jiraiya said firmly. "You made me steal these scrolls. Was it to use them against the Fourth Hokage?"
"Yes."
The answer was absolute.
Jiraiya felt something collapse inside him.
Those ten scrolls were clearly contingency measures Drake had left behind for Konoha.
And he… had stolen them.
"If the ninja world is destroyed, will Konoha survive?" the Sage asked gravely.
"…Explain."
"I saw it in a dream. Drake will destroy the ninja world."
Silence filled the cavern.
Jiraiya's mind struggled to process it.
Drake?
Destroy the world?
He was twelve.
He was Hokage.
Yet—
His strength had always been abnormal.
Monstrous.
Beyond reason.
"If he continues growing unchecked," the Sage continued, "no one will stop him."
Jiraiya slowly closed his eyes.
If the prophecy was real…
Then Drake had to be stopped early.
"…Minato will be heartbroken."
"But for the peace of the world…"
Jiraiya steadied his resolve.
The Sage's voice deepened.
"Return to Konoha. Bring Drake here."
"You mean… lure him to Mount Myōboku?"
"Yes."
"If he steps into this land…"
The Sage's eyes narrowed.
"He will die."
Mount Myōboku — Entrance Plains
Drake and Minato stood beneath towering toads.
A massive figure loomed above them.
"Minato!" boomed Gamabunta. "You brought an outsider here?"
"He is not an outsider," Minato replied calmly. "He is my disciple — Drake. The Fourth Hokage of Konoha."
"What?!"
Gamabunta's voice thundered.
"The tumor Drake? And you brought him here?!"
Drake tilted his head slightly.
"I'm a tumor?"
Minato's face hardened.
"Bunta. Explain yourself."
"Leave him immediately," Gamabunta warned. "Mount Myōboku will begin its assault."
Drake didn't look at the toads.
He looked at Minato.
"How was my guess, Sensei?"
"…Accurate."
Minato's chakra surged faintly.
"If Mount Myōboku targets Konoha's Fourth Hokage," he said coldly, "then it is an enemy of Konoha."
He stepped forward slightly.
"You destroyed the Cloud's supply lines and forced their retreat."
"You annihilated a thousand Iwa elite."
"A single clone of yours wiped out a Sand force."
"You secured diplomatic leverage for the village."
"You became Hokage."
"And you're called a tumor?"
Minato laughed once — sharp and cold.
Drake smiled faintly.
Gamabunta shook his head.
"So you'll die with him. What a shame."
The ground trembled.
Three giant toads leapt into position, encircling the teacher and student.
"So it truly is the tumor Drake," said Fukasaku, standing atop one of the toads.
"Be careful," warned Shima. "The Sage said the boy is terrifyingly strong."
A figure dropped beside them.
Jiraiya.
He glanced at Minato.
"Minato! Leave Drake immediately!"
Minato looked at his teacher quietly.
"Jiraiya-sensei… you disappoint me."
"You're protecting the enemy!"
"No," Minato replied coldly. "In my eyes… you are the enemy."
He drew a kunai, activating the formula etched upon it.
Before he could move—
A hand rested lightly on his shoulder.
Drake stepped forward.
His expression was calm.
"Sensei."
"This is enough."
His gaze lifted toward the gathered toads.
"I'll handle this."
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus (KH)Chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus (KH)Chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 (KH)Chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/SwipeSage