Hearing them, Jiraiya's mouth twitched, and he let out a nervous laugh. "These are just injuries from sparring—it's nothing serious."
Even so, Shima-sama looked uneasy. "Child's father, quickly give some ointment to Jiraiya!"
"Don't worry!" Fukasaku-sama took a dark ointment from his robes. "I always carry some with me. Those rowdy toads tend to get us hurt—so I'm prepared."
Jiraiya took the ointment, curious. "Sages, why did you summon me this time?"
"I don't know," Shima-sama shook her head. "The Great Elder called for you—he says there's a new prophecy he wants to tell you."
Jiraiya froze. The "Great Elder"—he knew exactly who that was. Shima and Fukasaku called the Great Toad the Great Elder, but a new prophecy? And it concerned him?
Ever since he had made a contract with Mount Myoboku, the Great Toad had only ever given him one prophecy—the one about the Child of Prophecy.
But now… had he found the wrong child?
Jiraiya thought carefully. He had met many people, but only Yuki Seisui and Uzumaki Nagato truly fit the signs of the Child of Prophecy.
Both were his students. Nagato had been trained well, and Seisui, though rebellious and unpredictable, was a fine young man.
Surely, the Child of Prophecy had to be one of them.
One with the Rinnegan and Uzumaki blood.
One with the Mangekyo Sharingan, Uzumaki blood, and extraordinary talent.
Seeing Jiraiya deep in thought, Fukasaku said, "Stop overthinking. You'll know when you get there."
"We're curious too," Shima added, "what this new prophecy could be."
"That's true," Jiraiya agreed, then picked up the cane tucked under his arm, preparing to follow the two sages to the Great Toad.
Fukasaku sighed. "Child's mother, have my mount toad carry him."
Jiraiya didn't object. Why walk when he could ride? Pain was tolerable, but why willingly endure more of it?
Shima quickly brought the mount toad. Seeing Jiraiya, it wrapped him up with its tongue and placed him onto the seat on its back.
The two sages jumped onto his shoulders. Despite the toad's massive movements, Jiraiya felt no bumping or jostling.
The Great Toad wasn't far. When they reached the entrance, the mount stopped—inside was off-limits.
Jiraiya knew the procedure: once the toad stopped, he jumped off with one leg, limped forward, and entered the room.
Soon, Jiraiya stood before the Great Toad, who was half-asleep. Unfazed, he asked with curiosity, "Great Toad, is there a new prophecy?"
"Oh? Who are you?" The Great Toad slowly opened its cloudy eyes, looking utterly senile.
"That's Jiraiya!" Shima explained helplessly.
The Great Toad seemed to forget his name, staying silent for a long moment before remembering. "Ah, Jiraiya… yes, yes."
"What did you just say?"
Jiraiya exhaled, used to these moments. Though often exasperated, he couldn't be rude.
"Great Toad, a new prophecy?"
This time, the Great Toad nodded slowly. "It seems there is one… but I forgot. Let me think." Closing its eyes again, it fell silent.
Jiraiya, Fukasaku, and Shima waited patiently. After some time, Shima grew impatient.
"Old man, has the Great Elder fallen asleep again?!"
"He probably has." Fukasaku jumped next to the Great Toad, shouting helplessly.
"Great Elder, wake up!"
"Ugh…" With Fukasaku's call, the Great Toad awoke.
"Sorry, I dozed off."
"Oh? Jiraiya… why have you come?" the Great Toad asked, puzzled.
"You summoned him! You said there's a new prophecy!" Shima reminded.
"I remember now." The Great Toad's cloudy eyes gradually cleared, its expression turning serious.
"What prophecy?" Jiraiya's heart tightened, his grip on his cane firming.
Ignoring Jiraiya, the Great Toad spoke solemnly. "I saw the altered future in a dream."
Jiraiya, Shima, and Fukasaku exchanged tense glances. The room fell silent; even the heartbeat and breathing sounded amplified in the eerie stillness.
Then the Great Toad said something that sent chills down their spines:
"All the ninjas in the future… will vanish."
"What?!" Jiraiya's eyes widened in shock.
If ninjas disappeared, it meant there would be no ninjas left in the world—a disaster on par with total destruction.
"Yes," the Great Toad continued. "I saw a ninja enveloped in white light, flanked by two nine-tails. He stood before everyone, declaring the end of ninjas and the dawn of their era."
"But I also saw a trail of blood… many deaths along the way."
"This person will be the ROOT cause of the calamity," the Great Toad said, looking at Jiraiya. "Though I cannot see his face clearly, I saw him wearing Konoha's forehead protector, and his hair was red."
"You must find him in Konoha and change his mind."
Jiraiya swallowed hard. A familiar figure formed in his mind. Cautiously, he asked, "Great Toad… are you sure?"
"I am. He will stand before everyone, declare the end of ninjas, sever the forehead protectors of Konoha and all other villages, and kill all the great lords and nobles."
The image in Jiraiya's mind became clearer—the figure merged with Seisui's appearance. But Seisui had said that ninjas would live in peace… how could they vanish?
"Great Toad, is there any other prophecy?" Jiraiya asked stubbornly.
The Great Toad's eyes clouded again. "Hmm… I think there is… but my memory is vague."
Jiraiya's eyes brightened. Even fragments could be cross-referenced with Seisui's earlier statements to reveal much.
The Great Toad pondered, then continued, "It seems someone is using ninjutsu… in the wheat fields."
Its voice faded in and out as its eyes grew distant.
"How… strange… why would that be…"