Hanekawa glanced at the Great Toad Sage, whose distress was written plainly across his ancient features. "Does the sacred tree have defensive capabilities?"
The question was practical, born from genuine concern. An unguarded tree—even one as powerful as this—represented a vulnerability he couldn't afford.
"It does," Kaguya Ōtsutsuki replied, her voice cold and absolute. "No one can destroy the sacred tree except you and me."
She wasn't exaggerating. The tree was far more than vegetation. It had absorbed the chakra of the Two-Tails, the Eight-Tails, and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki herself. In terms of raw power, no ninja in the entire world could match it. More than that—the sacred tree and Kaguya were fundamentally connected. An attack on one would alert the other instantly.
"Good," Hanekawa said, taking her hand. He turned to face the Great Toad Sage, whose forced smile looked more like a grimace. "I've always believed in being fair."
The old toad tensed.
"If you wish to relocate to Konoha, I can provide land," Hanekawa continued. "Konoha would benefit greatly from toad summoning contracts. Your people would have security and purpose."
The catch, he left unspoken, is obedience.
The Great Toad Sage's mind raced. This was recruitment wrapped in courtesy—the kind of offer that wasn't really an offer at all. But survival was survival. Mount Myōboku was gone. Wandering the ninja world held no appeal. And Konoha, under Hanekawa's rule, was the only logical choice.
"Thank you, Lord God," the sage said quietly.
There was no real gratitude in the words. Only resignation.
Hanekawa's expression shifted slightly. "I remember you made a prophecy. About a Child of Prophecy—someone who would bring change to the entire ninja world."
The Great Toad Sage's heart seized. Oh no.
"I've determined who that child is," Hanekawa said, his tone conversational in a way that made it infinitely more dangerous. "It's me."
The old toad's mind scrambled. This wasn't a question. It was a statement of fact being rewritten in real time. And yet... it could work. Hanekawa had the power. He had the position. He certainly had the ability to change the ninja world.
When all the ninjas believe it, even a lie becomes truth.
Hanekawa was already thinking several moves ahead. Tsunade didn't believe in prophecies, but others did. If the entire ninja world accepted this narrative, if it became doctrine rather than speculation... even Tsunade would have to reconsider. And from that seed of doubt, he could cultivate something far more useful.
"I have a task for you," Hanekawa said. "Go into the ninja world and spread word that I am the Child of Prophecy. Make it known."
"Yes," the Great Toad Sage agreed, because there was nothing else to do.
"Contact me once you reach Konoha," Hanekawa added. "You can also find Jiraiya. He'll help facilitate your settlement."
With that, Hanekawa and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki vanished.
The Great Toad Sage exhaled slowly, tension draining from his massive frame. At least they were still alive. That was something.
"Master, what happened?" Gamabunta's voice cut through the silence.
The other toads had gathered—Gamaken, Gamahiro, and dozens more. They'd all felt the disturbance when the sacred tree arrived. Seeing their leader so thoroughly subdued was... unsettling.
"Fukasaku," the Great Toad Sage said heavily. "Explain everything."
The elder toad took a breath and began. He spoke of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki and the age of gods. He spoke of the sacred tree and what it meant. He spoke of Hanekawa and the new order taking shape.
The younger toads listened in stunned silence.
"We leave for Konoha in two days," the Great Toad Sage announced. "Prepare yourselves. And put away your sadness—if you want Mount Myōboku to survive, you'll behave accordingly."
The toads dispersed to make preparations, their movements heavy with resignation.
---
Jiraiya arrived at Mount Myōboku within the hour, summoned by reverse contract. The first thing he saw was the sacred tree—massive, impossible to miss, dominating the landscape like a second sun.
"Master, when did this appear?" he asked, genuinely bewildered.
"Before," the Great Toad Sage replied, his tone brooking no further questions. "It purifies the natural energy here. Now, I called you about the Child of Prophecy."
Jiraiya's entire body went rigid. "You've identified them?"
"Hanekawa."
The name hung in the air between them.
"But... he's not my student," Jiraiya said slowly. "He's Tsunade's. How does that—"
"The prophecy spoke of guidance, not necessarily a teacher-student relationship," the Great Toad Sage interrupted smoothly. "You and Tsunade are teammates. He is half your student through that connection. You are qualified to guide him."
It was circular logic with holes large enough to drive a wagon through. But Jiraiya, conditioned by decades of obedience to the sage, accepted it without deeper scrutiny.
"I understand," Jiraiya said, excitement building in his chest. "I'll return to Konoha immediately!"
He'd searched for so long. To finally find the Child of Prophecy—and have it be the Hokage, no less—felt like vindication. Like purpose crystallizing into form.
"Myōboku Mountain will also contribute," the Great Toad Sage added. "We're relocating to Konoha. Arrange accommodations in the Death Forest. And prepare a list of potential contractors."
"Of course, Master!"
Jiraiya bowed and departed, his mind already spinning with possibilities.
---
Tsunade was losing spectacularly at the gambling table when Jiraiya found her.
"Your luck hasn't improved," he observed.
"Did you come here just to state the obvious?" she snapped, but her expression shifted when he explained about Mount Myōboku's relocation and the Child of Prophecy revelation.
"It's Hanekawa," Jiraiya said, watching her carefully.
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "That's convenient."
"The master wouldn't lie—"
"The master is being diplomatic," Tsunade cut him off. "But fine. I've retired from administrative duties anyway. Handle it with the ANBU."
She turned back to her cards, dismissing him entirely.
Jiraiya left the casino and made the necessary arrangements. Within hours, a suitable habitat had been prepared in the Death Forest—far enough from the village proper, close enough to be useful.
But as he walked through Konoha's streets, observing the new departments and systems Hanekawa had implemented, Jiraiya felt a creeping confusion. The Mineral Department. The Market Finance Division. These weren't ninja institutions. They were something else entirely.
Is this the change the prophecy foretold?
He didn't have an answer.
---
The Raikage's office in Hidden Cloud Village.
Hanekawa materialized behind the desk as if he'd always been there. Kaguya Ōtsutsuki took position behind him like a living shadow.
"The jonin have agreed," Mabui reported, standing at attention. "You are recognized as the Fifth Raikage."
"Excellent," Hanekawa said. "Your first priority: catalog all mineral resources in the Land of Thunder. Everything."
Mabui hesitated. "If the daimyo inquires—"
"He won't," Hanekawa said simply.
She understood. The daimyo wouldn't ask because the daimyo wouldn't have a choice. The old power structures were crumbling. New ones were being built.
"What about Yugito?" Samui asked carefully.
"Keep her secured for now," Hanekawa replied. "We'll decide later."
He stood, taking Kaguya's hand. "That's all for today. I'll return tomorrow."
They vanished.
Mabui and Samui exchanged glances. Neither spoke. There was nothing to say that wouldn't sound like complaint, and complaint was no longer an option.
---
Hanekawa materialized in his kitchen in Konoha, already mentally cataloging ingredients. Tsunade would be waiting. She always was, these days—waiting for him to cook, waiting for his presence, waiting for the stability he represented.
The Child of Prophecy, he thought with dry amusement. Spreading prophecies, reorganizing villages, reshaping the ninja world.
And still making lunch on time.
He smiled and began preparing the meal.