"Jiraiya… are you saying the Great Toad Sage believes Shimizu is the child of prophecy—the one meant to bring change to the shinobi world?" the Third Hokage asked, clearly puzzled. "But wasn't that supposed to be the child you saved in the Land of Rain? Or perhaps Minato?"
"The Great Toad Sage never said Shimizu was the child of prophecy…" Jiraiya scratched his head, realizing he'd have to explain this properly. "Honestly, when I first heard the prophecy, I was just as confused."
"The Sage's prophecy comes in the form of a dream—fragmented, incomplete. Each piece is disconnected, blurry."
He paused, recalling the visions.
"A Konoha shinobi, wreathed in lightning… dying, and then coming back to life."
"He stands atop the waves, sword in hand, gazing upon a world in ruins."
"Then he's on a high platform, revered by countless people… surrounded by flowers."
"That's all the Sage could see."
The Third Hokage narrowed his eyes in thought. "Death and revival… Lightning Release… Water Release… Taken together, it does seem to point to Shimizu."
"It can only be him," Jiraiya said firmly.
"Then… does that mean the prophecy foretells Shimizu playing a pivotal role in the war? Leading Konoha to victory?"
"The Sage didn't say that either," Jiraiya shook his head. "All he said was that this ninja has broken free from his predetermined fate. Because of his existence, the river of time itself has begun to ripple violently."
"…Did he explain what that actually means?"
"The only thing we can be certain of is this—Shimizu will have a profound impact on the people around him. That's why he's called a 'vortex of fate.' As for whether that influence is good or bad… even the Great Toad Sage doesn't know."
The room fell into silence.
After a long pause, the Third Hokage spoke in a low voice, "From what you've described… war and peace both seem to coexist within him. Could it be that Shimizu is the key to this war?"
"Or at least… someone capable of altering its course?"
Compared to the Hokage's heavy tone, Jiraiya seemed far more relaxed.
"A prophecy like this only gives a starting point and a few scattered scenes. I can't draw any firm conclusions," he shrugged. "So for now… I'll just keep an eye on him."
"You're not thinking of taking him as a disciple?" the Third Hokage raised a brow, slightly surprised.
"To be honest? Not at the moment." Jiraiya shook his head. "I don't see him as the child of prophecy—at least, not yet."
"I'll observe him for a while first."
"Besides… the future is never set in stone. There are always variables. And according to the Sage's prophecy, it's my student who will one day bring about great change in the shinobi world."
"If he hasn't even earned my recognition… how could he qualify to become my disciple?"
The Third Hokage gave a faint nod, then added thoughtfully,
"Anyone who appears in the Great Toad Sage's dreams is no ordinary shinobi. Even if he's not the child of prophecy, he must carry some deeper significance."
Then, almost as an afterthought, he said:
"Madara gave him Hashirama's cells."
"…What?!" Jiraiya's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "The First Hokage? Wood Release?!"
In the shinobi world, some names alone carried overwhelming weight.
And Wood Release was one of them.
Even though Jiraiya had never personally witnessed the true power of Deep Forest Emergence, the mere fragments he'd heard from the Third Hokage were enough to leave a lasting impression.
After all, the man speaking was hailed as the strongest Hokage in Konoha's history.
And if he held the First Hokage in such reverence—
that said everything.
Not to mention, Jiraiya himself had firsthand experience with the terrifying power of the Tailed Beasts.
And Hashirama's Wood Release?
It was a force capable of pinning those monsters to the ground and crushing them.
"…Though he can't use Wood Release yet," the Hokage added.
"I knew it." Jiraiya let out a breath of relief, his racing heart settling. Mastering Wood Release was never that simple.
"But his Earth Release has already reached a masterful level. And combined with his Water and Lightning…"
"…Three nature transformations already mastered?" Jiraiya murmured, his expression turning thoughtful.
In his memory, shinobi who reached that level were exceedingly rare.
Aside from Orochimaru… and the man standing before him…
There was no third.
Learning a single nature transformation might take three to five years at most. But to truly master it? That required decades of relentless training—and no small amount of talent.
For most shinobi, mastering even one element in their lifetime was already the limit.
And yet Shimizu was only in his early twenties…
"Shimizu's strength may already surpass Minato Namikaze," the Third Hokage concluded. "I've carefully reviewed every mission report he's submitted, especially the combat details."
"That's one of the main reasons I appointed him as a regiment commander. Our war with Sunagakure has already reached a critical stage. It would be a waste not to deploy such power on the front lines."
"I admit Shimizu is strong—but saying he's surpassed Minato? That's a bit much, old man," said Jiraiya with a snort.
Minato was his prized disciple.
How could he possibly be outclassed by Kosuke's student?
Impossible.
"'Shunshin Shimizu'—you were the one who told me that name in the first place," the Third Hokage replied with a faint smile, taking a slow drag from his pipe.
"That was just a nickname. It doesn't prove anything."
"Heh."
"..."
...
Shimizu returned home.
The place was as empty as ever.
He hadn't been back in nearly two months, and a thin layer of dust had settled over everything.
Still, he dropped straight onto his familiar wooden bed, sprawled out in a starfish position.
"Even a dusty bed beats sleeping in the wilderness."
For the first time in a long while, he let himself truly relax.
His thoughts drifted over everything that had happened recently—
Kosuke had made it out safely. He'd successfully linked up with Orochimaru, and the two had returned to Konoha together.
Satomi had been sent back to her clan to recover. According to Tsunade, her chakra network hadn't suffered any permanent damage—she'd recover fully in a few months.
Minato, Yoshimaru, and the three kids from Team Minato had all made it back alive as well.
Especially Obito Uchiha—the moment he returned, he started bragging about awakening his Sharingan to anyone who would listen.
Apparently, even the old lady he once helped cross the street knew about it now.
Shimizu couldn't help but wonder…
Was this already common knowledge across all of Konoha?
Then there were his former subordinates in the ANBU headquarters—the familiar masks, the silent nods…
Everyone had made it back alive.
And just earlier, he'd stopped by the outpost to pick up something he'd been eagerly waiting for—
His new weapon.
A long sword designed for Wind Release chakra, custom-forged by a master craftsman from the Land of Artisans.
It had taken forever to arrive.
Hope it was worth the wait…
Oh, and the latest volume of Jiraiya's Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi had been released.
However, Shimizu didn't even unwrap it; he tossed it straight into his storage room. Jiraiya's novels... could wait for another time.