[After a long internal struggle.]
Jiraiya acknowledged the answer he should have expected.
However, a deep sense of powerlessness swept over him.
"Little Jiraiya."
"No need to say anything more."
"Mount Myoboku will not allow such a thing to happen."
"Release the demon that we once went to great lengths to seal away..."
["This is absolutely unacceptable!"]
"Jiraiya, the Great Toad Sage's prophecies have never been wrong!"
"You should know that."
Fukasaku looked at Jiraiya.
[The voice was deep.]
[Jiraiya's murmur just now.]
[For those present, who were all toads and frogs, who had mastered the ability to absorb natural energy.]
It's like talking right up to someone's ear.
This is the prophecy.
Even if it's absurd.
Fukasaku would also believe it without a doubt.
"Little Jiraiya."
Are you still feeling lost?
[The Great Toad Sage suddenly spoke.]
Jiraiya looked up at it.
["So."]
What are Mount Myōboku's plans to do?
"To retreat from the world or... take action?"
[Jiraiya's problem.]
The Great Toad Sage did not answer.
Fukasaku, for a moment, didn't know how to answer.
[Shima's brows were furrowed.]
[He opened his mouth.]
But I didn't know how to bring it up.
[Neither the Great Toad Sage nor Fukasaku spoke.]
[Shima sighed and said:]
"Little Jiraiya."
"Despite the prophecy of a senile old man."
"I'm not entirely convinced."
"But this concerns the entire ninja world."
"What if that demon, once sealed away, were released?"
"It's not just a simple matter of war."
"War brings rivers of blood..."
"But when that demon is released, it won't be a river of blood, but rather..."
"World Destruction!"
[It was rare for Shima to speak to Jiraiya so seriously.]
Jiraiya closed his eyes.
[Suddenly laughed.]
"Little Jiraiya."
"Don't be fooled."
"Perhaps you feel that everything is moving in a positive direction right now."
["However."]
"This prophecy...is highly credible."
"Because of this possibility..."
[Shima spoke, then fell silent.]
This is a difficult choice.
[For young Jiraiya.]
That's all.
An eerie silence fell.
[After a long while.]
Fukasaku sighed.
[Jump onto Jiraiya's shoulder.]
[He patted Jiraiya's cheek.]
"Little Jiraiya."
"No matter what happens."
"We will all stand with you."
"Mount Myoboku is right behind you."
"Go ahead."
"If you feel something is wrong, then investigate it thoroughly."
"This matter..."
That's all for now.
"The future is, after all, the future."
"Now that you know, try to change it."
"The demon... must not be released."
"Otherwise, it won't just be a few people dying, but a terrible consequence that everyone will have to face."
"It will perish."
"As for the unknown enemy..."
Fukasaku shook his head.
Then, he subconsciously glanced at the giant toad sage, who seemed to have fallen asleep again.
"Go, Jiraiya."
Jiraiya was stunned.
[Whoosh—]
At that moment, Shima also came to Jiraiya's other shoulder.
"That's exactly right."
"The child's father is right."
"Little Jiraiya."
"I know it's hard for you to accept."
["after all..."]
"You came here when you were so young."
"A senile prophecy..."
"After all these years of hard work, this is what you've ended up with."
"You must be very sad."
"Then let's not think about it for now."
"Take a good rest and relax."
"No one can predict the future, can they?"
Although these two don't seem to be very good at offering comfort.
[But Jiraiya could still sense Fukasaku and Shima's concern.]
[He nodded slightly.]
[Seeing this.]
Fukasaku and Shima exchanged a glance, then jumped off Jiraiya's shoulder.
["alright."]
"We'll talk about this after you've calmed down."
[While speaking.]
[Shima begins to form hand seals.]
[Bang--]
[The next moment.]
[A loud explosion.]
Jiraiya turned into a wisp of white smoke and disappeared.
[Back to the ninja world.]
[It's still in the same spot where he was when he was resurrected by the reverse spirit.]
[Within the Land of Fire.]
Jiraiya just stood there.
[After a long while.]
Jiraiya finally raised his head.
I glanced at the sky.
It's getting dark.
The moon hangs high in the sky.
The moonlight shines down.
He looked around at everything.
[His expression was somewhat forlorn.]
["Calamity..."]
Is that really the case?
Jiraiya was still thinking about the prophecy.
Unbeknownst to him, he had already left that dilapidated little village.
Suddenly!
Jiraiya suddenly looked up.
Then I saw an eagle soar through the night.
His pupils suddenly contracted.
Something's not right!
This feeling...
[Um? ! ]
Suddenly, Jiraiya realized something.
[Whoosh—]
In an instant.
Jiraiya disappeared from the spot.
[The art of teleportation.]
[Under the cover of darkness and the forest.]
Jiraiya quickly moved forward.
[soon. ]
Follow your senses.
[We've reached the most intense point.]
Fortunately, the forest here is dense, which provides excellent cover.
Hold your breath.
Jiraiya hid behind a large tree.
[Looking sideways at the opposite side.]
That is...
[The Fire Country Daimyo's Guard!]
[Protect the Ninja!]
[besides...]
Jiraiya's eyes widened.
How could this be?!
[The Allied Shinobi Forces?!]
[Hidden by mist, hidden by clouds, hidden by rocks...]
How did these people end up here?!
There was no time to think.
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes slightly.
His gaze swept past the ninjas.
[I noticed the people in the middle of the line.]
[The Daimyo of the Land of Fire!]
[No! ]
[More than that!]
By the moonlight.
Jiraiya could see through these people.
[The daimyo of all five countries have arrived!]
When did everyone gather together?
[etc! ]
Jiraiya's pupils suddenly contracted.
[I repeatedly checked to make sure I wasn't mistaken.]
[That person traveled to the five great kingdoms.]
No, it's next to the palanquins of the five daimyo.
Those three figures...
["The Third Tsuchikage, Libra, Onoki!"]
["The Fourth Raikage, A!"]
["besides..."]
"Is that the newly appointed Fifth Mizukage?"
Jiraiya was deeply shaken.
Seeing this, he instantly guessed quite a bit.
["not good!"]
"Surprise attack!"
"Three Shadows Attack!"
"I need to get back to Konoha quickly..."
Jiraiya instinctively turned to leave.
But after taking just one step, he froze in place.
["Calamity..."]