For the first time, Takeshi came face to face with the Great Toad Sage.
The old toad, said to have lived since the time of the Sage of Six Paths, sat slumped against his throne, eyes tightly shut, looking almost human.
It took both Fukasaku and Shima a tremendous effort to finally awaken the ancient sage.
"Ahh... you must be young Takeshi, yes...?"
Prompted by Fukasaku's reminder, the Great Toad Sage accurately said Takeshi's name.
Jiraiya was speechless. The sage could say Takeshi's name correctly, yet every time it came to his own, it somehow turned into "Jirairo," or "Jira-boy," or other strange variants.
"It is I."
While Jiraiya half-knelt respectfully on the ground, Takeshi stood upright with his hands behind his back, showing no sign of deference.
"Hey, Fifth Hokage, that's a bit rude, don't you think?"
Jiraiya's complaint made Takeshi blink.
Did he hear that right? Jiraiya—the man infamous for being shameless—calling someone else rude?
Clearly, this man who was famed throughout the ninja world genuinely respected the toads of Mount Myōboku.
But Takeshi wasn't buying it.
If there was one thing he despised most, it was people using the name of "prophecy" to dictate another person's life.
"I've heard that the Great Toad Sage can foresee the future, so I've come to ask for guidance."
Ignoring Jiraiya, Takeshi stepped forward and looked up at the Great Toad Sage.
"Hahaha... Jiraiya, you've brought a fine junior with you..."
Rather than take offense, the Great Toad Sage praised Jiraiya for bringing Takeshi here. Then, his huge eyes turned toward Takeshi.
The atmosphere grew quiet.
As those massive eyes bore down on him, Takeshi couldn't help but tense up.
The silence dragged on for a long time.
"Zzzz..."
Until the sound of snoring came from the old sage's mouth.
You've got to be kidding me... he fell asleep?!
Takeshi's face darkened as he turned away.
"Hey, old man! How could you just fall asleep like that?" Shima's temper flared up instantly, her voice echoing through the hall.
"Ah, sorry, sorry, hahahaha... Takeshi and Jiraiya-boy, right..." The Great Toad Sage suddenly jolted awake, laughing awkwardly.
"It's Jiraiya..." Jiraiya sighed helplessly.
"Young Takeshi, your future... I cannot see it clearly. Perhaps it's because your very origin does not belong to this world..."
That one sentence sent cold sweat down Takeshi's back.
Even the Slug Sage hadn't seen through that—yet this seemingly muddleheaded old toad had.
"In my dreams, I saw fragments... vague, unclear... a place entirely different from the shinobi world..."
The Great Toad Sage furrowed his brow, trying to recall the dream, unsure whether what he saw was real.
"My apologies for my rudeness."
Takeshi lowered his head.
This encounter confirmed one thing—this sage was not to be underestimated.
Jiraiya's eyes were filled with confusion. He couldn't fully grasp the meaning behind the Great Toad Sage's words.
Or perhaps... he didn't dare to.
"You wish to learn Mount Myōboku's Senjutsu, do you not? That's good. Against those enemies, Senjutsu will become your greatest strength."
After saying this, the Great Toad Sage's eyelids drooped again, and his tone grew faint.
"Go now. Once you've completed your training in Mount Myōboku's Senjutsu, the White Snake will guide you... to the final sacred ground."
A soft snore followed. This time, no one disturbed him.
"To think, this senile old frog hasn't spoken that much in years," Shima muttered as they left the Great Toad Sage's palace.
"Hey, how can you call that great one senile?!"
Fukasaku hurriedly clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Alright, go keep these two boys company. I'll start on dinner. Oh, and Jiraiya, make sure you eat before you leave tonight."
"Ah, uh... okay..." Jiraiya nodded miserably, knowing better than to argue.
"I'll pass on dinner..." Takeshi raised his hand weakly. The thought of eating insects again made his stomach turn.
What, you ask, do I mean by "again"?
Go ask the ever-so-hospitable Slug Sage.
Under Fukasaku's guidance, Takeshi arrived at a prime spot for training.
"You've trained in Senjutsu before, so I don't need to go over every little detail. Jiraiya, have him sign the scroll."
With that, Fukasaku officially welcomed Takeshi as a disciple of Mount Myōboku.
After pressing his blood-marked hand onto the scroll, Takeshi watched as Jiraiya rolled it up and left with Fukasaku, leaving him alone to meditate.
"Sorry about that, this kid's always had a difficult temperament," Jiraiya apologized once they were far enough away.
"It's fine. Geniuses always have their quirks. Honestly, I thought Minato was the most gifted ninja in the world... but this Fifth Hokage might surpass even him."
Just as Tsunade had said—people were always lenient toward geniuses.
Fukasaku took no offense at Takeshi's attitude; if anything, he was impressed.
"Truthfully, Jiraiya, I've heard bits about what's happening in the shinobi world. You really should improve your Sage Mode. You can't rely on the two of us forever."
"Can't help it. To you two, I'm still the same age as when I first stumbled into Mount Myōboku—forever just a kid." Jiraiya's tone was easygoing. He knew better than anyone that Sage Mode simply wasn't his strength.
"By the way, didn't you take on a new student, Obito, was it? That boy seems promising. Perhaps he should give Sage training a try as well."
Seeing Jiraiya's resigned look, Fukasaku decided not to press further and changed the subject.
"Yeah, I've thought about that too. When I return, I'll bring him here if I get the chance." Jiraiya nodded. Among the three great sanctuaries, only Mount Myōboku cared about the affairs of the shinobi world. The other two seemed completely detached.
Especially the mysterious Ryūchi Cave—Orochimaru had once sought it out but was frightened off by its terrifying rules, unable to take another step.
"Anyway, I'll leave this unruly Hokage to you. He's got a sharp tongue, but a fiery heart—and he's the kind who'd give his life for his comrades."
Jiraiya's expression turned grave.
"Yes, I understand," Fukasaku nodded.
Both turned their gaze toward Takeshi meditating in the distance.
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