The Hidden Cloud and Hidden Leaf Villages went to war.
This day came earlier than anyone expected.
Faced with the Hidden Leaf's declaration of war, the Fourth Raikage was furious and lectured by the Land of Lightning's Daimyo, but at least this was what he wanted.
Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi's declaration of war stated, If you want war, then war you shall have.
Everyone, including the Raikage, paused when they saw this sentence, because they never expected it to come from Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth.
Was this still the weak, easily bullied, indecisive Third Hokage?
Could this old man have become strong and unyielding in his old age?
Just this short sentence made the Fourth Raikage, who had been eager for war, feel a bit apprehensive, let alone the other Cloud ninja.
However, although the Hidden Cloud's morale was somewhat scattered, the hatred left over from the Third Great Ninja War ensured that both sides' desire to kill each other was equal.
The one commanding the Hidden Leaf forces was none other than Jiraiya, one of the Sannin.
At the Hidden Leaf encampment in the southern border of the Land of the Moon, Jiraiya, in his tent, looked at the shocking casualty reports, his brows almost completely furrowed.
This was merely the preliminary probing attacks from both sides. If the conflict escalated, this number would double.
"War, this is war, unceasing war," he murmured.
In war, any life lost was merely a speck of dust crushed underfoot.
He had originally been traveling, seeking the "Child of Prophecy" according to the Great Toad Sage's prediction.
But midway, he suddenly received a recall order from the old man, stating that the Hidden Leaf was preparing for a large-scale military operation against the Hidden Cloud.
Jiraiya actually didn't want to return.
Having experienced endless battles and witnessed countless deaths in the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars, Jiraiya increasingly understood his own weakness and powerlessness.
In his opinion, wars between great nations were utterly meaningless, yet they constantly repeated themselves.
However, Jiraiya knew he couldn't stop the old man, nor could he stop the ongoing and inevitable future wars.
If he could, Jiraiya truly didn't want to come back. He wished to continue searching for the "Child of Prophecy." In his view, that was the only hope for reforming the ninja world.
But, he couldn't.
Because he had received a third prophecy from the Great Toad Sage.
The Great Toad Sage was the patriarch of Mount Myoboku, a "Sage" who had lived for at least a thousand years, whose strength was immeasurable, and who possessed extremely accurate prophetic abilities.
The first prophecy the Great Toad Sage gave him was that he would become an outstanding ninja, and once he could stand on his own, he would begin taking on disciples.
The second prophecy was that his future disciple would be the one to bring about great change in the future ninja world—it could be stability, or it could be destruction—and that he would need to guide and make choices.
So, Jiraiya had always been working tirelessly for the "Child of Prophecy," trying to find and guide them towards goodness to bring stability to the ninja world, while also traveling the world and writing books as per the prophecy.
However, the third prophecy was a bit different.
Because this time, the person prophesied was not only the so-called Child of Prophecy, but also...
"The Child of Disaster."
"Wherever they go, disaster and destruction follow like shadows, peace and order are overturned, the boundary between life and death blurs, and finally, only hollow echoes remain in the world."
Thinking of the content of that prophecy, the undisguised ominousness and malice, Jiraiya's eyes darkened slightly, and fear and solemnity once again weighed on his heart.
If the Child of Prophecy represented "hope" or "turmoil," then the Child of Disaster meant only "disaster" and "destruction."
Unfortunately, the Great Toad Sage did not describe the characteristics of the Child of Disaster. Fortunately, the Great Toad Sage dreamed of the characteristics of the Child of Prophecy.
"Eyes as brilliant as the starry sky, and wearing a Hidden Leaf forehead protector?"
Jiraiya stroked his chin, thoughtfully saying, "According to the Great Toad Sage, he saw the Child of Prophecy standing before everyone, facing the Child of Disaster alone."
Sounds like a savior from a novel or storybook.
The scope was already confirmed to be within the Hidden Leaf. With such distinct eye characteristics, it should be easy to find, right?
"Ah, I really want to go back and search right now!"
Jiraiya frantically scratched his messy hair, but quickly let out a sigh, suppressing the impatience in his heart.
The Child of Prophecy should not have grown up yet.
Now, only by ending this meaningless war as soon as possible could the Child of Prophecy have time to continue growing.
Swish.
Just then, the tent flap was lifted.
Jiraiya instinctively looked up and saw two figures approaching.
"Kakashi?"
Recognizing one familiar face, Jiraiya's expression was somewhat surprised.
"Lord Jiraiya, I apologize for the intrusion."
Hatake Kakashi's tone and attitude were still humble, but his dead-fish eyes seemed even more downcast.
"Don't blame yourself too much," Jiraiya clearly knew part of the reason and comforted him, "No one expected someone to suddenly appear and prevent our alliance with Hanzo."
Undoubtedly, the death of all dozen ninja he led had a significant impact on Hatake Kakashi.
"Thank you, but there's one more thing I need your help with."
Hatake Kakashi sighed deeply, forcibly suppressing his inner anguish and turning serious. "Lord Third hopes you can assign some people to go with me to the Land of Hot Water."
Meanwhile, as the two conversed, Hyuga Kawa, who had remained silent behind Kakashi, looked up, his eyes flickering as he gazed at Jiraiya.
He had already confirmed that the sudden 8,000 points were because Gama-maru, that old toad, had set his sights on him.
It must have used that prophetic ability on him and informed Jiraiya of the result.
Because the moment he saw Jiraiya, Hyuga Kawa received a prompt in his mind.
[Ding! Your lie has been judged as [Deceiving the Heavens], Jiraiya experienced intense emotional fluctuations, reaching the level of [Absolute Belief], gaining 2,000 Realization Points.]
[Remaining Realization Points: 19,754]
Looking at Jiraiya, who was still discussing with Kakashi, Hyuga Kawa's eye twitched uncontrollably.
So many points...
The more bizarre the lie, the more points.
What exactly did that old toad prophesy?
If the prophecy was accurate, I shouldn't have gained points.
What kind of image do I, in the future, have in the eyes of that old toad and Jiraiya?
Just as Hyuga Kawa was filled with questions, Jiraiya suddenly turned his gaze towards him.
"You're that Hyuga Kawa?" he asked with some curiosity.
"Yes, Senior Jiraiya." Hyuga Kawa showed a gentle and humble smile. "I am Hyuga Kawa. Please guide me."
Jiraiya's gaze swept across his face, and his first impression of his appearance and demeanor was good.
However, he didn't say anything further. After all, he knew that the old man's phrase, "If you want war, then war you shall have," actually came from this young man's mouth.
He didn't particularly like that phrase.
Meanwhile, behind the Hidden Leaf encampment in the Land of the Moon, within the Land of Hot Water.
Several figures swiftly moved through the forest, concealed by the night.
If Jiraiya were here and saw the appearance of the leading figure, his expression would surely change drastically.
Straight, light brown hair, a fishtail braid reaching her waist, and a female ninja wearing a Hidden Cloud Village forehead protector.
Silently appearing behind the encampment was none other than the current Two-Tails Jinchuriki of the Hidden Cloud Village.
Yugito Nii.