With the Third Hokage's order issued, all the Ninjas in Konoha began to move out to check the village's protective barrier.
Among them, the Barrier Team's task was especially heavy.
This was already the second time in three years that a mysterious Ninja had silently breached the barrier and infiltrated the village, while the Barrier Team remained as useless as ever… much to Hiruzen's fury.
During the Nine-Tails Rampage three years ago, ordinary villagers and ordinary Ninjas just thought that the Nine-Tails was going berserk.
However, those with higher position knew it had been a meticulously planned attack.
It had claimed the lives of the Fourth Hokage and his wife, Hiruzen's wife, Biwako, and a female Medical-Nin assisting with the delivery.
And now, yet another mysterious Ninja had infiltrated, killing the Kumogakure's envoy in an attempt to provoke war between the two nations.
Konoha's elite Hyuga Clan had intervened, with the clan's head and his brother suffering severe and minor injuries respectively. Yet, despite Kumogakure's suspicions, Konoha's leadership remained resolute.
They firmly insisted that Kumogakure's envoy had been killed by the mysterious intruder.
This unwavering stance ultimately thwarted Kumogakure's scheme.
…
Meanwhile, in the shadows of the Root's base, Danzo listened to his subordinate, Tatsuma, report the situation before letting out a cold snort.
"The outside seems quite lively, doesn't it, Danzo-sama?" Orochimaru pushed open the door to Danzo's office.
On his way from his secret laboratory to the Root's base, he had noticed a large number of Konoha's Ninjas, even Anbu, being deployed. Such a large-scale operation had piqued the interest of this usually research-obsessed scientist.
Danzo, who is seated in his chair, did not answer Orochimaru directly, and instead motioned for Tatsuma to explain.
Understanding the cue, Tatsuma turned to Orochimaru, "Last night, a mysterious Ninja infiltrated the village, killed the Kumogakure's envoy, and dumped the body in the Hyuga Clan's compound..."
'A Ninja who could wound both the Hyuga Clan's head and his brother, evade pursuit by numerous Hyuga Clan's elites and Root's members, and even double back to strike again?'
Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed with interest as his long tongue flicked across his lips.
'The outside world remains as thrilling as ever.' Orochimaru had fought alongside the two Hyuga brothers before and knew their strength well. Even against a Kage-level opponent, they could retreat unscathed.
"Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. This time, I came here because I hope Danzo-sama can give me more test subjects." Orochimaru spread his right hand, directly demanding research funding and materials.
Hearing this, Danzo's single eye narrowed in displeasure.
"You've already used up the last batch of subjects?" Danzo was dissatisfied with Orochimaru's rapid consumption of experimental resources.
"Progress has been made, so ordinary subjects no longer suffice." Orochimaru brushed aside a lock of his long hair, his confidence in his research growing.
Although that accidental Wood Release experimental subject was snatched by Danzo, his existence had also shown Orochimaru that his research direction was viable.
Thus, Orochimaru was no longer satisfied with ordinary civilians as test subjects and repeatedly demanded that Danzo provide more Ninjas for experimentation.
"I'll have some sent to you, but don't push your luck." Danzo warned grimly.
Konoha's prison was running low on expendable prisoners, and Danzo had already abducted many civilian Ninjas over the years.
In Danzo's eyes, any sacrifice was worth it to make Konoha great again!
As long as the sacrifice wasn't his own.
"Khu khu, then I'll await your generosity."
Orochimaru chuckled, his laughter carrying an enigmatic weight, before vanishing into the shadows.
…
Land of Hot Water, the capital.
Built upon hot springs, this city had long been a renowned tourist destination in the Ninja World. Located in the northeastern part of the continent, it bordered the Land of Lightning, Land of the Moon, Land of Rice Field, Land of Fire, Land of Water, and Land of Waves, contributing to its thriving economy.
Inside a brothel, Jiraiya lounged with his arms around geishas, regaling them with tales of the Ninja World as he drowned in the sea of perfume and powder, lost in the pleasures of the flesh.
Bang…
Suddenly, a puff of smoke dispersed, and a small red toad wearing a pair of diving goggles around its neck appeared in the room.
"Jiraiya!" The little toad shouted, but the laughter and chatter in the room were too loud, so no one noticed.
Helpless, the toad directly leaped onto Jiraiya's face.
Jiraiya, who was drinking, nearly choked.
Recognizing the toad from Mount Myoboku, he quickly sobered up a bit and shooed the geishas out of the room.
The women, who had just been flirting with Jiraiya moments ago, left with looks of resentment.
"Kosuke! What are you doing here?" Jiraiya plucked the toad off his face and took a swig directly from the nearby teapot.
"Fukasaku-sama sent me to fetch you." Kosuke urged.
After downing the entire pot of tea, Jiraiya performed the Reverse Summoning Technique.
Along with Gama Kousuke, he arrived at Mount Myoboku, one of the Three Great Sage Regions.
Amidst a vast marshland, stone statues of toads stood everywhere, and at the end of the lake, a wooden palace stood tall on elevated ground.
"Fukasaku-sama, you called for me?" By the time Jiraiya arrived, Fukasaku and Shima were already waiting at the temple's entrance.
Compared to Jiraiya, who reeked of alcohol and looked rather disheveled, Fukasaku's expression was grave: "The Great Toad Sage dreamed of something terrifying."
"Huh? Something terrifying?" Jiraiya's drunkenness vanished instantly.
It had been a long time since he last heard a prophecy from the Great Toad Sage, and now it turned out to be bad news?
So without delay, Jiraiya followed Fukasaku and Shima into the depths of the temple.
Inside, an enormous orange toad sat soaking in a large pot, wearing what resembled a scholar's hat on its head. A string of beads hung around its neck, with the most prominent one bearing the character for [Oil].
"Great Toad Sage!" Jiraiya knelt on one knee, looking up at the ancient toad.
"Ah, it's Jiraiya-chan." The Great Toad Sage murmured, barely opening its eyes: "Why are you here?"
Hearing the Great Toad Sage's question, Jiraiya stumbled and nearly fell over.
Fukasaku and Shima hopped onto either side of the Great Toad Sage, and Shima scolded directly: "You're the one who summoned him, you old fool!"
"Oh, oh." The Great Toad Sage seemed to recall and said slowly: "Now I remember. I had a dream."
"In the dream, the entire Ninja World was gradually shrouded in darkness, and all nations and Ninja Villages, including the Five Great Nations, will be swallowed by the abyss."
"!!!"
Jiraiya's heart pounded. After all, even the Great Toad Sage's previous prophecy about the Child of Prophecy who would bring change to the world hadn't been this detailed.
"I saw a figure in the darkness… an unfathomable silhouette… turning the entire world to ruin!" The Great Toad Sage continued.
"Did you see any more distinctive features about him?" Jiraiya frowned, though he held little hope.
"The Abyss..." the Great Toad Sage murmured, "When he turned, all I saw was an endless abyss... a chasm so deep that even I felt fear..."
"Abyss?" Jiraiya pondered deeply.
"The one who destroyed the world... the Child of Darkness?!"