Naruto: Echoes of a Distant Home

Mount Myōboku, like a paradise isolated from the world, is devoid of human presence yet includes architecture with a distinctly human touch. The toads' dwellings are built of stone, often integrated with trees or giant mushrooms, while the Great Toad Sage's palace is a completely human-style structure.

A long staircase leads up to stone pillars, forming the entrance of a temple-like structure with an open central door.

The sage hall's interior is not vast, allowing one to take in the entirety of the scene at a glance.

Directly opposite the entrance sits a large throne. On either side, four massive scrolls stand upright, each adorned with intricate black symbols.

On the throne sits a large, elderly toad with a beaded necklace marked with the kanji for "oil" around its neck and a hat resembling a scholar's cap.

"Elder," Fukasaku greeted, stepping forward.

Behind him, Jiraiya and Minato looked up at the Great Toad Sage.

Having seen him several times before, Jiraiya remained impassive, while Minato was visibly awed. Even though he wasn't a sensory-type ninja, he could sense the immense chakra within the Great Toad Sage, rivaling that of a Tailed Beast.

This is… the Great Toad Sage.

Suppressing his surprise, Minato stood quietly.

The Great Toad Sage drowsily opened his eyes, squinting at Jiraiya for a moment before asking, "Where is little Jiraiya?"

"That's him, Elder," Fukasaku reminded gently.

"Oh?" The Great Toad Sage looked surprised.

Jiraiya scratched his temple, smiling wryly.

"So, you're here," the Great Toad Sage murmured, sounding like a senile old toad lost in thought.

Fukasaku's expression turned serious as he asked, "Elder, what instructions do you have for calling little Jiraiya and little Minato here?"

At his words, Jiraiya assumed a serious expression, while Minato tried to remain composed, not yet understanding the situation.

"Hmm…"

The Great Toad Sage's voice trailed off, his tone ponderous as he looked at Jiraiya. "What was your name again?"

Jiraiya's serious expression fell as he looked at the sage in exasperation.

"This is little Jiraiya, and beside him is little Minato. You're the one who summoned them," Fukasaku said, resigned.

"Oh."

The Great Toad Sage nodded in understanding.

So… this is the Great Toad Sage…

Minato gave a hesitant smile.

"Last night, I had a dream," the Great Toad Sage said, his eyes opening slightly wider. "It's the first dream I've had since little Minato arrived in Mount Myōboku, and it's… a prophecy concerning little Minato."

Jiraiya glanced at Minato, who looked slightly bewildered, and asked, "Is this prophecy related to the one you told me before?"

The Great Toad Sage was silent for a moment, then replied in a strange, cryptic tone, "My prophecies are never wrong, yet the dream I had after little Minato's arrival has made me doubt my previous prophecy."

At these words, Fukasaku and Jiraiya's expressions changed. What kind of dream could make the Great Toad Sage question his own prophecies?

"Elder, what's going on?" Fukasaku asked solemnly. Having been by the elder's side for centuries, he knew the Great Toad Sage's prophetic ability well.

"There is an 'unknown presence' that, at some point in the past, has altered the shinobi world. Its existence has overturned the established prophecy." If his eyes weren't so narrowly slit, Fukasaku, Jiraiya, and Minato would see the deep shock within them.

"It's something that shouldn't exist, and it brings a shroud of mystery with it. Unless that 'unknown presence' comes here, I can't see anything more."

The original prophecy… may have been steered into an unknown direction by that 'unknown presence.' What could it possibly be to have such a profound impact?

Jiraiya frowned, asking in a low voice, "How does this affect your previous prophecy about the 'Child of Prophecy'?"

"Everything has changed."

The Great Toad Sage's voice grew distant as he continued, "But the fate of the shinobi world still hinges on the Child of Prophecy."

Jiraiya turned to look at Minato, who seemed confused.

Looking back at the Great Toad Sage, Jiraiya said firmly, "I'm certain Minato is the Child of Prophecy you foretold."

"The Child of Prophecy… that's me?" Minato asked, still unable to fully grasp the implications.

The Great Toad Sage nodded slightly and said, "Then, the one whom the Child of Prophecy will face is a snake as dark as eternal night."

"A snake…" Jiraiya and Minato gasped, immediately picturing Orochimaru.

"Is that the content of your dream?" Fukasaku asked.

The Great Toad Sage shifted slightly on his throne, raising his head a little, his gaze seemingly directed somewhere beyond the hall.

"The snake as dark as eternal night brings calamity. Behind it lies endless light, and before it stand countless beings in opposition. Leading them… is you, little Minato."

"The future of the shinobi world—destruction or peace—depends on you… and on that snake. Perhaps that dark snake is the 'unknown presence.'"

Jiraiya and Minato exchanged a look. What exactly was this dark snake?

"Jiraiya-sensei, am I really responsible for the fate of the shinobi world?" More than his confusion, Minato struggled to accept the heavy responsibility suddenly placed on his shoulders.

Jiraiya placed a reassuring hand on Minato's shoulder, smiling. "Feeling nervous?"

Minato shook his head, murmuring, "It's just… so sudden."

His dream had always been to become Hokage, to protect the Leaf Village and those dear to him. He had never imagined that one day the fate of the entire shinobi world would rest on him.

"You're one of the most capable shinobi ever, and you're my student. I believe in you," Jiraiya said, his hand gripping Minato's shoulder a little tighter.

Meeting Jiraiya's confident gaze, Minato took a deep breath and managed a calm, gentle smile.

The Great Toad Sage watched the two humans who had once again entered Mount Myōboku after so many years. While he couldn't determine the ultimate fate of the shinobi world, he could do his best to guide it.

In his vision, the dark snake of calamity was solitary, while the Child of Prophecy brought hope to many.

He had reason to believe that the shinobi world's future would end in peace, though only after profound transformation.

Thinking about that snake…

In a hazy, almost forgotten memory, he recalled a bothersome figure.

If memory served, that one was supposed to be white!

Back then, it had boasted that snakes consuming toads was an eternal law of nature, and yet he had given it a good beating.

So, would this dark snake have any relation to it?

Lost in these past memories, the Great Toad Sage gradually drifted into sleep, letting out a faint snore.

It was only then that everyone noticed he had fallen asleep.

"All right, back to training!" Jiraiya said, withdrawing his hand.

"Right," Minato replied with a firm nod.

"Keep it down," Fukasaku scolded.

Jiraiya and Minato exchanged a silent smile.

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