"Master Fukasaku, why did you summon me so suddenly?"
Jiraiya was confused.
He had been traveling across the Ninja World, searching for the Child of Prophecy. He had just stopped in the Land of Hot Water to gather some "research materials" when, without warning, he was pulled away by the Reverse Summoning Technique!
"We didn't summon you of our own will, Jiraiya-boy," Fukasaku said, leading the way. "The Great Toad Sage woke up suddenly today. It seemed he had another prophecy and asked us to bring you here immediately."
"A new prophecy?"
Jiraiya's heart pounded. Could it be a clear clue about the Child of Prophecy?
For over twenty years, he had searched for this person. At one point, he believed Nagato, the wielder of the Rinnegan, was the destined child. But later, he learned of Nagato and Yahiko's deaths.
Then, he thought his most gifted student, Namikaze Minato, could be the one. Minato had risen to become the Fourth Hokage, only to perish during the Nine-Tails' attack while sealing the beast.
After that, Jiraiya had spent another decade wandering, searching…
But he had found nothing.
"I heard the Great Toad Sage's tone earlier," Shima Sennin added. "He sounded anxious, which is unusual."
Fukasaku nodded. "Yeah, I can't remember the last time he was in such a hurry."
Jiraiya frowned. He had met the Great Toad Sage many times, and the ancient toad was always drowsy and forgetful. If something had genuinely unsettled him, it had to be significant.
"Then let's hurry!" Jiraiya said, determined. "We can't keep him waiting."
Maybe—just maybe—he would finally find the Child of Prophecy.
Mount Myōboku – The Great Toad Sage's Temple
Jiraiya followed the two elder toads into a colossal temple nestled deep in Mount Myōboku. The structure was massive, its entrance towering dozens of meters high.
Inside, the air was filled with a mystical aura. They moved past countless ancient pillars until they reached the temple's heart—where the Great Toad Sage sat upon a gigantic stone throne.
The ancient sage was an enormous orange toad, his body adorned with wrinkles that spoke of a thousand years of wisdom. A crystal orb, engraved with the kanji for "oil" (油), rested on his chest.
Fukasaku stepped forward, panting slightly.
"Great Sage, we've brought Jiraiya-boy."
The massive toad opened his tired eyes and blinked down at them.
"...You are…?"
A brief silence followed.
"Oh, it's little Jiraiya. You're here," the Great Toad Sage finally murmured.
Jiraiya let out a breath. The old sage was in better condition than usual.
"Great Toad Sage," Jiraiya said respectfully. "I heard you had another prophecy—about the Child of Prophecy?"
The Great Toad Sage was silent for a long time before he spoke.
"...Yes, I had a vision again."
Jiraiya held his breath.
"Before, I saw him in my dreams—a blond-haired, blue-eyed boy."
Jiraiya's heart pounded.
That description… Minato!
But Minato was gone.
"Great Sage, this blond, blue-eyed boy…" Jiraiya hesitated. "You've never mentioned this prophecy before?"
"This prophecy was made long ago," the Great Toad Sage said in a distant voice.
Jiraiya furrowed his brows.
"How long ago?"
"A thousand years."
A stunned silence filled the temple.
"...What?"
The Great Toad Sage continued in a slow, ancient tone.
"A thousand years ago, I gave this prophecy to the Sage of Six Paths."
Jiraiya swallowed hard.
A prophecy meant for the Sage of Six Paths?!
The Great Toad Sage's voice echoed through the hall:
"In the distant future, a blue-eyed boy will appear… He will laugh and call out the name of the nine-headed beast… And he will bring about miracles."
Jiraiya stood frozen.
A blue-eyed boy… who would call the Nine-Tails by name?
Naruto.
Jiraiya suddenly realized the answer had been in front of him all along.
"Great Toad Sage!" he exclaimed. "Why… why didn't you tell me this before?!"
"If I'm being honest…" The Great Toad Sage yawned. "I forgot."
Jiraiya nearly collapsed.
"You… forgot?!"
The Great Toad Sage had seen the future of the world a thousand years ago… and just forgot?
Sweat dripped down Jiraiya's forehead. He took a deep breath to calm himself. "Great Sage, if you saw the blond, blue-eyed boy again, do you have any new details?"
He clenched his fists.
Minato was gone. But Minato's child—Naruto— perfectly matched the description.
The Great Toad Sage was silent for a moment.
Then, in a slightly hesitant tone, he said:
"...This time, I saw two blond, blue-eyed boys."
Jiraiya's eyes widened.
"Two?!?"
A second Child of Prophecy?
"You must search for them, Jiraiya," the Great Toad Sage said solemnly. "And when you find them, guide them. That is your destiny."
But there was more.
The Great Toad Sage had also felt something else in his vision—something that made him uneasy.
It was as if… a great calamity was approaching.
Something even he couldn't see clearly.
"Understood, Great Toad Sage!" Jiraiya's heart burned with renewed determination. "I swear, I will find the Child of Prophecy—and lead him to change this world!"
A blond-haired, blue-eyed boy…
No. Two.
Jiraiya already had a clue.
His next destination was clear.
Konoha Village – Hokage's Office
Back in Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat behind his desk, rubbing his temples.
Jiraiya stood before him, grinning.
"Jiraiya!" Hiruzen scolded. "You're telling me you left the village for over ten years, searching for a mythical prophecy, and now you suddenly come running back because some old toad had a dream?!"
Jiraiya chuckled. "Come on, Sensei. The Great Toad Sage's prophecies have never been wrong."
Hiruzen sighed. He knew there was no stopping Jiraiya when he got like this.
"So, what's your plan?"
Jiraiya's eyes burned with conviction.
"I'm going to check on Minato's son."
Hiruzen frowned. "Naruto?"
"Yes," Jiraiya said. "I need to see him with my own eyes. If the Great Toad Sage's vision is right… then Naruto Uzumaki might be the Child of Prophecy."
But in his mind, Jiraiya couldn't shake one thought.
The Great Toad Sage had spoken of two blond, blue-eyed boys.
Who was the other one?
And where was he?
To be continued...
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