"Ah, thank you, Chizan."
"Asuma—once he comes to his senses, he should return to the village."
"People always have a day when they awaken."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's mood was like a roller coaster—just moments ago it had climbed to the peak because of Danzō's matter, and now it dropped again because of his own son.
Gekko Chizan didn't say anything about it. After all, he didn't have the slightest bit of goodwill toward Asuma.
If it weren't for the old man asking him to pass along a message, he wouldn't have bothered at all.
"Alright, since things have turned out like this, the Daimyō's side will probably quiet down for a while."
"Chizan, you've worked hard on this mission."
For the first time in a long while, Namikaze Minato felt in a good mood—so much so that he even wanted a bowl of ramen.
Gekko Chizan waved his hand.
"It's not over yet. Two problems: the Akatsuki organization and Danzō. Although Danzō's been dealt with, I still don't have a single clue about the other one."
"Oh right, Minato, where's your sensei Jiraiya?"
Jiraiya?
Although Namikaze Minato didn't know why Gekko Chizan was looking for him, he still shared his whereabouts.
"Jiraiya-sensei seems to have gone to the Land of Earth, also to investigate the Akatsuki."
"He's been gone for quite a while. What's wrong? Chizan, do you need him for something?"
Gekko Chizan nodded.
"The three great sacred lands all have their own unique abilities. The Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku possesses a kind of prophecy ability."
"I want to ask Jiraiya to help me inquire."
"After searching for so many years without any clues, I want to see if those sages can help."
"Aside from Mount Myōboku, I'll also be heading to Ryūchi Cave soon."
"But, well, the sage at my place… how should I put it—pretty hard to deal with, haha. So I want to try Mount Myōboku first."
This wasn't said casually. Between the White Snake Sage and the Great Toad Sage, the latter was clearly easier to approach.
Even though Gekko Chizan was the inheritor of Ryūchi Cave, he didn't dare say he could get any special treatment from the White Snake Sage.
"I see. If it's just going to Mount Myōboku, I can go too."
"After all, I'm also a successor of Mount Myōboku."
Namikaze Minato confidently took responsibility for the matter.
Gekko Chizan thought there was no problem with that. After all, Minato had already started learning senjutsu—going to Mount Myōboku for training was completely normal.
"Once I finish handling the work at hand, I'll take you to Mount Myōboku."
"Alright. Then I'll head back and rest first. My clothes are still torn, you know. Oh, right—damaged items are reimbursed by the village."
Namikaze Minato: ...
Sarutobi Hiruzen: Sigh… good thing I stepped down early.
And just like that, Gekko Chizan happily left the Hokage office building.
Leaving behind a pile of reimbursement receipts for Namikaze Minato.
...
Several days later, Mount Myōboku.
"Chizan, this is Mount Myōboku. What do you think? Pretty unique, right?"
"When I first came here, I was shocked too."
Namikaze Minato brought Gekko Chizan to Mount Myōboku. Looking at the strange mountains and all kinds of bizarre plants before them, he smiled as he introduced the place.
As the two walked toward the mountain, it didn't take long before several massive figures blocked their path.
"Hey, Minato, why did you bring a stinky snake to Mount Myōboku?"
"This stench of a snake—ugh, it's really unpleasant."
It was a giant toad, holding a pipe in its mouth. The moment it saw Minato, it immediately started complaining.
Beside it stood two other equally massive toads.
The three toads stared intently at Gekko Chizan.
"Hahaha, Bunta, long time no see. This is Gekko Chizan."
"He has something he wants to ask the Great Toad Sage, so I brought him here."
"Although he's a successor of Ryūchi Cave, don't talk about him like that. He's my good friend."
Namikaze Minato threw an arm around Gekko Chizan's shoulder, helping him withstand Gamabunta's hostility.
"Tch, Fukasaku-sama and Shima-sama already informed me."
"They said a distinguished guest would be coming."
"And just a few days later, you show up. Let's go."
"I'll take you in."
Gamabunta looked unwilling, but remembering the instructions from the two sages, he could only give up and stop making things difficult for Gekko Chizan.
The Fukasaku and Shima he mentioned were the two accomplished toad sages of Mount Myōboku.
Similar to the Three Snake Princesses of Ryūchi Cave.
"They already predicted our arrival?"
"Alright then, I'll trouble you, Bunta."
Although Namikaze Minato was surprised, he could accept it. After all, he had experienced something similar back then.
Just as Gekko Chizan had said, the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku possessed a certain prophetic ability.
After that, Namikaze Minato gestured for Gekko Chizan to jump onto Gamabunta's back. Gekko Chizan took one look at the bumpy, wart-covered back and immediately shook his head vigorously.
"I'll pass. I'll just fly over myself."
"Minato, you go ahead. I'll follow behind."
"I can't handle riding on a toad's back."
Seeing Gekko Chizan refuse to get on Gamabunta's back, Namikaze Minato was a bit confused.
In his view, Bunta's back was wide and spacious—perfect for carrying people.
But how could he know that Gekko Chizan simply couldn't appreciate creatures like toads? In fact, he was somewhat resistant to them.
Even more so than slugs—they were even harder for him to accept.
"Bastard! You stinky snake—are you looking down on me?"
"Believe it or not, I'll tear you apart!"
Gamabunta was extremely perceptive—he instantly caught the disdain in Gekko Chizan's eyes.
That made him furious on the spot.
"Uh, no need to put it so bluntly, Mr. Toad."
"You should just take Minato and go. I can fly on my own."
With a casual wave of his hand, crystals instantly gathered into a large bird—no, this was a giant roc!
Then he stepped onto the crystal bird and steadily flew into the air.
"Hmph! Keep up! If you lose us, don't expect me to care!"
Gamabunta shot Gekko Chizan an annoyed glare, then without waiting, pushed off with both legs and leapt straight toward the main peak of Mount Myōboku.
Gekko Chizan relied on his flying ability to follow steadily behind.
Soon, the group arrived at the main peak of Mount Myōboku—the place where the Great Toad Sage resided.
"Hehehe, you've arrived already?"
"Youth of Ryūchi Cave."
"Hmph, just a stinky snake's successor. Old man, aren't you treating him a bit too well?"
The moment Gekko Chizan landed, he felt two gazes fall upon him.