Two toads, not large and even a bit small, were looking at Gekko Chizan.
They were none other than the two high-ranking figures of Mount Myoboku, Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima. It's worth mentioning that these two are a married couple.
"Greetings, Sage Fukasaku, Sage Shima."
"Chizan, these two are the sages of Mount Myoboku. They are the right-hand aides of the Great Toad Sage and are responsible for all affairs of Mount Myoboku in daily life."
Namizake Minato's attitude was extremely respectful. After all, they were the sages who taught him senjutsu. As a successor of Mount Myoboku, it was only right for him to show respect.
Gekko Chizan didn't share that feeling.
What a joke. In Ryūchi Cave, he could walk sideways. Aside from the White Snake Sage, who wouldn't give him respect?
But after all, this was someone else's territory, so Gekko Chizan still knew to restrain himself.
"The successor of Ryūchi Cave, Gekko Chizan, greets the two sages."
As for his attitude, it couldn't be called respectful, but compared to his usual self, it was already pretty good.
Sage Fukasaku smiled lightly.
"Alright, your Ryūchi Cave and our Mount Myoboku have always gone separate paths, one to the left and one to the right."
"So you don't need to restrain yourself like this."
"Just like how my old lady calls you stinky snakes, in the eyes of those snake princesses in Ryūchi Cave, we're nothing more than stinky toads."
He wasn't wrong at all. Just look at how Tagitsuhime describes Mount Myoboku every time.
Every sentence has to include two words: stinky toads.
"We already know the purpose of your visit this time."
"For that reason, the Great Toad Sage had us come to receive you. However, although your idea is good, the Great Toad Sage has not given any corresponding prophecy."
"So, unfortunately, this trip to Mount Myoboku will not yield you any results."
Sage Fukasaku directly stated the answer Gekko Chizan wanted to know.
Hearing this, Gekko Chizan showed no reaction. After all, he had only come with a try-and-see mindset.
Prophecy was a strange thing—sometimes miraculous, sometimes useless.
But since it was a path, he had to at least try walking it.
"I see. Then I understand."
"I will continue investigating the Akatsuki organization."
"Thank you, both sages."
You don't hit someone who's smiling. Since their attitude was quite friendly, Gekko Chizan wouldn't act up either. Instead, he even offered thanks.
Namizake Minato, standing to the side, couldn't help but step forward and persuade him.
"Chizan, it's fine. If Mount Myoboku doesn't work, after we return, I'll send out more ninjas to gather intelligence."
"Although the ninja world is vast, we'll definitely find them."
Just as Namizake Minato was encouraging Gekko Chizan, Sage Fukasaku beside them smiled slightly.
"Even though we didn't help much, don't be too anxious."
"I've heard quite a bit about the other party from Jiraiya and from little Minato here. It's obvious they are also waiting for an opportunity."
"Until that moment arrives, they won't act easily."
Of course Gekko Chizan understood Sage Fukasaku's words, but he wasn't someone who would sit and wait for death.
Knowing the opponent's objective, he naturally wanted to deal with them as soon as possible.
"Alright, come with me."
"Although the Great Toad Sage didn't make a corresponding prophecy, he did tell me that if you came, you should go meet him."
This immediately confused Gekko Chizan.
The Great Toad Sage wanted to see him?
What did that mean?
But since he was already at Mount Myoboku, he might as well go. So under Sage Fukasaku's lead, Gekko Chizan headed deeper into the palace.
Meanwhile, Namizake Minato, left behind, widened his eyes. He had been here for quite a long time, and aside from the first time he learned senjutsu when he met the Great Toad Sage once, he hadn't seen him again since. Yet Gekko Chizan was meeting him on his very first visit.
...
When Gekko Chizan followed Sage Fukasaku to the deepest part of the palace, the Great Toad Sage had already been waiting there for a long time.
This was a massive orange toad with yellow eyes. Around his neck hung a string of Buddhist beads, with a pale purple cat's-eye gem embedded in the center, inscribed with the character "oil." On his head, he wore a doctoral hat.
"Great Toad Sage, Gekko Chizan has arrived."
Sage Fukasaku reported.
"Oh? The person from the prophecy, you've finally come. Fukasaku, you may leave."
"Next, I need to have a talk with him."
Fukasaku nodded and then left the room.
Gekko Chizan looked at the Great Toad Sage before him—no, he should be called Gamamaru.
This was the founder of Mount Myoboku, a great toad who had lived for over a thousand years since the era of Kaguya.
"Hehehehe, Gekko Chizan, hello. Yes, that's right, you can call me Gamamaru."
"I indeed have quite a good relationship with Hagoromo."
Hearing the other party reveal everything so directly, Gekko Chizan was slightly shocked inside, though his expression remained unchanged.
"Hehehe, don't be so nervous. I'm just very curious—where exactly did you learn about these things?"
"These are all matters from a thousand years ago. Well, if you don't want to say, then don't."
"After all, it's nothing major."
The Great Toad Sage spoke to himself, not really paying attention to Gekko Chizan.
No wonder Sage Shima called him an old muddlehead.
At such an age, he really did seem a bit abnormal.
"However, Gekko Chizan, you must remember—you are a person of this world. At least from the moment you descended, you became one."
"Beneath the boundless starry sky, you came here and will fight for this world. That is enough."
"As for the Akatsuki organization, hehe, I have to say, the White Snake Sage's side should have more accurate information."
"After all, that fellow likes to observe the ninja world whenever he has nothing better to do. Unlike me, who just sleeps all day."
"Hehehehe, go back now."
From beginning to end, Gekko Chizan didn't say a single word. He only listened to the other party speak.
But the Great Toad Sage's words filled him with shock. It was obvious that the other party knew he didn't belong to this world.
Yet without solid proof, was that why he spoke in such a manner…
"One last thing—the nine Tailed Beasts each have their own mission."
"If you want to confront the true source, you need to gain their recognition."
Tailed Beasts? Mission? Recognition?
Gekko Chizan felt that the information he had just received was a bit too much to process all at once.
He was already a Jinchūriki. Could it be that he could become the Jinchūriki of multiple Tailed Beasts at the same time???
Sigh… this trip to Mount Myoboku was getting more and more confusing.
"Alright, leave now, young man."
"Oh, right—how was the toad oil I gave you before?"
"If it was good, take some more. There's plenty of that stuff here anyway."
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