Following the Third Hokage's orders, ninjas throughout Konoha were mobilized to conduct a full inspection of the village's protective barrier.
The Barrier Team in particular was under enormous pressure.
This was the second time in just three years that a mysterious ninja had slipped silently past the defenses and infiltrated the village, making the barrier system seem utterly useless. The Third Hokage was furious.
Three years ago, during the Nine-Tails incident, ordinary villagers and most shinobi believed it to be nothing more than a sudden rampage.
But only Konoha's upper leadership knew the truth—that it had been a meticulously planned attack.
The Fourth Hokage and his wife had died that night, along with the Third Hokage's wife Biwako and a medical kunoichi assisting with the childbirth.
And now, yet another mysterious ninja had infiltrated the village, murdered the Kumogakure envoy, and attempted to ignite a war between the two nations.
Konoha's most prestigious clan, the Hyuga, had fought desperately to stop the enemy. The clan head brothers had paid the price—one gravely wounded, the other lightly injured.
Even if Kumogakure harbored doubts, Konoha's leadership maintained an unwavering stance.
They insisted without hesitation that the envoy had been killed by an unknown attacker.
That firm position ultimately caused Kumogakure's scheme to collapse.
———
Meanwhile.
Deep within the dark recesses of the Root headquarters, Danzo listened coldly as Aburame Ryōma delivered his report.
"It seems quite lively outside, Lord Danzo," a voice drawled.
Orochimaru pushed open the door to Danzo's office.
On his way from the secret laboratory to the Root base, he had noticed numerous Konoha ninja mobilizing—along with ANBU squads. Such large-scale activity piqued the curiosity of even this laboratory-bound scientist.
Danzo said nothing, merely gesturing for Ryōma to explain.
Ryōma nodded and addressed Orochimaru. "Last night, a masked ninja infiltrated the village, killed the Kumogakure envoy, and left the corpse in the Hyuga compound…"
A single enemy capable of wounding both Hyuga brothers, evading pursuit from numerous jōnin and Root operatives, and even returning for a second infiltration?
Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed with interest as his tongue slid across his lips.
'It seems the outside world remains fascinating,' he mused.
Having once fought alongside the Hyuga brothers, Orochimaru understood their strength well. Even against a Kage-level opponent, they could withdraw safely.
"Enough about that," Orochimaru said casually. "I came here today to request more test subjects."
He extended his hand openly toward Danzo.
Danzo frowned.
"The previous batch was used up already?"
"Progress has been made," Orochimaru replied confidently. "Ordinary subjects no longer meet my needs."
The accidental success with a Wood Release test subject had proven that his research direction was viable.
Now he demanded more—and better—experimental materials.
"I will arrange it," Danzo said coldly. "But don't get carried away."
Konoha's prison population had already been thoroughly exploited. Over the years, Danzo had even begun seizing civilian ninja in secret.
In his mind, any sacrifice was justified—so long as it strengthened Konoha.
As long as the sacrifice wasn't himself.
"Then I'll await the good news," Orochimaru chuckled softly before vanishing into the shadows.
———
Land of Hot Water, capital city.
Built upon natural hot springs, the city was a famous tourist destination. Bordering the lands of Lightning, Moon, Sound, Fire, Water, and Waves, it prospered through trade and travel.
Inside a bustling pleasure house, Jiraiya sat surrounded by courtesans, laughing and drinking as he traded stories of the shinobi world.
Suddenly—
Poof!
A puff of smoke appeared, revealing a small red toad wearing goggles around its neck.
"Jiraiya!" it shouted.
But the room was too noisy for anyone to notice.
Frustrated, the toad leaped onto Jiraiya's face.
"Gah—!"
Startled, Jiraiya nearly spilled his drink.
Recognizing the toad as a messenger from Mount Myōboku, he sobered instantly and shooed the courtesans out.
"Gamakōsuke! What are you doing here?" Jiraiya asked, gulping down a kettle of tea to clear his head.
"Lord Fukasaku sent me to fetch you!" the toad urged.
Without delay, Jiraiya performed a Reverse Summoning Technique.
Moments later, he arrived in one of the Three Great Sage Regions—Mount Myōboku.
The land was filled with lakes and towering stone statues of toads. In the distance stood a grand wooden palace.
"Fukasaku-sennin, you called for me?" Jiraiya asked as he approached the waiting elder toads.
Fukasaku and Shima stood solemnly at the entrance.
Compared to Jiraiya's carefree demeanor, Fukasaku looked grave.
"The Great Toad Sage has foreseen something terrible," he said.
"Something terrible?" Jiraiya froze.
It had been a long time since he'd heard a prophecy—and never before had it sounded so ominous.
Hurrying inside, Jiraiya knelt before the Great Toad Sage.
The massive orange toad sat immersed in a giant pot, wearing a scholar-like cap and a necklace of beads, one engraved with the word "Oil."
"Great Toad Sage!" Jiraiya greeted respectfully.
"Ah… Little Jiraiya," the ancient sage murmured, barely opening an eye. "What brings you here?"
Jiraiya nearly fell over.
Fukasaku snapped, "You're the one who summoned him, you old fogey!"
"Oh right… I remember now," the sage said slowly. "I had a dream."
"In that dream, the entire shinobi world was swallowed by darkness. All nations and villages—even the Five Great Countries—were consumed."
Jiraiya felt his heart pound.
Even the prophecy of the Child of Prophecy had never sounded this grim.
"I saw a silhouette within that darkness," the sage continued. "A figure so terrifying that it destroyed the world entirely."
"Did you see anything more specific?" Jiraiya asked anxiously.
"An abyss…" the Great Toad Sage whispered. "When the figure turned around, all I saw was endless abyss. Even I felt fear."
"Abyss…" Jiraiya muttered.
"The one who will destroy the world…"
"The Child of Darkness."
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on P@treon if you're interested:
patreon.com/ZoroTL442