The two toads stood in the middle of the tent, blinking blankly as they adjusted to their surroundings.
A faint puff of residual smoke still lingered in the air from the summoning.
Upon noticing Jiraiya, the purple toad immediately frowned.
"Hey, Jiraiya!" Shima snapped angrily. "Why did you summon us when there are no enemies? Do you have any idea how rude that is? You've interrupted my cooking!"
Her voice was sharp, filled with irritation, and her hands rested on her hips as she glared at him.
Beside her, the smaller green toad quickly raised both hands in a calming gesture.
"Now, now, dear… don't be like that," Fukasaku said gently. "Little Jiraiya wouldn't summon us without a reason."
Despite his calm tone, even he looked curious.
Jiraiya scratched the back of his head with an awkward smile.
"It's like this, Elder Shima, Lord Fukasaku…"
He stepped forward and explained Kakashi's condition in detail—how he had nearly died, how his body had suddenly recovered, and how he had entered a mysterious state beyond his usual limits.
As he spoke, Kakashi stood quietly to the side, observing.
Once Jiraiya finished, the two Great Sages exchanged a glance.
Then, without hesitation, they hopped toward Kakashi.
Their expressions shifted from casual annoyance to deep curiosity.
They circled him slowly.
Then, with surprising agility, they leaped onto his shoulders.
"Stay still," Fukasaku muttered.
Kakashi nodded slightly.
Both sages closed their eyes.
Silence filled the tent.
A subtle ripple of perception spread outward as they sensed the energy within his body.
Moments later—
Fukasaku opened his eyes.
"Indeed…"
"There is the aura of Natural Energy within him."
He stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"It seems that, in that instant between life and death, you unconsciously entered what we call Sage Mode."
Kakashi's eyes narrowed slightly.
Sage Mode…
Before he could speak, Shima opened her eyes as well.
"And not only that," she added, her tone sharp but impressed. "This boy's body is still continuously absorbing Natural Energy."
She poked Kakashi lightly on the shoulder.
"It's just that you don't know how to use it."
Jiraiya let out a long breath.
"So my guess was correct…"
He folded his arms, looking relieved.
Then he turned to the two sages with a serious expression.
"Great Sages… could you grant Kakashi a method to cultivate Senjutsu?"
At those words, both toads fell silent.
They looked at Kakashi again—this time more carefully.
Evaluating.
Measuring.
Judging his potential.
After a moment—
They nodded.
"This child… has talent," Fukasaku said.
Shima crossed her arms but didn't object.
"Very well. We'll give him a chance."
Immediately, Fukasaku opened his mouth.
With a soft plop, a scroll emerged—slightly damp.
He handed it forward.
Kakashi didn't hesitate.
He stepped forward respectfully and accepted it with both hands, ignoring the moisture.
"Thank you," he said sincerely.
"I am deeply grateful."
Shima nodded with a satisfied expression.
"Just don't waste it," she said bluntly. "Senjutsu isn't something just anyone can master."
Then she turned toward Jiraiya.
"We're going back now. If we delay any longer, the food will get cold."
Before anyone could respond—
Poof—!
A cloud of smoke burst forth.
In the next instant, the two sages had vanished.
The tent fell silent once again.
Kakashi lowered his head slightly toward the spot where they had disappeared.
Then he turned to Jiraiya and bowed.
"I must also thank you, Lord Jiraiya."
Jiraiya waved his hand dismissively.
"Don't mention it."
"As a senior, it's only natural to support the younger generation."
But inwardly, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
Kakashi's growth…
Was something he had long hoped for.
Though he spent most of his time traveling, investigating the world and searching for answers about the "Child of Prophecy," he had never stopped caring about Konoha.
Now, seeing Kakashi step forward…
He could finally breathe a little easier.
"With you here…" Jiraiya thought silently, "Konoha will be safe."
Konoha Village
Far from the battlefield, the atmosphere within Konohagakure was heavy.
The usual lively streets were eerily quiet.
There were no merchants calling out.
No children playing.
Only the steady footsteps of patrolling shinobi echoed through the village, accompanied by the rustling of leaves in the wind.
War had cast a long shadow.
Inside the Hokage Office, the tension was even thicker.
Smoke curled endlessly in the air.
Seated behind his desk, Hiruzen Sarutobi held his pipe, drawing on it slowly.
His gaze was distant.
Tired.
The news he had received weighed heavily on him.
The Fourth Raikage leading troops personally…
It was not a small matter.
Even with Jiraiya on his way, there was no guarantee the front lines could hold.
His fingers tightened slightly around the pipe.
The room was silent—
Until—
Flap, flap—
A messenger hawk landed on the windowsill.
It chirped urgently.
An Anbu operative stepped forward immediately, retrieving the scroll tied to its leg.
With both hands, he presented it.
"Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen stared at the scroll.
For a brief moment—
He didn't move.
It felt… heavy.
Heavier than anything he had held before.
Because within it lay the fate of the battlefield.
If it was defeat—
Konoha's already weakened state would be exposed to the world.
The Land of Earth…
The Land of Water…
Even the Land of Wind—
All might seize the opportunity.
The Land of Fire would become prey.
Taking a slow breath, Hiruzen opened the scroll.
His eyes scanned the contents.
Then—
His shoulders relaxed.
The tension drained from his face.
The deep wrinkles softened.
A faint light returned to his tired eyes.
And slowly—
A smile formed.
Not a proud smile.
Not a triumphant one.
But a deeply relieved one.
"This…"
He exhaled softly.
"They won."
The report, written by Jiraiya himself, detailed everything.
Kakashi's breakthrough into Sage Mode.
His battle against the Raikage.
And—
The unbelievable feat of Team 6.
Aoki Yoru.
Yui.
Kenta.
Defeating the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki… in full Tailed Beast form.
Even Hiruzen found it hard to believe.
The Eight-Tails was not something that could be casually defeated.
Even he could only stall it at best.
The only person to ever subdue it was the Third Raikage—and that battle had lasted three days and three nights.
Yet these three…
Had achieved it in one battle.
Though Bee was rescued—
The achievement remained undeniable.
Hiruzen leaned back slightly.
A rare sense of ease filled his chest.
"Kakashi has stepped into the Kage level…"
"And those three…"
"They are already at least Jonin level."
"Aoki Yoru… perhaps even beyond."
A faint chuckle escaped him.
"For once… things are going well."
For years, his greatest concern had been the future.
The lack of successors.
He had placed his hopes on Naruto and Sasuke.
But now—
Hope had already appeared.
"And they are all from the Hokage lineage…"
His eyes softened.
"There are successors."
He straightened his posture.
Then, his voice regained its authority.
"Take this report to the advisors."
"And announce the victory to the village."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
The Anbu vanished.
Hiruzen picked up another stack of documents.
Work still remained.
Even in victory—
The burden of leadership never lessened.
Root's Darkness
Far below the surface…
In a dim underground chamber—
A sharp sound echoed.
Thud—!
A scroll slammed onto the ground.
Standing in the shadows, Danzo Shimura stared at it, his expression twisted.
"Victory?"
"How is that possible?!"
His voice was filled with disbelief—and fury.
"The fools of Kumogakure!"
"I gave them intelligence!"
"I even told them when Jiraiya would arrive!"
"And they still failed?!"
His hands trembled slightly with rage.
Everything had been arranged.
If Konoha lost—
Hiruzen would bear responsibility.
Danzo could step forward.
Seize power.
Become the Fifth Hokage.
But now—
Everything had collapsed.
"How can Hiruzen's luck be this good…?"
He gritted his teeth.
But then—
His expression darkened further.
"Kakashi…"
"A new threat."
If Jiraiya and Tsunade did not return—
Kakashi would be the strongest candidate.
And worse—
He had disciples.
Power.
Legacy.
Structure.
Everything a leader needed.
Danzo's eyes narrowed.
"Then they must be removed."
He turned slightly.
"Someone."
A figure appeared instantly from the shadows.
Kneeling on one knee.
"Lord Danzo."
It was Aburame Torune.
Danzo's voice was cold.
"Kakashi's three disciples…"
"They threaten Konoha's future."
"Go."
"Kill them."
His gaze hardened.
"Especially Aoki Yoru."
"He must not be allowed to live."
A brief pause.
Then—
"Yes, Lord Danzo."
Torune disappeared silently.
No questions.
No hesitation.
Because in Root—
Orders were absolute.
And darkness…
Was their only path.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)