Chapter 304 – The Holy Places Submit
The Slug Sage of Shikkotsu Forest trembled with restrained anger. Memories of betrayal resurfaced — the Great Toad Sage's past schemes were not so easily forgotten.
Long ago, the three great holy places had sworn neutrality: Shikkotsu Forest, Ryūchi Cave, and Mount Myōboku agreed not to interfere in the conflicts of the Ōtsutsuki clan. Let the celestial beings fight among themselves — that was their pact.
But the Great Toad Sage had broken that oath.
Behind the backs of the other sages, he aided Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo, teaching him senjutsu and even gifting him the Sacred Talisman of the Toads, brimming with natural energy. With it, Hagoromo revived his brother Hamura, and together they battled their mother, Kaguya, for months — eventually sealing her away.
The Slug Sage's voice was heavy with disdain.
"He claimed neutrality, yet meddled in divine wars. Even now, he clings to the Six Paths Sage's shadow. His luck has finally run dry. To be forced into kneeling before the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Yuta… is a disgrace not just to Mount Myōboku, but to all holy places."
The White Snake Sage flicked its tongue, eyes flashing with cruel amusement.
"Let him see the future, if he dares. No foresight can save him now. I almost pity the old toad — to live without honor is worse than death."
"That's right," the Slug Sage replied coldly. "But it no longer matters. The Fifth Hokage is invincible. Once this war is finished, I will open Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode to Konoha."
The crowd stirred at those words. To offer Sage Mode — once forbidden, once taught only to a chosen few — to an entire village? It was unthinkable.
The Slug Sage let out a resigned sigh.
"Since we have pledged ourselves to Uchiha Yuta, Shikkotsu Forest must also give something in return. The age of isolation is over."
The White Snake Sage hesitated, then laughed softly, a bitter edge in its tone.
"If Shikkotsu Forest shares its secrets, Ryūchi Cave cannot lag behind. Very well… I too will spread the teachings of my Sage Mode."
The two ancient beings exchanged a knowing glance. There was no choice left. The tide of the world had shifted. Whether they liked it or not, they were now bound to Konoha, tied to the fate of the Fifth Hokage.
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Without delay, the White Snake Sage slithered forward, appearing in the center of the square. Its massive body coiled as it lowered its head respectfully toward the glowing energy projection of Uchiha Yuta.
"My Lord, the Fifth Hokage," the sage declared in a solemn hiss, "the Slug Sage and I have agreed. From this day onward, the Sage Modes of Shikkotsu Forest and Ryūchi Cave shall be taught in Konoha — not to one or two, but to the masses."
— Buzz!!!
The square fell silent. The shinobi watching the live broadcast froze in disbelief.
Was this real?
The Slug Sage of Shikkotsu Forest, and the White Snake Sage of Ryūchi Cave — both promising to teach their legendary Sage Modes to the people of Konoha, on a large scale?
A dream… no, a revolution.
In the past, the three great holy places had only accepted a handful of disciples. Training was perilous — most who failed to master senjutsu turned to stone, their lives forfeit. Countless shinobi had died chasing the power of immortals. And so, over time, hope for Sage Mode had dimmed, buried beneath tragedy.
But now, under Uchiha Yuta's reign, that hope returned.
"Did you hear that?" someone gasped in Konoha's streets. "They'll teach it here — in the village itself!"
"Hahaha! Does that mean… I might have a chance to learn Sage Mode?"
"Ryūchi Cave, Shikkotsu Forest… their Sage Modes rival even Mount Myōboku's. If I can master it, my strength will soar!"
"What a contrast — the Great Toad Sage kneeling in disgrace, while the other holy places stand proudly as allies. This is the difference between siding with Uchiha Yuta and resisting him!"
Excitement spread like wildfire. Shinobi young and old, civilian and warrior alike, all felt their blood surge. For the first time, the legendary power of the sages no longer seemed unreachable.
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Above them all, Uchiha Yuta's energy projection looked down with calm indifference. His voice was soft, but it carried divine weight.
"A wise decision. From this moment forward, Ryūchi Cave and Shikkotsu Forest are under my protection."
As his words echoed, the air itself seemed to bow in agreement. The era of secrecy was over. The gates of power had opened — but only under Yuta's hand.
And the world realized once again:
Uchiha Yuta was not simply the Fifth Hokage.
He was the one who rewrote the destiny of shinobi itself.
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