In the grand and majestic hall, directly opposite the main door, there was an unbelievably large recliner, where an equally unbelievably large old toad lay.
It held a large smoking pipe in its mouth, and even with its eyes closed in a doze, smoke rings continuously enveloped the hall, rendering the place misty, much like an ethereal realm.
Fukasaku Sage quickly leapt onto the high platform under the Great Toad's right hand, joining his hands together with a serious expression.
Jiraiya stood firm in front of the Great Toad, looking up.
No matter when you looked, this massive toad, which was shocking to behold, always seemed like it had one foot in the grave, nearly dead.
"Great Toad Sage, I have arrived."
Jiraiya called out from below.
The old toad didn't respond at all, continuing to exhale smoke rings with a leisurely expression.
Fukasaku Sage's solemn expression didn't last long. With a helpless deep breath, he turned his head and amplified his voice using Sage Art Chakra:
"Great Elder, Jiraiya has arrived!"
Only then did the old toad slowly glance at Fukasaku Sage nearby before noticing Jiraiya below, finally processing the situation.
"Have you brought everyone here? Sorry, I almost fell asleep."
"..."
It wasn't almost, you were already asleep.
"Great Toad Sage, is there a matter this time?"
The Great Toad Sage is the ruler of Mount Myoboku and possesses the incredible ability to foresee the future. He once prophesied for him, and it came true, so Jiraiya holds the Great Toad Sage in awe.
Being able to see the future, it feels like a true immortal could be no different.
Especially after witnessing some things in the Land of Rain this time, Jiraiya is even more convinced of the Great Toad Sage's abilities.
"Regarding this matter, Jirai… what's your name again?"
The Great Toad Sage suddenly asked, catching Jiraiya and Fukasaku Sage off guard.
"Great Elder, this is Jiraiya. You once prophesied some things for him; he's our Contractor with Mount Myoboku."
Fukasaku Sage supplemented helplessly from the side.
"Oh, oh, I remember now, it's young Jiraiya. I almost couldn't recall."
Honestly, Jiraiya did not want to believe this supposedly senile toad was the esteemed sage.
But the prophecies compelled him to believe.
Moreover, the Immortal Techniques of Mount Myoboku were real and not fabricated.
"Young Jiraiya, this time I've summoned you for a different task."
"What task? Is it still about the Child of Prophecy?"
Jiraiya believed that only a matter of such significance could be worthy of the Great Toad Sage personally calling him over.
"It doesn't directly relate to the Child of Prophecy. But recently, I dreamed of a very strange prophetic dream..."
"A strange prophetic dream?"
"Yes, a strangeness that is indescribable."
The Great Toad Sage's tone remained largely unchanged, appearing weak and near death.
"And this strangeness specifically is..."
"Accompanied by an extremely fierce war, ninjas will vanish from the world. Death and flames of war will unprecedentedly ravage the entire Ninja Realm."
"!?"
Jiraiya and Fukasaku Sage were both taken aback.
Even the prophecy of the Child of Prophecy was not this extreme.
Because the prophecy concerning the Child of Prophecy had two outcomes: one of destruction and one of a reborn peace.
By thoroughly educating and guiding the Child of Prophecy, the likelihood of the Ninja Realm moving toward peace was greater.
But this time, it directly resulted in destruction, leaving no room for choice.
"That... the disappearance refers to..."
Jiraiya found it hard to accept such a sudden twist, with urgency showing on his face.
"It means that all ninjas in the Ninja Realm, including Konoha, will vanish from the Ninja Realm..."
"Konoha... vanishing..."
Jiraiya had already become flustered.
Involving Konoha, he could no longer remain calm.
"What's the cause? Is it the Child of Prophecy..."
Jiraiya asked urgently.
Thinking of his three-year stay in the Land of Rain, the heir to the Rinnegan whom he had taken as his disciple, Jiraiya believed he was the ninja destined to bring change to the Ninja Realm.
Because those were the Rinnegan of the Six Paths Sage, which also reinforced Jiraiya's belief in the Great Toad Sage's prophecy.
Yet, with three years of effort, surely, the guidance was sufficient. Could it be that...
"This matter has nothing to do with the Child of Prophecy."
On hearing the Great Toad Sage's words, Jiraiya sighed in relief.
Thankfully, it wasn't.
"Then why is this happening?"
"I do not know."
The Great Toad Sage said straightforwardly.
"Huh?"
Jiraiya was bewildered.
Don't know?
What kind of answer is that?
"The one bringing absolute destruction to the current Ninja Realm is now in Konoha; you need to investigate thoroughly. I entrust this to you, young Jiraiya..."
In Konoha!?
Jiraiya's face was filled with shock.
What is going on? The person bringing destruction to the Ninja Realm is in Konoha?
Who could it be?
Could such a terrifying individual really exist within Konoha?
If so, why hadn't he noticed anything?
It must be a powerful Konoha Ninja, then.
"Great Toad Sage, I—"
"Zzz..."
All that was heard on the recliner was the sweet snoring of the Great Toad Sage.
Jiraiya, Fukasaku Sage: "..."
Was the prophecy just now truly not a joke of a dream?
Though it seemed unlikely, as if it were an ordinary dream, the Great Toad Sage wouldn't be so idle as to summon him over.
"But with Konoha being so large, with so many ninjas, how am I supposed to find this person..."
Jiraiya's sigh echoed through the hall.
Especially since he was about to head to the battlefield, where would there be time for such a task?
Moreover, they weren't even sure if it was a man or a woman, checking one by one would be impossible even if it killed him.
Should he seek help from Teacher Sarutobi? Jiraiya began to plan his course of action.