Adopted by Tsunade [255-256] (Patreon)

Chapter 255 – Helping You Fulfill the Prophecy

The White Snake Sage's question received no answer from Kaguya.

Although it did count as a powerful being, in her eyes it was still just an ant.

And she did not like talking to ants.

The three Snake Princesses looked at each other, their eyes full of shock.

Because they had just heard a hint of fear in the White Snake Sage's tone.

It was to the point they almost thought they had fallen into a genjutsu.

How could the White Snake Sage show such an emotion?

But the familiar aura on her body could not be faked.

"White Snake Sage."

Seeing the situation, Natsume spoke, breaking the silence.

"You are…?"

The White Snake Sage glanced at him, and was instantly stunned.

Kaguya had concealed her power, so the sage could not see through her.

But Natsume had not yet reached that level.

It could immediately sense the vast amount of chakra in his body.

Which made it think of someone—Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki.

The White Snake Sage's heart trembled.

Ordinary humans could never reach the level of the Sage of Six Paths.

That was determined entirely by bloodline.

In other words, Natsume possessed the bloodline of the Ōtsutsuki clan.

The only one who could give him that… was Kaguya.

The White Snake Sage began to hesitate.

Just how strong was Kaguya right now?

And how should it deal with her?

"We're here to cooperate."

Natsume's words pulled the White Snake Sage back from its thoughts.

It looked at Kaguya, who stood unmoved at the side, becoming even more confused.

Because the scene before its eyes was far too out of place.

It seemed as if Natsume was the one in control.

Kaguya was not.

With her personality, something like that should never happen.

Even the Emperor of the Land of Ancestors had been extremely respectful in front of Kaguya.

Yet Natsume's attitude was completely calm, as if their statuses were equal.

The White Snake Sage mulled it over, and suddenly showed a startled expression.

"Konohagakure's Sixth Hokage, Natsume?"

"That's me."

Natsume smiled lightly. "Looks like you've been paying close attention to the ninja world, White Snake Sage."

"The current summoner of Ryūchi Cave, Orochimaru, is a ninja from Konoha."

The White Snake Sage paused, then asked, "Since you're Hokage, why didn't you bring him along?"

"Because there's no need."

Natsume shook his head. "White Snake Sage, why don't you listen to what kind of cooperation I'm proposing first?"

"What is it?"

The White Snake Sage was surprisingly patient.

Mainly because it was too afraid of Kaguya.

Even though the man in front of it left it uneasy as well, if conflict could be avoided, that would certainly be best.

"Ryūchi Cave has many summoning beasts, yet you've only contracted with one person, Orochimaru. Isn't that a bit of a waste?"

Natsume smiled. "I hope you can help Konoha's ninjas fight and also train them in Sage Mode."

"Impossible!"

The one who replied wasn't the White Snake Sage, but Ichikishimahime. "What do you take Ryūchi Cave for?!"

According to Natsume's proposal, Ryūchi Cave would be completely reduced to Konoha's vassal.

Originally, they were lofty holy grounds, free to devour humans whenever they felt displeased.

In other words, they were in an absolute leadership position.

Now Natsume wanted to drag them all down and turn them into ordinary summoning beasts.

Such a reaction was only natural.

The White Snake Sage's expression turned ugly. "Cooperation requires fairness. What does Ryūchi Cave get out of this?"

If not for Kaguya standing there, it would've swallowed this impudent human whole already.

It had never met a human this bold and reckless.

"The opportunity to stay alive."

Natsume shrugged. "Isn't that worth everything Ryūchi Cave can offer?"

"Bastard!"

"What are you talking about?!"

"White Snake Sage, kill him!"

The three Snake Princesses erupted in fury.

The fear they'd felt toward Kaguya earlier was burned away by the humiliation of Natsume's conditions.

They all shifted into battle stances.

They floated into the air, long forked tongues extending, making them look especially terrifying.

The White Snake Sage also lost its patience, killing intent surging out.

Natsume's words were far too outrageous.

It was as if he didn't put Ryūchi Cave in his eyes at all.

One of the Three Great Holy Grounds, treated like an ant to be crushed at will.

This was something the White Snake Sage had never experienced.

The moment the killing intent appeared, Kaguya's face turned cold. She raised her hand.

Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack!

Chakra gathered rapidly, transforming into countless fists in her hands.

In an instant, space itself trembled.

The White Snake Sage and the three Snake Princesses all changed color, a wave of life-and-death crisis flooding their hearts.

At that critical moment, a massive white-scaled serpent appeared.

It was the White Snake Sage's true form.

Vast Sage Art chakra condensed, making its body harder than any armor, an unbreakable bastion.

It shielded the three Snake Princesses behind it.

Because it understood that if they took that attack head-on, there would be only one outcome—death.

But it still underestimated Kaguya in her prime.

The fists descended.

Blood sprayed in all directions.

In the blink of an eye, the White Phosphorus Great Snake's body was covered in cracks of all shapes and sizes.

And that was with Kaguya holding back.

The three Snake Princesses were splattered with its blood.

They froze on the spot.

Then, unable to suppress their terror, their bodies started to tremble like three frightened girls—

All their previous arrogance gone without a trace.

"We… are willing… willing to cooperate."

The White Snake Sage reverted to human form, face deathly pale, body drenched in blood that would not stop flowing.

Its eyes were full of terror, and even its voice was shaking.

It was her.

Moon Goddess Kaguya.

That woman had returned to the ninja world.

And her strength had not declined in the slightest.

"Then I hope we'll have a pleasant cooperation."

Seeing this, Natsume couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Kaguya was truly useful.

But when it came to Mount Myōboku next, he wanted to do it himself.

Since he'd gone to the trouble of coming in person, he didn't want to just watch from the sidelines.

And if he did it himself, he'd theoretically gain a bit more Fate Points as well.

"What do you need Ryūchi Cave to do next?"

The White Snake Sage asked sensibly.

At this point, there was no other path.

Either die, or submit.

"First, I'll select a group of good ninjas to come to Ryūchi Cave and find their respective summoning beasts."

Natsume raised one finger. "I know what kind of temperament snakes have, so I'll trouble you to knock some sense into them. I don't want any… unpleasant incidents."

To a true top-tier powerhouse, a summoning beast didn't matter much.

Unless it was of tailed-beast level.

But those were too few.

The summoning beasts of the Three Holy Grounds were already something people dreamed of.

Especially for ordinary ninjas, they were like adding wings to a tiger.

Just look at the Legendary Sannin—their summoning beasts helped tremendously.

Of course, it was impossible to give every ninja a summoning beast.

There simply weren't enough.

Natsume's plan was to focus on jōnin and talented chūnin and genin.

The White Snake Sage nodded.

In the current situation, it had no way to refuse.

"Second, training Sage Mode is a long process, and it depends heavily on talent."

Natsume raised another finger. "I don't know who will be suited, so from now on, the three Snake Princesses will be staying in Konoha."

"N-no… don't…"

All three Snake Princesses instinctively shook their heads.

Their eyes were full of pitiful pleading.

They did not want to go to Konoha. That would mean spending every day in the same place as Kaguya.

How terrifying would that be?

The White Snake Sage glanced at them, feeling a bit of pity.

"There are other snakes in Ryūchi Cave…"

"No."

Natsume cut it off. "Just these three."

The three Snake Princesses had distinct names, which meant they could generate Fate Points.

The other snakes could not.

"…"

The three Snake Princesses turned ashen.

They had reason to suspect Natsume was taking personal revenge.

After all, they had tried to attack him just now—

Even if they hadn't succeeded.

"Then let them go to Konoha. But in return for their loyalty and diligence, I hope you won't harm them."

The White Snake Sage sighed softly.

"Of course not."

Natsume smiled. "I've always been perfectly fair and just."

"…"

The White Snake Sage's mouth twitched, not knowing what to say.

You brought Kaguya to my doorstep—where exactly is the fairness in that?

"Third, lead the way to Mount Myōboku."

Natsume lowered his hand, his tone calm.

Mount Myōboku?

The White Snake Sage's body trembled.

It was surprised, but not very.

Now that Kaguya had returned, the Three Holy Grounds could not escape.

If Ryūchi Cave had suffered so miserably, there was no reason Mount Myōboku would come through unscathed.

After all, the Great Toad Sage had been the one who did the most back then.

Ryūchi Cave had only been an accomplice at best.

The White Snake Sage agreed without hesitation.

Its relationship with Mount Myōboku wasn't good in the first place.

It had never been fond of the ever-mysterious Great Toad Sage.

Seeing it make a fool of itself would be rather pleasant.

If Mount Myōboku ended up worse off than Ryūchi Cave, so much the better.

The White Snake Sage had already sunk into a mindset where "as long as I'm not the most miserable, it's fine."

"Kaguya, heal it."

Looking at its blood-soaked state, Natsume spoke up.

Kaguya didn't know medical ninjutsu, but her chakra was omnipotent.

Very soon, the White Snake Sage was fully recovered.

But its aged face was now full of shock and disbelief.

Even more intense than before.

Was it seeing ghosts?

A human actually able to order Kaguya around?

What kind of bizarre scene was this?

For a moment, it even wondered if it had fallen into a genjutsu.

"You three, come here."

Natsume beckoned to the three Snake Princesses.

"…"

They glanced at each other, then cautiously walked up to him, hearts pounding.

"I'll take you to Konoha first."

Natsume left a Flying Thunder God kunai behind, then appeared in the experimental building.

Kabuto raised an eyebrow.

He looked at the three Snake Princesses.

Strange.

But with a familiar aura.

Sage chakra.

Following Orochimaru, of course he'd seen Curse Seals.

"They're the high-ranking members of Ryūchi Cave—the Three Snake Princesses."

Natsume explained, "They'll be teaching you Sage Mode."

"I see."

Kabuto nodded. "Then I'll be in your care."

"It's… it's fine…"

Takitsuhime forced a smile.

Which made Kabuto rather surprised.

He had seen Orochimaru summon Manda before—its attitude had been as arrogant as could be.

The Three Snake Princesses held an even higher status; yet their attitude was actually… this mild?

He could clearly sense their fear of Natsume.

He had no idea what had happened.

But that had nothing to do with him.

He had already obtained what he wanted.

Natsume returned to Ryūchi Cave again.

Just like before, he had the White Snake Sage take a Flying Thunder God kunai to Mount Myōboku.

He and Kaguya, meanwhile, waited in her Amenominaka.

…

About an hour later, they arrived at the boundary of Mount Myōboku.

"What do you intend to do with Mount Myōboku?"

This time, unlike the Slug Sage, the White Snake Sage did not leave. It continued to follow them.

After all, it was ruthless enough to not feel any embarrassment about it.

"Kill them all."

Natsume's tone was calm.

"Kill them… all?"

The White Snake Sage's heart clenched at his reply.

This was not what it had imagined.

It had thought Mount Myōboku would end up like Ryūchi Cave.

Those toads were not weak; for most ninjas, they were a huge help.

Just like the snakes of Ryūchi Cave.

"Do you know the Great Toad Sage's prophecy?"

Natsume asked casually.

"You mean the Child of Prophecy?"

The White Snake Sage answered instinctively, then realized something and quickly corrected itself. "You mean the prophecy about Mount Myōboku's destruction?"

"You certainly know a lot about Mount Myōboku, White Snake Sage."

Natsume paused, then asked, "Or is it that you and the Great Toad Sage are on good terms?"

"Not at all."

The White Snake Sage hurried to explain. "Keeping an eye on Mount Myōboku is purely for security reasons."

The implication being that Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave were on opposing sides.

"The Great Toad Sage's prophecies are rarely wrong."

Natsume didn't care about its explanation. He smiled. "So I'll lend him a hand and make sure his prophecy comes true."

"…"

The White Snake Sage was at a loss for words.

It feared the Great Toad Sage precisely because of those prophecies.

Now the Great Toad Sage was about to die because of one of them. It had to admit, this was fate's cruelty.

…

At that moment—

Deep within Mount Myōboku, in the temple.

The Great Toad Sage jolted awake from a dream.

Dreams were the sign of his prophecies; the two were closely linked.

And the dream just now was a nightmare, full of slaughter and blood.

"Big Boss, you're awake?"

Fukasaku Sage hurriedly asked from the side.

"You and Shima must take Gamabunta, Gamaken, Gamahiro and the others and leave Mount Myōboku right away."

The Great Toad Sage's voice was fast and urgent.

"Big Boss?!"

Fukasaku was dumbfounded. "What happened?"

"Don't ask. Just go."

A trace of resolve appeared on the Great Toad Sage's face. "Hide your names in the ninja world."

"Don't tell me—that person who will destroy Mount Myōboku… is already here?"

Fukasaku realized something and blurted out, "Who is it?"

"No matter who it is, the destruction is already at our doorstep."

The Great Toad Sage sighed. "I just had a dream. That was the warning."

"I'll stay."

Fukasaku didn't hesitate. "With me here, there's at least a bit more hope."

"Fukasaku."

The Great Toad Sage's tone turned stern. "This is an order."

Just then, a toad rushed over from the distance.

It was one of the liaison toads.

It spat out a scroll. "The White Snake Sage is bringing two humans toward us."

"The White Snake Sage? What is it doing here?"

Fukasaku froze, then picked up the scroll and opened it.

On it were portraits of Natsume and Kaguya.

The Great Toad Sage gave it a glance and felt a chill run through his entire body. He shouted, "Fukasaku, leave NOW! Hurry!"

...

Chapter 256 – The Great Toad Sage

"Big Boss?"

Fukasaku had never seen the Great Toad Sage lose his composure like this.

He had been anxious a moment ago, but still maintained a certain dignity.

Now that was gone.

And another emotion appeared—panic.

For the Great Toad Sage, that was something that should never appear.

"Big Boss, that's Natsume, the Sixth Hokage of Konoha."

Fukasaku immediately recognized Natsume.

But like the Three Snake Princesses of Ryūchi Cave, he had never seen Kaguya.

So he didn't understand.

A White Snake Sage and a Hokage daring to come to Mount Myōboku's base—wasn't that just asking to die?

And hadn't Jiraiya said Natsume was the Child of Prophecy?

What was going on?

"Natsume?"

The Great Toad Sage was slightly stunned as well. He wasn't very clear about that either.

Prophecies were vague by nature.

It was entirely possible that Jiraiya had found the wrong person.

But he had no time to think about it.

"Fukasaku, remember my order."

The Great Toad Sage raised his hand and wrapped Fukasaku in Sage chakra, sending him flying into the distance.

But a few seconds later, a collision sounded.

Fukasaku was bounced back.

Fortunately, with Sage chakra protecting him, he was unhurt.

"Space has been sealed. We can't leave."

The Great Toad Sage's body trembled, a hint of despair in his eyes.

Even the White Snake Sage could not create such a seal.

The only possible culprit was Kaguya.

And she had to be in her peak state.

Which meant that even after being sealed for a thousand years, her power had not diminished.

Although he didn't know exactly what had happened, the Great Toad Sage knew Mount Myōboku was doomed.

"Big Boss, this is…?"

Fukasaku finally understood that something was very wrong.

The Great Toad Sage couldn't even send him away.

How absurd was that?

It also meant the enemy's strength far surpassed the Great Toad Sage's.

The prophecy was about to come true.

Mount Myōboku would be destroyed.

Thinking of that, Fukasaku was filled only with despair and fear.

How could it be like this?

"Fukasaku."

The Great Toad Sage opened his mouth and spat out a ray of golden light, which landed in Fukasaku's hands.

It was a talisman, with the character for "Sage" carved into it.

"The Sage Talisman. It has the power to bring someone back from the dead."

The Great Toad Sage instructed, "Give it to a very inconspicuous toad and have it deliver the message to Jiraiya."

"Big Boss, why don't you use it yourself?"

Fukasaku asked anxiously. "No one outside even knows the Sage Talisman exists."

"The Sage Talisman isn't omnipotent."

The Great Toad Sage shook his head. "I'm the primary target. I'll definitely be under special scrutiny and might not even get the chance to use it."

"Just how strong is this person, that you might not even have a chance to use it?"

Fukasaku's face was full of confusion and shock.

"She's the mother of the Sage of Six Paths—Kaguya."

The Great Toad Sage exhaled. "Fukasaku, while we still have time, hurry."

Fukasaku stood there, stunned.

He had never seen her, but he had heard of Kaguya's deeds.

No wonder the Great Toad Sage was acting like this.

He had surrendered before the fight even began.

Fukasaku snapped out of it and hurriedly left.

There was only one Sage Talisman, which meant only one toad could be saved.

Every other toad would die.

Including him.

…

[Because of your actions, the fates of the White Snake Sage, Tagitsuhime, Ichikishimahime, Takitsuhime, Kabuto Yakushi and others have changed. You have obtained a total of 360 Fate Points.]

The notification from the Fate Ring sounded.

There simply weren't that many snakes in Ryūchi Cave with distinct names.

Even so, it was still a generous haul.

And Mount Myōboku would only yield more.

"Kaguya."

Natsume stopped walking.

From here, he could already see the temple not far away.

At the same time, more and more toads were gathering around.

Once they reached the depths of Mount Myōboku, the three of them were impossible to miss.

But because the White Snake Sage was with them, the toads didn't dare approach.

The Three Holy Grounds knew each other well and understood just how terrifying the three Sages were.

Kaguya turned her head to look at Natsume.

She said nothing.

As usual.

But the White Snake Sage was even more shocked.

So it hadn't been imagining things before.

This man really could command Kaguya.

Good heavens.

The White Snake Sage silently thought, Live long enough, and you really will see everything.

"Leave the rest to me. You don't have to make another move."

Natsume smiled. "I can't come all this way and then do nothing. That'd be boring."

"No."

Kaguya's tone was cold.

With Natsume's current strength, there was still some risk in taking on all of Mount Myōboku alone.

She was unwilling to let him.

The White Snake Sage's tongue instinctively clicked.

Something was definitely off.

Kaguya cared too much about Natsume.

In its long life, it had only seen this kind of attitude in two cases.

Love—or blood kin.

"How about this, then?"

Natsume leaned in and brushed her lips with his.

The White Snake Sage was dumbfounded.

What the—?!

It felt like its entire snake-life was being challenged.

This was even more outrageous than the beating it had just taken.

Kaguya wrapped her arms around him in return.

A soft, warm sensation spread.

At the same time, a faint fragrance filled his mouth.

Natsume responded to her.

Soft white light began to drift around his body like stars in the night, flickering constantly.

The White Snake Sage quickly backed away.

This was the pure chakra of the Ōtsutsuki clan.

Completely different from a normal human's chakra.

It could be compared directly to nature energy.

Looking at Natsume, the White Snake Sage couldn't help but feel jealous.

With chakra this vast, if it were the one to receive it, it was confident it could surpass the Great Toad Sage.

The white glow grew brighter and brighter.

Natsume suddenly felt an itch in his eyes.

He paused.

Could it be the Rinnegan?

But in the end, it fell short by a bit.

Even so, he felt a surge of power throughout his body.

His chakra now surged like an ocean.

The two of them separated.

"I've lent it to you."

Kaguya licked the corner of her lips. "The price is ten days."

Natsume looked at her faint smile and was speechless.

He couldn't help but feel like he'd taken a loss.

But to earn a beauty's smile… it wasn't so bad.

Seeing this, the White Snake Sage raised Natsume's status in its heart to Kaguya's level.

Absolutely someone it could never afford to offend.

It decided it would give its grandchildren in Ryūchi Cave a serious lecture later.

They had to behave.

Otherwise, no one would be able to save them.

Now overflowing with Kaguya's chakra, Natsume continued forward.

There were more and more toads around them.

But because of the White Snake Sage's presence, none dared step too close.

At the temple gates—

Fukasaku and Shima appeared, standing left and right.

"We don't know why the three of you have come to Mount Myōboku?"

"Have Gamamaru come out."

The White Snake Sage spoke first. "The two of you can't make this decision."

Perhaps because they finally had a backbone to rely on, the other toads' courage increased a bit.

"White Snake Sage, this is Mount Myōboku!"

The one speaking was a huge red toad with a massive pipe in its mouth and a short sword at its hip.

Gamabunta.

Jiraiya's usual summon and one of Mount Myōboku's strongest toads.

Together with Katsuyu and Manda, he had helped forge the name of Konoha's Legendary Sannin.

The White Snake Sage's face immediately grew dark, a violent aura pressing down in all directions.

Under that pressure, weaker toads were forced flat to the ground, unable to move.

"White Snake Sage!"

Gamabunta drew his short sword and slashed forward.

The oppressive aura weakened a bit.

But it remained terrifyingly strong.

"Stand down."

The Great Toad Sage stepped down from his seat and appeared in front of the other toads.

For most toads, this was their first time seeing the true master of Mount Myōboku.

Normally, they only ever saw Fukasaku.

Let alone outside the temple itself.

The Great Toad Sage's body was shriveled and old, as if it might die at any moment.

But no one dared look down on him.

"White Snake."

The Great Toad Sage's cloudy eyes fell on the imposing White Snake Sage. "You've betrayed us."

"Gamamaru."

The White Snake Sage's expression didn't change. "Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave were enemies to begin with. How can there be talk of betrayal?"

"…"

The Great Toad Sage understood what he meant.

He simply could not act as straightforwardly as the White Snake Sage and surrender outright.

And Kaguya most likely would not accept that anyway.

The Great Toad Sage's gaze settled on Natsume.

He couldn't understand why Natsume was here.

According to his prophecy, the destroyer of Mount Myōboku had two traits:

Special eyes, and a connection to Konoha.

Now both things pointed to Kaguya.

But having her fit the prophecy was precisely what felt wrong.

With her personality, how could she have any connection to Konoha?

Besides, Natsume was suspected to be the Child of Prophecy:

Sage Mode and Wood Release.

Why were these two people mixed together?

"Natsume."

The Great Toad Sage knew he would not escape death.

But before he died, he had to understand the truth about Natsume.

It was the last thing he could do for Jiraiya.

"You are Hokage of Konoha."

The Great Toad Sage asked in a deep voice, "Mount Myōboku has always treated Konoha well. Why are you here?"

"Well? You mean Jiraiya?"

Natsume chuckled. "Do you think he's a ninja of Konoha, or of Mount Myōboku?"

"That's an equal trade."

The Great Toad Sage paused, then countered, "Mount Myōboku has helped Konoha through several crises. Isn't that enough?"

"Your hand has reached too far."

Natsume shook his head. "Great Toad Sage, have your prophecies ever been wrong?"

"No."

The Great Toad Sage replied. "Mount Myōboku is fated to be destroyed, but not by you. You are the Child of Prophecy, destined to be Kaguya's enemy."

Trying to sow discord?

Very nice.

Natsume narrowed his eyes. "Why do you say I'm the Child of Prophecy?"

The Great Toad Sage glanced at Kaguya.

She had no response at all.

He felt even more out of place.

With her personality, how could she be this obedient?

The White Snake Sage smirked slightly at the sight.

Can't figure it out, can you, old thing?

You've always played the prophet, pretending to know everything.

Turns out there are still things beyond you.

"You possess Wood Release and Sage Mode."

The Great Toad Sage continued his attempt to mislead him. "You're destined to become the next Hashirama Senju, to bring peace to the ninja world and sweep away all enemies."

"So by your logic, I should kill her right now?"

Natsume pointed at Kaguya and asked.

"Yes."

The Great Toad Sage felt more and more wrong-footed.

Could this Kaguya be a fake?

But that made no sense.

Even the White Snake Sage had already defected; how could she be fake?

No matter how he racked his brains, he couldn't understand what relationship existed between Natsume and Kaguya.

Even Hagoromo and Hamura back then hadn't dared act like this.

"You think she's the one who'll destroy Mount Myōboku?"

Natsume's Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan spun to life, and he smiled. "Actually, it's me."

The Great Toad Sage's breath caught.

Special eyes, connected to Konoha.

Right now, Natsume fit the description far better than Kaguya.

So who was the Child of Prophecy?

The Great Toad Sage sighed. "So that's how it is."

Before everyone's eyes, his shrunken body swelled with power.

Sage chakra flooded out, as if he'd returned to his prime.

But this was clearly drinking poison to quench his thirst.

"Be careful, he's going to fight to the death."

The White Snake Sage warned.

Natsume nodded.

"You all, stay back."

The Great Toad Sage threw his head back, his belly rapidly expanding, then he spat.

A massive water sphere of pure Sage chakra shot out in a straight line.

Natsume clapped his hands and entered Sage Mode.

"Sage Art: Water Release – Water Formation Wall!"

He wanted to see just how far his strength had risen with Kaguya's chakra.

The water sphere smashed into the water wall, sending up a huge spray.

Under the stunned gazes of the toads, the wall didn't budge an inch.

The Great Toad Sage's heart sank.

This human's Sage Art was actually not weaker than his.

Unbelievable.

Normally, a human whose Sage Arts could merely function was already a genius among geniuses—let alone one who could match him.

No wonder he was the one destined to destroy Mount Myōboku.

His strength very likely surpassed the Sage of Six Paths.

Though there was no hope, the Great Toad Sage still refused to sit and wait for death.

He leaped high into the air, his huge body cloaked in golden light as he crashed through the water wall like a falling mountain.

Boom!

The whole of Mount Myōboku seemed to shake.

Dust flew from the point of impact.

But before it could clear, a wooden dragon burst from the ground and coiled around him.

"Sage Art: Wood Release – Wood Dragon Technique!"

The Great Toad Sage shuddered, flames spontaneously appearing on his body.

The wooden dragon immediately caught fire.

But it didn't burn quickly.

The binding was still in place.

Natsume formed hand seals again.

"Sage Art: Water Release – Water Severing Wave!"

Tobirama Senju's signature technique.

A highly compressed water stream shot out like a sharp blade.

The Great Toad Sage spat out another water sphere.

It formed a shield in front of him.

But it was split in half in an instant, and the water blade plowed on, piercing his shoulder.

It had been aimed at a vital spot, but he twisted aside at the last moment.

Blood sprayed through the air.

"Big Boss!"

Fukasaku and the other toads cried out. Some even prepared to join the fight.

"Don't come. This is beyond you."

The Great Toad Sage broke free of the wooden dragon and landed once more.

The wound on his shoulder rapidly closed.

He stared at Natsume, his expression heavier than ever.

"Sage Art: Gate of the Great God!"

Natsume didn't hold back, forming seals again.

Scarlet torii gates fell from the sky one after another.

Sensing danger, the Great Toad Sage vanished from where he stood.

He reappeared off to the side, opening his mouth to spit out a long tongue.

"Sage Art: Wood Release – Cutting Sprigs Technique!"

Natsume didn't dodge at all. He punched straight at the tongue.

Wooden spikes sprouted from his arm, piercing the tongue and surging forward, trying to skewer the Great Toad Sage's entire body along with it.