I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

The Prophecy of the Great Toad Sage

Naruto stood near the dirt path leading to the Uzumaki settlement, his presence drawing the attention of passing Uchiha clansmen.

After encountering this formidable yet unexpectedly skilled medical ninja, the Uchiha showed friendly smiles one after another and said politely, "Doctor Mianma, so you've also settled in Uzushiogakure. With you here, we won't have to worry about illnesses anymore."

Naruto nodded toward the Uchiha and could only smile at their concerns about medical treatment.

Medical ninjutsu could regenerate severed limbs using Yang Release chakra to accelerate cell division, but against common ailments like fevers or colds, he was powerless without medicine.

Before long, Naruto narrowed his eyes as he spotted Uchiha Mikoto walking alongside Uchiha Izumi.

A silent Namikaze Minato flickered through Naruto's mind, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "That's Uchiha Mikoto—your mother, Uzumaki Kushina's dear friend. We even talked about an arranged marriage between our children... Too bad you're a boy."

Naruto exhaled sharply, brushing away the mental image of himself in feminine garb. He then said, "So Sasuke's mother has such a history. But according to Shisui, she was nearly killed by her own son, Itachi. Her husband failed to protect her, and now she's separated from Sasuke. She's… pitiful."

Minato sighed softly. "Yes. But thanks to you saving her, Kushina won't be grieving in the afterlife. They were such close friends."

"You don't need to thank me. I saved her because she's Sasuke's mother—and also because her cooking is really good."

"…That's your reason?" Minato gave Naruto a long look before continuing. "But you were already aware of the conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha. You contacted Shisui early, secretly intervening to support them. This wasn't just a whim."

Naruto met his father's gaze, unconcerned. "Of course, saving Uchiha wasn't impulsive. I wanted to see if their fate would change once they left Konoha's environment."

"More than that, I see it as a social experiment. Maybe I'll even publish a paper on it someday."

"…A social experiment?" Minato was speechless. But given Naruto's current strength, few in the ninja world could oppose him. As for himself, he was just lingering chakra. Eventually, even this memory would fade.

---

The Capital of the Land of Fire

On the rooftop of a public bathhouse, a gray-haired Jiraiya peered downward, only to be chased away by security. He fled in embarrassment, returning to his inn to turn his "research" into new chapters for Icha Icha Paradise.

Compared to Tales of a Gutsy Ninja, readers preferred Icha Icha. For their sake, he risked being labeled a pervert—boldly gathering "materials" for his novels. If anything, readers should be moved to tears by his dedication.

After writing over a dozen pages, Jiraiya set down his brush and glanced at the lively streets outside.

His life as a traveler had made him an intelligence operative for Konoha, with nearly every mission involving village security. Yet, for the first time in a long while, the Third Hokage had given him no new orders.

Had the old man finally decided to let him rest?

Jiraiya quickly dismissed that thought. Hiruzen Sarutobi's philosophy was simple—if a tool was useful, he would use it until it broke. Since Orochimaru's defection and Tsunade's departure, Jiraiya had become Konoha's only reliable S-rank ninja.

A week of rest was plausible, but over a month? That was suspicious. Had something happened in the village?

After a brief moment of contemplation, Jiraiya picked up his brush again. The capital wasn't far from Konoha, so he might as well visit the village and check on Minato's son. With the Third Hokage still in charge, there was nothing to worry about.

Just as he dipped his brush into ink, he froze. His sharp instincts flared as he noticed a presence in the room.

A puff of smoke rose from the corner. A toad materialized before him and whispered, "Master Jiraiya, Fukasaku-sama and Shima-sama seek an audience with you."

Before the toad finished speaking, the Reverse Summoning Jutsu activated, and Jiraiya vanished.

---

Mount Myōboku

The sky over Mount Myōboku was a brilliant blue, and the lush greenery surrounding the ancient landscape thrived with life.

Jiraiya landed atop a massive lily pad, his two old mentors—Fukasaku and Shima—perched on his shoulders. "What's going on, bosses? Did the village send intel?"

Fukasaku shook his head. "No, we're not the ones calling you. The Great Toad Sage wants to see you."

Jiraiya's expression shifted. "The Great Sage…?"

Under Fukasaku's lead, they entered the Toad Temple. Though he had walked this path many times, unease always gnawed at him.

The Great Toad Sage was a being of legend, having lived for over a thousand years. Beyond mastering Senjutsu, he possessed the rare ability to foresee glimpses of the future.

Twice before, the sage had identified the "Child of Prophecy"—first in Nagato, wielder of the Rinnegan, and then in Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage.

Yet, despite their potential, both had died young, failing to fulfill their destinies.

Arriving at the temple, Jiraiya saw the Great Toad Sage dozing on his stone platform. Even in sleep, the ancient sage drifted within visions of the future.

Fukasaku leapt onto the platform and nudged him. "Elder Sage, Jiraiya is here."

The Great Toad Sage's dim eyes opened. Before he could speak, Jiraiya leaned forward eagerly. "Elder Sage, do you have another prophecy about the Child of Prophecy? If so, I'll find him and train him."

The old sage's gaze darkened. "This time, the vision is clear. The Child of Prophecy is a blond-haired boy… but his eyes—his eyes are ever-changing."

Jiraiya furrowed his brows. The Great Toad Sage's prophecies were always cryptic, but this one was particularly strange.

"Blond… and ever-changing eyes?"

The Great Sage nodded. "There is a distortion in time and space, obscuring my vision. But I am certain—he will alter the course of the ninja world. And he is a shinobi of Konoha."

Jiraiya exhaled, a relieved smile creeping onto his lips. "If he's from Konoha, that makes things easier. I'll find him and train him to save the world."

The Great Toad Sage shook his head. "There is no need to search. Fate will bring you to him."

Subscribe to Patreon.com/Akeyno to get 30+ chapters