Naruto: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 240: Naruto's Stay is Non-Negotiable!

"Isn't he just getting senile?" Shima Sage flipped her eyelids and concluded.

"He was already confused before, now he's just uncomfortable. I've heard humans get all sorts of senile illnesses as they age. It's perfectly normal for the Great Elder to show signs of senility given his age!"

Fukasaku Sage, unable to refute his wife, nodded vaguely and then looked at Naruto, who was working hard nearby. He thought of something and frowned:

"Little Jiraiya specifically told me to send Naruto back to the village once he mastered Sage Mode. Perhaps the Great Elder really made a mistake when he ordered Naruto to stay."

Shima Sage said, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's wake the Great Elder up and have him revoke the order. He might have already forgotten about it."

Although Shima Sage often called the Great Elder senile and didn't show much respect during their interactions, the Great Toad Sage had lived for a thousand years. Even if he was senile, his position as the Great Elder of Mount Myoboku commanded respect. Shima and Fukasaku couldn't go against his will. Even if the order was wrong, they needed to consult the Great Elder and get him to change his mind rather than disobeying directly.

Convinced by Shima, Fukasaku quickly accompanied her to the Great Elder.

Once an important figure who assisted Otsutsuki Hagoromo in the battle against his mother, the toad known as Gamamaru was now revered as the Great Toad Sage. Compared to his tiny size a thousand years ago, his current form was much larger, with an "oil" necklace around his neck and a scholar's cap on his head, sitting on a throne marked with the word "sage."

The arrival of Shima and Fukasaku did not catch his attention. If one got closer, they would notice his eyes were closed, and a faint snoring sound was coming from his mouth.

"See?" Shima Sage gave Fukasaku a look that said, "I knew it."

Ignoring Fukasaku's attempts to stop her, Shima Sage leaped several times and loudly called into the Great Toad Sage's ear: "Great Elder! Great Elder! Wake up! There's something important!"

After a while, the Great Toad Sage finally opened his eyes reluctantly.

Seeing Shima and Fukasaku so close, he muttered, "You are...?"

Shima sighed, "The Great Elder is getting more and more senile!"

"Don't talk about the Great Elder like that," Fukasaku said helplessly.

After a while, the Great Toad Sage finally recognized them.

Yawning, he said, "So it's Fukasaku and Shima. What brings you here?"

Before Shima could speak, Fukasaku quickly explained their purpose.

The Great Toad Sage pondered for a few seconds and then said, "Who is Little Jiraiya? Who is Naruto?"

"..."

Shima spread her hands, giving Fukasaku a look that said, "I told you so."

Then, she loudly reminded the Great Toad Sage, "Great Elder! You're confused..."

With Shima's prompting, the Great Toad Sage finally remembered who Jiraiya and Naruto were.

Then, he fell into a long silence.

Just when Shima and Fukasaku thought the Great Elder had fallen asleep again, he suddenly spoke with a tone that was cold, resolute, and unchangeable:

"No!"

In an instant, Shima and Fukasaku exchanged glances, seeing surprise and shock in each other's eyes. This was the first time they had seen the Great Elder so firm and unyielding in many years. It was completely different from his usual amiable and confused demeanor. Shima didn't dare to be as bold as before, and in a low voice, she asked, "Why... why not?"

The Great Toad Sage, his eyes fully open now and his posture serious, looked down at them. The true aura of the elder of Mount Myoboku filled the hall for the first time in centuries.

Shima and Fukasaku were so stunned that they didn't dare to move, even though the Great Toad Sage remained silent for a long time.

After an unknown amount of time, the hall was filled with a deep sigh.

When Shima and Fukasaku looked up, they saw the Great Toad Sage looking more tired than before.

"I dreamt of different futures," he suddenly said.

"Dreams? Different futures?" Fukasaku's brow furrowed. He was well aware of the Great Toad Sage's ability to foresee the future in his dreams. While some toads, including Shima, dismissed these as mere senile dreams, others, including humans, believed in his prophecies. Jiraiya, for instance, had long believed in the Great Toad Sage's prophecies and spent years searching for the Child of Prophecy. But now, what did it mean that he had dreamt of different futures? Had the prophecy changed?

His eyes fixed on the Great Toad Sage, waiting for more.

Soon, the Great Toad Sage spoke in a deep, trembling voice:

"I saw... blood-red skies and a falling moon. I saw... the earth collapsing and the world wailing. I saw time and space in chaos, with beings from endless dimensions tearing everything apart. It was too long, too far... too chaotic..."

"A great catastrophe, a catastrophe far beyond the ninja world, is coming!"

A new prophecy had emerged!

Although he didn't understand much of it, Fukasaku could feel the despair in the Great Toad Sage's words. Even Shima, who didn't usually believe in prophecies, began to have doubts, given how unusual the Great Toad Sage's behavior was.

Could it be... true?

Suddenly, Fukasaku thought of something and asked urgently, "So, Great Elder, you're keeping Naruto here because he can resolve the crisis in the prophecy?"

Jiraiya had told him that Naruto was likely the Child of Prophecy. Although Jiraiya had made mistakes before, he was certain this time. Fukasaku, seeing Naruto's special qualities and his quick mastery of Sage Mode, had come to believe it too. Now, hearing the Great Toad Sage's new prophecy, he instinctively thought that Naruto, as the Child of Prophecy, was the best candidate to resolve the crisis.

But could keeping Naruto at Mount Myoboku really help?

Facing Fukasaku's doubts, the Great Toad Sage didn't elaborate. His meaningful gaze pierced through all obstacles, looking at Naruto who was training, and he said calmly:

"Naruto will stay at Mount Myoboku."

"This decision is non-negotiable."