"What do you mean by 'chaos and death'?" Jiraiya shouted urgently.
"It will be a transformation that shakes the entire shinobi world, one filled with death. No one will escape it. You must be prepared!" The Great Toad Sage's voice grew weaker as it spoke.
"What should I do, then? Who is behind all this? Will it be good or bad for the future of the shinobi world? Great Toad Sage, what is it you want me to do?"
Jiraiya, always feeling a natural sense of responsibility when it came to prophecies and missions, leaned forward. He was sure the Great Toad Sage would give him a task, a way to respond to this ominous vision. He needed it's guidance to decide his next steps.
Jiraiya wasn't the only one stunned into silence. Beside him, Fukasaku and Shima, the two toad sages, were equally dumbfounded. None of them expected such an uncertain answer from the Great Toad Sage.
"I can't say for sure whether its arrival will be good or bad for this world, but its presence will undoubtedly shake the very foundation of the shinobi world and its people.
I only saw glimpses of images and passed them to you as a prophecy. But… you could look for a powerful medical ninja. They might be the key to everything."
The Great Toad Sage's voice faded entirely, replaced by the sound of soft snores. Its belly rose and fell rhythmically, clearly lost in another dream. Discover more novels at novelFirｅ.net
A powerful medical ninja?
Jiraiya was taken aback. Only one person came to mind—a woman with a ponytail, an impressive figure, a penchant for gambling despite terrible luck, and debts spread all across the shinobi world.
The legendary Sannin of Konoha, the princess of the Senju clan, and the acknowledged medical master of the shinobi world—Tsunade-hime!
Could it be that Tsunade is researching something that could create a world-shaking monster? Such a thing seems more plausible if it were Orochimaru, doesn't it?
Jiraiya wanted to ask more questions, but the Great Toad Sage had already fallen into a deep slumber, completely unresponsive to any further inquiries.
"Well, the prophecy has been delivered. Since little Jiraiya doesn't visit often, let's have a meal together," Sage Shima suggested as she leaped down from the armrest of her chair.
Along with Fukasaku, she hopped several times before perching on Jiraiya's shoulders, one on each side, and extended the invitation.
"No, no, no, I have urgent matters to attend to!" Jiraiya's face, deep in thought, instantly changed at Shima's invitation. A tinge of green appeared on his complexion, and he shook his head so rapidly that afterimages seemed to form. His tone was both serious and firm.
"That's such a shame! I even prepared a new feast menu!" Shima lamented, sounding genuinely regretful.
"Next time, I promise!" Jiraiya replied, waving his hands dismissively.
"Don't let the prophecy weigh too heavily on you. What's destined to happen will happen regardless," Fukasaku reassured Jiraiya.
"I know!" Jiraiya nodded, though his determination to investigate hadn't waned.
Whether it was about Tsunade or any other renowned medical ninja, Jiraiya planned to make inquiries as soon as he returned to the shinobi world.
In his mind, he was already sorting through names of shinobi known for their exceptional medical ninjutsu.
And Shinnō, a healer who treated both civilians and shinobi without seeking wealth in return.
As the Sannin's expert in gathering intelligence, these were the only three names that came to mind.
Among them, he was most familiar with Tsunade—her loyalty to her teammates and friends made her a close and trusted ally.
Next was The Wandering Nun, a famed figure in the shinobi world. Few women could match her prowess in medical ninjutsu, putting her on par with Tsunade in certain respects.
However, she had vanished from the public eye for years, shrouded in an air of mystery.
As for that person, Shinnō, his deeds were simply too notable during the time of the war. It seems that he recently appeared in the Land of Rain.
Jiraiya had heard his name mentioned by the citizens of the Land of Rain.
If the person truly is Shinnō, it wouldn't be difficult for Jiraiya to return and investigate. He could easily track him down and make contact.
Out of the three targets, Shinnō seemed to be the only one Jiraiya could possibly find and approach in the short term.
"Gather intel on Shinnō?" Yahiko looked at his teacher, confused.
"You don't know Shinnō?" Jiraiya asked, frowning as he noticed Yahiko's puzzled expression.
As the representative of Konoha sent to connect with the Akatsuki, Jiraiya was well aware of how sensitive his position was. He couldn't afford to expose himself to the eyes of the Rain Village, or it might provoke Hanzo into taking rash actions.
Jiraiya planned to stay with the Akatsuki for a while. On one hand, he would handle Konoha's cooperation with the Akatsuki, and on the other, he would observe his three disciples and the organization they had founded.
"Shinnō?" A low voice came from behind Yahiko. It was Kakuzu, dressed in the black cloak of the Akatsuki. He lifted his head from the Akatsuki's ledger.
"You know him?" Jiraiya turned his gaze to Kakuzu. Kakuzu, a rogue ninja from Takigakure who had the identification scroll from Kagetsu, claimed to represent the Konoha Technology Development Department and handle finances.
Jiraiya had exchanged a few friendly sparring matches with him before, and they both recognized each other's strength, though neither had gone all out.
Once Jiraiya confirmed that Kakuzu held no ill intentions, and that he was simply focused on managing the finances with skill, Jiraiya felt at ease.
"I've heard of him. He's a doctor with a high reputation for offering free medical care all over the place. I once crossed paths with him, but since he didn't have any bounty on him, I didn't do anything," Kakuzu said thoughtfully.
"Is he in the Land of Rain? Sensei, are you trying to find him?" Yahiko asked, his opinion of Shinnō improving significantly. He even thought about asking him to join the Akatsuki.
After all, the Akatsuki didn't have any medical ninjas, and if Shinnō joined, he could even help teach Konan some medical ninjutsu.
The heavy rain poured down.
Shinnō, who had been mentioned by Jiraiya and the others, was now staring at a monstrous body with a mix of shock and greed in his eyes.
It was a beast like a demon, with long limbs, black and tough skin, and two horns like those of a ram twisting from its head, its face obscured.
A cracked, pale bone mask covered the monster's face.
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