"Correcting flaws?"
Jiraiya couldn't figure out what flaws could have existed in ancient times.
Back then, people could use chakra to understand each other's thoughts. Communication was effortless. What could have been better than that?
"Humans are prone to greed,"
The Great Toad Sage sighed as it recounted the story of the ancient era.
"There were always those who used chakra for selfish desires. Even among the disciples of the Shinobi Sect, there were inevitably some who committed unforgivable acts of evil..."
That was, indeed, a flaw.
Even Jiraiya, who revered the ancient era, had to admit it.
Still...
It couldn't have been that bad, right?
It had to be better than the current shinobi world.
Minor flaws could surely be corrected.
"Emiya Shigen..."
Jiraiya suddenly thought of something, his eyes widening.
"Was he the one who wanted to correct those flaws?"
"Not just that."
The Great Toad Sage slowly opened its eyes, its voice turning distant, almost unsettling.
"Jiraiya... between you and Shigen, whose vision is grander?"
"Of course, it's Lord Shigen!"
Jiraiya smacked his forehead.
What kind of ridiculous question was that?
Who in their right mind would think they could compare to Shigen?
That was a man even the Sage of the Six Paths respected!
Fukasaku, who stood beside the Great Toad Sage, quickly added,
"That's an insult to Jiraiya! Jiraiya has no right to even be mentioned in the same breath as Shigen!"
"..."
Jiraiya's mouth twitched.
It sounded like Fukasaku was defending him, but somehow, it didn't feel that way.
"Even someone like Jiraiya wishes to change the shinobi world..."
The Great Toad Sage recalled a past calamity and asked in a frail yet pointed voice,
"Then what about Shigen, who couldn't even tolerate the minor flaws of the ancient era?
"Now that he sees the world has turned out exactly as he predicted...
"What do you think he wants to do?"
"He would definitely want to change it..."
Jiraiya's voice trailed off, a strange thought surfacing in his mind.
"Wait a second.
"If Lord Shigen foresaw this future all the way back in ancient times...
"Why didn't he stop it?"
Why...
Why did he let it happen?
Knowing Shigen's nature, he wouldn't just stand by and watch the world fall into chaos.
Was leaving behind the legacy of medical ninjutsu his way of making a change?
"Did he believe that medical ninjutsu would guide people in the right direction?"
Jiraiya thought he had figured it out.
"Did Lord Shigen want people to use chakra for healing instead of war?"
"..."
The Great Toad Sage gazed at Jiraiya like he was a naive child.
After all, the sage had witnessed the catastrophe firsthand.
"Did I say something wrong?"
Jiraiya asked hesitantly.
"That was indeed his intention,"
The Great Toad Sage admitted.
"But there was another reason—
"A promise.
"In the ancient era, someone made a vow to Shigen...
"They swore that humanity would one day achieve true understanding."
"That's..."
Jiraiya chuckled bitterly.
Even though he himself had dreamed of a world where people truly understood each other,
He knew just how difficult that path was.
It was so idealistic...
Even Shigen had once been idealistic.
Jiraiya's admiration for the man grew even stronger.
He never imagined Shigen had once held the same innocent hope that he did.
"But..."
The Great Toad Sage's next words shattered Jiraiya's thoughts.
"Jiraiya, the people of this world have clearly failed to keep that promise."
"That's... really unfortunate."
Jiraiya sighed regretfully.
After all, only a small number of people truly believed in such ideals.
"Then...
"What about Shigen?"
The Great Toad Sage reminded him solemnly.
"The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, ended the Warring States Period.
"Perhaps that gave Shigen a sliver of hope,
"Which is why he quelled what you call the First Great Ninja War..."
"Yeah, that really is a shame..."
Jiraiya lamented, recalling the wars that followed.
Despite Shigen's efforts, their generation had failed to maintain peace.
"Jiraiya..."
The Great Toad Sage sighed deeply and issued a dire warning.
"If Shigen now believes the world is doomed to an endless cycle of war...
"He may pursue peace in his own way."
"His own way..."
Jiraiya finally grasped the weight of the situation.
His expression darkened.
"What do you mean? Are you saying Lord Shigen..."
"A method..."
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"That the world will not accept."
The Great Toad Sage's voice turned heavy,
Its eyes closing as it recalled the battle that nearly wiped out the Shinobi Sect.
That war—
Was second only to the battle where Kaguya Ōtsutsuki was sealed away.
"Jiraiya."
"Your time is running out."
The Great Toad Sage repeated its warning.
It spoke again of the prophesied child and issued Jiraiya a solemn mission.
"You must make Shigen see hope for peace in this world once again.
"Do not let him reignite his desire to change the world.
"Perhaps his current power isn't enough...
"But a Shigen who possesses the Rinnegan is already dangerous enough."
When Shigen was first resurrected,
There were no summoners contracted with Mount Myōboku to intervene.
And, at the time, Shigen had done nothing drastic,
Which had allowed the Great Toad Sage to simply watch from afar.
But now...
It could no longer turn a blind eye.
Having once witnessed the true extent of Shigen's extreme measures,
The Great Toad Sage had no choice but to warn Jiraiya about the potential catastrophe.
"Wait..."
"What exactly did Lord Shigen do?"
Jiraiya grew anxious.
He couldn't imagine someone like him being a threat.
A medical ninja—
A man who had saved countless lives—
"Unspeakable things..."
The Great Toad Sage sighed again,
Memories of the past flashing through its mind.
That man had both destroyed the Shinobi Sect...
And saved it.
"Jiraiya."
"There's only one thing you need to do."
"Find the true prophesied child and guide them onto the right path.
"Let Shigen see hope in this world once again."
"I understand."
Jiraiya sighed helplessly.
"At least give me more information to work with!"
"Perhaps..."
The Great Toad Sage let out a long yawn,
Its voice growing sluggish, as if falling asleep.
"You could tell Shigen about my prophecy..."
"!!!"
Jiraiya's eyes lit up.
If Shigen truly needed to see hope for peace,
Then he would tell him about the prophecy!
Maybe Shigen would even help him find the prophesied child.
After all—
If Shigen saw how bad the world had become and planned to force it into peace...
Jiraiya could test his power now,
Before it was too late.
Countless thoughts raced through Jiraiya's mind.
He firmly believed Shigen was a good man.
But he also knew that sometimes, good men resorted to extreme actions.
Konoha.
Inside the Konoha Hospital.
Shigen silently watched as Tsunade treated a patient.
His brows furrowed slightly.
A notification had just appeared before him.
[SSSS-Rank Mission: Guide Jiraiya to the True Prophesied Child (Uzumaki Naruto & Nagato)]
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Powerstones?
For 20 advance Chapters: /michaeltranslates