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"Old geezer, thank goodness you were here. Otherwise, I, the great Jiraiya, would've ended up eating bugs!"
It had been nearly a month since Jiraiya signed the summoning contract, and he and Akio were still staying in Mount Myōboku.
Originally, Akio had planned to stick around just long enough to witness the contract signing and then leave. But the Great Toad Sage's prophecy had left him feeling uneasy, so he decided to stay a bit longer, hoping the Great Sage might offer another prophecy once he woke up again.
Yet a whole month had passed. Jiraiya was already close to mastering the Summoning Technique, but the Great Toad Sage still hadn't awakened.
Watching Jiraiya wolf down food in front of him, Akio let out a sigh.
Ever since the last time they ate leaves in the Shikkotsu Forest, Akio had started keeping food sealed in scrolls on his person at all times. But after a month—and with Jiraiya's monstrous appetite—even his emergency rations were almost gone.
"Jiraiya, when do you plan on leaving? If we stay any longer, Konoha might start to worry."
Jiraiya blinked in surprise. "Weren't you the one who wanted to stay?"
Akio's expression froze for a moment, cursing himself inwardly for getting old and forgetful. Jiraiya only needed to learn the Summoning Technique—there was no need for him to stay this long. As for Sage Mode training, he wasn't ready for that yet.
"Well then, we should—" Akio had just started to speak when Fukasaku appeared beside them.
"Little Jiraiya, the Great Lord is awake. He's calling for you."
Over the past month, Jiraiya had gotten along well with the toads, becoming gradually more familiar with them. He gave a simple nod and followed Fukasaku toward the Toad Palace.
Akio frowned. "The Great Toad Sage didn't ask for me?"
Fukasaku shook his head and left with Jiraiya.
"No prophecy about me?" Akio actually felt relieved. Over the past few days, he'd come to terms with the idea: the more prophecies there were involving him, the more the world he knew would change.
Akio decided not to follow and waited where he was—Jiraiya would tell him everything afterward anyway.
After about an hour, Jiraiya returned, head held high and beaming with pride.
Akio blinked at the sight and asked, "The Great Toad Sage praised you or something? You look ecstatic."
Jiraiya nodded enthusiastically. "I, the great Jiraiya, am truly amazing! He said my student will be the Child of Prophecy—the one who ends the era of shinobi wars." He added with a hint of regret, "Too bad it's not me who gets to be the Child of Prophecy."
Akio let out a long breath, muttering, "That's more like it…"
He had already made up his mind to pair Kushina with Minato—there was no way they wouldn't produce a Naruto, right?
"There's nothing to be disappointed about—you're the teacher of the Child of Prophecy," Akio said, offering Jiraiya rare praise.
"Well, that's true!" Jiraiya accepted the compliment with a grin.
"Let's go. Back to Konoha." Akio cut off the praise before Jiraiya's ego could inflate further and took off into the sky with him in tow.
"Hey, hey! Old geezer, why are we flying out? Fukasaku could've reverse summoned me!"
Akio didn't respond, thinking silently: Then I'd have to walk out of that damp, gloomy place myself. Or worse, let you carry me out through a reverse summon? No way—I have my pride.
As the surroundings grew darker, Jiraiya's mouth twitched. "Old geezer, where exactly are we flying? Fukasaku said the exit isn't even in this direction!"
Akio's face stiffened. Having flown in from the Shikkotsu Forest, he had mindlessly assumed they'd exit the same way, completely forgetting that Mount Myōboku had its own exit. Of course, he would never admit that.
He hummed a cheerful tune and sped up, ignoring Jiraiya's questioning.
Knowing the Child of Prophecy still existed lifted his spirits. As for that young man with black hair in a topknot? Akio couldn't care less. If push came to shove, he'd stall for time and let Naruto deal the finishing blow. Akio Uzumaki had never lost a battle of wits.
The flight continued in silence. Akio only stopped briefly to greet the Slug Sage upon arriving at the Shikkotsu Forest. The rest of the way was a high-speed flight, with Jiraiya too wind-blasted to speak.
This time, Akio didn't fly directly to the Hokage Building. Instead, he landed at Konoha's gates.
"Jiraiya, go find your teammates and sensei. You've been missing for a month—they're probably worried sick."
Before Akio could say another word, Jiraiya had already dashed off, likely eager to show off his new summoning beast to Orochimaru.
Akio greeted the two gate guards and began walking slowly toward the Hokage Building.
The sky was dim, but Tobirama's chakra could still be sensed inside. Akio nodded at the two Anbu stationed at the entrance and walked in.
"Granduncle, you're finally back. Was the trip smooth?"
Akio hadn't bothered to hide his footsteps, so Tobirama had sensed him immediately.
He smiled and nodded. "Of course. I never fail. And Jiraiya gained quite a bit from this trip."
"Things here are settled. This time, I'm really leaving."
Tobirama hesitated, looking like he had something to say.
Akio shook his head. "What is it now? Trying to entice me to stay again?"
Tobirama gave a wry smile and shook his head.
"Then tell me—what do you want me to stay for?" Akio asked with a curious smile.
After a moment's hesitation, Tobirama spoke softly. "Granduncle… can I have some of your blood?"
Akio's smile froze. It was the same question Orochimaru had once asked. He wasn't surprised—everyone desired longevity. But for Tobirama to ask it now gave Akio a bad feeling.
"Your body…"
Tobirama gave a bitter smile. "You saw through it. My condition has been deteriorating over the past two years. That's why I've been so determined to choose the Third Hokage within that time."
"So the injuries from back then are still affecting you? That's my fault…" Akio sighed. "My cells aren't as useful as your brother's. My longevity comes from other causes."
Tobirama blinked. "Is that so?"
Seeing Tobirama's disappointed look, Akio shook his head. "Don't worry. Once I'm strong enough, I can bring you and your brother back."
Tobirama let out a long sigh. "I'm not afraid of dying. It's just… if I had another ten years, I might've developed Edo Tensei into a true resurrection technique. No—even five years…"
Akio paused, then shook his head. "Even a hundred years wouldn't be enough."
Seeing Tobirama's confusion, Akio explained, "There are very few jutsu that can truly bring someone back, but some do exist. You could endure the cost right now—but I always say, strength is the key. You'll understand someday."
Akio knew well—if resurrection were truly easy, he'd probably be having tea with the Sage of Six Paths by tomorrow.
Tobirama paused, lost in thought. "Is that so?"
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