Naruto: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 266: She Will Return

"She?"

Hagoromo Gengetsu followed the Great Toad Sage's gaze and looked up at the sky.

Through the blinding sunlight, his Rinnegan faintly sensed a massive shadow looming high above.

"The moon... Otsutsuki Kaguya?"

Hagoromo Gengetsu pondered, then looked back at the Great Toad Sage, surprised.

"You dreamt that far ahead? And you saw her?"

The Great Toad Sage was equally surprised.

"You know of her?"

It was understandable if Hagoromo Gengetsu knew about Otsutsuki Hagoromo, as the Six Paths Sage's deeds had left clues across the ninja world.

But Otsutsuki Kaguya was different.

With the Otsutsuki brothers deliberately concealing the truth about their battle with their mother, no one in the ninja world should know about it.

"I know more than you think," Hagoromo Gengetsu said flatly.

The Great Toad Sage was puzzled. "If you know her and understand her identity and ambitions, you should abandon your ambitions. Once she appears, neither the ninja world nor you will exist."

In his dreams, the Great Toad Sage foresaw the return of Otsutsuki Kaguya.

He wasn't sure how she would reappear, but he saw that the disruptive Hagoromo Gengetsu would resurrect the Ten-Tails, which once belonged to Kaguya.

It was evident that Kaguya's return was closely tied to Hagoromo Gengetsu.

This was why the Great Toad Sage was determined to stop Hagoromo Gengetsu at all costs.

"The future is not your concern."

Hagoromo Gengetsu didn't answer the Great Toad Sage's question.

He returned to his previous inquiry. "Why are you so afraid of Otsutsuki Kaguya's return?"

Seeing that Hagoromo Gengetsu remained resolute, the Great Toad Sage sighed slightly.

"She already knows the truth about my covert assistance to the Otsutsuki brothers during that war."

Upon hearing this, Hagoromo Gengetsu's mouth curled into a smile.

"So that's it."

He understood now. The Great Toad Sage was worried that if Otsutsuki Kaguya returned, she would trouble him and Mount Myoboku.

In Kaguya's perspective, the Great Toad Sage was undoubtedly sinister.

Long ago, he had deliberately approached Otsutsuki Hagoromo, displayed his abilities, taught him sage techniques, and even gifted him the Sage's Talisman that could revive a person, enabling Otsutsuki Hamura to fight a second battle.

In that fateful battle between mother and son, the Great Toad Sage had played a significant role.

With Kaguya aware of his existence, given her temperament, she would certainly trouble Mount Myoboku upon her return.

At that time, the existence of toads in the ninja world would be in jeopardy.

No wonder!

The Great Toad Sage had gone to great lengths, sparing no effort, to stop him.

His true goal was to prevent Kaguya's return.

In a sense, he was indeed saving the ninja world, though his motives were not entirely pure.

"The cause of yesterday leads to today's effect. And that cause was also foretold in your dreams, right?" Hagoromo Gengetsu asked.

The Great Toad Sage remained silent.

Although he did not respond, his silence spoke volumes.

Hagoromo Gengetsu chuckled, summarizing his thoughts.

"Those who think they can see destiny are ultimately played by destiny."

He had no more questions.

"It's time to send you on your way."

Hagoromo Gengetsu said as a Truth-Seeking Ball flew towards the Great Toad Sage.

"Beware of Otsutsuki Kaguya." These were the Great Toad Sage's last words.

Hagoromo Gengetsu casually nodded, flicking his finger to send the Truth-Seeking Ball forward.

With a collision, the Great Toad Sage ceased to exist.

One of the Three Great Sacred Grounds, Mount Myoboku, was erased.

Almost at the moment of the Great Toad Sage's death.

In Ryuchi Cave, thousands of miles away.

The White Snake Sage, coiled on her throne with a cat's-eye stone on her chest—though green and adorned with a horn headband topped with a red luminous pearl—was comfortably smoking her pipe.

Suddenly!

She seemed to hear something, abruptly looking towards Mount Myoboku. Her dual golden-ringed tail involuntarily flicked.

Moments later, the White Snake Sage, with her keen hearing that could perceive almost anything happening in the ninja world if she wished, wore an ecstatic expression and laughed wildly.

"The old toad is dead! That old thing is finally dead! Hahaha..."

Snakes devour toads.

From long ago, Ryuchi Cave and Mount Myoboku were at odds, with deep-seated animosity between the White Snake Sage and the Great Toad Sage.

If not for the Great Toad Sage's formidable strength, the White Snake Sage would have long since devoured him and his descendants.

Unexpectedly!

The Great Toad Sage was dead today!

Though not by her own hand, the White Snake Sage was still delighted.

As for the saying that the Sacred Grounds are interdependent, it held no weight!

"Dead! Finally dead..."

For a long time, the snake progeny of Ryuchi Cave would hear their founder, the White Snake Sage, laughing heartily.

At Shikkotsu Forest.

The Slug Sage, on par with the Great Toad Sage and the White Snake Sage, was enjoying her solitary life, splitting into countless parts.

Almost simultaneously with the White Snake Sage.

Every part of the Slug Sage in Shikkotsu Forest looked towards Mount Myoboku in unison.

They sensed the extinguishing of a massive life force.

"The Great Toad..."

The Slug Sage's voice was gentle yet tinged with sorrow.

Unlike the White Snake Sage, she had known the Great Toad for many years and had a good relationship with him.

"The Great Toad, did you foresee this day?"

At this moment, the Slug Sage sighed.

She recalled the young and spirited Great Toad who once claimed to have the future in his grasp.

She had advised him not to trust prophecies too much and not to meddle in human affairs.

Yet, the Great Toad had done just that, becoming increasingly involved, leading to his demise.

Though she had a contract with Konoha and the Fifth Hokage Tsunade, the Slug Sage acted solely to fulfill the contract, with no personal feelings attached.

Otherwise, during the Fourth Great Ninja War, she could have left Shikkotsu Forest to fight alongside the Allied Shinobi Forces instead of sending a tenth of her size to assist Tsunade and Sakura.

In truth, the Shikkotsu Forest and Ryuchi Cave were neutral, only teaching sage techniques to fortunate visitors, signing contracts, and fulfilling obligations without participating in human affairs.

Except for Mount Myoboku.

Hence, Mount Myoboku was no more.

The Slug Sage shook her head in lament.

Over the millennia, she had witnessed many contract holders live and die, including the extraordinary Hashirama Senju.

The death of an old friend saddened her, but it would not change her ways.

All she could do was continue to dwell in Shikkotsu Forest, watching the winds of the ninja world shift.

Hagoromo Gengetsu was unaware that at the moment of the Great Toad Sage's death, the White Snake Sage and the Slug Sage had sensed it.

Even if he knew, it wouldn't matter.

The likelihood of these two avenging the Great Toad Sage was extremely low.

Even if they did, it would just mean another battle.

However, after the destruction of Mount Myoboku and the battle with the Great Toad Sage and Naruto, Hagoromo Gengetsu now felt a long-lost fatigue.

But there was no time to rest. He walked over to Naruto's body and slowly squatted down.