"Well, it seems the future will be quite interesting."
Uzumaki Raiden's mood remained unaffected by Sage Fukasaku's words. While he cared about the Great Toad Sage's prophecy, he didn't put full faith in it either.
He believed in the so-called prophecy—but only halfway.
A kind of Schrödinger's belief.
"Raiden, you don't seem to take the Great Toad Sage's prophecy seriously."
"His predictions have never been wrong. You'd best take them seriously."
"No matter the reason you might not be able to help Naruto, I think you should at least make some preparations in advance."
Sage Fukasaku stared into the fire, watching the bugs roasting noisily, and spoke in a low tone.
"Fukasaku-sensei, do you believe in fate?"
Uzumaki Raiden lay reclined on the ground, adjusting into a comfortable position, resting his head on one hand as he spoke.
"Fate? Of course I believe in it."
"Every person—or every creature—has their own destiny from the moment they're born."
"That's exactly why I place so much weight on the Great Toad Sage's prophecy, and why I felt confident in teaching Naruto Sage Mode."
"Because he is the Child of Destiny!"
Fukasaku glanced at the sleeping Naruto with a smile on his face. The thought that the ninja world would one day find eternal peace—and that the toads of Mount Myōboku would be part of that—brought him great joy.
"Yes, you believe in fate."
"But if Naruto is truly destined to save the ninja world, doesn't that mean even if he never learned Sage Mode, he'd still somehow acquire the power to fight?"
"And those who aren't the Child of Destiny—are they just supposed to lie down, endure the chaos, and wait for someone to come rescue them?"
"If destiny exists, then what difference does it make whether I prepare or not?"
Raiden looked up at the night sky and spoke calmly.
"…"
Fukasaku opened his mouth slightly, but couldn't answer. He was used to following the Great Toad Sage's guidance. Despite his age, his experience in the world was nothing compared to Raiden's. Sometimes, maturity isn't measured in years but in what someone has lived through.
And in that regard, the toad sage who had spent most of his life in Mount Myōboku couldn't compare to Uzumaki Raiden. He had no answer to Raiden's question.
"Fukasaku-sensei, maybe you won't believe me… but someone once told me I would die—long before I ever learned about the Great Toad Sage's prophecy."
"They said I would die on the battlefield, and that I would die young."
"And not just once."
Raiden smiled and turned to Fukasaku, who listened quietly.
"A long time ago, some people came from the future. One passed through the Dragon Vein in ancient Rouran, and another through a shinobi with time-space travel abilities."
"Coincidentally, I've met them. And they all told me… in the future, I died on the battlefield."
"One of them even said I died while serving as Hokage."
"But, as you can see, I'm still here. And the enemy? Still unknown."
Raiden's words left Sage Fukasaku stunned. It was the first time he'd heard Raiden say anything like this—and he'd never imagined that time travel could actually be real. If that were true, then the concept of fate would become meaningless.
Raiden could see the shock in Fukasaku's eyes. His words had shaken the toad's worldview.
"Maybe destiny exists. But I believe it's not fixed. Destiny can shift, bend."
"I won't bet everything on the Child of Destiny."
Raiden spoke softly. Just then, the previously clear sky suddenly clouded over. The bright moonlight disappeared behind thick clouds, and the stars vanished. A bolt of lightning ripped through the night sky, and a few seconds later, thunder rumbled across Mount Myōboku.
Boom!
Fukasaku looked up in a daze, stunned. This wasn't the shinobi world. This was Mount Myōboku—a separate realm. In all his life, Fukasaku had never seen lightning or thunder here.
"Raiden… you…"
Fukasaku sensed a familiar energy in the thunderclouds—and its source was the young man lying calmly in front of him.
"Fukasaku-sensei, don't look at me like that."
"I don't know when it started, but I've gradually gained control over the sky."
"My chakra hasn't grown much since adulthood, but lately… I can feel my strength rising again."
"Maybe it's related to breaking through the physical limits of my body."
Raiden stretched out on the ground with a yawn. The dark clouds overhead responded to his unspoken will and began to dissipate.
Fukasaku bowed his head, closing his eyes in meditation. Soon, he entered Sage Mode. In that state, he perceived two massive energy sources within Mount Myōboku—one deep in the palace, and another right beside him.
What stunned him was that Raiden's chakra was even greater—and more terrifying—than that of the Great Toad Sage.
His chakra could no longer be measured in normal units.
"When did this start happening?!"
"What I'm sensing in front of me… it doesn't feel human. It feels like… like…"
"Like a Tailed Beast, right?"
Raiden smiled and reassured him.
"Don't worry, I'm perfectly fine."
"That's why I'm curious, Fukasaku-sensei—just what kind of enemy could possibly kill me in the future?"
Raiden clenched his fists, his face full of confidence. At this point, even he didn't know how strong he had become. There was no longer a frame of reference—Uchiha Madara, once one of the strongest shinobi, had already been defeated.
If even reincarnated Indra-Madara couldn't win against him, then there was no doubt.
Right now, Uzumaki Raiden was the strongest person in the world. Period.
Fukasaku's expression went from shock to worry, then to awe. But hearing Raiden's words, he once again grew serious.
"Your strength only proves how terrifying the enemy must be."
"If even you are unable to join the battle… then how powerful must that enemy be?"
Fukasaku looked over at Naruto, his tone filled with concern. He was no longer as confident as before. He didn't know how much effort Naruto would need to grow to Raiden's level. He even began to doubt the Great Toad Sage's prophecy.
Could there really be such a terrifying enemy in this world?
At Dawn
The sky gradually lightened, and a ray of sunlight slipped between the rocky peaks, landing on Naruto's face. He stirred from sleep, covering his eyes with one hand.
With a soft murmur, Naruto slowly sat up and looked around in a daze.
Not far away, smoke rose from the remnants of a campfire. Uzumaki Raiden lay peacefully nearby, hands behind his head, breathing evenly.
Sage Fukasaku lay on Raiden's stomach, clutching a corner of his shirt like a blanket.
As Naruto fully woke, his gaze cleared. He sat cross-legged, popped a few military rations into his mouth, took a few sips of water, then stood up quietly.
He tiptoed away with a stone slab in hand, climbed to the peak of a rocky spire, and began meditating—absorbing natural energy.
Yesterday's spar made Naruto fully aware of the gap between himself and the top-tier shinobi. He dared not slack off. He started practicing even before sunrise.
Not long after, Raiden, who had kept his eyes closed, suddenly opened them. He turned his head slightly, glanced up at Naruto's distant silhouette, and smiled in satisfaction.
Naruto's experiences in this world were different from his original one—but Raiden was glad that Naruto's kindness and diligence remained unchanged.
Raiden quietly watched as Naruto meditated, until the sky turned bright.
"My child's father, Raiden! Good morning!"
"Come have breakfast!"
Sage Shima arrived at the stone forest with a large basket over her arm. She approached Raiden cheerfully and gave Fukasaku a hard kick, "waking" him up.
Fukasaku rolled off Raiden in a daze, rubbed his head, and got up. Still groggy, he wandered over to Shima and skillfully took the basket from her. He grabbed a large, multicolored bug and popped it in his mouth. Red juices oozed out, and the smell of grass filled the air.
"…I still can't believe Fukasaku-sensei is the cook," Raiden thought silently, watching the scene unfold.
Sage Shima handed Raiden a bunch of worms with enthusiasm. "Raiden, you haven't eaten breakfast yet, right? I made this for you and Naruto!"
"Don't be shy!"
But Raiden waved his hands quickly.
"No, no, I'll head back to Konoha for breakfast."
"Some matters in the village have been delayed because of Naruto. Now that he's on the right track, I won't stay any longer."
"Fukasaku-sensei, I'll leave Naruto to you. Please guide him well. I'll be going!"
Before Sage Shima could stop him, Raiden vanished in a puff of white mist, leaving the two toads looking at each other in confusion.
"…Does he not like my cooking?" Sage Shima muttered with a slightly annoyed expression, staring in the direction Raiden had disappeared.
Fukasaku didn't respond. He continued chewing and mumbling.
Seeing she was being ignored, Shima grabbed the basket and stormed off. When she was out of sight, Fukasaku opened his eyes and looked around.
"…Huh? Where's Naruto?"
Back in Konoha, Raiden returned to his home. Just as he opened the door, the tall figure of Kisame Hoshigaki appeared before him.
"Master Raiden, you're finally back."
"The Cloud Village has sent two new envoys—disciples of Killer Bee—to take care of the Cloud's two Jinchūriki."
"These two encountered Uchiha Shisui on their way to Konoha. They said Shisui entrusted them with a message for you."
Kisame quickly reported, then bowed his head and moved to Raiden's side.
"What? They ran into Shisui?"
"He left them a message for me? When did they arrive, and where are they now?"
Raiden's expression sharpened upon hearing Shisui's name.
"They arrived last night. Lord Minato has already received them, but they refused to speak—saying they'd only talk to you directly."
"They're likely staying with Killer Bee and the others right now."
Kisame responded promptly, then asked, "Shall I bring them here now?"
"Yes, please. I'll meet them in the living room."
Raiden nodded, then headed inside. While Kisame went to fetch them, Raiden bathed, changed clothes, had breakfast, and waited in the living room.
Soon after, a knock came at the door.
"Come in."
Raiden sat at the table, pouring himself a cup of tea.
The door opened. Killer Bee entered first, empty-handed, followed by Omoi and Karui. Unlike Bee, both carried long swords, and Karui held a scroll.
"Killer Bee? You're here too?"
"I heard about it. Are those two behind you the Cloud shinobi who met Shisui?"
Raiden's gaze settled on the two. A heavy aura unconsciously radiated from him and pressed down on Omoi and Karui.
The two froze in place. As soon as they locked eyes with Raiden, they instinctively looked down. Their muscles tensed. Their hands went to the hilts of their swords.
"Lord Raiden, there's no need to intimidate them like that."
Killer Bee stepped forward and blocked Raiden's gaze from reaching the two.
"…My apologies."
Realizing his misstep, Raiden reined in his pressure, tapped the table, and offered an apology.
"Sit."
He gestured for them to take a seat.
Killer Bee nodded, patted the shoulders of his two disciples, and sat cross-legged across from Raiden.
This man… he's Konoha's Fourth Hokage…
Terrifying…
Omoi sat stiffly, sweat still forming on his brow, unable to look Raiden in the eye. Karui was slightly calmer. She stepped forward and placed the scroll onto Raiden's table without a word.
(End of Chapter)