Fukasaku left Myoboku Mountain with a heavy heart.
The relationship between the Three Great Sage Region wasn't very good. Aside from the Slug Sage's Shikkotsu Forest, Myoboku Mountain and Ryūchi Cave were even quite hostile toward each other.
Toads and snakes were natural enemies.
Just thinking about meeting the White Snake Sage made Fukasaku feel a chill run down his spine.
With the White Snake Sage's temper, could it be that as soon as they met, without even speaking, he would be swallowed whole?
Fukasaku thought it over and decided it wasn't impossible. So, after leaving the Great Toad Sage's residence, he turned around and called over the more obedient toad, Gamaken.
Though Gamaken might not be much help, at least it offered some peace of mind.
Like Myoboku Mountain, Ryūchi Cave was hidden deep within the mountains.
Sitting on Gamaken's head, Fukasaku had just stepped into Ryūchi Cave when a large group of snakes surrounded them. Their forked tongues flickered through the air, hissing coldly.
Gamaken raised his shield in front and gripped his spear tightly, ready in case the snakes suddenly charged.
"I am Fukasaku, the sage of Myoboku Mountain. By the order of the Great Toad Sage, I have come to meet the White Snake Sage."
Using his sage technique, Fukasaku amplified his voice dozens of times, letting it echo throughout the vast Ryūchi Cave.
The snake group was driven back by his power but quickly swarmed around again.
"Not acceptable?" Fukasaku frowned, hesitating whether to force his way inside.
Just then, the snakes parted to form a path.
A girl with green hair stepped out gracefully from the snakes. She wore a golden crown and a long flowing dress, carrying herself with elegant poise.
"Who are you?"
Fukasaku stared at the girl before him, feeling an odd sense of familiarity.
"What? Don't you recognize me anymore?"
The green-haired girl's face suddenly transformed into a snake's head.
"It's you, Tagitsuhime?" Seeing her like this, Fukasaku immediately remembered and said, "So many years have passed, and you can actually take human form now."
"It's just a little trick."
Tagitsuhime changed back into a beautiful young girl, shaking a folding fan to cover half of her face.
"The White Snake Sage already knows why you've come. Please follow me."
Fukasaku breathed a sigh of relief. It was simpler than he expected.
But at the same time, a question quickly filled his mind.
What exactly did the Great Toad Sage foresee that made the White Snake Sage put aside a thousand years of grudges and decide to ally with Mount Myoboku?
Naruto Uzumaki stood motionless in the rain, staring at the Third Hokage's tombstone.
Raindrops soaked his golden hair, but the boy didn't notice. He just blankly looked at the gravestone engraved with the words: "Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi."
In his memories, the Third Hokage was one of the few people who treated him kindly.
But now, the old man who always peeked at girls yet was gentle and kind had been buried underground forever, never to be seen again.
"Why do you think this happened?"
Naruto felt more confused than ever.
"What do you mean?"
Lu Mingze sat on a nearby tombstone, holding a black umbrella and wearing a white bow tie, as if attending a funeral.
"Why is it," Naruto lowered his eyes, "that every time, someone I cherish is taken away?"
Rain dripped from his hair, hiding his expression. He clenched his fists tightly, as if trying to vent some deep frustration.
"Why is misfortune always mine?"
Lu Mingze grinned bitterly. "Maybe because you lack the strength."
Hearing that, Naruto dropped his gaze and fell silent.
The heavy rain poured down, soaking the boy standing in its midst, yet his heart remained unsettled. Memories kept flashing through his mind — the one responsible for killing the Third Hokage.
"Orochimaru."
He tightened his fist again, hatred burning fiercer than ever before.
At that moment, a figure emerged from the trees.
"You have a visitor," Lu Mingze said calmly.
A visitor?
Naruto whipped his head around and noticed the figure drawing closer.
When the shadow fully stepped into the light, long black hair cascaded down to the waist. Golden slit eyes, cold and snake-like, sent chills down his spine.
Purple shadows traced the nose bridge, and his pale skin looked almost unnatural. A magatama earring jingled at his earlobe.
"Naruto-kun, we meet again."
The visitor was none other than Orochimaru — the very villain who publicly murdered the Third Hokage and sought to ignite war.
"It's you!!!"
Naruto stared at Orochimaru, all his anger exploding in that instant.
His chest felt like it held a blazing fire, raging wildly inside. His pupils trembled as if squeezed, becoming vertical slits like a beast's, glowing with a hint of crimson.
Sensing its host's emotion, the Nine-Tails inside the sealed space stirred restlessly.
However, the boy in the suit cast a cold glance and said, "Don't move."
In an instant, the Nine-Tails quieted down and obediently lowered its head.
It dared not move. Truly, it dared not move!
Naruto's reaction showed it clearly—a sudden heat burning in his stomach, but it quickly vanished without a trace.
Still, Naruto pulled out his kunai and angrily charged at Orochimaru.
"It's you! You're the one who killed the Third Hokage!"
Watching the furious blond boy lose control, Orochimaru lightly sidestepped the thrown kunai, then raised his hand and forcefully slammed Naruto's head to the ground.
Boom!
Naruto's head met the ground in a harsh collision.
Though the grass wasn't hard, the impact still caused unbearable pain. Blood mixed with saliva trickled from Naruto's nose.
"Let go of me! Let me gooo!"
Naruto struggled wildly, but soon his entire body stiffened, unable to move.
"Don't be so agitated, Naruto-kun."
Orochimaru calmly stood up, clapped his hands lightly, and said with a faint smile, "I came to talk to you."
"Why would I talk to you? You killed the Third Hokage!" Naruto's eyes burned with rage, hatred fixed on Orochimaru. "If it weren't for you, so many people wouldn't have died!"
"Is that so?"
Orochimaru's lips curled into a meaningful smile as he said, "What if I told you I'm not the real killer of the Third Hokage? What would you think then?"
The moment those words left his mouth, Naruto's mind almost crashed.
"What? What did you say?"
"Orochimaru squatted down, his snake-like eyes reflecting the boy's shocked expression as he said teasingly, "The Third Hokage you admire has long been replaced."
"No way!"
Naruto glared fiercely at Orochimaru, growling, "You're lying! How could anyone pretend to be the Third Hokage—Grandpa Hokage? That's impossible!"
Just then, Naruto suddenly saw a familiar figure—Hiruzen Sarutobi himself.
"Naruto, what Orochimaru said is true."
Hiruzen, of course, was an Edo Tensei resurrection. He looked at Naruto with a complicated expression:
"Around three years ago, I was killed by that person. Ever since, they have been impersonating me. Even this Five Kage Summit was their scheme—using the Rain Village as an excuse to start the Third Great Ninja War!"
"No… that can't be."
Suddenly, Naruto felt as if the entire world was collapsing.
"Don't rush to believe it, Naruto-kun."
Orochimaru smiled faintly. "I'm only telling you the truth. Whether you believe it or not, you can verify it yourself."
Then he added, "One more thing—don't tell anyone what I've just said. That person is not dead. They are still alive, possibly even hiding nearby. If you don't want those you care about to be killed, keep this secret to yourself. Understand?"
With that, the curse seal's control vanished. Orochimaru and Hiruzen seemed to have never appeared.
In the pouring rain, Naruto walked home, lost and empty.
*******
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