Mount Myōboku—one of the most mysterious places in the shinobi world, and home to the most powerful among the militant faction of sages.
Ruling over this sage land was the Great Toad Sage, dwelling deep within Mount Myōboku's temple. Though he rarely acted, legends claimed his strength rivaled that of the Sage of Six Paths.
At this moment, the Great Toad Sage, wearing his scholar's cap and robed in orange, gazed at a newly opened rift in space before him. Normally half-asleep, his yellow eyes were now wide open.
"Who is this, opening a doorway right at my front step?"
"Still playing the amnesia act every time—how amusing do you find this?" came the dry comment from another voice.
It belonged to a small green toad with a white mustache and brows, cloaked in black—the venerable Fukasaku. Despite his modest appearance, he was one of Mount Myōboku's senior figures and a trusted aide to the Great Toad Sage.
After plucking a hidden insect from the nearby grass with his tongue and swallowing it, Fukasaku said, "This is the portal agreed upon centuries ago between Ryūchi Cave and our militant faction."
"Dear, do you mean… that one?" Another small green toad emerged, bearing purple warts and lips—Shima, Fukasaku's wife and another Mount Myōboku elder.
The Great Toad Sage studied the spatial rift before him, then—moving for the first time in centuries—rose from his seat carved with the kanji for "Sage."
His immense body shook all of Mount Myōboku. Toads of every size woke in alarm, leaping from their hiding places as their croaks filled the air.
"When the Tenseigan appears again, the road to destruction lies ahead," he murmured, eyes narrowing at the chakra emanating from the rift—a power eerily similar to a certain sage energy he had sensed before.
"It has been a long time since I visited an old friend. I suppose I should drop by."
He lumbered toward the portal, pausing to instruct the two attendants at his feet: "Stay here. Summon me when the time comes."
"Yes, Sage," they answered in unison, without hesitation.
Similar scenes unfolded across other sage lands: the famed Shikkotsu Forest, Ryūchi Cave, and countless lesser-known sanctuaries of other species.
…
In the heart of Ryūchi Cave, two of the present era's strongest beings faced one another in silence.
Satsuki still maintained her Tenseigan Chakra Mode, while opposite her, the Dragon-Headed Sage had entered Sage Mode—black stripes crisscrossing his face, dark rings circling his eyes.
Around them stood representatives from various sage lands, drawn here from afar.
Among them were the leaders of the three militant sage lands: the Great Toad Sage, the White Snake Sage, and a portion of the Great Slug Sage's massive body.
As soon as they arrived, the three elder beings exchanged casual greetings, oblivious to the tension in the air.
"My, my… another Ōtsutsuki with the Tenseigan. What a terrifying clan," remarked the White Snake Sage.
This snake sage bore orange hair, a green cat's-eye gem at her chest, and a purple sash as a forehead guard, adorned with olive-green horn-shaped ornaments. A pipe dangled from her lips.
"Yes. I sense in her the same kind of power as that Ōtsutsuki from long ago," added the Great Slug Sage—or more precisely, a fragment of its incomparably vast body. The Great Slug Sage's full form had never been revealed, its strength among sages still a mystery.
"It has been centuries since we last met. Once this is over, we should share a meal," the Great Toad Sage said lazily to the Dragon-Headed Sage. "There's a place I know—its snail dishes are famous."
"Snail…" The White Snake Sage's face twisted in distaste, while the Great Slug Sage's round features turned an alarming shade of purple.
Soon after, other sages who had personal ties to the Dragon-Headed Sage, as well as those from the pacifist faction, entered Tenryū Heart Cave through separate space–time rifts.
The two factions stood apart, their division clear. Their attitudes toward Satsuki, standing in the center in full Tenseigan Chakra Mode, were far from unanimous.
These sages took many forms—various animal species and enormous summoning beasts—each radiating immense sage chakra.
"Long ago, the sages intervened in the affairs of the Ōtsutsuki, allowing Asura to defeat Indra and inherit the title of the Second Patriarch of Ninshū," Satsuki said. Her golden Tenseigan eyes swept over the newly arrived sages emerging from the rifts. "And in the not-so-distant future, you will again choose to let Asura's descendants triumph over Indra's descendants."
Her tone sharpened with doubt. "Whatever your motives, such a stance can only anger Indra and his line, pushing them further toward extremism. Are you not concerned about the Sage of Six Paths seeking vengeance?"
"In truth, this was a decision made jointly with the Sage of Six Paths," the Dragon-Headed Sage replied from the center. "Asura inherited the 'body' of the sage—his life force and physical energy—and, like his father, had the aptitude to train in natural energy. Indra's talent was too exceptional. Not only did he inherit the sage's gifts, he also inherited the sage's 'eyes,' awakening extraordinary power and ocular might from birth. Such a man is difficult to work with."
That was the essence of their reasoning: better to choose someone easier to control than the strongest candidate.
"I see… It seems our talk can end here." Behind Satsuki, nine golden Truth-Seeking Orbs manifested. "Dragon-Headed Sage, I have given you more than enough time to summon the others."
She swept her dazzling Tenseigan gaze unflinchingly over the surrounding sages.
"Kaguya Ōtsutsuki was once 'enlightened' by you. The Sage of Six Paths was likewise 'enlightened.' The weakest, Asura, was no longer a pure Ōtsutsuki from birth, so whether he was enlightened or not is irrelevant."
Satsuki raised her hand. Six of the golden Truth-Seeking Orbs began to rotate slowly in her palm.
"This time, let me see whether you truly have the power to 'enlighten' me."
Her voice fell, and the orbs merged into one in her hand. Then, in a cold, cutting tone, she spoke:
"Silver Wheel Reincarnation Explosion."