--- The most basic and important principle for ninjas regarding intelligence reports is that they must have a clear and traceable source. Re
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The most basic and important principle for ninjas regarding intelligence reports is that they must have a clear and traceable source. Reliability is the most important element of intelligence. After all, for ninjas, a high-risk profession with frequent battles, problems with intelligence can easily mean death.
This principle applies to Haori as well. So, even with vague impressions, the only information he can give and explain is what he has personally experienced. This ensures the persuasiveness of the information and prevents him from getting into trouble.
For example, Haori had previously explained the White Zetsu to the Fourth Hokage, hoping to gain enough attention because he had indeed encountered White Zetsu. But unfortunately, because the latter acted cautiously, there was no further progress on this matter.
But the matter of the Rinnegan is an exception. Although he encountered it, Haori didn't give a sufficient explanation at the time. His reason was that he was only focused on escaping during the battle.
But the persuasiveness of this explanation wasn't very good. He had the suspicion of concealing information… Would someone who was only focused on escaping have the time to create an artificial river like that? Would they suffer such severe injuries all over their body?
Regarding this matter, it wasn't that Haori was "hoarding" this information, nor was it a matter of timing. His main reason for concealing it was:
He wanted to deal with the Rinnegan himself.
Based on this as his fundamental starting point, he felt that if Konoha knew too much about the Rinnegan too early and participated in this matter at an inappropriate time, it would hinder and interfere with his own actions.
In fact, during the Nine-Tails incident, after he said the three words "Rinnegan," Jiraiya had already paid close attention. First, he knew who the Rinnegan originally belonged to. Second, he had also received information that this person was dead. So, his guess and suspicion were that the Rinnegan of the "child of prophecy" had been taken by someone.
And now, it seems that these eyes have also entangled Orochimaru…
Haori's few words made Jiraiya even more concerned about this matter. But at the same time, he also listened to Haori's warnings and cautions.
Jiraiya wasn't arrogant or blind. Although his personality seemed that way, he was very cautious when dealing with certain matters. Haori said that getting too involved in this matter might lead to death. That was probably true… To be honest, at this point, Jiraiya couldn't judge the strength difference between himself and Haori because they hadn't fought before. But Haori's instantaneous attack power was undoubtedly stronger than his.
After all, Haori could use cannon attacks. He could even use large-scale cannon attacks and powerful cannon attacks—the difference in strength between two ninjas might only be one jutsu. A ninja like Jiraiya had no reason not to understand this.
The jutsu "Raigen Jūkoku" is still unique to Haori. It hasn't been "copied" by anyone. Because it's not a jutsu in itself. It's not from the same system as ninjas.
That day, Haori obviously didn't want to say much about certain things. And Jiraiya couldn't ask in detail. So, their evening conversation ended without much conclusion. But Jiraiya did agree to Haori's plan to go to Mount Myōboku.
He wouldn't doubt why Haori knew about the Great Toad Sage. This was easy to understand. Mount Myōboku, Ryuchi Cave, and the Swamp of the Land of Hot Water had secret connections. It wasn't strange for them to share information.
What Jiraiya cared about was why Haori was going to Mount Myōboku. What did he want to ask the Great Toad Sage? What was his ultimate goal? So… not only would he not stop Haori, but in order to figure out the secrets, he would also go to Mount Myōboku with him.
Jiraiya wasn't worried that Haori would do anything bad to the toads. He was concerned about Haori's actions. The secrets about this person, the things Jiraiya didn't understand, seemed to have increased considerably.
But Jiraiya had only just returned to Konoha. He had a lot of things to report and deal with. He couldn't go on another impromptu trip. And his lecherous energy hadn't been replenished yet. He hadn't gotten enough "research material"… With less than 120 hours of research time per month, Jiraiya didn't have the energy.
Similarly, Haori also had to explain his activities to his children's group.
His frequent departures made Mirai miss living in the Swamp of the Land of Hot Water. Although it was monotonous there, at least Haori wouldn't leave her to run around.
So, after more than half a month passed, the two of them made arrangements to go to Mount Myōboku… And the Hokage was completely helpless against these two free agents who could appear and disappear at any time.
......
"Is this Mount Myōboku?"
From a human perspective, the best climate among the three sacred lands is actually the toads' territory. This made Haori a little unhappy. Ryuchi Cave, needless to say, was a cave. The Swamp of the Land of Hot Water was too warm. And Mount Myōboku also had this tendency, but it wasn't as extreme as the latter.
"In terms of human cuisine, frogs seem to have a wider acceptance than snakes. It's a pity…" After his slight displeasure, Haori began to ramble.
It's a pity that the creatures on Mount Myōboku are toads, not frogs. The difference between the two is obvious: Frogs jump, toads crawl; frogs are wet and slimy, toads are covered in warts…
Hearing Haori's lament, Jiraiya instantly felt that he had made the right decision to come along… Having arrived at the sacred place of training, Haori's first reaction was to consider the issue of "eating." This way of thinking wasn't like a ninja at all.
Imagine if Jiraiya hadn't come along. And one day he found that Gamabunta had been eaten… That would be a burden too heavy to bear.
He didn't know that Orochimaru had already encountered this unbearable burden.
But it didn't matter. Orochimaru's feelings for Manda couldn't possibly be the same as Jiraiya's for Gamabunta. The former's "contract" was a true "contract," with more mutual exploitation.
It's not surprising that Jiraiya thought too much. Haori's thinking was often erratic and unpredictable.
Of course, Haori was just rambling. He paid great attention to his diet and didn't plan to expand his diet in the short term. And… he didn't eat acquaintances (toads).
Haori knew Gamabunta.
Mount Myōboku is truly the toads' home. There are countless toads of all sizes here, croaking everywhere. But the two of them didn't care.
Jiraiya was already used to it. And Haori came here with a clear purpose. He obviously wouldn't come here to admire toads.
So, the two of them went straight to the most honorable toad's location.
The Great Toad Sage, known as the toad world's Wikipedia, naturally lived in the best place on Mount Myōboku.
But during this process, their actions were slightly obstructed. This obstruction came from one of the Great Toad Sage's two bodyguards, Shima.
"Jiraiya-chan (that's really what he called him)," Shima, who was small in stature but one of the two powerhouses of Mount Myōboku, spoke seriously, "You should understand that Mount Myōboku is forbidden to outsiders."
"Shima-sama," Jiraiya spoke to defend Haori. "Haori isn't an outsider. This is a bit complicated to explain… Anyway, he has very important business to see the Great Toad Sage. Extremely important."
In a roundabout way, Haori could barely be considered a disciple of Jiraiya's lineage. Although he hadn't learned anything from him, he wasn't completely unrelated to Mount Myōboku.
"It might be related to the child of prophecy that the Great Toad Sage has been talking about." Jiraiya glanced at Haori before adding this.
Unfortunately, this was his own guess. It wasn't actually the case.
"Is that so? Alright… follow me." This explanation removed Shima's reason for obstruction.
After wandering around Mount Myōboku for another half an hour, in a place that looked like a temple from the outside, Haori met the old and frail Great Toad Sage.
Just as large as the White Snake Sage, but compared to the latter's smooth skin (scales), it was really old. It looked like it could die at any moment. But this also made it seem less aggressive. It really did have the feeling of an old sage.
After entering this building, you could find that it was more of a library than a temple.
The huge space was filled with bookshelves, and the bookshelves were all crammed with books. To maintain a consistent style, the Great Toad Sage even wore a doctoral hat…
But… a naked doctoral hat. What kind of play is this? Does it show scholarship?
Or is it like a certain woman who can ignore being naked, but just can't be barefoot? Sensitive spots are really different for different people. For the Great Toad Sage, it's probably the top of its head.
Now, it seemed to be dozing off… This was its usual state. In reality, for most of the time, every day, every year, every century, it was in this drowsy state.
Expecting it to wake up is impossible.
"Cough, Haori, just ask what you want to ask. If the Great Toad Sage wants to answer your question, it will naturally speak."
Jiraiya said.
However, after Haori asked his question, Jiraiya found that the Great Toad Sage's eyes, which were usually half-open, were fully open for the first time.
And because of the size difference, the angle of view, and the concentration of its gaze, he felt a certain pressure from the old sage for the first time.
But Haori was unmoved by this pressure.
He was waiting for the Great Toad Sage's answer.
And his question was:
"Great Toad Sage, I only want to ask one thing… the Ōtsutsuki clan, or to be precise, the coordinates of the shrine left by the Sage of Six Paths. I hope you can tell me now…"
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P@TREON
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60+ ADVANCE CHAPTERS PER FIC
We are in Chapter 326 in P@treon