Morkel arrived at Ichiraku Ramen and found the usually bustling restaurant eerily empty.
"Sigh, the war has really affected everyone…"
"Uncle, one bowl of tonkotsu ramen, please."
Uncle Ichiraku peeked out and beamed. "Morkel! You're back!"
"One bowl enough? I'll give you some extra noodles!"
"Thanks, Uncle. That would be great," Morkel replied with a smile.
Soon, the ramen was served. But it was far more than just "a bit extra"—the bowl nearly overflowed with noodles, topped with slices of meat, naruto rolls, and eggs piled like a mountain.
"Uncle, this is way more than 'a little extra,'" Morkel chuckled.
Uncle Ichiraku smiled warmly. "It's not just for you. Every ninja who visits now gets this much. Who knows if they'll return after the next mission… might as well enjoy one more bowl."
Hearing the somber tone, Morkel's appetite faded. "Don't worry, Uncle. We're going to win this war."
He planned to take the ramen back to Naruto and reached for a takeout box when a familiar voice called from outside.
"Big Brother Morkel!"
Morkel turned and waved. "Hey, Konohamaru."
Konohamaru entered, excitement and concern on his face. "Is it true the fighting's starting soon?"
Morkel nodded. "Yeah, it's true."
"Then teach me a new jutsu! I want to help defend the village and protect what Grandpa called our hope!"
Morkel was about to respond when Asuma walked in, shaking his head. "We're not desperate enough to send a kid to the battlefield."
"But I'm not a kid! I'm a genin now!" Konohamaru argued.
Asuma smiled gently. "I know. But this time, it's Chūnin and Jōnin going to war. Sending a Genin would be suicide."
"Stay in the village and protect it in your own way," he added.
Later, Morkel agreed to teach Konohamaru a new jutsu. They headed to a secluded grove outside the village.
"Listen," Morkel said, "You must follow the village's orders. I'm teaching you this to protect the people, not to sneak off to battle."
"I understand, Brother Morkel. I'll listen to you!"
"I'm not joking," Morkel said firmly. "Also, I'll teach you something else after this…"
---
Meanwhile, at Konoha's hot springs…
Jiraiya was up to his usual antics, peeking through the fence at the women's bath.
"Yes… that's what a proper lady should look like…"
Before he could finish his thought, Morkel appeared silently behind him.
"Peeping again, huh? No wonder Tsunade wants nothing to do with you."
Jiraiya sighed. "We have a great relationship, I'll have you know."
"Oh, and could you remove the Flying Thunder God seal you left on me? You just pop up out of nowhere—don't I deserve some privacy?"
Morkel shrugged. "I left it there in case you got into trouble again."
"And I don't teleport to you all the time."
Jiraiya turned with a glare. "Still! It's on my body. Do you know how invasive that is?"
"It can't be removed," Morkel said. "Once it's placed, it's permanent. Unless… you want me to cut out the skin it's marked on?"
"Cut it out? Are you even listening to yourself?! Is that how you talk to your master?"
Morkel grinned. "Is that what you call being a master?"
Jiraiya: ...
Later, Jiraiya brought Morkel into the hot spring sauna.
While wiping sweat off his brow, Jiraiya said, "You should visit Mount Myōboku. Gamakichi said the Great Toad Sage had a dream involving you."
Morkel nodded. "Got it. I'll go see him."
Even though the sage's predictions were cryptic, Morkel was curious.
---
At Mount Myōboku…
Sages Shima and Fukasaku were in the woods, catching insects.
"Let's have fried grasshopper legs tonight," Shima suggested, holding a bamboo basket.
"Great idea," said Fukasaku. "But add some steamed leeches too."
They chatted on their way back, passing the teleportation square where Morkel had left a Flying Thunder God mark.
Suddenly, a blur of black clothing appeared. Morkel grabbed the dagger stuck in the ground, teleporting in.
"Haha, just in time!" Fukasaku cheered. "We were talking about you."
"Come eat first," Shima said warmly. "Then we'll take you to the Great Toad Sage."
Morkel eyed the wriggling leeches in her basket and forced a smile. "Thanks, but I'd better go to the Sage right away."
Shima nodded. "Alright, but come for dinner afterward."
"Of course!" Morkel said with dread, knowing he couldn't avoid it.
---
At the temple…
The Great Toad Sage sat in deep meditation, eyes half-closed.
"You've been to Ryūchi Cave, haven't you?" he asked.
"Yes," Morkel replied.
The Sage's eyes widened slightly. "I wasn't sure who I saw in my dream. Just a red shadow… but you've learned snake sage arts…"
"What did you dream?" Morkel asked.
Silence.
Then Fukasaku poked the Sage. "Wake up! He asked you a question!"
"Huh? Oh, right. I have something to say to Morkel…"
"You've learned the magic from Ryūchi Cave?"
"Yes…"
Fukasaku explained: "His memory's been failing. He naps often now…"
Morkel nodded. "I understand."
Still, a question lingered: Why did both Ryūchi Cave and Mount Myōboku have powerful immortals? The White Snake seemed wise, yet the Toad Sage…
Most of what the Great Toad Sage said was incomprehensible—flashes of red, floating skies, strange symbols…
Eventually, Morkel gathered that he wasn't supposed to take part in the upcoming war directly.
Before he could confirm, the Sage dozed off again.
Outside the temple, Fukasaku led Morkel back.
Inside, the Sage blinked awake. "Huh? Where'd everyone go? I had something important to say…"
---
Back at Fukasaku's house, the sky had gone dark. Shima came out, annoyed.
"Took you long enough! The food's gone cold!"
"Great Toad Sage was especially forgetful today," Fukasaku said.
Shima sighed, then invited Morkel in. "Come on, let's eat. I reheated everything and made a couple of new dishes too."
Morkel stared at the table full of insect dishes and forced a smile. "That's really enough, Granny…"
"Nonsense!" she grinned. "You're home now. Don't be shy!"
"Thank you… so much…" he said, tearfully.
That night, retching echoed from the toilet.
Outside, Fukasaku sighed. "If you couldn't eat it, you should've stopped…"
"You saw how happy she was!" Morkel groaned from inside. "I couldn't say no!"
---
The next day…
Morkel left Mount Myōboku, carrying a box of insect dishes.
Granny Shima waved. "Share it with little Naruto! And warm it up before eating!"
"Thank you, Granny."
"Be careful," Fukasaku said. "Call us anytime."
"I will," Morkel replied before teleporting away.
After he left, Shima said with concern, "I feel uneasy about him…"
"He's strong," Fukasaku reassured her. "He's mastered both our sage arts and Ryūchi Cave's. He'll be fine."
---
Back in Konoha…
Naruto was sound asleep when an awful smell hit his nose.
"Ugh! Who's there?!"
Morkel stood by, holding the food box.
"Me. Wake up. I brought something special."
Naruto rubbed his eyes. "Where'd you go last night?"
"Mount Myōboku. The Great Toad Sage had a new prophecy."
"Does it involve me?! Am I going to become a hero and save the world?!"
"Not sure. The prophecy was a mess."
"Let's eat."
Naruto peeked in the box, shuddering. "Nooo! That's Granny Shima's cooking! Why did you bring this?!"
"She made it with love. Just try it."
In the end, Naruto, like Morkel, gave in.
---
Two days later, Morkel received orders from Tsunade to head for the Land of Lightning.
At the village gates, Tsunade reminded him, "Akatsuki's intel network is powerful. Even if you stay hidden, they might find you."
"I'll protect Naruto. You protect yourself too."
"Please," Tsunade scoffed. "I've survived more wars than you've eaten meals."
Jiraiya added, "Exactly. I'll keep her safe."
Before leaving, Morkel placed a strange mark on Tsunade's palm.
"What's this?" she asked. "It's not your usual seal."
"It's a new space-time jutsu. It helps when chakra is depleted. But it takes time and control to activate."
"Interesting," Tsunade said.
"Put one on me too!" Jiraiya insisted.
"You already have my Flying Thunder God mark."
"Not the same!"
With a shrug, Morkel placed the new seal on him too.