When Kakashi finished guiding Naruto and Karin in their training, dusk had already fallen. After treating them to dinner at Ichiraku Ramen, he returned to his own residence.
Lying down tiredly on the bed, he let out a long sigh. Spiritual and physical training—especially in new techniques—was never easy.
"You're looking wiped out, Kakashi."
Kakashi blinked, surprised. He sat up and spotted the tall, familiar white-haired man standing in the doorway.
"Jiraiya-sama? What brings you here?"
"Ah, don't be so surprised," Jiraiya said, stepping inside casually. "The Great Toad Sage has requested your presence. He's had a prophecy. I was told to bring you to Mount Myoboku."
Kakashi's expression sharpened with curiosity. "Really? Right now?"
"Yeah, no time to waste. Let's go."
Before Kakashi could even react, Jiraiya placed a hand on his shoulder. In a puff of smoke, they disappeared.
The transition was sudden. It felt similar to the Flying Thunder God Technique—disorienting and immediate. When Kakashi's vision cleared, he found himself in a place unlike any other.
Birdsong echoed through lush greenery. Massive waterfalls roared in the distance. Unusual, towering plants swayed gently in the breeze. But most striking of all were the toads—big, small, colorful, and all distinctly non-human.
"Oi, Jiraiya, you made it," came a voice. It was Fukasaku, one of the Two Great Sage Toads.
"Yep," Jiraiya said. "Brought him just like you asked. Should we go see the Big Toad Sage now?"
Fukasaku nodded. "Let's not waste time. The Great Sage is awake—barely, but awake."
"Right. Come on, Kakashi."
"Understood."
Following Fukasaku and Jiraiya, Kakashi stepped into an enormous stone chamber nestled in the heart of Mount Myoboku.
Inside sat the Great Toad Sage—enormous in size, ancient in aura. He rested on a large dais carved with the kanji for "sage" (仙). A necklace with the character "oil" (油) hung around his thick neck, and he wore a faded black hat.
Despite his legendary stature, the Great Toad Sage looked... half-asleep.
Fukasaku hopped up near his shoulder. "Elder, Kakashi has arrived."
"Mm… what?" the old toad muttered, his deep voice thick with drowsiness.
"Elder!" Fukasaku raised his voice, nudging him slightly.
"Ah? Who's there… Oh, it's you, Fukasaku. What's the matter?"
"You asked for the silver-haired boy, remember?"
"Silver-haired… boy?" the Great Toad Sage mumbled, blinking slowly.
"You said he'd come. This is Hatake Kakashi—he's right in front of you."
Kakashi felt a drop of sweat run down his cheek. Is this really the legendary seer of Mount Myoboku? he wondered.
Jiraiya leaned in close and whispered, "Don't let appearances fool you. His mind's sharp… when it matters."
"…Hmm," the Great Toad Sage finally focused on Kakashi. "Ah yes… I see now. You carry a hidden power—one that will shape the fate of the world."
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed slightly. Shape the world? Could Kakashi be… the child of prophecy? But he's already Minato's student...
He quickly dismissed the thought. While Kakashi was a prodigy, Jiraiya had always associated the prophecy with someone born later—someone like Naruto.
The Great Toad Sage spoke again, voice thin but deliberate.
"You will encounter two boys—disciples of your own—who will grow to become forces of great change. But the course of the world... the ultimate direction it takes... will rest on your hands."
Kakashi's brows furrowed. He didn't speak, but his mind was already turning. Two boys... Naruto and Sasuke?
The old sage continued, eyes clouding again.
"Silver-haired youth… red-eyed traveler… fated twins bound by karma… the wheel of destiny has begun to turn. Where it stops... is up to you."
With that cryptic pronouncement, the Great Toad Sage nodded off once more.
Kakashi stood in stunned silence. Red-eyed traveler? Wheel of destiny? What does any of it mean? The words echoed in his mind, fragmentary but heavy with meaning.
"Kakashi?" Jiraiya nudged him. "Any ideas?"
Kakashi sighed. "Not yet. It's too vague. It'll only make sense in hindsight… if at all."
Jiraiya gave a sympathetic chuckle. "Yeah. The prophecy I got was just as murky. I thought I understood it… until everything went sideways. Maybe we just haven't seen the real turning point yet."
Kakashi stayed silent. Jiraiya still doesn't know what's coming. And I can't tell him—not yet.
He made a silent promise to himself. When the time came, he wouldn't let Jiraiya die at Pain's hands. He would change that future, no matter the cost.
"Anyway," Fukasaku cut in, "the Great Sage has agreed to let you train in senjutsu."
"Really?" Kakashi's eyes lit up.
Fukasaku nodded. "But it takes time. If you've got unresolved business back in the village, settle it first. Take this." He handed Kakashi a small scroll. "This'll let you summon us and return to Mount Myoboku when you're ready."
Kakashi accepted it with a grateful bow. "Thank you, Master Fukasaku."
"You're welcome. The Great Sage clearly sees something in you. I'm looking forward to what you can accomplish. Honestly, your talent might even surpass this knucklehead."
Jiraiya scratched the back of his head. "Hey now, I wasn't that bad."
Fukasaku chuckled. "You took 30 years and still couldn't activate Sage Mode without help. Minato figured out the method in just a few years."
Jiraiya groaned. "Okay, fair. But still…"
Kakashi couldn't help smiling at the exchange. But behind the humor, his resolve hardened.
If I really am meant to guide Naruto and Sasuke… then I can't afford to fall behind.
Mount Myoboku might hold more than training. It might hold the key to the future.
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