Chương 138

Just as Rei shifted his weight, preparing to follow Jiraiya and the elder toads out of the cavern, the Great Toad Sage unexpectedly spoke once more.

"... Young one..." Rei immediately stopped and respectfully turned back toward the ancient toad.

"Yes, Great Toad sage-sama?" The old sage remained silent for several seconds before another faint smile slowly appeared across his weathered face.

"... Your journey.... should not end at Mount Myōboku." Those few words immediately drew everyone's attention. Fukasaku blinked in surprise while Shima tilted her head in confusion. Even Jiraiya looked genuinely puzzled.

"What do you mean, Gamamaru-sama?" Fukasaku asked carefully.

"If there is more for Rei-boy to learn, surely Mount Myōboku can provide it." The Great Toad Sage slowly shook his head.

"Mount Myōboku.... will teach him much.... But not everything." His cloudy eyes once again settled upon Rei.

"There exists..... another place..... where the flow of nature may answer questions this mountain cannot." The cavern grew quiet as everyone waited for the ancient sage to finish.

"... Shikkotsu Forest." The name echoed softly through the chamber. Jiraiya's eyebrows rose immediately.

"Shikkotsu Forest?" Even Fukasaku looked genuinely surprised. Throughout his times serving Gamamaru, he could scarcely remember a single occasion where the Great Toad Sage had personally directed someone toward another sacred land. Mount Myōboku had always trained its own sages without concerning itself with the traditions of others. Rei, meanwhile, stared blankly for several moments. Shikkotsu Forest...? Unlike Mount Myōboku or even Ryūchi Cave, his knowledge regarding that place was almost nonexistent.

He knew it was associated with Lady Katsuyu and slug sages, but beyond that, his memories amounted to little more than scattered fragments from the other life. There were no detailed stories, no extensive explanations, and certainly no understanding of what kind of training or philosophy existed there. Of all the places... why send me to the one place I know absolutely nothing about?

By the time Rei returned home alongside Jiraiya, the orange glow of the setting sun had already disappeared beyond Konoha's walls, leaving the village illuminated by rows of light lanterns hanging outside homes and shops. Hana and Daichi were already alerted as they instead of reverse summoning just used the contract to get back home with her as the anchor point. She was happy to see them back home, safe and sound.

Though they knew it was fine for them to go far, but being a mother one couldn't help but worry a little.

"There you are," Hana sighed, placing a hand over her chest.

"You said you were only going to Mount Myōboku, but when evening arrived, I started wondering whether something unexpected had happened." Jiraiya laughed sheepishly before raising both hands in surrender.

"It wasn't dangerous, I promise. We simply ended up meeting someone none of us expected Rei would meet on his very first visit." Daichi frowned curiously.

"Who was it?" Daichi asked.

"The Great Toad sage." Jiraya replied.

"The who now?" Hana and Daichi both didn't have any idea how Mt. Myoboku worked. Jiraya gave a small rundown of how the things worked in there and they were surprised to know such an old being would say such things for their child. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. The consoled Rei, but not for the right reasons. They thought Rei would feel down after the comments of the Great Toad sage, while Rei was more concerned about the Shikkotsu Forest.

There was a theory online that Hashirama learnt Sage Mode from there since there were no other mentions of how Tsunade got the contract. But he was bit more fearful of them than he was of the Ryuchi Cave, because the unknowns were always more dangerous. But of course, he didn't outwardly express this and just said he was fine. After reassuring his parents that everything was fine, Rei excused himself alongside Jiraiya.

Neither of them felt particularly hungry but they needed to have some time to breath after what they listened. They instinctively went to one place where they could unwind. Ichiraku Ramen. Teuchi immediately smiled the moment he spotted the pair approaching.

"Oh Jiraya-sama and Rei too.. Where is Naruto?"

"He must be home. Rei and I went for a mission." Jiraya replied.

"Oh. I heard Rei had been chosen as one of the bodyguard of Hokage-sama, congratulations."

"Huh? Has the rumor being spread already?" Jiraya asked.

"Yeah.. Someone said that Rei had defeated two elite Jonins together and he was the preference of Hokage-sama. So everyone had been talking about it." Teuchi said. This made both Rei and Jiraya confused. How could there be so accurate rumors when this was supposed to be a super secret. And that too showing Rei in such high standard. It could only mean one thing, someone was deliberately spreading the rumors. And only one name came to their minds. Tsunade.

She was more angry than she ever was after their discussion, and she wanted to retaliate. Both Jiraya and Rei smiled at each other, knowing what she had been upto. They didn't well on it and just waited for the food to arrive. As steaming bowls were placed before them, neither spoke for several moments. The comforting warmth of the broth created a welcome contrast to the complicated thoughts still lingering from their audience with the Great Toad Sage.

Finally, Jiraiya rested his chopsticks against the bowl and let out a thoughtful sigh.

"I still don't know what to make of today," he admitted quietly.

"Gamamaru-sama has changed prophecies before only in the sense that he revealed more of them over time, but I've never heard him say that an existing prophecy itself had branched. And then... sending you to Shikkotsu Forest. That's even stranger." Rei nodded slowly while finishing another mouthful of ramen.

"I've been thinking about that as well. Whatever reason Gamamaru-sama had, I doubt it's something that requires immediate action. Tsunade-sama is still waiting to assign me the S-rank mission she promised after the assessment. That should take priority. Once it's completed, I'll head for Shikkotsu Forest and find out why he believed I should go there." Jiraiya smiled approvingly before lifting his bowl.

"Exactly. A shinobi handles today's responsibility before chasing tomorrow's mystery. Finish the S-rank mission first. Shikkotsu Forest has existed for centuries. It can wait a little longer." By the time both of them finished their ramen, the night had settled completely over Konoha. Jiraiya stood up first, stretching lazily before placing enough money on the counter to pay for both meals despite Rei's brief attempt to stop him. He waved the younger shinobi off with a grin.

"Don't worry about it. Consider it a congratulations meal. Besides, I should head over to Tsunade and see whether she's already picked your S-rank mission." Rei nodded respectfully before the two stepped outside together. They walked side by side for a short distance before reaching a crossroads. Jiraiya raised one hand in farewell without turning around.

"Get some proper sleep tonight. Whatever mission Tsunade gives you, it won't be easy."

"I will, Jiraiya-sama." With that, the Toad Sage disappeared into the quiet streets, leaving Rei to continue the walk home alone. He had barely taken another dozen steps before someone called out to him.

"Rei!" Turning around, he saw an elderly shopkeeper waving enthusiastically from outside his grocery store.

"I heard the news! Congratulations on becoming Hokage-sama's future bodyguard! You've made Konoha proud!" Rei immediately scratched the back of his head awkwardly before giving a small bow.

"Thank you very much." No sooner had he resumed walking than another voice stopped him.

"Good work, Rei!" A pair of off-duty chunin raised their hands toward him.

"We heard you defeated two elite ANBU during the bodyguard assessment."

"I was just lucky enough that everything worked out," Rei replied with an embarrassed smile. The two shinobi merely laughed.

"Luck doesn't defeat elite jonin." As he continued through the streets, more villagers began recognizing him. Merchants congratulated him from their stalls, civilians wished him luck on his upcoming mission, and several academy students looked at him with sparkling eyes as though they were staring at a hero from one of Iruka's stories. Every few steps someone else offered kind words, forcing Rei to stop, bow politely, and thank them before moving on once again.

One middle-aged woman even smiled warmly before speaking.

"You've protected this village before, and now you'll be protecting the Hokage herself. We're all cheering for you." Wow, it seemed Tsunade went through the record of Baki and made it public. She really was angry at Danzo. Another man laughed loudly.

"Just don't become so important that you forget ordinary people like us!"

"I won't," Rei answered sincerely.

"Thank you, everyone." By the time he finally reached the Amagi residence, Rei let out a long breath he hadn't realized he had been holding. Facing legendary sages, discussing altered prophecies, and even standing before the Great Toad Sage himself somehow felt less exhausting than accepting endless congratulations from nearly half the village. Still, as he looked back toward the warmly lit streets of Konoha, a small smile naturally formed across his face.

Whatever Tsunade had done, the villagers' faith in him was genuine, which made his future work easier. Because, oh boy he had some plans for this man.