The Uchiha's Path to the Top, Starting from Konoha

Chapter 87 Terrifying

"The predicted future is being changed one after another."

Inside a massive stone temple, a giant old toad, entirely orange with a string of prayer beads around its neck inlaid with a pale purple cat's-eye stone in the center, and wearing a doctoral cap on its head, sits on a throne inscribed with the character "仙" (immortal), its yellow eyes, murky yet gleaming with a sharp light, open wide.

"The change of the Third Hokage of Konoha, the premature death of the reincarnation of Indra, the future landscape of the ninja world, a world connecting the two realms, a martial god standing tall and unyielding, and Mount Myōboku, where blood flowed like rivers and was swallowed up..."

"Hmm."

The founder of Mount Myōboku, one of the three sacred sites of immortals, lived for over a thousand years and was revered by the world as the Great Toad Sage. Gamamaru, who possessed the ability to foresee the future, saw his own future death.

It picked up the wine bottle beside it, took a sip, and a human-like smile appeared on its wrinkled toad face. Its mellow and peaceful self-talk echoed within the temple hall.

"The general trend of the world is vast and unstoppable; those who follow it prosper, and those who oppose it perish."

"Just like how betting on Hagoromo and Hamura Otsutsuki, who were destined to rise to prominence, allowed Mount Myōboku to enjoy a thousand years of peace and prosperity, this time, the future master chosen is a descendant of the Uchiha clan."

The Great Toad Sage took another sip of the clear, spicy sake, and a hint of helplessness seemed to appear in his orange-yellow eyes. "All the fighting in the ninja world is just that one family's unfortunate mess."

"That guy Hagoromo doesn't even bother to do anything. He spends all his time meditating in the Pure Land of the Ninja World, only occasionally checking on the Ninja World. What good is that? The limit of chakra is Kaguya Otsutsuki; no one can surpass her."

"Eh, the Otsutsuki clan, they are terrifying."

The giant toad sage shook the wine bottle, drank the last bit of the fortune-bringing wine, put the bottle aside, and sighed, "I'm just a weak and pitiful toad who likes to drink a little and ask people to invest a little. How did I end up with such a terrible thing as my family being destroyed?"

After a moment's thought, the Great Toad Sage summoned the elders of Mount Myōboku and his trusted confidants, Fukasaku and Shima, two sage toads who had trained for over eight hundred years and whose bodies were filled with sage chakra.

Fukasaku is a small green toad with white beard and eyebrows, and Shima, a small green toad with purple hair and purple lips, is a couple. The two toads wear black robes with stand-up collars and stand respectfully before the throne of the Great Toad Sage.

"This prophecy concerns the survival and continuation of our clan. You two frogs must be careful. If you cannot reach Uchiha Takeoshi, you can start with his disciples and relatives."

Having arranged everything, the Great Toad Sage watched Fukasaku and Shima hop away and closed his eyes in peace. The originally predetermined fate was constantly being deflected under the influence of Uchiha Takeoshi.

Even it must be prepared at all times to glimpse a corner of the future in fragmented dreams.

This continent is no longer a paradise for aliens. Even the Great Toad Immortal is walking on thin ice, his steps slow but firm as he walks on the right path—it's good to take shelter under a big tree.

………………

"Governance, we should go back now."

"Kaori is still waiting at home."

The melodious singing gradually subsided, and Uchiha Wu'an embraced the dazed Uchiha Zhili, then used the Flying Thunder God Technique to return to his own residence.

The more he used the Flying Thunder God Technique, the more useful it became, and he couldn't help but give Tobirama Senju a thumbs up.

The Hokage's residence was now dark and quiet.

After putting the already sleeping Uchiha Rinpoche back on the bed, Minamoto Kaori, who was sleeping while hugging Tachibana, was nearby.

The girl, who was sleeping lightly, opened her eyes after noticing the noise, and was then held in Uchiha Takeo's arms before falling back asleep.

Time flies, and the next morning, Uchiha Takeoshi took Minamoto Kaori out the door.

The administrative staff who handle trivial matters have been arranged by Mito Uzumaki, greatly reducing the workload of the secretariat. Feeling that he should not show favoritism, Uchiha Takeoshi prepared to take Minamoto Kaori out for a walk to relax.

The girl's frequent absent-mindedness these past few days has also worried him.

"Darling, can we go there?"

"Something is calling to me from over there."

The words spoken by the woman in his arms puzzled Uchiha Mu'an. He couldn't understand what kind of thing in the ninja world could summon people, but he couldn't ignore the matter of his beloved wife.

"Then let's go take a look."

Following Kaori's guidance, Uchiha Takeo first used the Flying Thunder God Technique to arrive at the ninja army's encampment facing the Land of Wind. After summoning his mount, the Two-Tails Matatabi, the two passed through the Land of Rivers and the neighboring Land of Sky, arriving at a mountain valley.

"Darling, the call ends here."

"Let me see if anyone's around."

Carefully sensing the energy fluctuations within a radius of over forty kilometers, Uchiha Takeo quickly discovered them. He embraced Minamoto Kaori's waist, rode the Two-Tails, and landed at a winding river. Wisps of smoke were rising from the riverbank, indicating that a large merchant caravan was lingering there.

Upon discovering the arrival of the tailed beast, the merchant guild panicked. Fortunately, the appearance of Uchiha Muan, with his gentle demeanor and luxurious attire, and Minamoto Kaori eased the guild's anxiety. An elderly man with a red nose then emerged from the crowd.

Before he could even introduce himself, a ferret with white fur all over its body, but black fur on its four legs and tail, red eyes, and a diamond-shaped mark on its forehead darted away from the old man's feet and ran towards Yuan Xiangzhi.

Following the hem of the girl's kimono, it nimbly ran to her shoulder, spun around excitedly, and then let out an affectionate call.

Looking at this adorable little creature, which resembled a cat, Kaori Minamoto felt an immediate sense of closeness and reached out to hug it. She stroked the ferret's long, soft fur with a smile on her face.

The old man standing to the side was secretly alarmed.

"Nilugu, come back quickly."

Although it's unclear why Nilugu, who is usually not friendly to strangers, suddenly started acting coquettishly towards outsiders, if they were to offend someone important, the merchant group would likely face annihilation.

Looking at the silent giant beast beside him, the old man felt uneasy and anxious.

"Its name is Nilugu? That's a lovely name."

Kaori Genji teased the ferret's wet nose with her finger. Its blood-red eyes, just like hers, made the girl swoon, and she couldn't help but look up at the old man.

"Can you sell Nilugu to me? Money is not an issue."

As the daimyo of the Land of Fire and a bridge between Konoha, Kaori Minamoto is also very wealthy and generous. She never considers a problem that can be solved with money to be a big deal.

The old man looked embarrassed and said in a flattering tone, "Miss, Nilugu are our family, we don't buy or sell them."

"I see."

Seeing the dejected Minamoto Kaori, Uchiha Takeo chuckled, "Since we're family, if a family member wants to leave for a better place, the old man won't stop him, right?"

The old man's face stiffened, and he could only nod.

"Little guy, come here."

Uchiha Muan reached out and grabbed Nilugu, who was showing hostility and making low growls.

"Darling."

"It's alright. If I'm not mistaken, it's this little thing calling you."

Glancing at the struggling Nilugu, Uchiha Wu'an's dark, cold eyes immediately subdued Nilugu. He then removed a gem containing immense energy from the diamond-shaped spot between its eyebrows.

Long-forgotten memories surfaced in his mind. Under the sunlight, the colorful gems brought a smile to Uchiha Takeo's face. "Kaori, this time we've found the real treasure."

Under Kaori's questioning gaze, Uchiha Takeo looked at the old man whose face had changed drastically and said with a smile, "Old man, would you mind telling us about the Grell Stone?"

(End of this chapter)