"Uchiha Yoichi."
"It seems Mount Myōboku has been aware of me for some time, hasn't it, Gamamaru?"
Hearing his name from Yoichi's mouth, the Great Toad Sage wasn't surprised. With so many Ryūchi Cave snakes mobilized, had the White Snake Sage been able to join, he would certainly have been present as well.
"Jiraiya should be in the back. But hiding him there is useless," Yoichi remarked. "Rumi, go with Ichikishimahime and bring Jiraiya back!"
As Yoichi gave his command, the Great Toad Sage activated a secret technique, his voice resonating directly in Jiraiya's mind: "Little Jiraiya, open the scroll!"
"The Great Toad Sage's voice…"
Without hesitation, Jiraiya unfurled the scroll in his hands, revealing a barrier inscription within it. But before he could fully process the scroll's contents, he noticed two figures approaching from outside.
"What's that… a barrier?"
Hearing the voice, Jiraiya turned to see Rumi and Yoichi's summoning snake. Sensing danger, he prepared to fight, but at that moment, the ground beneath him glowed intensely and swallowed him up in a blinding flash.
By the time Rumi and Ichikishimahime reacted, Jiraiya had already disappeared into the barrier.
"He's been sent away! That blasted toad must've done this!" Ichikishimahime hissed in irritation. She recalled the White Snake Sage mentioning that the toads of Mount Myōboku were skilled at hiding their true nature to gain knowledge and techniques from humans.
Rumi started to say something, but her expression changed as she activated her Tenseigan Chakra Mode, summoning Truth-Seeking Balls to form a protective shield around herself and Ichikishimahime. "Be careful!"
A devastating shockwave burst forth, obliterating everything around them. The Toad Oil Pool was drained in an instant, and nearby mountains and landscapes were reduced to rubble. Thankfully, Rumi's Truth-Seeking Balls shielded them, though the force still pushed them back several kilometers.
The clash between Yoichi and the Great Toad Sage shook Mount Myōboku to its core, creating a crater nearly a kilometer deep and spanning thousands of meters in width.
Soon, the massive form of the Great Toad Sage was flung out of the seemingly bottomless pit, followed moments later by Yoichi, who hovered before the Sage, a hint of surprise in his voice.
"Impressive… So, you can withstand my punch. That power… it must be from Hagoromo, right? It seems you can communicate with the Pure Land."
The old toad's Sage chakra was vast, akin to an ocean, and even contained Six Paths chakra. Yoichi's previous punch had the explosive force of a Tailed Beast Bomb, yet the Great Toad Sage had not only withstood it but also redirected much of the energy.
"Let's try this one, then!"
Yoichi's Sage robes and Truth-Seeking Balls manifested, along with crystalline scales covering his body and a tail emitting a faint purple glow.
Six Paths: Radiant Beam Flow!
Combining the Truth-Seeking Ball with his genetic powers, Yoichi compressed the energy into his palm and launched it at the Great Toad Sage.
"Gwaah!"
Sensing the danger, the Great Toad Sage's skin turned black and swelled, absorbing the impact of the radiant beam like an indestructible shield.
"Not bad," Yoichi remarked before swallowing a miniature Truth-Seeking Ball. Then, from his mouth, he released a concentrated beam that severed two of the Great Toad Sage's limbs.
"Gwaaah!"
Even without understanding toad language, Yoichi could tell the Sage was in agony. In an instant, he activated the first level of his Thunder God Mode, and in a flash of lightning, he appeared before the Sage, delivering a powerful kick that sent the massive toad plummeting into the crater below.
Boom!
The shockwave rippled through all of Mount Myōboku, splitting mountains and tearing the land asunder, leaving deep chasms across the terrain. Even Konoha's shinobi stationed nearby had to dodge falling rocks, with some being saved by Ichikishimahime and Ritomi.
Only one spot, protected by a barrier, remained unscathed, turning into an isolated island surrounded by ravines.
"It seems you're called Gamamaru," Yoichi remarked, "so here, have some real marbles!"
Yoichi tossed two Truth-Seeking Balls into the pit and quickly formed seals to trap the explosions within a Six Red Yang Array.
Boom!
The blast erupted with blinding white light, contained within the barrier that channeled the energy back into the pit. The resulting tremors reached hundreds of kilometers away, while the barriered area remained isolated and intact.
Despite the carnage, one massive toad, seemingly dormant for centuries, remained unharmed on the edge of the destruction.
"Great Elder Sage…" Fukasaku's worried gaze turned towards the sanctuary of Mount Myōboku. If the Great Sage fell...
"Still thinking of others while fighting me?" Tagitsuhime taunted, launching herself at Fukasaku. In another battle, Ichikishimahime flew towards Shima.
Meanwhile, despite the tremors, Rumi managed to save Konoha shinobi and Ryūchi Cave snakes, ensuring they were all protected. Many of Mount Myōboku's toads, however, were lost in the collapse.
"It's almost all destroyed…" Yoichi observed the devastation below. Aside from the barrier-protected area, Mount Myōboku had been reduced to ruins. But destruction had been inevitable; being on the opposite side of the Land of Fire, it had never been intended for development anyway.
Yoichi dissolved the Six Red Yang Array and, like a flash of lightning, descended into the pit. Two Truth-Seeking Ball weapons materialized in his hands, piercing through the remaining limbs of the Great Toad Sage and enveloping it in black liquid.
Yomi Swamp!
With his Rinnegan ability, Yoichi drained eighty percent of the Great Toad Sage's life energy. As the toad struggled against the Truth-Seeking Balls that pinned it, its strength waned until it lay lifeless.
"Next, let's see if Orochimaru can make use of you," Yoichi muttered, considering whether the Sage could provide Orochimaru with valuable research.
After securing the Sage, Yoichi turned his attention to the remaining major toad—Great Toad Iwasuku. Despite being summoned by Jiraiya in pieces, the toad's organs, like its intestines, were resistant to various techniques.
Yomi Swamp.
Another Rinnegan technique, and the immense life energy of Iwasuku soon flowed into Yoichi. Despite its attempt to resist, the massive toad succumbed to the Truth-Seeking Balls that bound it. Yoichi allowed Ryūchi Cave snakes to feast on the fallen beast as compensation for their service.
With the last toads defeated, the battle reached its conclusion. The once-mighty toads of Mount Myōboku were devoured or lay defeated across the battlefield. Even Fukasaku and Shima, after a valiant struggle, were eventually overwhelmed by the combined efforts of the Snake Princesses and Rumi.
The remaining toads, who had fallen into ravines, were soon hunted by the Ryūchi Cave snakes.
"It's done," Yoichi observed, having overestimated the strength of the Great Toad Sage. Against his overwhelming speed and power, the Sage hadn't stood a chance, despite its remarkable resilience.
"What now, Yoichi-sensei?" Rumi asked.
"Gather Mount Myōboku's treasures. Once we confirm no toads remain, we'll return to Konoha."
As they entered a cavern storing various artifacts, Yoichi realized Jiraiya had managed to escape via Mount Myōboku's teleportation barrier.
"He escaped, likely beyond my Byakugan's range," Rumi admitted, disappointed.
"Don't worry," Yoichi said, patting her head. "We'll put out a wanted notice. With Mount Myōboku destroyed, he won't be able to make much trouble."
"Yes, Yoichi-sensei~"
Proceeding further, they discovered the now-empty Toad Oil Pool, which Tagitsuhime noted likely contained precious natural stones beneath the surface.
"Then let's seal it up and save it for later," Yoichi decided.
After sealing the pool, they moved to a cavern filled with scrolls, housing over seven or eight thousand volumes on various subjects: ancient records, yin-yang techniques, the samurai legacy, and geopolitical histories.
"Quite a haul…"
Collecting rare treasures from a defeated enemy was an immensely satisfying experience. Yoichi found himself wondering if Ryūchi Cave held similar stores.
"None whatsoever!" Tagitsuhime and Ichikishimahime quickly replied, unwilling to risk his curiosity on their home.
After several hours of careful examination and collection, they finally rejoined the Konoha forces, now confirming no toads remained in Mount Myōboku.
Yoichi commanded them to deactivate their summoning techniques, allowing the Ryūchi Cave snakes to return. The last Konoha shinobi, having scorched the area to eliminate any tadpoles, reported completion.
"Good work. Gather everyone, and let's go."
Satisfied with the day's conquests, Yoichi prepared his team, summoning them back to Konoha with his Flying Thunder God technique.
(End of Chapter)
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"Wh-Where is this? I was just…"
Upon regaining consciousness, Jiraiya found himself inexplicably in a forest. As he recalled his recent memories, he quickly understood what had happened.
"Damn it, Summoning Jutsu!"
Boom! A puff of smoke appeared, but when it cleared, no toad responded to his call; Gamabunta, Gamaken, and Gamahiro had all been summoned before he left, and it seemed that Gamahiro might have died.
The sky had already turned dark, and after some thought, Jiraiya realized that the battle had likely ended a while ago. Still, he refused to give up and summoned every toad he knew, including the Sages, Fukasaku and Shima.
But in the end, none of Jiraiya's summoning attempts were successful.
"Damn it… Damn it…"
Jiraiya slumped down onto the ground, feeling defeated. Konoha was his first home, and Mount Myōboku had been his second home, the place that gave him strength. Now, in the span of a single day, both were gone.
After a moment, Jiraiya pulled out the scroll he had taken with him. He unrolled it fully and found it contained many techniques related to the Sage Mode of Mount Myōboku.
In addition to a secret technique for hiding chakra, there were also two music scores, one accompanied by illustrations of two toads. This music score was a powerful genjutsu.
"So… the inheritance of Mount Myōboku's Sage Arts… Great Elder, it seems you anticipated the destruction of Mount Myōboku and entrusted me to pass on its legacy."
After examining the scroll, Jiraiya made a silent vow. He wouldn't let down Fukasaku and Shima's expectations; he would at least ensure Mount Myōboku's legacy endured.
Jiraiya then stored the scroll, disrupted the barrier on the ground, and left the area.
...
Konoha
Upon returning to Konoha late at night, Yoichi set aside his plans to sort through the scrolls and secret techniques, choosing instead to go home and rest.
Even though he didn't really need rest due to his energy, he wanted to spend time with his wife and children.
However, by the time Yoichi returned, Tsunade had already left. For a while, Yoichi had feigned ignorance, allowing Tsunade to stay, but his space-time ninjutsu left her unable to resist. Still, whenever he was away, her embarrassment would resurface, especially after certain… shared moments.
Mina and Mikoto had been in his life longer, and in the village, they were technically her juniors. Mina had even studied medical ninjutsu under her, which made Tsunade unable to face the situation calmly. So, when Yoichi wasn't around, she left with their child, Yoko.
Upon hearing of her departure, Yoichi didn't attempt to bring her back immediately. He figured she just needed time to adjust; after all, they were all in the same village.
Once his estate by the Naka River near the Forest of Death was complete, these issues would be less concerning.
Using his authority as Hokage, Yoichi arranged to have an electric rail built to his new home, allowing his family easy access to the village—a perk he didn't hesitate to grant himself.
After settling the affairs of Mount Myōboku and returning home, Yoichi found that Karin, Sasuke, and the others had already gone to bed. However, Mikoto was absent that night, prompting him to ask.
Mina stepped forward and replied, "Mikoto went back to rest tonight. Yoichi-sama, I'd also like to rest alone, so I'll head up now."
With that, Mina went upstairs to her own room. While Yoichi was away, she and Mikoto had finally gotten Yūgito to open up. Learning that she had already been involved with Yoichi helped both women come to terms with the situation.
Although Mikoto and Mina felt uneasy, they realized that even with Tsunade's help, they struggled to keep up with Yoichi. Now that both had children, they gradually accepted the reality.
Understanding their intentions, Yoichi naturally headed to Yūgito's room.
Opening the door, he was greeted by the sight of Yūgito's slender, stocking-clad legs. As his gaze traveled upward, he saw her delicate waist and the enticing curves above.
"W-Why didn't you knock before coming in!"
Startled, Yūgito hurriedly covered herself with clothing. She had been changing into something special for him that night, but being caught mid-change made her feel incredibly shy.
"Out! Get out!"
Yūgito tried to push him out, but Yoichi gently brushed her arms aside, pulling her into his embrace.
"Yūgito, it's late. You should rest now."
"But… but I haven't finished changing."
"Who needs clothes for sleeping? Just keep those stockings to protect your ankles."
"You perv… mmph…"
In the night, a pair of white-stockinged feet swayed in the air, while the bed creaked rhythmically without pause.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The next morning, Uchiha Yoichi woke up refreshed, heading to breakfast. Mina had already prepared the meal.
Mikoto didn't join them, likely helping the children in the other part of the house.
"Yoichi-sama, where's Yūgito?"
Yoichi, slightly embarrassed, replied, "Yūgito might need until the afternoon to wake up. She was sleeping quite soundly."
"Honestly, Yoichi-sama."
With a huff, Mina placed Yūgito's breakfast before him.
After eating, Yoichi headed to the Hokage's office, gathering the Intelligence Division and the personnel from the Konoha Library. His priority was to sort through the rare collection from Mount Myōboku.
All non-secret techniques and non-Sage Arts were handed to the library staff for classification, while the remaining materials would be compiled into a few new forbidden scrolls.
Sage Arts were even more challenging to master than forbidden techniques. Most of Konoha's current mastery over Sage Chakra relied on Yoichi's guidance and the assistance of Ryūchi Cave's Snake Princesses.
Yoichi was particularly interested in Mount Myōboku's secret techniques, many of which involved natural energy.
Orochimaru also had no shortage of enthusiasm. His lifelong dream was to uncover the world's truths, and the secrets of Mount Myōboku presented a treasure trove for him.
As they browsed through the Mount Myōboku archives, Orochimaru suddenly asked, "Yoichi-kun, did that fool survive?"
With Mount Myōboku's archives now filling multiple large rooms with scrolls, its fate was clear. Still, Orochimaru wanted to know if Jiraiya had survived.
"The toads sent him away. If he returns, he'll be stripped of his Konoha shinobi status as punishment. But if he has other intentions…"
Yoichi set down a scroll of Mount Myōboku's Frog Kata techniques and continued, "He carries my Flying Thunder God mark. Even if his flesh were to be stripped, it couldn't be erased."
"That fool probably won't ever see reason."
Orochimaru shook his head. It had been a full night since Mount Myōboku's fall. If Jiraiya had intended to return, he would have done so by now. It seemed he had chosen his path.
After a moment, Orochimaru set down his scroll and said, "Yoichi-kun, I'd like to send shadow clones daily to review these scrolls."
"Of course, if you're willing."
"Actually, I'll pass. I still have that giant toad you gave me to study, and I'm already buried in work. Find someone else, Yoichi-kun."
Without giving Yoichi a chance to respond, Orochimaru left. He was so busy that he barely had time to mentor Nawaki, though the latter was now training under the Second Hokage.
After Orochimaru's departure, Yoichi created ten shadow clones and continued searching through the secret techniques.
Midway through, Kurenai and Rumi from the Hyūga clan stopped by, but with plenty of village matters to attend to, they left shortly after.
In the Rain Districts and Sand Districts, order was stabilizing. Those who had caused trouble were detained and sent to work in the desert mines.
For now, Konoha ruled these regions with a heavy hand. In the world of shinobi, ninjas held the ultimate power, and no amount of ordinary people could match a jōnin in strength.
Especially since Konoha, the strongest military force in the shinobi world, was the one maintaining order.
With prisoners now laboring in the three detected mining veins, resource scarcity had significantly lessened. Even those unused to labor could still be put to work.
With these districts under control, Yoichi began considering how to handle matters in his own country.
In truth, he should have acted sooner. Despite using Kotoamatsukami to control key nobles and the daimyō, Konoha's recent actions had left them fearful.
Rather than waiting for them to act, Konoha would take the initiative.
"Found it."
After searching all afternoon with his shadow clones, Yoichi finally located a Yin-Yang technique related to the Pure Land.
Nearly sealing him away, this grudge was one he couldn't ignore. Mount Myōboku was only the beginning; his true enemy was yet to be dealt with.
"It seems Mount Myōboku initially aligned with humans. Later, when those onmyōji were wiped out by Kaguya, Gamamaru couldn't sit still and sought out Hagoromo."
Yoichi speculated silently. Although the details weren't recorded, the scroll's accounts of the Pure Land couldn't have come from a toad's perspective.
The origin of the Pure Land remained uncertain, but it was likely created by a powerful onmyōji from ancient times, later evolving over millennia into a place where souls could be purified for reincarnation.
In addition to this information, Yoichi found a secret technique for contacting the Pure Land—Natural Astral Projection.
By using natural energy, one could separate the spirit from the body and ascend to feel the Pure Land's call. With the protection of natural energy, the spirit could even avoid being bound to the Pure Land.
Upon discovering this method, Yoichi decided not to learn it immediately. Even if he did, he wouldn't visit the Pure Land just yet. That realm belonged to Hagoromo, and venturing there without preparation would be risky.
"At least there's a way now. Perhaps seeking out ancient knowledge will yield more answers."
Yoichi recalled something Kaguya had mentioned: he had seized all the onmyōji techniques she had collected, possibly by using a mystical artifact to return to the past.
Kaguya hadn't been particularly invested in these techniques. They had been gathered by her subordinates rather than her own initiative.
With Karasuki fully charged and capable of traversing time and space, and with no major issues in the shinobi world—Madara, Kaguya, and Urashiki had all been defeated—Yoichi considered unifying the shinobi world as Konoha's task.
With the likes of Hashirama and Tobirama back, alongside many powerful allies, if the village still needed him, then they'd truly be useless.
"Angel-sama!"
"Long live Angel-sama! Long live Konoha!"
"Thank you for your decision, Angel-sama!"
In the Rain District, Konan was greeted warmly by the people whenever she appeared, owing to Konoha's recent decision to reduce taxes for the local populace.
Initially, the people of the Land of Rain had felt little attachment to Konoha, but thanks to Konan's Akatsuki, which had spread benefits and rousing proclamations, they had joined and become residents of the Rain District.
Now, they were experiencing tangible benefits.
The former daimyō of the Land of Rain had taxed them heavily, taking half of all their earnings, while the people had nowhere to turn, as Amegakure fiercely protected the daimyō who funded them.
With the daimyō gone and taxes reduced, the people quickly grew loyal to Konoha.
Seeing the joy and relief on their faces filled Konan with a sense of accomplishment and happiness. Transforming this nation had been her and Yahiko's dream since childhood, and now it was finally achieved—with Konoha's help.
Every time she thought of this, Konan bit her lip, torn by her feelings. She had no choice, though, as Nagato was still imprisoned in Konoha.
After navigating the crowd's cheers, Konan arrived at Konoha's temporary command post in Amegakure.
Upon entering, she addressed Nara Shikaku. "Are there any new assignments?"
"No, you've done an excellent job recently. Your efforts have greatly helped stabilize the Land of Rain. You deserve some rest."
Shikaku continued, "Take some time off. I'll report your performance back to the village."
"Thank you, but… could I return with you?"
Konan asked calmly. With the situation in the Land of Rain temporarily resolved, she wanted to check on Nagato and let him know that Yahiko's dream was finally realized. She hoped this would ease his bitterness.
"You can, but I'll need to communicate with the village first."
After a moment's thought, Shikaku nodded. Konan's influence in the Rain District had grown, so transferring her back seemed wise. "Once I get the village's approval, you'll be free to go."
End of Chapter
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