Capítulo 74: Chapter 74: Return
After finishing his prophecy about Natsuro, the Great Toad Sage seemed even more drowsy. Before the group could leave, the sage had already closed his eyes and begun resting. Natsuro and the two sages then quietly exited the grand hall.
At this point, Fukasaku said, "Natsuro, don't worry too much about what the Great Toad Sage said. Perhaps those things are just inevitable for a ninja..."
"Don't worry, Grandpa." Natsuro replied with a smile, indicating that he wasn't concerned.
"That's good." Fukasaku nodded, though his heart felt heavier. Despite his words, he understood that the storms of bloodshed and turmoil the Great Toad Sage spoke of wouldn't be simple.
"Natsuro, don't listen to that old fool. He might have just said it randomly," Shima added, her tone revealing her displeasure.
"Thank you, Grandma."
Natsuro looked at Shima Sage, feeling a bit nostalgic. Over the past three years, he had gone to great lengths to avoid eating bugs, often showering her with flattery.
And it had worked well. His relationship with Sage Shima had grown particularly strong.
In fact, his compliments eventually stopped being empty words, as Shima took immense pride in her culinary skills. Every fruit she selected was carefully chosen, and her preparation methods had improved so much that even the most discerning palate couldn't find fault.
However, this special treatment seemed reserved only for him. During his training with Natsuro, Jiraiya had begged Shima to make something for him as well, only to be turned down.
This was likely because Shima knew Jiraiya could eat bugs, and despite Natsuro's preferences, she still valued her bug dishes more. Thus, she firmly refused.
This left Jiraiya envious of Natsuro, feeling that it was unfair—after all, he was the one who came first!
"Ah, three years have passed already. Natsuro, you won't be coming here as often anymore, right?" Shima asked, her tone tinged with sadness.
"Grandma, I'll come visit you and Grandpa whenever I have time." Natsuro replied.
"Then it's a promise, okay? If you don't come, I'll be really upset," Shima said, her eyes lighting up. Fukasaku also smiled, putting aside the Great Toad Sage's prophecy. No matter what that uncertain prophecy entailed, Natsuro, who had been with them for three years, was more important.
"Of course, I'll remember." Natsuro nodded. Since there was a fixed teleportation array here, he thought he could set up one at his house in Konoha too. That way, he could travel back and forth easily.
For now, though, he didn't dare use the Flying Thunder God to get back to Konoha. Doing so would mean he couldn't return, and even with his speed, it would take quite a while to travel back from Mount Myōboku to Konoha.
"By the way, if you need anything, feel free to use the Summoning Jutsu. We're usually available," Fukasaku added.
"Yes, that's right, including Gamabunta. Don't worry, if Gamabunta gives you any trouble, just let me know, and I'll teach him a lesson!" Shima chimed in.
"Thanks, I will." Natsuro smiled. This was the importance of connections—well, in this case, 'toad connections.' Although he didn't have as many close ties with the toads as Jiraiya, he was on good terms with the two top sages.
"Alright then, Grandpa, Grandma, I'm heading home now." Natsuro said as he released the Reverse Summoning Jutsu, leaving Mount Myōboku.
After he departed, Fukasaku and Shima exchanged glances, both feeling a bit sentimental. Despite what they said earlier, it wouldn't be the same without seeing him every day.
Over the past three years, not only had they grown accustomed to his presence, but every toad on Mount Myōboku knew about the diligent human living among them. His influence had even instilled a greater sense of hard work among the toads.
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In Konoha, at Natsuro's house.
Natsuro pushed open the door, stretched his body, and smiled as he felt the explosive power within. Finally, his three years of basic training were over. While he couldn't completely stop training during this period of rapid growth, it wouldn't be as intense as the past three years.
He wondered how far this three-year effort would take him. But first, he needed to see the Third Hokage.
Suddenly, he vanished from where he stood.
The Anbu member hidden in the trees was shocked. He had waited three years for Natsuro to return, only to lose sight of him immediately?
"Hello."
The next moment, a voice came from behind him, and the Anbu member's face froze beneath his mask. Even as a Chūnin, he had been approached without realizing it. If the boy behind him had wanted to kill him, he'd already be dead...
Cold sweat began to form under the Anbu's mask.
"You can't afford to be this relaxed when on guard duty. You've been watching for three years, right? Have you let your guard down because nothing happened?" Natsuro said, looking at the Anbu as he turned around.
The Anbu didn't respond but reflected on whether he had indeed been too careless.
The answer was yes. He had been careless, but that didn't change the fact that the ten-year-old boy in front of him was incredibly strong—perhaps even stronger than a chunin?
Moreover...
Did Natsuro's words imply that he had noticed him three years ago? The Anbu wasn't sure what to say. Thankfully, he was sent by the Third Hokage, Natsuro's teacher, so even if discovered, he wasn't in any danger. At this point, he could only nod.
"I understand."
"Good. Please inform the Third Hokage that I've returned and would like to visit him." Natsuro said, having called out the Anbu for this very reason.
"Understood," the Anbu nodded. He wanted to say that he could go directly to the Hokage without informing him first, but he didn't dare.
And now, the Anbu couldn't see him as just an ordinary kid. In this world where the strong were respected, Natsuro's ability to kill him easily had earned the Anbu's respect, and he would not refuse such a reasonable request.
The Anbu quickly left, and Natsuro returned to the ground, leisurely strolling through the village. The familiar streets and faces gave him a sense of nostalgia.
Soon, the Anbu returned with the Hokage's reply.
"Natsuro-sama, the Third Hokage asks that you go directly to his office." The Anbu said, now addressing him with a respectful honorific—a right of the strong.
"Alright." He made his way toward the Hokage's office, which wasn't far away.
Before long, Natsuro walked unimpeded into the Hokage's office and saw the Third Hokage still working at his desk...
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