After forging Zhi Yi, Mochizuki Hui prepared to leave the Land of Iron.
His journey through this nation was coming to an end.
Next on his list was the final destination of his travels across the shinobi world: Shikkotsu Forest.
If he could acquire the method for training in Sage Mode from Shikkotsu Forest, this journey would be perfect.
However, even if he couldn't find it, it wouldn't matter. As long as he could reach Mount Myōboku, finding Shikkotsu Forest wouldn't be difficult.
After all, in the original series, Gamabunta and Katsuyu were shown to be in the same place following Manda's death.
This suggested that the connections between the Three Great Sage Lands were deeper than Hui initially imagined.
If one could locate any of the Sage Lands, it was certain they would find information on the other two.
As for reaching Mount Myōboku, one shouldn't forget that Jiraiya had signed a contract with the toads of Mount Myōboku.
Thus, Jiraiya was the bridge connecting Hui to Mount Myōboku.
Through Jiraiya, Hui could locate Mount Myōboku.
Still, even if that proved impossible, it didn't matter.
Mount Myōboku was special compared to the other two Sage Lands, as it was home to the Great Toad Sage, Gamamaru.
Gamamaru was a toad capable of seeing the future in dreams and possessed extraordinary prophetic abilities.
It had existed since the era of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
To be honest, the shinobi world's development into its current state owed a great deal to Gamamaru.
Its importance was undeniable; it was Gamamaru who taught Sage Arts to the Sage of Six Paths and whose talismans saved the Sage of Six Paths' brother.
In other words, Gamamaru played a crucial role in enabling the brothers to defeat their mother, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
Additionally, Gamamaru was the one who designated Ashura as the rightful successor of Ninshū, favouring him over Indra.
These interventions, which shaped the course of shinobi history, were all driven by the future Gamamaru foresaw in its dreams.
Even Jiraiya's visit to Mount Myōboku was foretold in one of Gamamaru's visions, as was Naruto Uzumaki's role in saving the shinobi world.
Hui speculated that his own future had likely been seen by Gamamaru.
After all, Hui didn't think his significance to the shinobi world was any less than that of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki or Naruto Uzumaki, unless he were to die young or become so powerful that even Gamamaru's visions couldn't perceive his future.
Therefore, Hui believed the toads of Mount Myōboku wouldn't refuse him if he actively sought them out.
Of course, this was all speculation. The toads' attitude toward him would only be clear once Hui returned to Konoha and met Jiraiya.
For now, he planned to search for Shikkotsu Forest on his own as the final leg of his journey across the shinobi world.
…
Before leaving the Land of Iron, something amusing happened.
Hui encountered a young samurai, about thirteen or fourteen years old, who looked to be a bright and promising child with extraordinary talent.
He spent half a day talking with the boy, sharing some methods of training in swordsmanship and bladework.
These techniques were derived from swordsmanship theories of Hui's previous life and were not of this world.
This was merely a small interlude, an experiment of sorts for Hui.
He was curious whether this boy might develop a path of swordsmanship different from that of this world.
Though there was some risk involved—possibly leading the boy astray—Hui was willing to step in and correct him if necessary.
…
After leaving the Land of Iron, Hui re-entered the Land of Fire.
He had no idea where Shikkotsu Forest was—not even a rough location.
As such, he wasn't overly concerned about finding it.
Hui planned to travel from the Land of Iron back to Konoha, leaving it to fate whether he stumbled upon Shikkotsu Forest along the way.
If he didn't, he'd use Mount Myōboku as a means to find it.
Of course, if Mount Myōboku also eluded him, he'd make other plans.
"It's been two years since I left. I didn't think I'd break my promise to Tsunade," Hui thought as he made his way toward Konoha.
The thought of Tsunade spurred his steps to quicken instinctively.
On the day he left the village, he'd told Tsunade that he might be back within a year.
Yet, two years had passed, and he was now on the cusp of turning twenty. A young man instead of the seventeen-year-old boy who had departed.
This filled Hui with guilt. He knew the depth of his longing for Tsunade, and hers for him would be no less.
"Two years apart… I wonder how much Konoha has changed. It's time to truly make my mark."
Speaking to himself, Hui's heart swelled with anticipation.
Two years earlier, Hui had introduced several new policies to Konoha. After two years of development, they must have brought about significant changes.
In a few months, Hui would turn twenty, and with it, he would officially take on the role of the Third Hokage of Konoha.
As Hokage, Hui would gradually implement his vision for change, beginning with Konoha and extending to the entire shinobi world.
The thought of his reforms and innovations brought a faint smile to Hui's lips. He couldn't wait to see what Konoha would become under his leadership.
…
Just then, Hui's senses picked up movement. He halted in his tracks.
He sensed six shinobi approaching, all with substantial chakra reserves, at least on par with elite jōnin. Their combined strength was undoubtedly formidable.
"Someone's actually bold enough to target me?" Hui muttered in puzzlement.
Since the last Great Shinobi War, where he earned the title of Demi-God of the Shinobi World, most shinobi from other villages viewed him with a mix of fear and reverence.
It had been a long time since anyone dared to come after him.
Curious, Hui waited to see who these individuals were.
Moments later, the six shinobi arrived but remained hidden, observing Hui below. Despite their efforts, they couldn't help feeling a little nervous ye excited.
They knew exactly who Hui was, the legendary Demi-God of the Shinobi World.
Normally, they wouldn't dare harbour any intentions toward him, despite the astronomical bounty on his head. Hui's strength made such a pursuit suicidal.
But this time was different.
A mysterious individual had contacted them, offering an irresistible deal to lure Hui into a specific location–not to assassinate him, but merely to lead him there.
The task seemed far safer than a direct assassination attempt, though it was still dangerous.
Yet the rewards promised were so immense that these bounty hunters, who made their living on the edge of death, couldn't refuse.
And even if they failed, they wouldn't have to give back the advance payment.
What's more, this wasn't a solo mission; all six of them had come together. With their combined strength, they believed they could complete the task.
After some internal struggle, they accepted the mysterious individual's commission.
Besides, even if they failed, they wouldn't have to return the advance payment.
"Since you're already here, why not come out and show yourselves?" Hui called out, his gaze sweeping over their hiding spots.
The six shinobi immediately realized they had been exposed.
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