At that moment, Hiruzen recalled the original events. When Jiraiya was a child, he had been transported to Myoboku Mountain through the Summoning Technique, despite not having signed a contract. Perhaps Jiraiya had accidentally triggered the technique this time as well, unintentionally uttering the name "Myoboku Mountain."
It was likely that the tricksters at Myoboku Mountain had fooled Jiraiya into searching for the so-called child of prophecy.
Homura frowned in confusion. "Myoboku Mountain? What is that?"
"It's nothing, I must've been mistaken," Hiruzen quickly brushed it off. "Can you explain the situation in more detail? How did Jiraiya manage to summon a spirit?"
His initial sense of urgency faded. He had mentally prepared himself to embark on a difficult journey, but it turned out to be unnecessary. That left him feeling strangely frustrated, like throwing a punch into thin air—suddenly exhausted.
"Jiraiya doesn't even know how to perform a summoning," Homura explained. "He saw a sensei use the Summoning Technique and memorized the hand seals. Then, he tried it himself in secret. Normally, without a contract or a blood offering, the technique wouldn't work. But somehow, Jiraiya vanished. It's really strange."
Shinya, standing nearby, asked, "Who was this sensei? We've been searching for so long and still can't find him. How did he know the technique?"
"It was Roga from the Inuzuka clan," Koharu answered. "He was once a jonin, but after losing a leg in the war, he now uses a prosthetic. His companion dog witnessed Jiraiya disappear."
"Alright, let's not place too much blame on him," Hiruzen said with a wave of his hand. "Finding Jiraiya is our priority, and that will take time. Everyone, leave me for now—I need to think."
Seeing Hiruzen's weariness, the others exchanged glances. Orochimaru and Tsunade, in particular, looked relieved. Their master wouldn't have to take any risks, and Jiraiya might not be in danger after all. Without further discussion, they left the room.
Hiruzen rested his hands on the table, lost in thought. This incident had happened in the original timeline too—Jiraiya had somehow found his way to Myoboku Mountain.
But this time, Hiruzen was wary of the butterfly effect. The ninja world had already changed significantly. What if Jiraiya hadn't gone to Myoboku Mountain?
And if the Summoning Technique wasn't supposed to work, why did it send him there? What were the old toads scheming? Were they trying to establish a new "chosen one"? In the original story, Jiraiya's tragic life had all started from Myoboku Mountain. He spent his years wandering the world, pouring his heart into training his disciples, only for all of them—himself included—to meet tragic ends. Was it fate? Or was it the manipulation of Otsutsuki Hagoromo?
Regardless, Hiruzen made his decision—he would go to Myoboku Mountain. But first, he needed to confirm its exact location. Mito might have the answer. As a member of the Senju clan, which had ties to the Shikkotsu Forest, she might also have records about Myoboku Mountain.
With that in mind, he grabbed a blank scroll, quickly wrote a note, sealed it, then opened the window and leaped out.
Hiruzen landed at the entrance of the Senju compound. The guards immediately bowed. "Lord Hokage."
"No need for formalities," he said. "Is Mito-sama available? I need to speak with her."
The guard nodded. "Please, go ahead."
Hiruzen had been here many times in the past two years, so he knew his way around. After acknowledging the guards with a brief nod, he walked inside toward the residence of the First Hokage and Mito. Since Hashirama had disbanded the Senju clan, few people lived here—only Tsunade's immediate family, a few elders, and some necessary guards. Many of the old houses were in a state of disrepair.
He knocked on the door. "Knock, knock."
"Come in," a voice called.
Entering the room, he saw Mito sorting through some documents. She glanced up and asked, "Sarutobi, what brings you here?"
"Mito-sama, it's about my disciple, Jiraiya. He vanished while practicing the Summoning Technique. Based on what I've found, he seems to have been transported to Myoboku Mountain. I was hoping you could tell me where it is—I intend to go there myself."
"Myoboku Mountain? Those toads?" Mito murmured. "Let me check."
She put on her reading glasses and carefully opened a storage box, searching through its contents. Hiruzen stood by silently, staring straight ahead.
He didn't offer to help—not out of disrespect, but because many of these documents likely contained secrets about the Senju and Uzumaki clans. Even as Hokage, he had no right to pry into the affairs of a ninja clan.
Before long, Mito pulled out an old scroll, dusted it off, unrolled it, and gave it a quick look. Then, she handed it to Hiruzen.
"This contains everything we have on Myoboku Mountain."
Hiruzen took the scroll with both hands, nodding respectfully. "Thank you, Mito-sama."
Mito studied his face for a moment before speaking. "Are you certain you want to go? Myoboku Mountain is a sacred place, but those toads… they have their own agenda."
Hiruzen's grip on the scroll tightened slightly. He had already considered that possibility. In the original timeline, Jiraiya's fate was heavily shaped by Myoboku Mountain's prophecy, leading him down a path filled with loss and regret. If those toads were truly manipulating events, he needed to be cautious.
"Jiraiya is my student," Hiruzen said firmly. "Regardless of their intentions, I need to confirm his safety."
Mito sighed, then smiled faintly. "You are a good sensei, Sarutobi. If Hashirama were here, he would have liked you."
Hiruzen felt both honored and burdened by those words. He bowed deeply. "I will return safely."
Mito waved a hand. "Enough formality. Go on. And be careful."
Hiruzen left the Senju compound, the scroll containing Myoboku Mountain's location tucked safely inside his robes. As he walked through the village, he couldn't shake the feeling that this journey was more important than it seemed.
If the toads had truly called Jiraiya to them, what exactly did they see in him?
And more importantly... Did Hiruzen have the power to change Jiraiya's fate?
Hiruzen landed on the roof of the Hokage Building and unrolled the scroll. It contained the location of Myoboku Mountain—far beyond the Land of Wind. However, the map didn't specify an exact distance, only a general direction.
After entering his office, he quickly geared up, opened the window, and leaped into the air. Moving silently, he bypassed Konoha's barrier and flew toward Myoboku Mountain.
Meanwhile, atop a high slope in the Land of Earth, a young monk sat in deep meditation.
"Hey, little monk Bunpuku," a voice echoed from nowhere. "I know the view here is nice, but don't you think meditating for seven days is a bit much? There's no food left, and while I don't need to eat, you're going to starve to death! If that happens, I'll have to ask Sarutobi to find me another host. How about we go get something to eat? We can visit Konoha for some meatballs and barbecue and on the way, we can drop by and see Sarutobi. Sounds fun, right?"
Bunpuku calmly replied, "Shukaku, this is part of my training. I must complete it by sunset on the seventh day."
Shukaku grumbled. "I still don't get it—moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and labor education? When Sarutobi tricked me into becoming a Jinchuriki, I was annoyed, but I played along. Who knew this 'education' stuff would actually make me stronger? I have to admit, I feel different now. I want to go to Konoha and apologize to Sarutobi. Why don't you come with me and train in moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and labor education too?"
Bunpuku smiled. "Everyone has their own path, Shukaku. Isn't this also a form of training?"
Shukaku tilted his head. "Then what exactly are you training?"
"I'm training my mind. Strength isn't just about power—wisdom and discipline matter too. The education that Lord Hokage taught you also strengthens the mind. Of course, it develops other aspects as well, but I can't see those directly."
"Well, obviously! With my intelligence, I can grasp even the most profound teachings!" Shukaku boasted.
The two continued chatting idly as the sun began to set.
"Look, it's almost sundown. Let's go find some food. You can have your meatballs, but I want meat. You never eat enough of it!"
Bunpuku simply watched the last rays of sunlight disappear. Taking a deep breath, he slowly ended his meditation. Sand trickled from his abdomen, forming into a racoon-like creature as tall as a person. Shukaku stretched and hopped around joyfully.
Then, he suddenly froze and glanced at the sky.
"Huh?"
"What's wrong, Shukaku?"
"I think I sense Sarutobi's chakra… And he's moving fast—flying, even! Let's go say hello!"
The sand around Bunpuku's abdomen flowed faster, and Shukaku grew larger and larger.
Hiruzen was soaring over the Land of Earth, moving at high speed. Though the ninja world was vast, the five great nations only occupied a fraction of it. Beyond the Land of Earth lay an endless stretch of barren wilderness, but he had no time to admire the view—his focus was on reaching Myoboku Mountain.
Suddenly, a voice echoed in his ears.
"HEY, SARUTOBI!"
Startled, he immediately scanned the area with his sensory abilities. A familiar chakra signature—Shukaku and Bunpuku.
Hiruzen descended and landed beside them, noting that Shukaku had shrunk to a more manageable size.
"Bunpuku, Shukaku, what are you two doing here?"
Bunpuku pressed his hands together in a Buddhist salute. "Lord Hokage, I am training here."
Hiruzen nodded. "Ah, so you're an ascetic monk now?"
Bunpuku nodded, while Shukaku eagerly jumped in. "Sarutobi! I've been practicing that moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and labor training you taught me. I feel stronger than ever! I think I can even beat that fox now!"
Hiruzen blinked in confusion. Moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and labor? Was that really a training method? He had only said those words as a guideline for good behavior. In his past life, they were just basic principles of education.
Still, he couldn't admit his ignorance now.
Feigning wisdom, he stroked his beard. "Oh? That's an impressive training method. Shukaku, if you've mastered it so quickly, then you truly are a genius! It took me six years to achieve success in my own training." (Six years of elementary school, and I was even awarded as a 'model student' back then.)
Shukaku beamed. "Let me show you my progress!"
Hiruzen extended his fist toward Shukaku.
"Alright, show me what you've learned."
Excited, Shukaku enthusiastically bumped fists with him.
After a moment, Hiruzen retracted his hand and gave a thoughtful nod. "As expected of you, Shukaku. Your three years of training are equivalent to several of my own. You've done remarkably well."
Then, without hesitation, he gave Shukaku a thumbs-up.
Shukaku's grin widened, his pride swelling like a student receiving praise from their sensei.
Once Shukaku settled down, Hiruzen asked, "So, what's your next step in training?"
Shukaku blinked. "There's a next step?"
"Of course," Hiruzen said sagely. "The next phase is what I call: Read a thousand books, travel a thousand miles but this stage is something you must experience for yourself. Everyone's path is different, so their understanding will be different too."