I was a bit unsettled by the first part of my chakra transfer instruction, but the rest had calmed me down, and I'm hopeful for what today brings. Naruto is already off training as usual, and I'm heading off to the waterfall by myself. I do wonder what he's working on; he's capable of so many incredible things. Maybe he's learning some of the things I am? I shiver at that thought- someone who's fully a sage being able to skip through the forest at will, or breathe in and out through nature from a distance.

When I come to the waterfall Fukasaku is there, but he's not waiting in meditation. His hands are folded on top of his staff, and there's a serious look on his face. "This morning, we will not be training."

"Why not, sir? I'll train on my own like yesterday if you don't have the time."

"Time… my personal time is not the issue. Forgive me if this is too personal, but you have been feeling as if you are watched, correct?"

"Y- yes, sir. How did you hear?"

"Naruto told Gamakichi the other day, who then perhaps carelessly told Gamaspeed, which is essentially telling everyone," Fukasaku says with a sigh. "One of the people he told has requested to meet you and speak with you in private about the matter. I will be taking you to meet him." I nod, and we set off. We're going towards the mountain, winding through the trees. This stretch of the forest reminds me of the woods around Miyazaki Shrine- they have that same mystic feel to them, though there there is more wildlife, and in general Mount Myoboku is more vibrant and alive. I start to wonder who it could be that asked to meet me, and why such a meeting would interrupt my training. From what Naruto has told me, Fukasaku is one of the most respected toads on the whole mountain. If it was someone like Gamaspeed couldn't they have just come to meet us at the waterfall?

Despite his small size, I have to run nearly full speed to keep up with Fukasaku. He stays silent as we get closer to the mountain, which I find odd. He hasn't said anything about who's summoned me, and I'm starting to get a little nervous about it. A few minutes later we come to the mouth of a large cave. The wind is rushing in, as if the mountain was taking a deep breath. Now walking, Fukasaku leads me down the main tunnel, then taking a side tunnel and winding around and down. In here the air is moist and rich with scents: moss, water, dirt…

The breeze picks up slightly, and I can faintly hear it echo- we're coming to a large cavern. At the entrance, Fukasaku stops. "Aren't you coming in with me, sir?"

"Not at this moment, Hinata." He gestures in towards the cave, and I walk forwards. I can see torches burning by a large seat, and in that seat is a giant, very elderly toad.

"Gamakugi! Take her jacket." A smaller green toad hops over, and I hand my jacket to him. "Gamakugi, did you take her jacket?"

"Yes, Lord Elder." From that short response, I get the feeling Gamakugi has done this countless times and isn't entirely pleased with that fact.

"Hinata, come forwards…" I do so, and stand in front of the elder toad. "I have heard, that you have eyes on you…"

"That is true, sir."

"In the days of my youth, I was once the same way." I get a chill down my spine, despite it not being cold. "I cursed my luck and fate for many years, until I became a sage. It was then that I realized this: it was the eye of the world on me, the eye that sees what the world has been, and is, and could be."

"D- do you mean the gift of prophecy, sir?"

"Indeed. Gamakugi, bring her the scroll." Gamakugi hops over again, carrying a large scroll. Once he gets to my side I can see that the scroll is old, positively ancient… "Gamakugi, did you get her the scroll?"

"I have the scroll, sir." Is this toad elder blind? Or does Gamakugi have a history of handing the wrong things to visitors?

"Very well. In that scroll, young Hinata, are my writings from the time when I was first beginning to understand my gift."

"Are you sure it is okay for me to take this, sir?"

"Yes, but on one condition: should you ever meet someone else who has the gift, you will pass it on to them, so that they may also learn."

"...I will do so, sir."

"Very well. I recall the days of my youth, Hinata- I know this must seem to be a great burden to you. And it is, for the gift of prophecy is a double-edged sword; the light that pierces darkness can blind, and the flame hidden in Winter can consume and obliterate."

I'm stunned by all this, and can barely take it in. "Sir… is it possible… for things seen in the future to change?"

"If you listen closely, you will always hear the truth. But do not worry yourself, Hinata. The present is never out of your grasp." I'm speechless now, and find myself beginning to tear up. "Gamakugi, escort her to the entrance."

"Yes, Lord Elder." I jump a tiny bit, I'd forgotten Gamakugi was still standing by me. He hands me my jacket and I put it on, and I pick up the scroll very carefully. Fukasaku eyes the scroll as I step up beside him, but doesn't say anything as we start walking back.

"I… I think I'll need some time to read this…"

"Understood. You can go ahead and take the rest of the day off, if you need to." I nod, and pause for a moment to seal the elder toad sage's scroll into a smaller blank scroll, and put that in my hip bag. I think of the dream I had a couple days ago as Fukasaku leads me back to the waterfall, and can't help but start to cry a little bit...