Chapter Six: The Children of Prophecy


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At Mt. Myoboku

Jiraiya stood in the ancient halls of Mount Myoboku, his eyes fixed on the massive, slumbering form of the Great Toad Sage. The old toad's snores echoed through the cavernous space, a testament to his deep, undisturbed sleep. Jiraiya had been waiting for three hours, and patience was wearing thin.

Next to him, Fukasaku, the wise and ever-vigilant toad, noticed Jiraiya's growing impatience and decided to lighten the mood.

"Patience, Jiraiya-boy," Fukasaku croaked, his voice full of playful sarcasm. "The old geezer needs his beauty sleep."

Jiraiya sighed, running a hand through his white hair. "Beauty sleep? He's been sleeping for three hours straight! I've written an entire chapter of my book waiting for him to wake up."

Fukasaku chuckled. "Well, you know how it is with us old folks. We need our rest. Besides, he's been around for centuries. He needs his naps."

"Centuries, huh?" Jiraiya muttered, eyeing the Great Toad Sage. "At this rate, I'll be old and grey before he wakes up."

Fukasaku snorted. "You already are old and grey, Jiraiya-boy."

Jiraiya laughed despite himself. "Touché, Fukasaku, touché."

Another hour passed, with Jiraiya growing more restless by the minute. He paced back and forth, muttering to himself about the passage of time and the inefficiencies of ancient toads. Fukasaku watched him with amusement.

"Why don't you try poking him, Jiraiya-boy?" Fukasaku suggested with a grin. "That always works with Shima."

Jiraiya shook his head. "Last time I tried that, I ended up on the other side of the mountain. No thanks."

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the Great Toad Sage stirred. His enormous eyes fluttered open, and he blinked slowly, as if trying to remember where he was. He looked around, his gaze eventually settling on Jiraiya.

"Who... who are you?" the Great Toad Sage asked, his voice a deep, rumbling croak.

Jiraiya's jaw dropped. "You've got to be kidding me! It's me, Jiraiya! Your loyal student!"

The Great Toad Sage squinted, tilting his head slightly. "Jiraiya, you say? Hmm... doesn't ring a bell."

Fukasaku snickered. "Looks like you're not as memorable as you thought, Jiraiya-boy."

Jiraiya threw his hands up in exasperation. "Oh, come on! I've been here countless times!"

The Great Toad Sage blinked a few more times before recognition finally dawned on his ancient face. "Ah, Jiraiya! Yes, yes, I remember now. The noisy one."

Jiraiya facepalmed. "Great, I'm the noisy one."

The Great Toad Sage chuckled, a sound like distant thunder. "Yes, yes. Now, what brings you here, Jiraiya? It must be important if you've waited this long."

Jiraiya took a deep breath, collecting his thoughts. "Great Toad Sage, I've come because I need your wisdom. There are strange happenings, and I fear they may be tied to an ancient prophecy."

The Great Toad Sage's expression grew serious, his eyes reflecting the weight of countless years. "Ah, the prophecy... it has been changed."

Jiraiya's eyes widened. "Changed? How?"

The Great Toad Sage closed his eyes, as if recalling a distant memory. "One with golden eyes and three lines on each cheek, bearing the symbol of the Sage, will bring peace to this accursed world. One... from the future; for the future."

Jiraiya felt a chill run down his spine. "Golden eyes... three lines on each cheek... the symbol of the Sage. Who are they?"

The Great Toad Sage opened his eyes, a hint of mystery in his gaze. "It is not one person, Jiraiya, but two."

Jiraiya's mind raced. "Two people? Who are they? How will I find them?"

The Great Toad Sage's voice softened. "Their paths are intertwined with yours, Jiraiya. You will know them when the time is right."

Jiraiya nodded, determination shining in his eyes. "Thank you, Great Toad Sage. I'll find them and make sure the prophecy is fulfilled."

The Great Toad Sage gave a slow, wise nod. "Go, Jiraiya. The future of this world rests on your shoulders and theirs."

As Jiraiya prepared to leave, Fukasaku hopped onto his shoulder. "Well, Jiraiya-boy, looks like you've got your work cut out for you."

Jiraiya grinned, his confidence restored. "Wouldn't have it any other way, Fukasaku. Let's go change the world."


~~


After seven long days of strict observation, the sense of confinement and isolation gnawed at me. The Sage of the Six Paths hadn't visited me, nor had I been able to find him in my mindscape. The silence was a heavy reminder of the unknown forces at play. Finally released from the hospital, my first stop was Ichiraku Ramen.

"Teuchi-san!" I called out, waving energetically as I approached the stand.

Teuchi's face lit up with a warm grin. "Rin! It's been too long. What can I get for you today?"

"Ten large bowls of deer ramen, please," I replied, plopping down on one of the stools. The familiar aroma of the broth immediately started to soothe my frayed nerves.

"You got it," Teuchi said, already bustling around, preparing my order with practiced efficiency.

As I slurped the rich, savory broth from my first bowl, lost in the simple pleasure of the meal, I noticed familiar figures approaching. My heart lifted as I saw Minato-sensei, Kakashi, and Obito coming toward me. They looked relieved, but also worried.

"Rin!" Obito shouted, rushing over and practically tripping over his own feet in his haste. "We were so worried about you!"

Kakashi, ever the stoic one, managed a small smile. "You had us all on edge."

I wiped my mouth with a napkin, trying to appear nonchalant. "It's okay, guys. I'm fine now. Really."

Minato-sensei took a seat next to me, his expression a mix of relief and concern. "Rin, we need to talk. The higher-ups have been discussing your situation. Given your strength and the recent developments, they've decided to promote you to Special Jounin."

I almost choked on my ramen, barely managing to swallow before turning wide eyes to my sensei. "Special Jounin? Me?"

Minato-sensei nodded solemnly. "Yes, you've shown remarkable abilities, and we believe you're ready for more responsibility."

Obito's face split into a wide grin, and he punched the air in excitement. "That's awesome, Rin! You totally deserve it!"

Kakashi gave me a rare nod of approval. "Congratulations, Rin. You've earned it."

A warm blush spread across my cheeks. "Thanks, everyone."

Minato-sensei's expression grew even more serious. "There's more to it, Rin. You're being promoted not just because of your abilities, but also because of the consequences of your actions. As a Special Jounin, you'll be held to a higher standard. If you do anything... out of line, you'll be punished like an adult. You're not considered a child anymore in the eyes of the village."

The weight of his words settled heavily on me, a sobering reminder of the responsibility I now bore. "I understand, Sensei."

Minato-sensei continued, "We have a mission. A crucial one. Due to the incident in the Land of Earth, Iwagakure is desperate to turn the tide of the war. They're importing weapons and rations through a bridge called Kannabi Bridge in the Land of Grass, Kusagakure. Our mission is to destroy it."

A chill ran down my spine, and my heart sank. "Kannabi Bridge? That's..."

Minato-sensei's voice was firm. "It's critical. If we destroy the bridge, we'll cripple their supply line and gain a significant advantage in the war."

Obito's eyes shone with determination. "We can do this, right, Kakashi?"

Kakashi nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, we can."

But I felt a cold dread settle over me. In the timeline I remembered, Obito was supposed to die during this mission. I had to prevent that.

I looked at my teammates, trying to mask my fear. "We'll do it. But we need to be extra careful. No one dies, okay?"

Obito gave me a reassuring smile. "Of course. We're a team. We stick together."

Kakashi placed a hand on my shoulder, his voice calm and confident. "We'll be fine, Rin. We'll watch each other's backs."

Minato-sensei stood up, his presence commanding our attention. "We leave at dawn. Get some rest and be ready. This mission is dangerous, but I believe in all of you."

I nodded, determination filling me. "Right. We'll succeed. No matter what."

As we left the ramen stand, the weight of the mission pressed heavily on my shoulders. I vowed silently to myself that this time, no one would die. Not even our enemies. I would make sure of it.


~~


The bustling noise of the marketplace filled the air as I made my way through the crowded streets. My apartment was in the Merchant District, so I was used to the cacophony of voices and the calls of vendors trying to attract customers.

"Fresh fish! Get your fresh fish here!"

"Best herbs in the village! Guaranteed to cure what ails you!"

"Fine silk and fabric! Perfect for a new kimono!"

"Freshly baked bread! Warm and delicious!"

As I walked, my eyes wandered over the various stalls and shops. It was then that I noticed a striking piece of clothing—a red haori with black flames licking at its edges. Something about it caught my eye, and I couldn't look away.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my head. I doubled over, clutching my temples, and stumbled, almost collapsing to my knees. People around me stopped, their faces a mix of concern and confusion.

"Are you okay?" a woman asked, reaching out a hand.

"Do you need help?" another voice chimed in.

But I couldn't respond. My vision was consumed by strange, vivid images. I saw the lifeless face of Jiraiya, his eyes empty and staring. The Rinnegan, with its concentric circles, pierced through my soul. A girl was dying, surrounded by flowers made of paper. The scenes shifted, and I heard cheers, loud and triumphant.

"Naruto! You are our hero!"

"We've all been waiting for you. You saved us all."

"We believed in you!"

Who was this Naruto? Why was I seeing these visions? The questions swirled in my mind, leaving me dizzy and disoriented.

I needed answers, and I would get them if I... I looked up and saw the red haori again. Determined, I pushed through the crowd toward the vendor's shop where the piece of cloth was hanging.

"How much for it?" I asked, my voice shaky but resolute.

The vendor, an older man with a kind face, looked at me curiously. "That haori? it's well-made. It'll cost you 500 ryō."

I handed over the money, not caring if it was too much. I needed that haori. The moment I had it in my hands, I slipped it on. It wasn't the original, but it felt right, almost like it was meant for me. The fabric was soft, yet it seemed to pulse with a strange energy.

As I adjusted it on my shoulders, I felt an odd connection to something greater, something powerful. It was as if I could actually feel nature around me, like I was more attuned to the world. The pain in my head faded, replaced by a sense of clarity.

"Are you sure you're okay?" the vendor asked, still eyeing me with concern.

I nodded, though I wasn't entirely sure myself. "Yes, thank you. This haori... it's perfect."

I walked away, the haori billowing slightly with each step. The visions still haunted me, but they felt more like pieces of a puzzle now, rather than random, disjointed images. I didn't know who Naruto was or why I was seeing these things, but I was determined to find out.


~~


I arrived in front of the gates of our village at 7 am, the morning sun casting long shadows on the ground. I was wearing an orange t-shirt and navy blue pants, the haori draped over my shoulders like a comforting shield.

As I approached, Obito waved enthusiastically, a blush spreading across his cheeks. "Hey, Rin! Looking good today! That haori suits you perfectly," he called out, trying to sound casual but failing miserably.

I rolled my eyes, feeling a mix of irritation and impatience. "Obito, if you really want to impress me, you need to stand on your own. Focus on the mission and prove yourself," I said sharply.

His face fell, disheartened by my rough behavior, but he nodded. "Right, the mission. Got it."

Kakashi nodded in acknowledgment, his usual stoic expression in place. Sensei, Minato-sensei, was there too. He eyed my new clothes and gave a small smile. "The Holy Cloak of Sage Arts. It's a nice replica."

"Thanks, Sensei," I replied, appreciating his recognition.

Then he got down to business, explaining the mission. "I'll be leading the team, but in my absence, Rin, you'll be in command. Our objective is to destroy the Kannabi Bridge in the Land of Grass. Avoid detection and engagement at all costs."

His voice was firm, leaving no room for misunderstanding. We all nodded, understanding the gravity of our mission. This was a turning point in the war, and we couldn't afford any mistakes.

As we began to sprint towards the Country of Grass, Obito tried again, running alongside me. "So, Rin, after this mission, maybe we could... you know, grab some ramen together?"

I sighed, barely glancing at him. "Obito, focus on the mission. We don't have time for distractions."

His face fell further, but he nodded again, more resolutely this time. "Right, the mission. Got it."

The landscape blurred around us as we moved swiftly, our senses alert to any potential threats. I glanced at my teammates, determination etched on their faces. Obito was clumsy but had a big heart; Kakashi, ever the genius, was calm and collected. And Minato-sensei, our guiding light, led us with unwavering confidence.

In my mind, I vowed that this mission would be different. I would win this war without letting anybody die. That is my nindo, my ninja way!

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TBC


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