Chapter 84 The Chosen One of Mount Myōboku
The snake couldn't take it anymore. It originally disliked the toad, but then two human brats came to their deaths.
It suddenly lunged at the two of them and bit them.
Jiraiya, however, was not afraid at all, and even laughed arrogantly, "Hmph, let me end this battle!"
Jiraiya thought he was going to get a beating, but the giant snake was surprisingly weak. It rushed in front of him, but Jiraiya dodged it and grabbed its tail, then flung it to the horizon.
"This is about the level of a small fry," Jiraiya said proudly.
"Jiraiya is amazing!" Haruko clapped for him.
At this moment, the giant toad actually spoke, "Human children..."
"The frog is talking?!" Jiraiya exclaimed in shock.
Haruko Hayama guessed, "Could it be a frog that has become a spirit?"
"I'm the one who's shocked! And I'm a toad! A toad! A toad!" the big toad repeated angrily.
Haruko whispered in Jiraiya's ear, "No wonder it's not as pretty as a frog."
"And he's an old toad too," Jiraiya commented scathingly.
The giant toad decided to pretend he hadn't heard, "...They're clearly two human brats, yet they actually managed to come to Mount Myōboku."
"What do you mean by this?" Jiraiya asked, puzzled.
The giant toad turned around, gesturing for them to follow. "You'll see when I take you there."
The giant toad led them to a huge toad statue, with water gushing from its mouth. At the very top of the statue was a small, green toad meditating.
“Master Fukasaku is a child of humankind,” the giant toad said respectfully.
The green toad spoke up: "So it's finally appeared..."
Jiraiya looked bewildered. "You talk as if you knew we'd be here."
“Yes, I know,” Fukasaku continued, “through the prophecy of the lord.”
It recalled the prophecy of the Great Lord: "A human child will be lost in Mount Myōboku. Give that child the power of a toad and give him a prophecy. This is a dream I made for myself."
"One?" Haruko Hayama asked, puzzled. "But there are clearly two of us."
Fukasaku finally opened his tightly closed eyes and looked at her. "You... shouldn't have appeared in this world."
Haruko thought it meant she shouldn't be in this toad paradise, and said somewhat unhappily, "Okay..."
Seeing that Fukasaku had closed his eyes again, the giant toad turned to Jiraiya and said, "You are the child of prophecy."
Jiraiya asked urgently, "If I were that child, what would be the prophecy given to me?"
"Well... I don't know either," Fukasaku replied casually.
"So you don't know?" Jiraiya said dejectedly.
Haruko patted him on the shoulder. "That's what riddle tellers are like."
Fukasaku continued, "You must stay here and cultivate yourself while awaiting the Lord's prophecy."
"Wait! I've finally become a bit stronger, and I was thinking of giving..." Jiraiya suddenly stopped, glancing nervously at the puzzled Haruko Hayama beside him. "Oh dear! Anyway, I have to go back!"
"Stop complaining, this is your fate." Fukasaku's voice suddenly turned stern.
“Fate…” Jiraiya murmured.
Fukasaku explained, "Being able to come to Mount Myōboku is proof that you have been chosen as the Child of Destiny."
Haruko clapped her hands: "Jiraiya is amazing! The Chosen One!"
"Well, it's just so-so..."
Jiraiya rubbed his nose to hide his smug smile, then suddenly remembered something and quickly asked, "What about Haruko? Is Haruko leaving?"
Under the tense gazes of the two children, Fukasaku slowly uttered, "Her appearance here is both fate and not fate. Since it has already happened, let it be as she pleases."
"...The frog riddle teller is so annoying." Haruko Hayama said with a deadpan expression.
Fukasaku:…
Jiraiya was overjoyed. "Yay! Haruko can witness my journey to save the world!"
Although she doubted whether Jiraiya was truly the chosen one, Haruko Hayama still chose to cheer him on.
After that, Jiraiya began his training, which involved repeatedly traveling between Mount Myōboku and Konoha.
Haruko sometimes wants to play and will go with him, and they'll also discuss frog... no, toad gourmet guide.
And so, Jiraiya and Haruko Hayama both opened the door to a new world.
Jiraiya: Train to become stronger and become a hero!
Haruko Hayama: Smoking, drinking, and an insect feast—is this really a recipe a toad could have?
＊
The First Shinobi World War has ended. According to Hiruzen Sarutobi, the nations have concluded a truce treaty, and the era of war has finally ushered in a brief period of peace.
The children, isolated from danger, felt that the streets had suddenly become much more lively, as if they had always lived in a utopia built for them by adults.
Haruko Hayama was originally one of them, until she learned that Tsunade's great-uncle, the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, had died a heroic death.
For nearly a month, Tsunade was immersed in grief, while Haruko stayed by her side the whole time.
"Tsunade's family are all respectable heroes."
Tsunade's family are all heroes, but heroes always seem to be prepared to sacrifice themselves for the greater good.
The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju; the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju…
It seems like just yesterday that the First Hokage gently patted Tsunade and himself on the head, and although the Second Hokage spoke coldly, he always brought Tsunade and himself some snacks.
Haruko Hayama didn't have any real relatives, but she gained a family over the many years of her life.
Not wanting to be known or ridiculed, Haruko selfishly defined everyone she liked as family.
Therefore, Haruko Hayama also lost her family.
Because of the death of the Second Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was appointed to the position in a time of crisis, has been very busy lately. Most of the time, Haruko goes to Tsunade's house for breakfast.
Haruko once nervously tugged at Hiruzen Sarutobi's clothes as he left the house.
"Will Hiruzen... become Hokage?"
She was naturally thoughtful, and besides, she often heard the neighborhood gossip that Hiruzen Sarutobi was likely to become the next Hokage.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was surprised for a moment, then glanced at her anxious expression and reassured her with a smile, "Haruko, don't you want me to become Hokage?"
I never imagined that even the Hokage would ultimately sacrifice himself...
Haruko wanted to say those outrageous words, but she also understood the mission and responsibility that Hiruzen Sarutobi carried.
In the end, she simply went up and hugged Hiruzen Sarutobi, saying, "I hope Hiruzen can be a little selfish and protect himself first..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi understood the unspoken meaning in her words. Despite being busy with official business, he still chose to hug her back and gently pat her back at this moment.
"That won't do. The Hokage is a righteous and selfless being."
Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's calm yet resolute words, Haruko Hayama knew that he was ready—ready to become Hokage, ready to sacrifice himself.
Haruko Hayama also frequently visits the memorial to the heroes to see her family.
Because the Hokage is always a beloved figure, countless villagers come to visit him. Haruko often just follows silently behind, waiting for the people in front to finish their eulogies before stepping forward to offer her own flowers.
But today, as usual, after visiting and preparing to leave, she saw Orochimaru alone in the distance.
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Thank you so much, Star°时光琬, for the update reminder charm yesterday! Your bonus chapter has been delivered! ゝ)ノ
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