The air in the central training grounds of the Uchiha Clan Grounds seemed to solidify under pressure.
Everyone held their breath, their gazes fixed on the creature in Fugaku Uchiha's arms...
A black puppy.
No six tails.
No pillar of light shooting skyward.
No volcanic eruption of power.
Not even a proper intimidating presence.
Just an ordinary-looking, slightly small puppy with smooth black fur—it even appeared somewhat cute.
Compared to the solar majesty when Mikoto Uchiha hatched her creature, this scene felt like being doused with cold water.
The clan grounds fell silent instantly, so quiet one could hear the crackling of flames.
Fugaku Uchiha remained silent.
He closed his eyes.
Took a deep breath.
All emotions were suppressed deep within his gaze.
This was the future clan leader of the Uchiha.
He wouldn't allow himself to show even a hint of weakness.
But the feedback from the Ninja Beast hatching left Fugaku Uchiha somewhat troubled.
Because this Ninja Beast named Houndour only possessed two new techniques: Fire Vortex and Glare.
No special abilities.
Fugaku's throat moved slightly.
Fire Vortex?
Which of the Uchiha clan's Fire Release techniques wasn't stronger than this juvenile skill?
Glare?
...Could it barely be considered an enhancement?
The clansmen realized this too.
The elders exchanged glances, their expressions growing even more complex.
"...Is that Fugaku's Ninja Beast?"
"...It doesn't seem very powerful."
"Or did Fugaku himself fail to trigger Advanced Bloodline Resonance?"
The younger ninjas' discussions were more direct:
"Mikoto hatched a Vulpix form right from the start..."
"Flames so bright they illuminated the entire Hidden Leaf Village—that's the glory of the Uchiha."
"This one... really doesn't seem like it can represent our future clan leader."
Their gazes unconsciously drifted toward Mikoto Uchiha standing in the distance.
She was the symbol of the sun.
The future light of the Uchiha.
Someone whispered:
"Our Uchiha clan... could have a female clan leader."
These words pierced Fugaku's heart like needles.
Fugaku's hand tightened slightly. He was the future heir of the Uchiha family, the young leader upon whom the clan placed great hopes.
But today, for the first time, Fugaku felt his position might be shaking.
The murmurs grew louder, carrying subtle contempt.
Some younger clansmen chuckled quietly:
"Look, even that puppy's stance looks weak."
"Too far behind the Sunlight Six-Tails."
"Should the clan leader position... change hands?"
A chilling killing intent swept through the training grounds!
Everyone felt their breath catch.
Fugaku Uchiha raised his head.
His Two-Tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly.
Ocular power spread like chains, pressing down on the most vocal young clansmen.
Houndour lifted its head, red light flashing in its eyes.
Glare!
The Sharingan's ocular intimidation skill formed a strange resonance with the technique!
The young Uchiha clansmen trembled violently, as if targeted by some monstrous beast. Cold sweat broke out as they stumbled back three steps.
"Th-that killing intent just now... came from both Fugaku and his Ninja Beast?"
Fugaku slowly withdrew his Eye Technique, dispersing the pressure.
The entire clan grounds fell silent once more.
He finally spoke, his voice low but firm:
"My Ninja Beast indeed isn't as dazzling as Mikoto's Vulpix."
He paused, gently stroking the puppy's head.
Black flames reignited.
"But I believe in myself, and I believe that together with Houndour, we can grow stronger—strong enough to make you all realize just how powerful we will become in the future."
These words struck a chord with many clansmen.
In response, Houndour stood taller, its flames flickering as if echoing its master's conviction.
The murmurs among the younger clansmen gradually faded away.
Mikoto glanced at Fugaku but remained silent, merely lowering her head slightly in acknowledgment.
The knot of frustration in Fugaku's heart loosened a little.
[Host: Fugaku Uchiha]
[Ninja Beast: Houndour]
[Skills: Fire Spin / Glare]
Over at the World Tree, Shiroishi was taken aback upon reviewing Fugaku's data and the hatching results. "No awakened trait, huh? It wouldn't be bad if he could master the Ignition Trait in the future."
Soon, the Hidden Leaf Village office also received detailed information about Fugaku's hatched Ninja Beast.
Both Hiruzen and Danzo breathed a sigh of relief.
At least this Ninja Beast didn't seem overly powerful.
A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of Mount Myōboku, carrying the faint scent of medicinal herbs in the air.
Jiraiya sat cross-legged on a large rock, brow furrowed as he pondered the events in the Land of Rain.
"Where did things go wrong... That kid Shiroishi... and Orochimaru..."
His thoughts spiraled deeper and more tangled until he finally grabbed his hair in frustration.
Just then, a strange feeling made him look up abruptly.
"Where's Marshtomp?"
His usually dopey companion, always clinging to his side, was nowhere to be seen today.
A few nearby toads looked up and replied, "He went to see the Great Ancestor."
"The Great Ancestor?"
Jiraiya was stunned.
"You mean the Great Toad Sage?!"
The toads nodded in unison.
Without delay, Jiraiya rushed toward the main hall.
Passing through giant trees and rocky cliffs, he pushed open the heavy door—and froze at the sight before him.
The Great Toad Sage sat high above, eyes closed as if half-asleep.
And Marshtomp.
The ever-clumsy, head-scratching, daydreaming Marshtomp.
Was locked in a mutual gaze with the Great Toad Sage.
Marshtomp occasionally scratched its head or blinked its small eyes.
Its face radiated one word: clueless.
Yet, it was precisely this demeanor that filled the hall with an unusually solemn atmosphere.
After a moment of silence—
The Great Toad Sage let out a low "Hmm?"
Marshtomp responded with a confused "Huh?"
Then it resumed scratching its head.
And continued looking vacant.
Jiraiya's face darkened with disbelief: "???"
Suddenly...
"Ha ha ha ha ha!"
The Great Toad Sage burst into laughter, his beard trembling with mirth, laughing freely and long as if it had been ages.
Jiraiya was utterly baffled: "Great Sage... what's so funny?"
The slowly rousing Great Toad Sage reined in his laughter, his tone carrying an ancient, deeply gratified weight:
"This child... possesses the Root of Wisdom."
"R-Root of Wisdom?!"
Jiraiya couldn't help raising his voice, "Marshtomp?"
Marshtomp, in the middle of scratching its head, glanced at him upon hearing its name, then resumed scratching.
The Great Toad Sage's smile deepened. "Precisely because he appears slow and vacant, he can maintain an utterly undisturbed heart even amidst my Sage Art Aura."
"In a thousand years, the mightiest toad of Mount Myōboku... may soon emerge."
Jiraiya turned to stone.
Was Marshtomp... even a toad?
Was he???
As Jiraiya's thoughts spun in chaos—
Marshtomp suddenly clasped its hands together, clumsily yet devoutly, and bowed to the Great Toad Sage.
"Uh... ribbit...?"
The Great Toad Sage gently patted its head with kindness.
"From today onward, you shall undergo Sage Art training at Mount Myōboku."
The entire hall fell silent for a moment.
"Whaaaat??!!!"
Jiraiya's shocked cry made the ceiling tremble.
Marshtomp tilted its head and glanced at him: "?"
Jiraiya wailed: "Even you have to learn Sage Art?"
The Great Toad Sage kindly interrupted him:
"Jiraiya, in the future... you will need it."
Jiraiya froze.
Marshtomp scratched its head, slowly moved to stand beside Jiraiya, its gaze foolish yet determined.
Suddenly it looked seriously at Jiraiya.
As if saying:
"I will become stronger, don't worry."
Jiraiya's howling choked off.
A
n extremely complex emotion surfaced on his face.
The Great Toad Sage spoke, its voice aged yet causing the entire hall to tremble slightly: "Additionally, I recently gained insight into a new prophecy."
"In the future Shinobi World, a great power will be born in the rain."
Jiraiya: "A great power?"
"The power of hope and destruction will appear simultaneously."
Jiraiya: "What does that mean?"