Although he hadn't successfully obtained a vast amount of intelligence regarding Mount Myoboku, the mere existence of the Great Toad Sage was enough to surprise Simu. To be bestowed with the title of "Sage" alongside the likes of the Sage of Six Paths suggested that his strength was likely immense. Furthermore, based on the reactions of Jiraiya and the other toads, this Great Toad Sage had seemingly lived for a very long time and possessed the ability to prophesy the future.
This piqued Simu's interest significantly.
The Sage of Six Paths, the Great Toad Sage... what other Sages exist in this world? It really makes one curious.
Simu removed his mask and comfortably pushed up his glasses, his eyes brimming with desire. The sealing formula on his other hand slowly dissipated. The massive Apostle of Fear rapidly shrank, transforming into a torrent of fresh blood that Simu sealed back into Mori Shiraishi's body, leaving a sealing mark on the boy's abdomen.
In a certain sense, Mori Shiraishi could now be considered a Jinchuriki. However, he was the Jinchuriki for the Apostle of Fear. Simu looked forward with great anticipation to seeing what path Mori Shiraishi would take in the future after this battle.
As the sealing concluded, a Crow Clone condensed from Simu's body. It donned glasses, once again assuming the identity of Mr. Crow. Subsequently, countless ravens descended from the sky, carrying Mori Shiraishi's body as they flew off into the distance.
Simu did not leave immediately. Instead, he walked slowly in another direction. After lifting a stone slab, he finally found his target: a blonde noble youth.
The boy was currently unconscious. His left hand gripped a long blade stained with blood. To his left lay a severed arm, and strangely, a Kagune was growing from the stump of that arm.
Ordinarily, a Kagune enters a dormant state after being detached from the body or upon the host's death until it enters another host to become an organ. Therefore, as long as the host's will is strong enough, a Kagune can actually be transplanted multiple times. However, this Kagune was clearly different. After detaching from the original host, it had remarkably survived by clinging to the blonde youth's arm!
As expected, only in such a desperate life-and-death struggle can the most powerful potential within a biological organism be stimulated.
Even if it wasn't necessarily a massive discovery, Simu still felt a sense of pleasure. In research, even a seemingly insignificant result is crucial. Who knows? At some point in the future, this small finding might become the vital breakthrough for a major achievement.
After extracting samples from the blonde youth and the Kagune, Simu injected some life energy into both to ensure these two interesting experimental subjects would survive.
"Don't die on me now, you little interesting thing."
Simu looked at the two on the ground with great interest. If he survived, this young boy would likely be just like Mori Shiraishi was in the beginning, constantly seeking revenge against the Ghouls. Thinking of what might happen in the future, Simu was so excited he felt like giving Hidan a good beating.
Hatred is also a cycle...
Praise Lord Jashin.
"Father, Obito, Rin!"
Kakashi snapped awake from his dream, immediately hearing a rhythmic "knock, knock, knock" at the door. He hurriedly grabbed a few tissues to wipe the cold sweat from his face before calling out, "Come in."
Jiraiya pushed the door open. Seeing Kakashi clutching a handful of tissues, his expression became somewhat strange.
"Uh, Kakashi, it seems I didn't come at the right time."
Kakashi looked at the tissues in his hand with confusion. Finally realizing what it looked like, he hurriedly explained, "It's not like that! I didn't!"
Jiraiya waved his hand dismissively and consoled him, "I understand. I get it."
Kakashi struggled, "I really didn't. I truly wasn't."
Seeing that Kakashi refused to admit it, Jiraiya could only offer some earnest advice. "I understand that young people are under a lot of pressure. But, you know, your injuries haven't fully healed yet. Doing this is a bit too impatient, isn't it?"
"Tell you what, when we get back to the village, I'll give you a copy of my latest work. You'll definitely like it."
Since Jiraiya refused to believe him, Kakashi could only let out a long, weary sigh. "I was just having a nightmare."
Despite escaping danger, Kakashi's heart remained uneasy. Every time he closed his eyes, he thought of pushing open the door to see his father holding a short blade, committing suicide by disembowelment. He saw himself piercing Rin's heart with his own Chidori. He saw the half-crushed Obito casting a look of disappointment at him.
During the exchange with that enemy, there was a brief moment where he truly wanted to close his eyes and let himself leave this world. He wanted to head to the Pure Land to apologize to Rin and Obito, and to ask his father why he had left him alone to endure all of this.
"Kakashi..."
Jiraiya reached out and patted Kakashi's shoulder, pulling him out of his dark emotions.
"That fellow is indeed very powerful. However, no matter what kind of enemy you face, never give up easily!"
Kakashi looked up to see Jiraiya flashing his bright white teeth and giving him a big thumbs-up.
"I understand, Jiraiya-senpai."
Kakashi rubbed his head and let out a heavy sigh. "Anyway, let's return to the Hidden Leaf Village first to report this matter to the Hokage."
Jiraiya nodded. An event of this magnitude truly needed to be reported properly to the Third Hokage. With the help of the toads, Jiraiya and Kakashi soon returned to the Hidden Leaf.
"It's been a long time. I haven't been back to the village in a while."
Jiraiya stood atop a utility pole and stretched his limbs lazily. Kakashi looked at him and asked listlessly, "By the way, Jiraiya-senpai, haven't you been traveling abroad? Why did you show up in the Hidden Steam Village this time?"
Jiraiya scratched his head. "Well, you see, I heard the Hidden Steam Village has a top-tier bathhouse. Rumor has it that princesses from various countries regularly go there to bathe..."
Halfway through the explanation, Kakashi was already heading toward the Hokage's office with his signature dead-fish eyes. As expected, expecting Jiraiya-senpai to do anything serious was asking too much.
By the time Jiraiya climbed through the window, Kakashi had already organized the mission scroll and handed it to the Third Hokage.
"Jiraiya? You actually remembered that you're a ninja of the Hidden Leaf?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi criticized him relentlessly the moment they met. Had it not been for the fact that Jiraiya's intervention prevented a total wipeout, he probably would have been shouting at the top of his lungs right now.
Faced with his teacher, Jiraiya didn't dare be too reckless. He simply rubbed his nose sheepishly. "Actually, I heard the Hidden Steam Village was in danger and went there to investigate, hoping to bring back some intelligence for the Hidden Leaf."
Kakashi: ?
That's definitely not what you said just now.