The two toads stared blankly at their surroundings. Upon seeing Jiraiya, Shima said in a rage:
"Hey, Jiraiya! Why did you summon us when there are no enemies? You're interrupting my cooking!"
Fukasaku, who was beside her, quickly tried to smooth things over: "Now, now, dear, don't say that. Little Jiraiya must have summoned us for a reason."
"It's like this, Elder Shima, Lord Fukasaku." Jiraiya walked up and explained Kakashi's situation to the two Great Sages.
Hearing this, the two Sages circled around Kakashi with faces full of curiosity.
Then, they hopped onto his shoulders and closed their eyes to sense him.
"Indeed, there is the aura of Natural Energy within his body. It seems you entered Sage Mode in a moment between life and death," Lord Fukasaku said as he opened his eyes.
Then Elder Shima opened her eyes as well. "Furthermore, his body is continuously absorbing Natural Energy; it's just that this kid doesn't know how to use it."
Jiraiya breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. "It seems my guess was correct. Great Sages, could you grant Kakashi a cultivation method for Senjutsu?"
The two Sages looked at each other and nodded. Kakashi's potential had increased greatly, making it worth the effort.
Immediately, Fukasaku opened his toad mouth and spat out a scroll, handing it to Kakashi.
Kakashi didn't mind the liquid on it and received it respectfully with both hands: "Thank you both for this gift, I am eternally grateful."
Elder Shima nodded with satisfaction. "Just make sure you don't waste this Senjutsu."
She then turned to look at Jiraiya. "We're heading back now, otherwise the food will get cold."
Poof—
As soon as she finished speaking, she grabbed her husband's hand and disappeared.
Looking at the spot where the two Sages had vanished, Kakashi bowed to Jiraiya: "I must also thank you for your help, Lord Jiraiya."
Jiraiya waved his hand dismissively. "As a senior, it's only right to support the younger generation."
He was also delighted by Kakashi's growth. Although he had been traveling for various reasons, he still cared for Konoha; otherwise, he wouldn't have rushed back as soon as the war broke out.
Now that Kakashi had grown, with him guarding Konoha, Jiraiya could feel at ease continuing his search for the Child of Prophecy.
...
Konoha Village.
Due to the war, the atmosphere of the entire Village was solemn. The usual hustle and bustle was absent from the streets, replaced only by the sound of patrolling Ninjas' footsteps and the rustling of wind through the treetops.
At this time, the atmosphere in the Hokage Office was heavy, filled with swirling smoke.
He had recently received news that the Fourth Raikage of Kumogakure was personally leading troops to attack Konoha. While Jiraiya was still on his way, he wasn't sure if the front lines could hold out.
The Third Hokage smoked his pipe incessantly, appearing distracted.
Flap, flap—
A messenger hawk landed on the windowsill, chirping repeatedly.
An Anbu immediately stepped forward to take the battle report and respectfully handed it over with both hands.
Looking at the scroll in his hand, it felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.
If it were news of defeat, it would be a major blow to him and the Village; Konoha's weakness since the Nine-Tails Incident would be fully exposed.
If that happened, whether it was the Land of Earth, the Land of Water, or even their ally the Land of Wind, they would all jump out to feast on the aging body of the Land of Fire.
Slowly opening the scroll, when he saw the specific contents of the report, his tense shoulders suddenly relaxed, and the deep lines on his weathered face gradually smoothed out.
In those eyes, once dim with fatigue, a faint light flickered. The corners of his mouth slowly curled up into a weary but incredibly relieved smile, and even his breathing became a bit lighter.
This battle report was sent by Jiraiya, describing the events at the front line in detail.
To his delight, Kakashi had actually entered Sage Mode at a critical life-or-death moment and severely injured the Raikage.
Jiraiya had already given him the cultivation method for Senjutsu. In that case, Kakashi would undoubtedly step into the Kage-level, adding another powerful combatant to the Village.
What surprised him even more were those three kids from Team 6; they had actually defeated the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki in its full Tailed Beast state. One must know that even if he encountered the Eight-Tails, he could only stall it; defeating it was out of the question.
In recent times, the only one to defeat the Eight-Tails was the Third Raikage, but that was after battling it for three days and three nights until both sides collapsed from exhaustion; it wasn't a direct defeat like this.
It was a pity the Cloud Ninjas rescued him; otherwise, there would have been so many more options available.
Judging by Jiraiya's report, Aoki Yoru and the other two had at least Jonin-level strength. Aoki Yoru even possessed Elite Jonin-level strength, and if that S-rank Forbidden Jutsu as destructive as a natural disaster was included, even an average Kage-level wouldn't dare claim they could withstand it.
Thinking of this, the smile on the Third's face widened even further, and he muttered to himself:
"This old man can finally relax a bit."
Originally, his biggest worry was the lack of successors for Konoha, and he had pinned his hopes on Naruto and Sasuke. He hadn't expected to see hope right now.
Kakashi had entered the Kage-level, and given time, Aoki Yoru would undoubtedly reach it as well; the other two also had a great chance.
For the three of them to possess Jonin-level strength at this age, they could be called geniuses even during the times when Konoha was overflowing with talent.
What pleased him most was that all three were Kakashi's disciples, juniors of the Hokage lineage.
Power passing through the Hokage lineage from generation to generation was an unwritten rule. In this way, he would have the face to see his teacher in the future.
"There are successors!"
The Third sighed with emotion, then pulled himself together to process the documents. He hadn't been in the mood to handle them because of the war, and too many had piled up.
"Someone, take this report to the three Advisors and announce it publicly."
He then buried his head in the paperwork; he still had to hold up the world for the younger generation.
Thud—
In a dark basement, Danzo slammed the battle report onto the floor.
"Victory? How is that possible?" At this moment, Danzo's face was contorted, unable to believe they had actually won.
"Those incompetent fools from Kumogakure! I gave them the intelligence, and they still lost the battle!" Danzo wished he could tear them apart. He had even told them the time Jiraiya would arrive at the front line, yet they still lost.
As long as Konoha lost, the Third would have to take primary responsibility. Then, he could use the momentum to force his abdication. With Jiraiya performing poorly at the front and Tsunade having Hemophobia, who else but Danzo would be left for the position of Fifth Hokage?
"How can Hiruzen's luck be so good!" he said through gritted teeth.
He truly hadn't expected Kakashi and his three disciples to rise so suddenly and even defeat the Eight-Tails head-on.
His face then darkened. Now, another competitor for the Fifth Hokage had emerged—Kakashi. If Jiraiya and Tsunade didn't return to the Village, Kakashi would be his biggest rival.
Furthermore, Kakashi had three excellent students, which represented an orderly succession—a huge plus in the eyes of other Jonin.
"Someone, call Aburame Torune here."
A moment later, a man wearing goggles and wrapped in black clothes walked in, kneeling on one knee: "Lord Danzo, your subordinate Aburame Torune reporting."
Sitting in his chair, Danzo revealed his killing intent. "Torune, Kakashi's three disciples have seriously affected Konoha's development. Go and kill them. Especially Aoki Yoru—he cannot be allowed to live."
Danzo thought of the previous conflict between the two; they would surely be enemies until death in the future.
"Yes, Lord Danzo." He then slowly withdrew.
As a member of Root, he never asked for reasons; he only had to execute his master's orders.