Jiraiya handed Morkel a scroll. "Morkel, sign your name with your blood and press all five fingerprints on it. This way, you can summon toads anywhere by placing your hands on the ground. The seal pattern is 'Hai-Xu-You-Shen-Wei.'"
Morkel took the scroll from the toad's tongue and unrolled it. He bit his finger, writing his name stroke by stroke. Finally, he solemnly pressed all five fingertips onto the parchment.
Jiraiya nodded in satisfaction. "Let's try it."
Morkel had already studied summoning techniques before. When he went to the Land of Waves, he used a similar method to tame a goshawk. However, this was his first time forming a blood contract with a specific summoning realm.
Taking a deep breath, he moved his hands and formed the seals.
"Hai—Xu—You—Shen—Wei!"
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Mount Myōboku
A sacred land as renowned as Ryūchi Cave and the Shikkotsu Forest, Mount Myōboku was home to countless toads skilled in senjutsu. Among them, the Great Toad Sage, Gamamaru, had once studied immortal arts with the Sage of Six Paths!
Inside a deep temple, the old Great Toad Sage, wearing a scholar's hat, dozed off with his chin resting on his hand. Suddenly, he jolted awake.
Fukasaku and Shima, his attendants, stepped forward. "Great Toad Sage, did you have another vision?"
The Great Toad Sage spoke slowly, "I had a vague dream... I saw only red..."
Fukasaku frowned. "A sea of red? What does that mean?"
Shima pondered. "Bloodshed? A coming disaster?"
The Great Toad Sage looked toward the sky. "I do not know, but I have a bad feeling... It seems the world will not be at peace."
Before they could analyze further, Fukasaku and Shima suddenly gasped.
"Where is the Great Toad Sage?!"
"Why did he disappear?!"
The Edge of Konoha
A cloud of smoke rose before Morkel. Through the mist, a huge orange figure emerged.
Jiraiya ruffled Morkel's hair. "Not bad! You summoned a huge frog on your first try. You really have a knack for this—"
Before he finished, his eyes widened in shock.
This toad looked familiar...
Orange skin, a scholar's hat, Buddhist beads around its neck...
Jiraiya's heart nearly stopped.
"Great Toad Sage?!"
With a loud thud, Jiraiya dropped to his knees.
Morkel blinked in confusion. "Who is this old toad? Why is Jiraiya-sensei acting like that?"
Since his teacher was kneeling, Morkel figured it was best to follow suit.
Naruto, who was practicing chakra control nearby, looked confused. "Pervy Sage, why are you on the ground? And who's that big toad?!"
Jiraiya quickly stood and signaled Naruto to be quiet. Turning to the Great Toad Sage, he stammered, "Great Toad Sage, my disciple... uh... accidentally summoned you."
The Great Toad Sage squinted. "Jiraiya, who did this?"
Sweating, Jiraiya pointed to Morkel. "My new disciple, Morkel."
The Great Toad Sage stared at Morkel's red hair and fell silent.
He had just dreamed of red, and now, standing before him, was a red-haired boy.
After a long pause, he spoke: "Jiraiya, bring this child to Mount Myōboku to learn senjutsu."
Jiraiya was taken aback. "But he's still young..."
The Great Toad Sage shook his head. "If he can summon me, it means his chakra is vast. He is ready to try. I sense that this boy is not simple..."
Jiraiya could only nod in agreement.
Morkel lifted the summoning jutsu, sending the Great Toad Sage back. Jiraiya turned to Morkel, his gaze complicated.
Had Morkel just proven himself to be the Child of Prophecy?
Mount Myōboku's Confusion
Fukasaku and Shima were flabbergasted.
"The Great Toad Sage was actually summoned?!"
"By a child?"
Even the Sage of Six Paths had never summoned the Great Toad Sage!
The Great Toad Sage nodded. "It was indeed an interesting child. Use the Reverse Summoning Technique to bring Jiraiya and the boy here."
However, when the toads attempted the technique, chaos erupted.
"Why isn't it working?!"
Naruto looked around. "Pervy Sage, where's Morkel?"
Jiraiya frowned. "Morkel's chakra must be too vast for the summoning to take effect..."
He stopped mid-sentence, realizing the implications.
The combined sage chakra of all the toads couldn't summon Morkel?
Even Naruto, with the Nine-Tails' chakra, had been summoned without issue!
Fukasaku sighed. "Since we can't summon the boy, Jiraiya, you'll have to bring him here manually."
Jiraiya groaned. "That would take months!"
Naruto brightened. "Just use Morkel's Flying Thunder God Kunai. He can teleport instantly!"
Jiraiya smacked his forehead. "Why didn't I think of that?!"
Two seconds later, Morkel arrived in a flash.
Arrival at Mount Myōboku
Morkel was captivated by the scenery—fresh air, bright sunlight, and endless greenery.
The gathered toads examined him.
"Is this the kid we couldn't summon?"
"Looks normal... but that red hair stands out."
Shima frowned. "Great Toad Sage mentioned something about 'red' just now... Could this be connected?"
Morkel, meanwhile, was stunned by the sight of the toads. Some carried swords, others had forks. One even looked like a gangster, with a pipe in its mouth and a giant blade at its waist!
What kind of 'sacred land' is this?!
Fukasaku raised his hand. "Alright, disperse. We will train these two in senjutsu."
As the toads left, Fukasaku introduced himself. "I am Fukasaku, a Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku. This is my wife, Shima."
Shima nodded. "Training begins tomorrow. Tonight, rest well."
Jiraiya took them on a tour of the land before bringing them to Shima's house for dinner.
"I wonder what toads eat..." Naruto mused. "Dragon liver? Phoenix marrow?"
Morkel had a sinking realization. "Wait. Toads eat... bugs."
His expression darkened.
Shima brought out the dishes. "Braised earthworms, cold-mixed cicada pupae, fried mosquito cakes, and Jiraiya's favorite steamed slugs!"
Naruto's excitement vanished.
Jiraiya whispered, "Refusing would be rude."
Reluctantly, Morkel picked up a piece of earthworm and forced a smile. "Wow! Delicious! Naruto, try it!"
Shima beamed. "What a polite child! I'll make more!"
Naruto hesitantly took a bite... and nearly gagged.
"Morkel! You liar!!!"
Training Begins
The next day, their senjutsu training commenced. Despite Naruto's struggles with chakra control, the toads insisted on training both boys together.
Morkel stood at the threshold of an entirely new power—the immortal arts had begun.
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