Chapter 165: Welcome to Mount Myōboku
Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its characters belong to Shueisha and Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I create.
"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
-Author notes-
Chapter 165: Welcome to Mount Myōboku
"There it is! We're finally here." Jiraiya pointed excitedly toward a towering mountain in the distance.
It had been a month since they left Konoha, traveling through winding roads and dense forests without stopping in any towns along the way.
The last week had been particularly grueling, as they veered off the trails entirely and made their way through hidden, narrow tunnels nestled deep within the thick shrubbery of the region.
Eventually, they emerged onto sprawling plains dotted with countless tall mountain peaks.
"They're really well hidden… So this is where the Toad Clan lives?" Naruto asked, his eyes scanning the surreal landscape.
The mountains seemed to exude an ancient, mystical aura. The air felt heavier yet somehow purer, and there was an unshakable sense of nostalgia that tugged at his chest.
"Indeed. That one in the center is called Mount Myōboku, where most of the clan resides," Jiraiya explained. "It's been a long time since I came here by foot."
Naruto tilted his head in thought. "I had been meaning to mention that. Since we both have contracts with the toads, couldn't we have just used a reverse summoning to get here?"
Jiraiya chuckled, shaking his head. "That's would fine for short visits, but this trip is for your training. We'll be staying for several months so that wouldn't work. "
"Hmph. You've been oddly secretive about this training. What exactly are the toads going to teach me?" Naruto asked, crossing his arms.
Jiraiya grinned. "Don't worry about it, kid. You'll find out soon enough."
Naruto sighed but decided to let it go. At least his instincts were telling him this trip would be worth it.
"Look! They're finally here!"
Naruto's ears perked up as he heard excited voices. At the base of the mountain stood two familiar toads, waiting to greet them.
"Hey, it's the little toad lord!" Naruto called out with a grin.
"It's Gamakichi!" the orange toad shot back indignantly.
Naruto blinked in surprise. "Whoa, you've grown a bit, haven't you?" The last time he saw Gamakichi, the toad was the size of a regular frog. Now, he was closer to the size of a large dog.
"Of course I've grown! And in a few more years, I'll be as big as my dad, you'll see!. " Gamakichi declared, puffing out his chest proudly.
"Greetings, Lord Naruto and Lord Jiraiya," a deeper, calmer voice spoke. Gamatatsu, who had been patiently waiting next to Gamakishi, stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
Naruto smiled. "Gamatatsu, you've grown too. Looks like everyone here's been busy."
"Thank you, Lord Naruto. I've been practicing my sword skills every day. I hope to be of greater use to you one day," the polite toad said with a bow.
Naruto chuckled. "Do all toads in this clan grow this big?"
"Not all of them," Jiraiya explained. "The physical types tend to grow to impressive sizes, while others remain smaller but are highly skilled in different ways."
"Yeah, the elders are tiny!" Gamakichi chimed in.
"Lord Gamakichi, please don't speak about the Venerable Elders like that," Gamatatsu said with a disapproving frown.
"Speaking of the elders," Jiraiya said, "we shouldn't keep them waiting. They've been eager to meet you, Naruto."
As they climbed to the peak of the mountain, Naruto took in the sight of twisted houses clustered around a massive pond. The area was teeming with life, from vibrant moss and flowers clinging to every surface to small amphibians that hopped along the paths. It felt alive in a way Naruto had never experienced before.
Naruto paused, sensing something peculiar. The air seemed charged with an energy he couldn't quite place, almost as if the entire mountain pulsed with life.
"This place seems quite special. " Naruto muttered.
"You're not wrong. There's nowhere else like it in the world," Jiraiya replied, a note of pride in his voice.
"What do you think of my home? Cool, huh?" Gamakichi asked, mistaking Naruto's silence for awe.
"There's something…different about the air here. What is it?" Naruto asked, glancing at Jiraiya.
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "Noticed it already, huh?"
"Hey! Don't ignore me!" Gamakichi complained.
Naruto was about to reply when a new voice interrupted them. It was smooth but carried the weight of centuries, a tone that demanded attention.
"I'm not surprised he noticed either. He is the one who was chosen after all."
Naruto turned to see a small, purple-haired toad stepping forward.
Despite her petite stature, she exuded an aura of immense power, and her golden eyes seemed to pierce straight through him.
"Ma! We were just about to come find you," Jiraiya greeted her with a grin.
Naruto straightened. 'She must be one of the elders… She feels even stronger than the others.'
"Elder!" Gamatatsu bowed deeply, his respect evident.
"You must be Naruto," she said, her tone softening as she examined him. "I am Elder Shima."
"It's an honor to meet you, Elder Shima," Naruto said, bowing politely.
She tilted her head, a small smile gracing her lips. "You're the spitting image of your father. That hair...those eyes..."
Naruto hesitated but nodded. "So I've been told."
"Though your demeanor is...different," she added, her smile turning wry. "Your father was a lot more cheerful."
Jiraiya laughed and clapped Naruto on the shoulder. "Yeah, this kid doesn't know how to party like his old man!"
Elder Shima frowned at Jiraiya. "Then again...two of you might have been too much for this world..."
Turning back to Naruto, she gestured for him to follow. "Come. My husband and the Great Elder are ready to receive you."
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