Chapter 166: The Great Elder

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 166: The Great Elder

Elder Shima led Naruto and Jiraiya to a more secluded part of the village.

Far from the central pond, they approached a peculiar structure that seemed to have been carved directly into the side of a rocky cave. The exterior was rugged, almost blending into the mountain itself, but there was a distinct aura of importance surrounding it.

Once inside, they followed a long, dimly lit corridor. The faint glow of torches flickered along the walls, casting elongated shadows that danced as they passed. Eventually, they entered a large open chamber.

Two more toads awaited them.

"Here it is… the last contractor of the Toad Clan," rasped one of the toads.

He sat on a stone throne at the back of the chamber, his ancient, wrinkled skin sagging as if weighed down by centuries. His eyes were closed, yet Naruto felt the unmistakable sensation of being scrutinized.

He stood tall under the unseen gaze, his instincts heightened.

"You don't need to be so wary around us. We are not your enemies," the ancient toad spoke again, his voice as heavy as the earth beneath them.

"Naruto?" Jiraiya glanced at his student, puzzled by the Great Sage's comment.

"I am always cautious around those with extended senses. Don't take it personally," Naruto replied calmly.

Despite his composed tone, Naruto was fully aware of the Great Sage's subtle attempt to probe deeper into his being. He resisted instinctively, not aggressively, but enough to set some boundaries.

Naruto's narrowed eyes conveyed a silent message: I'll let you look, but only so far.

The Great Elder's expression didn't change one bit, but Naruto sensed approval rather than hostility. This wasn't an intrusion born of malice, it was more likely a test instead.

"Can we at least finish the introductions before you start harassing the boy, Great Sage?" Elder Shima chided, crossing her arms.

"Yes, let's do that."

The toad beside the Great Elder stepped forward. He was small like Shima, with green skin and a tuft of white hair. Despite his size, he carried an air of authority.

"I am Elder Fukasaku, Shima's husband," he said, motioning toward his wife with a fond nod.

"And here," Shima added, gesturing toward the ancient toad, "is the Great Elder, Gamamaru. He is the oldest and wisest member of our clan. Though he lives in seclusion now, his words guide us all."

Naruto inclined his head respectfully. "I don't doubt his wisdom," he said before turning his gaze back to Gamamaru. "I was told the Elders of the Toad Clan had something to teach me."

The Great Elder didn't respond immediately. Instead, his head tilted slightly, as if weighing Naruto's very essence.

"We do have much to teach you," Gamamaru finally said, his voice slow and deliberate. "But I must admit... I wonder..."

"Elder?" Fukasaku interjected, his brows furrowing in confusion. "What did you discover?"

Both Fukasaku and Shima exchanged uneasy glances. They were vaguely aware of the prophecy surrounding Naruto, but the Great Elder's insights often came shrouded in cryptic vagueness.

Jiraiya was even more confused than the rest. He thought this would be just a cordial introduction, but there was clearly something else going on.

"Reincarnation is a tricky thing, isn't it?" Gamamaru finally spoke again after a minute of silence, turning his blind gaze toward Naruto.

Naruto's expression remained impassive. "It is. And only those who achieve a very high degree of enlightenment can begin to comprehend it."

"Ah, true enough," Gamamaru acknowledged. "I then presume it was not your case?"

Naruto's gaze hardened slightly. "I was not that lucky."

The Great Elder hummed thoughtfully. "Perhaps. But then, you must have found fortune in another way..."

Naruto frowned, sensing the implication but not rising to it.

Gamamaru raised a wrinkled hand in a placating gesture. "Worry not. This old toad harbors no greed for your secrets. My curiosity is a flame that flickers faintly now."

"Great Elder," Shima interrupted, exasperated. "What is this all about? Shouldn't we have been informed of such matters beforehand?"

"These things... you, youngsters, need not concern yourselves with," Gamamaru spoke dismissively but firmly, silencing further objections with his commanding tone.

He returned his attention to Naruto. "I care not for who you were in the past. What matters is who you are now, what you intend to do with the power and knowledge you already possess, and... what you would do if I were to offer you...even more."

Naruto considered the question carefully, aware of the weight of the moment. The others in the chamber fell silent, their eyes fixed on him.

"My goal..." Naruto finally said, pointing upward, "has always been the same. I want to see what's up there."

Jiraiya blinked, confused. "The roof? There's nothing there. What are you talking about?"

"He's not talking about the roof!" Shima snapped, leaping onto Jiraiya's head and giving him a sharp smack. "And keep silent!"

"Wait... You mean..." Fukasaku's eyes widened as realization dawned.

"Ohohoh!" The Great Elder's raspy laughter echoed softly through the chamber. "How ambitious!"

Jiraiya rubbed his head. "I still don't get it..."

"Fuka," Gamamaru called, his voice low but commanding.

"Yes, Great Elder?" Fukasaku asked, his tone reverent.

Gamamaru gave a slow nod.

"I understand," Fukasaku said, turning toward Naruto with newfound resolve.

"Jiraiya," Shima said, tapping his shoulder. "Take Naruto to the Stone Fountain."

"You mean..." Jiraiya began, his eyes widening.

"Yes," Fukasaku affirmed with a small but knowing smile. "We will teach him how to become... a Sage."

A.N - A bit of a cryptic conversation, but I felt like if any character was going to pick up on Naruto's origins, was going to be Gamamaru, as he is one of the most ancient beings in this world and was around even before the Sage of the Six paths.

Reincarnation is also something that exists in the world of Naruto and Gamamaru is very well aware of this possibility, as someone who already existed before ninjutsu and chakra was introduced, he could have knowledge about other more esoterical disciplines.

I hope it made some sense. The elder was just trying to figure out what kind of person Naruto was before deciding to give him even more knowledge that could potentially put the world at risk. When he realized that Naruto's main objective was to 'Ascend' to a higher plane of existence, he was able to make a decision. -