102 Ch-102 A Secret.

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...

Jiraiya had just performed the 'Summoning Technique,' and with a billow of smoke, Fukasaku materialized before him.

"Jiraiya, boy, it's the second time you've called for me today. Did you stumble upon something extraordinary?" Fukasaku inquired.

Jiraiya's voice carried a tinge of shame as he replied, "Yes, Great Sage Jiryoku arrived in Konoha just a few minutes ago. I confronted him and was swiftly defeated by a single move."

Fukasaku comforted him, saying, "Why do you carry shame in your voice? You've done nothing wrong; it's merely a testament to his strength that he overcame you. But I suspect you didn't summon me here just to share this news, did you?"

"No, not at all," Jiraiya replied. "The reason for Jiryoku's unexpected visit to Konoha puzzled us, but we've deduced the most likely explanation."

Fukasaku, instead of asking the question outright, delved into deep contemplation. Finally, after arriving at a conclusion, he said, "You mean to say he came here to verify the path to Mount Myoboku?"

"Yes, that's precisely why I summoned you," Jiraiya affirmed.

Tsunade chimed in, her concern evident, "Great Sage Fukasaku, I strongly recommend taking preemptive measures. Jiryoku's speed is astonishingly fast, and it won't be long before he pinpoints the location of Mount Myoboku."

Fukasaku responded with confidence, "Hokage, I understand your apprehension, but rest assured, we haven't made the underground waterway as straightforward as it may appear. It's a labyrinth concealed beneath the earth, with a true path known only to us toads. Not every toad is privy to its secrets; only a select few know the entire layout."

Fukasaku then inquired, "Before my departure last time, you mentioned attempting to persuade Jiryoku. Did he listen to your advice? Did Katsuyu talk with him?"

Tsunade's tone held a hint of frustration as she replied, "I did try to reason with him, but he remained obstinate. Yes, he did converse with Katsuyu, but even then, he refused to heed the warnings and remained steadfast in his pursuit. Katsuyu also cautioned him about your possession of a powerful artifact of the Sage of Six Paths."

Fukasaku's eyes gleamed with a shrewd understanding. "That should serve as a significant deterrent. With Katsuyu's caution, Jiryoku is unlikely to go all out in terms of speed to preserve his stamina. He'll exercise caution, aiming to be at his peak when he reaches Mount Myoboku. If he conducts his search in such a manner, it will take him at least a month to arrive."

"But what if he seeks Orochimaru's help? During the Chunin Exams attack, Orochimaru was present, and there might have been some sort of alliance between Jiryoku and Orochimaru. Those snakes despise toads, and they wouldn't hesitate to leak our information," Jiraiya expressed his concern.

Fukasaku attempted to soothe Jiraiya's anxieties. "Jiraiya, you tend to worry needlessly. As I mentioned earlier, the three Sage places have a pact with each other. If they intended to attack us, there have been numerous opportunities in the past to expose our locations and initiate an assault."

However, Jiraiya couldn't shake his restless feeling, fearing the snakes might indeed reveal their location. Fukasaku noticed his unease and decided to disclose a secret.

"Alright, I'll share a secret with you," Fukasaku began. "You could say this pact is etched in our blood, and only a select few high-ranking members of the three Sage places know the locations of the others. We are bound by this pact. If any of us were to reveal the location of another Sage place, we would face certain death. Furthermore, the information about the breach would be disseminated to all the Sage places. In the unfortunate event that any of the Sage places were to suffer damage, the locations of all three would be exposed by the others."

Jiraiya was left in shock, unable to fathom the intricate and deadly nature of the pact binding the three Sage places.

"Now that I've dispelled your doubts, I should take my leave. Although it will take Jiryoku more than a month to reach Mount Myoboku, we have many preparations to attend to," Fukasaku stated.

With a puff of smoke, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Fukasaku vanished from sight.

After Fukasaku's departure, Jiraiya turned his gaze towards Tsunade and spoke earnestly, "Tsunade, I believe it's best for me to leave Konoha. I intend to follow Jiryoku's path, monitor his progress, and be there to support Mount Myoboku when he arrives."

Tsunade understood that it was impossible to dissuade Jiraiya. She sighed and said, "Take care, and make sure you come back in one piece."

Jiraiya flashed a confident smile, replying, "What are you worried about, Tsunade? I am the 'Immortal Toad Sage,' after all."

With those parting words, Jiraiya departed, leaving Konoha within minutes and following the direction in which Jiryoku had recently taken flight.

****

(A/N: I formulated this pact theory based on the fact that Gamamura possessed the 'Secret Treasure of the Toads' even before Kaguya and Hagoromo's presence. The second and most crucial point on which I based this theory is that when any toad dies, their name is erased from the scroll (if that scroll indeed has a name; I don't recall). I should have explained this pact in earlier chapter but I forgot and thanks to Patron Matus Vajda for reminding me.)

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