Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 486 The Prophecy of the Great Toad Sage

No one had any experience in forming the Allied Shinobi Forces, and simply copying past wars seemed inappropriate. Ultimately, this crucial task was entrusted to Konoha's strategist, Nara Shikaku. Fortunately, Naruto had recommended a second member of the "East Wind" team before their departure. This ordinary-looking, red-haired middle-aged ninja was named Nanshu, and seemed like a reliable candidate. However, since he was an outsider who had joined midway through the war, Shikaku still had some doubts about him.

However, it was Naruto who vouched for Nanshu. After the Fifth Hokage returned, he didn't revoke Nanshu's title; instead, he urged Nanshu to quickly measure the Hokage robes and Hokage Rock, practically acknowledging him as the next Hokage. With the Sixth Hokage's guarantee, Nanshu had no choice but to set aside his doubts and cooperate, only to discover that Nanshu wasn't just a random recommendation.

Nanshu was very knowledgeable about the strengths of ninjas from various countries, while Shikaku was very knowledgeable about cooperative combat systems. The two worked together and quickly divided the seemingly chaotic ninja army into several modules.

In addition to traditional types such as sensory units, medical units, vanguard units, ranged units, and sealing units, they also subdivided ninjas by attribute. It's important to understand that most ninjas only master one or two attributes in their lifetime, and attribute advantages and synergies are still very useful in war. Therefore, they have prepared to deploy troops based on terrain and attribute.

For example, wind and fire must be grouped together, and water and lightning can also be combined, which might produce surprising results. Earth is an attribute with extremely strong defensive capabilities, and every unit should have it. As for the more special bloodline ninjas, their selection depends on the terrain.

Thus, these two bright and intelligent people hit it off immediately and started a lively discussion, completely forgetting their initial wariness.

It's worth mentioning that the "East Wind" group is comparable in size to a medium-sized clan in Konoha. The list alone contains over two hundred names, and that's not even their entire force, as many ordinary people are not on record, after all, Konoha is a ninja village.

Such a large number of people couldn't complete the assessment in a short time. Many of them weren't even in the country, working as merchants in other regions. It was currently war preparation time, and they needed to stay abroad to procure supplies for the Fourth Shinobi World War. Moreover, their business wasn't limited to Konoha; they also had to deliver supplies to the other four countries, so they simply didn't have time to return. However, their identities were at least registered in the Konoha system, and their ninja credentials were being sent out in batches via "Dongfeng" logistics, so other countries wouldn't give them too much trouble.

War is brewing in the ninja world, and the same is true in another place.

After a long period of peace, southern Sichuan was suddenly in full swing, with factories seemingly on the verge of bursting into operation. People who had enjoyed a comfortable life found it difficult to accept the exploitation of the past, and the day "Hui's" manifesto was broadcast on the radio, the entire southern Sichuan region was abuzz with excitement. However, human nature is always unpredictable; for every supporter, there was a dissenter.

In fact, Hui has been handling this situation very skillfully. They have overthrown quite a few regimes. It's just that southern Sichuan is the most fertile land they currently control, with a large population. As the population grows, management becomes difficult.

At this moment when guidance is most needed, Master Jinlun's new book was released.

It was a book completely different from "A Collection of Golden Sayings". It no longer talked about principles in a haphazard way, but systematically summarized the beliefs that "Hui" has developed to this day.

"On the Great Unity of the Peoples of the World" takes a historical approach, detailing the development of human society and pointing out the extreme mismatch between current productivity and people's living standards. And who is the culprit hindering the improvement of living standards? It is, of course, the ruling system that has developed to its current state—one that is riddled with corruption, inefficient, and utterly decaying, perpetuated by bloodline rule.

To completely eradicate this ailment, the people must unite as one against their sole enemy, using the power of the world to bury class divisions. Only by unlocking the shackles in people's hearts and allowing them to truly reclaim their dignity as human beings will a better world arrive.

This was the clarion call for "Hui" to officially declare war on the old world. However, this deafening cry was drowned out by the noise of the Fourth Shinobi World War and was not heard by the nobles who did not care about the world of ordinary people.

Let's go back to the day when the Sixth Hokage was about to depart for the Land of Iron.

After running back and forth between the two places, Sasuke finally glimpsed some of Naruto's past life. A sudden pang of heartache and frustration at his inability to help fueled his resentment. He truly never imagined that in another world, he too would become the culprit who killed Naruto. Even though there were reasons for it all, he wished he could crawl into his dreams and strangle that powerless version of himself.

The world in his dream filled him with dread. Surrounded by dark power, Naruto appeared ruthless, like a puppet capable only of destruction. But when "he" was about to die at the hands of the "puppet," his dark eyes suddenly regained their clarity, and the pain and relief within the azure light were something he couldn't let go of.

What exactly is that power? Will it appear in Naruto later? He absolutely cannot let that happen! That guy who sounds the most suspicious... must die.

The moment Sasuke made up his mind, a familiar aura enveloped his body. He didn't move, letting himself disappear directly into the streets of Konoha. What summoned him wasn't "Hikari," but Mount Myōboku; he could see the tuft of white hair on Fukasaku's grandfather's head with just a glance down.

"The Great Toad Sage summons you; a prophecy about you has appeared, little Sasuke."

Sasuke showed no particular reaction. He removed his disguise and calmly walked towards the sacred grounds of Mount Myōboku. No matter what the prophecy foretold, his mission would not change.

He will definitely fulfill Naruto's wish.

"I called you here for no other reason than... um... who are you again?"

Whether the mischievous immortal was genuinely forgetful or pretending, it was a pity that the two people in front of him were neither appreciative nor frogs.

"If there's nothing else, I'm going back now. I have a lot of things to do."

"Ah... I remember now, it's Sasuke, right?" The Great Toad Sage suddenly became forgetful and said, "Sasuke, your prophecy actually appeared a long time ago, but even I couldn't see it clearly at the first moment. Now I can finally reveal it to you."

The giant toad opened its eyes and said, "You will reunite with him, and then bear the weight of a world."