Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 57: Edo Tensei Sage Technique

Hyuga Fuji did not respond immediately. Instead, he fixed his gaze on the Great Toad Sage's ancient face and slowly said:

"I've confirmed what I needed to know. As you mentioned earlier, strictly speaking, our interests do not conflict. I hope we can continue to coexist peacefully in the future, as we do now."

Half of the changes in the ninja world's future could be attributed to the Great Toad Sage.

Obito was Minato's disciple. Minato was Jiraiya's disciple. Naruto Uzumaki was also Jiraiya's disciple, and so was Nagato.

In that whirlwind of events, Jiraiya played a crucial role. And the reason Jiraiya took disciples was largely due to the Great Toad Sage's prophecy.

But the Great Toad Sage's prophecies clearly served its own agenda. It often had to intervene to steer outcomes toward the future it desired.

Whether guiding Hagoromo (the Sage of Six Paths) in the distant past or later influencing Jiraiya and Naruto, the Sage's goal was evident: preparing for Kaguya's re-emergence and ensuring the ninja world retained the means to oppose the Otsutsuki.

The Great Toad Sage had even directly intervened multiple times, offering Jiraiya and Naruto prophecies, teaching them Sage Techniques through its frogs. In Hagoromo's era, it had personally handled many matters.

This time, sending Fukasaku to save Fugaku was no exception.

Ashura and Indra's reincarnations didn't have to be Naruto and Sasuke. But without them, the future would likely shift toward an outcome the Great Toad Sage dreaded.

After all, someone who could reconcile with the Nine-Tails was most likely Naruto. Ordinary individuals couldn't even approach the Nine-Tails.

The Sage needed Naruto and Sasuke. As long as Hyuga Fuji understood that, he saw no need to overly fear it.

Hearing Hyuga Fuji's words, the Great Toad Sage closed its eyes and shook its head. "Your so-called 'confirmation' has caused no small trouble for Mount Myoboku."

Uchiha Madara… his actions this time had brought significant threats to Mount Myoboku.

"Instead of letting you constantly watch over me, I figured it was better to give Mount Myoboku a bit of pressure."

Hyuga Fuji replied meaningfully, "Besides, without this, we wouldn't have had the chance to talk."

"I may have disrupted your prophecy, but how do you know I'll be the last?"

"Sometimes, adapting to change is necessary."

As Hyuga Fuji finished his words and prepared to dispel the shadow clone, the Great Toad Sage's mind raced. Recalling its visions of Hyuga Fuji's unique soul and his understanding of the future, it sighed and said:

"Wait. Mount Myoboku will not expose your information nor interfere in your affairs. Furthermore, I am willing to teach you Mount Myoboku's Sage Techniques in exchange for a promise."

There was no need to be overly wary of this white-eyed youth. After all, their direct interests did not clash. Their mutual caution stemmed solely from the other party's ability to disrupt carefully laid plans.

It disliked seeing predetermined futures altered, but since the changes had already occurred, it had to find a way to adapt.

Hyuga Fuji was the first to step outside the bounds of its prophecy, but who could guarantee there wouldn't be a second?

If someone like Hyuga Fuji were to appear again in the future, reaching an agreement with him now might prove advantageous.

All the Sage truly wanted was to protect the ninja world from the Otsutsuki and safeguard Mount Myoboku.

Hyuga Fuji's shadow clone paused, a faint smile forming at the corner of his lips.

"Very well. I promise that if someone like me appears in the future, someone beyond your foresight, you may inform me, and I will handle it. As for preserving the ninja world's capacity to resist the Otsutsuki, I will do my best to ensure it remains intact… although the process may be a bit painful for them."

…

Fukasaku brought Hyuga Fuji's shadow clone to the training grounds for Sage Techniques, explained the process, and asked, "Are you sure you don't need me to supervise? By the way, this is just a shadow clone, right? Shouldn't you call your real body?"

"No need," the shadow clone replied.

"Alright, then."

Fukasaku frowned but, recalling the Elder's instructions, hopped away to give him space.

Once alone, Hyuga Fuji retrieved some toad oil and performed the Summoning Technique. A coffin gradually emerged before him.

"What do you want from me now?"

Hyuga Meiyu frowned as he looked at Hyuga Fuji.

"To help you grow stronger." Hyuga Fuji's shadow clone smiled, then disappeared in a puff of smoke.

In the next instant, Hyuga Meiyu realized his consciousness had been seized by Hyuga Fuji.

Under Hyuga Fuji's control, Meiyu's body applied toad oil and sat down in a meditative pose to begin training.

Ninjas resurrected through Edo Tensei were capable of sensing and absorbing natural energy. After all, Minato and Hashirama Senju had both demonstrated this.

Toad oil could automatically draw in natural energy where applied, aiding the user in sensing it.

The caster of Edo Tensei could synchronize their sensations with the reanimated body they controlled.

Thus, by manipulating an Edo Tensei body to apply toad oil and absorb natural energy, one could gradually enhance their ability to perceive it.

The best part? This method completely bypassed the risks of Sage Training!

In Mount Myoboku's Sage Training, failing to balance natural energy with physical and mental energy could result in turning into a toad—or worse, a stone statue.

But with Edo Tensei…

Robbed of his consciousness, Hyuga Meiyu could only watch as his body underwent strange transformations. Parts of it would explode due to imbalance.

Each time, Hyuga Fuji discarded the damaged portions.

As Hyuga Meiyu numbly observed, Edo Tensei's automatic regeneration kicked in, restoring his body to its original state.

He understood now—Hyuga Fuji was exploiting the immortality of Edo Tensei to experiment with the risks of Sage Training.

What an unfilial descendant!

In all his years, Hyuga Meiyu had seen many things. But this method of training? Never!

Sure, Hashirama mastered Sage Mode, and he certainly possessed remarkable regenerative abilities. But even he couldn't have trained like this brat!

Relying on immortality to brute-force through failures?

Unbelievable!

And so, Hyuga Meiyu's body was destroyed and regenerated repeatedly. Meanwhile, Hyuga Fuji's consciousness meticulously practiced sensing natural energy.

Progress was slow and… resource-intensive.

After all, Hyuga Fuji had to divide his attention between control and training, preventing full focus.

Additionally, each time Meiyu's body was damaged, he had to reapply toad oil. Compared to Naruto's training, Hyuga Fuji burned through significantly more toad oil.

But with enough time, he would eventually succeed in sensing natural energy. For Hyuga Fuji, that was sufficient.

…

"Toads..."

In a dark underground chamber, Uchiha Madara frowned as he listened to White Zetsu's report.

"That Jiraiya... he was trained by Mount Myoboku, wasn't he?"

"Yes, Lord Madara," White Zetsu replied.

Madara narrowed his eyes, lost in thought.

He had reviewed Jiraiya's profile on several occasions.

After all, Jiraiya was Nagato's teacher, as well as Minato's. His connection to Obito made him a figure of interest.

White Zetsu had made it a priority to gather intelligence on him.

One detail stood out clearly in Madara's mind:

Jiraiya had trained Nagato and Minato because he was searching for the "Child of Prophecy" who would bring transformation to the ninja world.

Prophecies… destiny… transformation…

(End of Chapter)