RADG: Chapter 257: Shimura, Let Me Please You With This Last Dance!

“Summoning Technique!”

The Sage of Six Paths stared blankly at Yami, never imagining that one day he would be summoned like some summoning beast.

The problem was… he hadn’t even signed a damn contract with Yami!

Was this the so-called bond between father and son?

Nonsense!

Yami smiled faintly. “Hagoromo, I’m heading to Mount Myōboku. Let me take you to see our old friend one last time.”

The Sage of Six Paths shook his head slowly. “That doesn’t matter. I want to know how you summoned me here.”

He had been summoned so casually. Leaving aside the issue of status, how could a Sage of Six Paths be treated like a summoning beast? The fact that Yami could call him at any time made him uneasy.

“Is it that difficult?”

Yami blinked and said, “Reanimation Jutsu connects to the Pure Land. Once I sense your chakra, I can pull you out.”

The Sage of Six Paths fell silent.

It sounded reasonable, but who used Summoning like this?

What he didn’t know was that Yami’s mastery of chakra surpassed his knowledge, and even the knowledge of many Ōtsutsuki.

If he still had a physical body, things might have been different. But in his current spiritual state, his soul and chakra were fused. Essentially, he was under Yami’s control, and it was easy for Yami to use him like a tool to cast jutsu.

In the end, the Sage of Six Paths still didn’t understand how Yami did it, but he reluctantly followed him to Mount Myōboku to see the Great Toad Sage one last time.

Mount Myōboku.

As one of the three strongest sacred places in the world, Mount Myōboku’s natural scenery far surpassed that of the Shikkotsu Forest and Ryūchi Cave, and it looked more like a place where ordinary creatures lived.

The mountains were blanketed in greenery, with towering ancient trees. Every breath of air felt refreshing.

The true core of Mount Myōboku was shrouded in thick fog.

This mist was somewhat similar to Kirigakure’s Hidden Mist Technique. It wasn’t only natural mist but also infused with senjutsu chakra, preventing outsiders from detecting the inside.

“Haaa!”

Bringing the Sage of Six Paths out of the fog, Yami let out a light breath, which instantly turned into a gale of twenty levels.

Not only did the mist scatter, but even thousand-year-old trees and rocks that had stood for ten thousand years were uprooted, leaving the path ahead both clear and chaotic.

Sensing the life force in Mount Myōboku, Yami raised his eyebrows slightly.

The strongest natural energy source was still here, but aside from that, only a few minor toads remained.

The two elders, Fukasaku and Shima, were nowhere to be seen, nor were Gamabunta’s family.

“Is this a pre-clearance, or are they afraid I’ll wipe out the roots?”

Muttering to himself, Yami flew toward the tallest mountain. When he passed a “hill,” he paused for a few seconds.

That “hill” was the largest toad in Mount Myōboku. It was the first time Yami had seen its true form. It was indeed massive, but its strength was mediocre, and it couldn’t even move. He gave it a glance and ignored it.

With no resistance, the two entered the Great Toad Sage’s dwelling. The old toad, wearing a scholar’s hat and Buddhist beads around his neck, watched quietly as they arrived.

“Shimura, you are finally here.”

The Great Toad Sage’s voice was powerful, not at all weak as it usually was. “I can die, but I ask you to spare the other toads of Mount Myōboku.”

Yami tilted his head. “You don’t seem qualified to negotiate with me.”

“This is not a condition, it’s a request.”

Gamamaru let out a sigh. “The little ones don’t know what I’ve done. They have also contributed much to Konoha. For the sake of our past friendship, let all grudges end with me.”

“Are you certain?” Yami smiled. “I don’t think the other toads would hold a grudge if I kill you. It would be more convenient to erase you all in one stroke.”

In truth, there was no personal grudge between him and Mount Myōboku. It was simply a matter of opposing positions.

The Great Toad Sage needed a divided ninja world and a gentle leader like Naruto to preserve Mount Myōboku’s sacred status.

The Great Toad Sage said solemnly, “I have ordered them to swear never to be your enemies. In the future, Mount Myōboku will continue to serve shinobi and teach Sage Mode. Compared to the other two sacred places, Mount Myōboku’s Sage Mode is the safest.”

After speaking, his cloudy eyes turned to the Sage of Six Paths. “Hagoromo, for the sake of our old friendship, help me this once.”

The Sage of Six Paths frowned, but said nothing.

He wanted to help. After all, without Sage Mode, he could never have defeated Kaguya.

But the problem was… he had no standing in front of Yami.

If he spoke up, he might anger Yami, and the negotiations would collapse.

So his greatest help was keeping silent.

“The conditions are quite tempting.”

Yami rubbed his chin and nodded. “Alright, I’ll give you a chance.

As long as you give it your all and die by my hand, and your performance satisfies me, all past grudges will end here.”

He didn’t mention survival. If Gamamaru could survive him, then the Ōtsutsuki might as well reincarnate as toads instead of planting God Trees.

“Give it my all?” Gamamaru murmured.

Looking back on his long life, he had always relied on prophecy to achieve his goals.

When was the last time he had fought?

It must have been before he met Hagoromo, when he fought other toads for a female mate.

“Good!”

Boom!

The hall shook violently, dust raining from the ceiling.

The Great Toad Sage straightened and reached up to crush the Buddhist beads around his neck.

A torrent of natural energy surged from the beads into his body. His old, withered skin grew smooth and vibrant, his sagging chin tightening layer by layer.

In moments, the Great Toad Sage returned to his prime, his strength nearly reaching the level of the Sage of Six Paths.

“Shimura, let me please you with this last dance!”

(To be continued.)