When viewed from outside this worldview, placing faith in the Great Toad Sage's prophecy may seem unwise. After all, the future has always been unpredictable and immeasurable. Yet, for someone bound within this world, the Great Toad Sage's prophecy appears relatively accurate, manifesting as meaningful and concrete omens.
However, the Great Toad Sage's perspective on matters naturally differs from Haseo's; prophecies are inherently subjective. The Great Toad Sage's emotions reflect an external, impartial viewpoint, which naturally differs from Haseo's own experience.
The "emotional tone" embedded within a prophecy isn't necessarily objective, nor is the prophecy itself entirely impartial.
For example, when the Great Toad Sage declared that "Jiraiya's disciple will bring change to the Ninjutsu World," Nagato obviously fits this description better than Naruto regarding both the depth and intensity of transformation brought about. Yet the true "Child of Prophecy" was undoubtedly Naruto.
Therefore, from the Great Toad Sage's prophecy, the only clear and definite information Haseo could extract was confirmation that Black Zetsu was still alive.
And from this prophecy arose another utterly subjective judgment—Haseo firmly believed that no matter what situation might arise, Haseo Yu would forever remain Haseo Yu.
Even though the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path had already been destroyed and Madara Uchiha's Rinnegan was also gone (based on Haseo's understanding), Black Zetsu being alive meant there were still countless variables for the future. But regardless of circumstances, Haseo would always make decisions aligned with what he felt was right.
In short, Haseo's journey to Mount Myoboku was fruitful. Although some hidden dangers remained unresolved—a pity indeed—the discomfort he'd sensed during that battle had subtly hinted at his subconscious realization: things wouldn't be tidily wrapped up like that.
Nonetheless, he now had a certain psychological expectation about the future changes.
"My life mission is complete. I hope the new generation of ninja can accomplish what they must."
Such was Haseo's stance—not out of sheer passivity or resigned acceptance of the world's continued entrapment in conspiracies, but rather because without Nagato serving as a directional marker anymore, locating Black Zetsu again was practically impossible.
Unless Black Zetsu willingly revealed himself.
It wasn't hard to imagine that Black Zetsu had suffered immense damage and was merely clinging to survival.
By the time Black Zetsu re-emerged, Haseo would be at least in his late fifties. Surely, they couldn't expect a man his age to keep returning to the battlefield? Thus, his attitude remained consistent:
The matters ahead must be resolved by those coming after.
After the Great Toad Sage fell silent, Haseo exited its chamber. Originally, he intended to continue touring Mount Myoboku, but seeing how Sage Fukasaku seemed about to invite him for a "family dinner," Haseo had no choice but to make a hasty exit from Mount Myoboku under the pretense that the prophecy required urgent attention.
Regarding the grand scheme of the world, one could just listen and move on. When it's time to go home, one must still go home.
......
Southeast of the Land of Fire, the continental shelf stretches into a narrow peninsula with unique terrain. Several small countries exist on this peninsula, one of which is the Land of Bears.
After leaving the Land of Hot Springs, the Haseo couple moved to this country. In terms of straight-line distance, this place was very close to the Land of Fire.
Without material worries and with peace of mind, their quiet life could still be called "happy."
Especially after Tsunade couldn't go to the casino anymore, her satisfaction with life became even stronger.
Haseo had left home for only a short while to go to Mount Myoboku, and quickly returned here... Even if this guy had zero common sense, at the very least, he knew not to leave his pregnant wife alone without care. Otherwise, it wouldn't even be an issue of being a scum or not.
Yes, first thing after getting home was washing his hands properly — gotta keep the germs off.
Then he went into the bedroom and found Tsunade looking through a book with an unmarked cover whose contents were unknown.
Tsunade definitely knew he was back the moment he walked in, but the exhaustion made her too tired to get up and greet him.
"Where did you go again?"
"Mount Myoboku. I went to visit those toads there.
Setting Shikkotsu Forest aside, I've already visited Ryuchi Cave long ago. Among the 'Three Secret Regions,' Mount Myoboku was the only one I hadn't seen yet, so I decided to take a look."
As he spoke, Haseo pulled up a chair and sat beside Tsunade. "How are you feeling? Any discomfort in your body?"
"Mount Myoboku..." Tsunade laid the book flat on her knees, revealing anatomical sketches inside—clearly a medical text.
"No wonder you have a toady scent on you. I've heard Mount Myoboku is also a mysterious place... Did you gain anything from this trip?"
How she even caught that smell was anyone's guess, but at least it wasn't perfume. A natural, wild aroma wouldn't cause any problems anyway.
Haseo simply shook his head, keeping to himself the intel from the Great Toad Sage—acting every bit like someone who'd just been on a casual trip to Mount Myoboku.
"I've been home the whole time, so obviously nothing happened. But I don't understand why you would leave home at this timing. Haseo, are you some child throwing a tantrum?"
"..."
Haseo felt like he might have hallucinated. He distinctly remembered someone telling him previously not to hang around the house aimlessly because it made her dizzy, before practically "dispatching" him out for a walk or two.
"Tsunade, could it be that you also feel anxiety or panic? After all, this is something entirely new to you."
People always say dealing with mood swings during pregnancy is some advanced-level psychology. Though Haseo hadn't studied this subject himself, he seemed to have somewhat of an empathetic understanding... If he imagined himself in her position, watching his own belly grow day by day, he would surely find it quite uncomfortable too.
Also, if the kid in the womb ends up being a double-crosser...
Haseo would definitely kill the baby without hesitation. There was no point hesitating either—he just needed to make sure he wouldn't get killed before he could act.
"Me? Haseo, I'm a doctor. Are you questioning my professional integrity?"
But how can anyone stay completely objective about their own emotions? Doctors aren't gods after all.
"No, I just once heard the saying 'Physician, heal thyself,' that's all. If you think it's fine, then it's fine... Do you plan to return to Shikkotsu Forest soon? It seems quieter and safer there."
"First of all, is there even a need for that?
Secondly, do you really think, given my current condition, it's suitable for me to travel through spatial passages for long-distance jumps?"
It once again proved how flawed one's reasoning could be. In fact, Haseo hadn't even considered the issue Tsunade had raised—To solve a safety issue, you have to experience it first? That logic just doesn't hold water.
"All right then, it doesn't matter much anyway. I'll stay by your side the whole time."
Shikkotsu Forest would've been a better place to give birth, but now? Getting back there isn't exactly easy anymore.
Luckily, staying in this remote corner—the Land of Bears—wasn't a big problem either.
With Haseo guarding nearby, who'd be stupid enough to come looking for trouble?
Well, looks like there really was someone dumb enough.
Hmm, Haseo's confidence was reasonable enough. Still, a small problem was brewing somewhere and slowly heading toward them.
His enemies—both human and otherwise—were hunting him down everywhere.
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