Naruto: Manipulation-Chapter 124: Uzumaki Naruto’s Birthday

The Child of Prophecy.

This was the goal Jiraiya had spent his entire life pursuing.

Yet, for Jiraiya, this so-called "important mission" that he believed he carried—perhaps it was more of a curse.

As long as Jiraiya lived, he would never stop searching for the prophesied child who could change the shinobi world.

Only when Jiraiya was on the verge of death would he realize that he had stopped searching.

At that moment...

Jiraiya would finally look back on his life and understand—

Among the many disciples he had taken in, the Child of Prophecy had long since appeared.

Honestly...

Why spend a lifetime searching?

Many of the most important people in one's life are encountered at the very beginning.

But when they are too close, they are often overlooked.

Shigen accepted this rare SSSS-rank mission. He raised his eyes to look at Tsunade.

"Tsunade, has your friend left Konoha?"

"That idiot Jiraiya? He's definitely off traveling again!"

Tsunade cursed Jiraiya, checking on a patient as she absentmindedly answered,

"He's always talking about some child from the Great Toad Sage's prophecy, someone who's supposed to change the shinobi world or something..."

Tsunade didn't hide this information.

It wasn't a secret among them.

That fool Jiraiya had been obsessed with finding this so-called Child of Prophecy for years. Every time the village was at peace, he would run off again.

Neither Tsunade nor Orochimaru had ever agreed with his thinking.

That prophecy...

Sounded dubious at best.

But as she spoke about the Child of Prophecy, Tsunade suddenly turned to Shigen.

If there was anyone in the world more knowledgeable than Jiraiya—

It was undoubtedly Shigen.

"Lord Shigen," she asked hesitantly, "Do prophecies really exist?"

"..."

Shigen lifted his gaze to meet Tsunade's bright brown eyes.

His voice grew ethereal, carrying an elusive weight.

"If you believe in it, then it exists."

"If you believe something will happen...

"And you work to make it happen...

"Then, in a sense, a prophecy becomes reality."

His words seemed to both question and affirm the nature of prophecy.

"When a prophecy appears, it reflects a possible future before it unfolds."

"..."

Outside the door, Sarutobi Hiruzen listened with silent approval.

Shigen's interpretation of prophecy carried a deeply positive message.

Exactly the kind of thinking that was valuable for educating the next generation of Konoha.

"I'm heading out," Shigen said suddenly.

"Naruto should be finishing school soon."

Tsunade immediately scowled.

"That brat again!"

She thought back to her own childhood, to the rewards she had never received.

"Lord Shigen never took me fishing..."

"You're not a child anymore."

Shigen reached out, tapping her forehead with his finger.

"Today is that kid's birthday. A promise is a promise."

"Um..."

Shizune, who had been standing to the side, nervously cradled a pink piglet in her arms.

"Should I prepare a birthday cake for him?"

"No need."

Shigen shook his head.

His eyes turned toward the streets outside—

Where villagers silently carried bouquets of white flowers.

"Today is not exactly a day for celebration."

"..."

Outside the door, Sarutobi Hiruzen quietly walked away.

Because today was, indeed, not a good day.

It was not only Naruto's birthday—

It was the anniversary of many deaths.

Even Naruto himself...

Did not yet know that his birthday was also the day his parents had died.

By the riverbank.

Naruto was enthusiastically assembling a simple fishing rod.

Lately, Naruto had been feeling happier than ever.

Because he had finally found someone in the village—

Someone who truly accepted him.

Someone who treated him like a friend.

Someone who, in his eyes, was even kinder than the old man Hokage.

It felt like this person could tolerate everything about him.

Even though...

This person was always cold-faced and serious, never joking around.

But Naruto could feel his kindness.

And recently—

Naruto had finally stopped calling him "senpai" and just called him "Shigen"!

This kindness...

Was far too rare in Naruto's life.

The villagers despised his existence.

Even when he tried to buy something at a shop, he would often get scolded.

Naruto had no idea why.

He only knew that he had to earn their recognition.

No matter what.

It was the only way he could make friends.

The only way he could escape his loneliness.

The only way he could become Hokage.

Even Shigen had supported his dream!

"One day..."

"I won't be alone anymore."

"Maybe I'll even have friends to celebrate my birthday with!"

Naruto clenched his teeth around a piece of fishing line, his mind wandering toward hopeful dreams of the future.

In loneliness...

Or in moments of uncertainty...

People always imagined a better world for themselves.

But Naruto believed he was different.

He wasn't just dreaming.

He was working for it.

Even though he wasn't the most talented student at the academy—

Even though his chakra always caused his jutsu to fail in weird ways—

"Speaking of which..."

"Why isn't Shigen here yet?"

Naruto glanced up at the setting sun, growing anxious.

"Did he... not come after all?

"He promised me, though! He said he'd go fishing with me today..."

And today...

Was his birthday.

Maybe it was the only birthday he wouldn't have to spend alone.

"Hmph, this brat..."

Deep inside Naruto's mind, the Nine-Tails scoffed.

That foolish kid...

Did he really think Shigen was here just for him?

If Naruto had ever entered his inner mind, they could've had a proper conversation.

Then the fox could tell him straight:

Stop deluding yourself!

And besides—

Who would ever doubt Shigen?

Shigen's friends never doubted him!

The Nine-Tails snorted.

If Shigen was late, then something must have held him up.

Perhaps he had encountered a difficult medical case?

Naruto's excitement slowly faded.

His fingers twisted in uncertainty.

Deep inside him, the Nine-Tails pondered Shigen's delay.

The sun finally set.

A streak of crimson burned across the sky.

Just as Naruto's heart began to sink—

A familiar voice spoke behind him.

"Seems like I was a bit late."

Shigen's voice remained as calm as ever.

"As long as I made it in time, it doesn't matter."

"Shigen...!"

Naruto spun around—

And something came flying toward him!

He barely managed to catch it.

Thud!

Naruto clutched the long, wrapped package to his chest.

"This is... a fishing rod?"

Excitedly, he unwrapped it—

Revealing a brand-new, fully equipped fishing rod.

"Wait... is this a gift?"

The realization hit him like a punch to the gut.

A real, wrapped gift.

Something he had never received before.

No one had ever remembered his birthday.

Naruto hugged the package tighter, his voice trembling as he looked up.

"This is... my birthday present?"

"Mm."

Shigen gave a nonchalant nod.

"...Why?"

Naruto hesitated—

Then quickly tried to swallow his words, afraid of sounding ungrateful.

"Because..."

Shigen was silent for a moment.

Then he reached out—

And ruffled Naruto's hair.

"You were the first person to call me 'Shigen.'"

"..."

Deep inside, the Nine-Tails groaned.

What kind of ridiculous reason was that?!

Even in ancient times, the Sage of Six Paths had to respectfully call him "Lord Shigen"!

This brat was just being rude!

And yet he still got a reward?!

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Something felt wrong about this...

The Nine-Tails huffed in frustration.

"Grow up fast, Naruto."

Shigen's voice carried an unmistakable expectation.

And Naruto—

He grinned.

Clutching his precious gift, he beamed with pure, unrestrained joy.

He would never forget this birthday.

Not for the rest of his life.

Naruto giggled, clutching the gift tightly against his chest.

He didn't fully understand what Shigen meant.

But he did understand one thing—

He had to protect this gift.

He had to take it home and store it away, somewhere safe.

This birthday...

It was one he would never forget.

Unfortunately...

It wasn't something he could share with others.

Because Naruto had already noticed—

Every year, on this day, the villagers seemed even more unhappy than usual.

Even his classmates seemed strangely quiet.

As if they were all weighed down by something.

So he never dared to talk about his birthday.

Not even once.

Still—

Naruto didn't mind.

Because today...

He had already received more than enough.

Just as Naruto's bond with Shigen was deepening—

Just as he found himself eagerly looking forward to every meeting—

Jiraiya suddenly returned to Konoha.

And the first thing he did—

Was seek out Shigen.

Without hesitation, without pretense—

Jiraiya laid everything out in the open.

He told Shigen about the prophecy.

About the words of the Great Toad Sage.

And, subtly, carefully—

He tried to probe Shigen's thoughts.

Jiraiya never mentioned his suspicions to Tsunade.

Because, deep down, he knew...

His thoughts were dangerous.

Tsunade would never accept them.

No one would.

No one would ever believe that Shigen—

The legendary Shigen—

Could pose a threat to the shinobi world.

But...

This was the Great Toad Sage's warning.

Jiraiya couldn't ignore it.

Even if his heart resisted the idea—

Even if he wanted to believe in Shigen—

He had to confirm it for himself.

So, sitting across from the man who had once been his teacher's closest friend, Jiraiya cautiously asked,

"Lord Shigen...

"Do you believe in the Great Toad Sage's prophecy?

"Do you believe that one day, a child will appear who can change this world?"

Shigen's lips curled slightly.

"A prophecy from Gamamaru, huh...?"

He didn't seem surprised.

In fact, his expression showed genuine interest.

"You took on a promising disciple," he mused.

"And that disciple happens to have a great dream—

"A dream to change the world.

"So if that disciple continues to grow...

"Then, logically, it's entirely possible they will change the world."

Shigen spoke as if stating a simple truth.

Jiraiya couldn't tell if he was agreeing with the prophecy—

Or simply explaining how the world worked.

Then—

Shigen suddenly shifted the conversation.

"But in Gamamaru's prophecy," he said lightly,

"The most important figure isn't the disciple—

"It's the teacher."

His golden eyes locked onto Jiraiya's.

"So tell me, Jiraiya—

"Where is your disciple now?"

"..."

Jiraiya's heart clenched.

A lump formed in his throat.

Because—

His disciples...

They were all dead.

The Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato.

Killed during the Nine-Tails attack.

Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan.

Killed by war.

Every single disciple he had once believed in—

Gone.

There was no one left.

Jiraiya clenched his fists.

"They... are dead."

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