Naruto features an impressive lineup of skilled and competent shinobi, yet only a few have achieved the prestige of being renowned throughout the shinobi world. One such capable character is Jiraiya, the Leaf Village’s legendary Sannin. His exemplary efforts in the Second Shinobi World War earned him the title of ‘Sannin’, allowing him to permanently leave his mark in the shinobi world’s history.
Apart from the renowned title of Sannin, Jiraiya boasted another name, one that he earned through years of training and hard work. Being adept in the sage arts, Jiraiya was dubbed as the ‘Toad Sage’, a title that was bestowed upon him by the Toads themselves. But how was a young, deviant Jiraiya able to master one of the most formidable of arts? Naruto reveals more details of his backstory in filler episodes, providing insight on how a young Genin became a master sage.
Journey to Mount Myoboku
Jiraya’s journey to becoming the renowned Sage Toad began when he accidentally made his way to Mount Myoboku – the Land of Toads, a rich and beautiful village where toads roamed free. The path to Mount Myoboku can take almost a month, and that too through the secret passage that leads to this hidden land. However, young Jiraiya found an alternative route by accident, allowing him to instantly reach the land of toads.
While Jiraiya was practicing the summoning jutsu, he accidentally teleported himself to Mount Myoboku. It was revealed that Jiraiya reversed summoned himself as he tried using the jutsu without actually having a contract with an animal. Upon reaching the mountain, Jiraiya meets Gumabunta, a toad who later becomes his trusted familiar. He takes Jiraiya to the village elder known as Fukasaku, who talks about a prophecy about a human child making his way to the land of toads, and from this point onward, Jiraiya begins his odyssey of becoming the Toad Sage.
Training With the Toads
After Fukasaku revealed some parts of the prophecy, Jiraiya was offered training in the art of ‘Senjutsu’, or sage techniques, which he gladly accepted. From that day onward, the young boy relentlessly trained, alternating between Mount Myoboku, the Hidden Leaf Village, and the Village of Toads. His training primarily relied on perfecting chakra control, as the prerequisite of becoming a Senjutsu user is to have an immense reservoir of chakra.
After mastering chakra control and the ability to manipulate natural energy, Jiraiya officially entered a blood contract with the toads, making it their solemn duty to aid Jiraiya whenever he required their assistance.
The Great Toad Sage’s Prophecy
Jiraiya did not attain the title of ‘Toad Sage’ by simply mastering the art of Senjutsu, rather it was a culmination of several aspects. One of these aspects was the Great Toad Sage’s prophecy – one that would come true years after Jiraiya’s death. Upon forming a blood contract with the toads and mastering Senjutsu, Jiraiya was summoned by Gamamaru, the Great Toad Sage, who further explained the prophecy to the boy in detail.
Upon further elaborating the divination, Gamamaru foresees that Jiraiya shall become a great shinobi, and in time, he will have a disciple of his own. That student shall then change the course of the shinobi world, by either bringing peace or more chaos. However, the choice that student makes shall depend on Jiraiya himself. Despite the prophecy being quite vague and ambiguous, Jiraiya understands what he must do and further hones his abilities. Initially, only a few knew Jiraiya as the Sage Toad, but after the Second Great Shinobi War, the name spread throughout the shinobi world, and the title of ‘Sage Toad’ reached far and wide.
To live up to the title and to bring the Toad’s divination to reality, Jiraiya continued on his journey to find the child of prophecy. He initially thought Nagato Uzumaki was the destined child, but upon learning a rumor of the child’s death, Jiraiya had to keep looking. Minato Namikaze was another potential candidate due to his unparalleled prowess, yet his untimely death revealed that he was not the aforementioned student. Eventually, Naruto Uzumaki is revealed to be the revered child of destiny, who lives up to the prophecy as he completely changes the course of the shinobi world, bringing peace once and for all.