Chapter 239: The Great Toad Sage
Hokage Rock, one of the most iconic landmarks of Hidden Leaf Village, has always served as a monument to the achievements of successive Hokages, as well as a symbol of the villagers' reverence and trust.
Since the sacrifice of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, only four giant heads have remained there, overlooking the changing Village.
The matter of carving the rock image for the Fifth Hokage had actually been put on the agenda after Jiraiya reluctantly took on the heavy burden.
However, with the Village needing to rebuild from the ground up, resources and manpower were prioritized for more urgent reconstruction and fortification projects. Coupled with Jiraiya's own lack of interest in the matter, the carving work for the rock image was shelved, left only as a placeholder on the planning blueprints.
Naruto sought out Jiraiya, hoping to learn Sage Mode.
Since he couldn't figure it out on his own, why not go see the Sage Modes of the Three Great Holy Lands? Combine the strengths of all schools!
Exactly what the two whispered about in the Hokage Office remained unknown to outsiders.
All that was known was that not long after, Jiraiya, wearing an expression of 'being saved,' hastily dragged Naruto out of the office.
Just as they left the Hokage Building and passed through the square beneath Hokage Rock, the young Naruto casually glanced up at the bare, reserved spot for the fifth rock image.
"Speaking of which," he said, as if suddenly remembering some trivial matter, his tone light, "the Fifth Hokage's rock image still isn't done, huh."
Jiraiya was busy with the preliminary preparations for a Summoning Technique and didn't even turn his head, complaining offhandedly, "Ah, that kind of thing doesn't matter. I don't care anyway."
Naruto nodded.
"Then... let's just take care of it in passing."
As soon as the words left his mouth, he didn't even fully stop walking.
He extended the index finger of his right hand and made a few casual, empty gestures towards the massive reserved platform on Hokage Rock.
There was no earth-shattering burst of Chakra, no deafening sound of rock splitting, not even much dust kicked up.
Chakra, like the most dexterous invisible carving knife, brushed across that rough rock face.
In an instant, the rock seemed to gain life, beginning to flow, shape, and carve itself autonomously and with precision.
Lines appeared from nothing, contours rapidly clarified. Eyes, brows, nose bridge, mouth, even the iconic, wild white hair and the forehead protector... all the details were outlined, deepened, and finalized at an unbelievable speed.
The entire process was so fast it was disorienting.
Naruto looked at his "handiwork" with satisfaction, then turned to a stunned Jiraiya and said, "Alright, that looks much better now. Shall we go, Senior Jiraiya?"
Jiraiya: "..."
This kid still holds a grudge against me!
If he didn't need me for something this time, he probably wouldn't have bothered with even this little task done in passing.
Jiraiya first contacted Sage Fukasaku, then had him return to Mount Myōboku and use the Reverse Summoning Technique to bring himself and Naruto over.
The scenery of Mount Myōboku was quite beautiful. Perhaps due to the abundance of natural energy, the vegetation here was enormous.
After Naruto and Jiraiya arrived, Sage Shima frowned.
"Little Jiraiya, this boy hasn't signed a contract, has he? Why did you bring him here?"
"Sage Shima, he wants to learn about Sage Art cultivation. The natural energy here is dense, so I thought I'd let him come and experience it."
"Just experience it?" Sage Shima was skeptical.
"Yes, Granny Shima."
Naruto's voice was calm, carrying just the right amount of politeness.
"I'm merely interested in the conversion principle of natural energy into Sage Chakra. I wanted to personally experience it here at the source of this energy."
"Please rest assured, I will act within my limits and not cause any trouble for Mount Myōboku."
His attitude was humble, his tone sincere. Coupled with Jiraiya's guarantee, Sage Shima's expression softened slightly.
However, she still wasn't completely at ease, merely snorting, "It better be so. Little Jiraiya, you watch him closely. Don't let him wander around yet, and don't let him touch things he shouldn't. Every plant and tree here contains natural energy; it's no joking matter."
"The Child's Father and I will go seek the The Great Lord's permission. Only after the The Great Lord agrees can he learn Mount Myōboku's Sage Arts."
Watching Sage Shima and Sage Fukasaku leave, Jiraiya finally let out a sigh of relief and looked at Naruto.
"Mount Myōboku is relatively more open. They're willing to let you learn here even if you're not a contract holder. If you ever want to go to Ryūchi Cave or Shikkotsu Forest, you must be extremely careful."
Jiraiya's voice dropped even lower, as if afraid of being heard by some invisible presence. "Ryūchi Cave is the kingdom of snakes, adhering to the cruel Law of the jungle where might makes right.
"The Sage Art Legacy there is extremely dangerous, full of temptations and traps. The cultivation process itself carries immense risk. The slightest misstep can lead to losing oneself or even suffering backlash from natural energy, turning into a stone statue or... worse.
"The'Sages' there are inscrutable and cunning. Their attitude towards non-contract holders, especially humans, won't be as 'polite' as Mount Myōboku's.
"Contract holders might be spared, but non-contract holders... not necessarily.
"Without sufficient strength and unwavering will, rashly going there is no different from walking into a trap."
"As for Shikkotsu Forest..."
Jiraiya's expression grew even more grave, even carrying a hint of secrecy.
"That is the territory of the Slug Sage, Katsuyu. It's also the most mysterious and isolated of the Three Great Holy Lands.
"Even Tsunade doesn't know the specifics. Perhaps you can ask Katsuyu's Clone after you return.
"Or, you can ask the Great Toad Sage when you meet him in a moment."
The Great Toad Sage, also known as Gamamaru, is an ancient toad who has lived for over a thousand years.
He once taught the Six Paths Sage to master Sage Chakra and even gave him a Talisman to revive his brother.
This old toad can even see the future; he's a very mysterious being.
Soon, Sage Shima and Sage Fukasaku returned.
"It's strange. This time, the The Great Lord, upon hearing your description, immediately told us to bring you over quickly. Let's hurry, lest the The Great Lord falls asleep again."
"Yes, little Jiraiya, take this youngster and go quickly."
Sage Fukasaku also nodded in agreement.
The two humans and two toads arrived at Gamamaru's palace.
The Great Toad Sage is known to have an orange body, wearing Prayer Beads inscribed with the character for "oil" and a Mortarboard Hat.
"Who is it?"
"The Great Lord, little Jiraiya and his disciple have arrived."
"Um, Sage Shima, Naruto hasn't formally become my disciple yet!"
Jiraiya whispered a reminder.
Sage Shima turned her head, looking at Jiraiya with an incredulous expression.
What did you say?
He's not your disciple, hasn't signed a contract, and you brought him here? And now to see the Great Toad Sage?
Upon the high platform, those huge, wrinkled eyelids slowly, ever so slowly, cracked open a sliver.
A vast and profound gaze instantly locked onto the golden-haired youth standing beside Jiraiya.
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