"Alright, no problem. I'll go make preparations. You stay here and get ready," Sage Fukasaku said, nodding. Then he turned into a wisp of white smoke and vanished.
"Sensei, how should I prepare? And in the future, should I go there to train?" Xia Li asked. Some things, even if he already had an idea, still needed to be asked clearly.
"If you're ready, I'll be right here. You should adjust your condition first. The first time using Reverse Summoning may make you feel a bit uncomfortable," Jiraiya thought for a moment before answering.
"As for the training location, anywhere is fine. The real issue is that you can't stay mentally focused all the time, so it's better for you to naturally enter a spiritual state there."
Jiraiya's words made Xia Li nod in agreement.
"What? You don't want to leave Konoha to train outside?" Jiraiya asked in surprise.
"Not at all."
"Haha, that's fine. Reverse Summoning only requires you to go there during the day. You can still come back at night, just like I did back then," Jiraiya said, falling into memory. Back then… Orochimaru hadn't defected yet.
The surroundings fell silent for a moment.
"Xiao Li, you're ready," Jiraiya suddenly said.
"Yes," Xia Li replied. In fact, he had already prepared himself.
The next instant, their figures vanished directly from the back mountain of Konoha.
…
"So this is Mount Myōboku?" Xia Li opened his eyes and looked around. Before him stretched a vast sea of green, home to countless toads of all shapes and sizes.
Various toads noticed the two newcomers. Some greeted Jiraiya warmly, while others pretended not to see them at all.
"Yes, Xia Li, this is Mount Myōboku," Sage Fukasaku said after observing him. Seeing that Xia Li showed no adverse reaction after Reverse Summoning, he found it a little strange—but accepted it.
With Jiraiya standing beside him, it wasn't entirely surprising. Xia Li possessed spatial talent, so having no negative reaction made sense.
"It's beautiful," Xia Li said sincerely.
"Yes," Sage Fukasaku replied with satisfaction, stroking his beard. Then he suddenly thought of something. "Have you eaten? My old lady probably made something delicious. If you're hungry, you can go have some."
As he spoke, Sage Fukasaku licked his lips—clearly a little hungry himself.
The moment those words fell, Jiraiya's expression instantly changed.
"No need! We already ate before coming," Jiraiya said hurriedly.
"Oh, what a pity. Then I'll go by myself. Little Jiraiya, take Xia Li for a walk. You're familiar with this place anyway," Sage Fukasaku said regretfully before leaving.
Only after he was gone did Jiraiya finally let out a sigh of relief.
Xia Li suddenly remembered the food from the original story. His expression stiffened, and he asked with difficulty, "Sensei… the food here isn't toad meat, is it?"
Jiraiya looked at him and finally gave a thumbs-up. "Smart!"
"In other words… will I have to eat insects like those toads?" Xia Li's face turned pale. How could he forget this? He was a picky eater—if he were forced to eat bugs, he'd probably throw up on the spot.
After thinking quickly, Xia Li scanned the dense forest around them, suddenly having an idea. He bit his finger and formed hand seals.
"Mind Arts!"
Jiraiya watched curiously, wondering what Xia Li intended to do next.
Xia Li felt that his chakra consumption was surprisingly low. Perhaps Toad Zhong was not far from his current location? Maybe Flying Thunder God would show similar behavior in the future.
As his consciousness sank into that empty, dark state, he felt he was gradually becoming familiar with it. Once accustomed, he might be able to maintain it longer—and even sense more things.
"It's Xia Li…" Toad Zhong appeared, immediately feeling a pressure completely different from Jiraiya's. Had it already come time to fight side by side?
The next moment, when Toad Zhong tried to observe his surroundings, he realized something was wrong.
"Eh? Xia Li came to Mount Myōboku?" Toad Chu asked.
"Yes, Toad Chu. I'll probably spend most of my time training here," Xia Li replied.
"Then… what do you need me to do?" Toad Zhong asked, puzzled.
"I'd like you to help me find some food," Xia Li finally revealed his purpose.
"Food? Insects?" Toad Zhong asked. "But there's no shortage of insects here."
"Not insects. Insects are your food. I'm human—our food is different."
"Well… the only food I know is insects," Toad Zhong said honestly.
"I'd like you to help me pick some fruit from the forest," Xia Li said. "Just enough to fill my stomach."
"Fruit? From trees? There's plenty over there. Alright," Toad Zhong said gently.
"Thank you, Toad Zhong! You've really saved me!" Xia Li said excitedly, truly grateful this time—as long as he didn't have to eat bugs.
"If I can help, that's good," Toad Zhong said before leaving.
Xia Li felt genuinely moved. Being able to summon such a gentle spirit beast on his first try was truly fortunate. If it had been a difficult one, things would have been troublesome.
Jiraiya stared blankly at the scene before suddenly smacking his forehead.
The forest was so dense—it was obvious there would be fruit. There might even be ordinary wild animals. Why hadn't he thought of this back then? Why had he eaten insects all those years?
No. He couldn't think about it anymore.
Afterward, Xia Li resolved to learn Storage Seals as soon as possible. That way, he could bring prepared food with him each day and unseal it when hungry.
Then a thought struck him. His face stiffened, and he turned to Jiraiya. "Sensei… Mount Myōboku's secret medicine isn't made of insects, right?"
Jiraiya sighed, then said sympathetically, "I wish it were otherwise, but it's basically the same as ordinary pills—at least in taste."
Xia Li instantly relaxed. As long as it looked like a pill and not a bug, he didn't care what it was made from.
He patted his chest and shot Jiraiya an annoyed glare. He had almost been scared to death.
Jiraiya laughed. After so many days together, this was the first time he'd seen Xia Li this flustered. For once, he looked like a normal seven-year-old child.
Chapter 67: Farewell
Jiraiya was extremely familiar with the toads of Mount Myōboku. Wherever he went, he encountered ones he knew, and Xia Li quickly became acquainted with them as well.
Even Gamabunta, who barely paid attention to Jiraiya, glanced at Xia Li. Though he might not cooperate, he wouldn't fail to recognize him.
After circling the area, Jiraiya looked up at the sky and brought Xia Li back to the spot where they had arrived.
Sage Fukasaku was already waiting—but beside him stood a small green toad with purple hair and lips.
Jiraiya's expression changed when he saw her, but he still stepped forward with Xia Li.
"Boss, big sister, we're back."
"Did you finish shopping?" Sage Fukasaku asked.
"Of course. I took Xia Li all over the place—except to see the Great Toad Sage. He's practically familiar with the entire mountain now," Jiraiya said proudly. "His toad network spans Mount Myōboku!"
"Oh right, Xia Li, this is my big sister. You can call her Sage Shima."
"Hello, Sage Shima," Xia Li said politely.
"So you're Little Jiraiya's new disciple," Shima Sage said, examining him carefully. "You look… not bad."
"Come, come! I made you a feast of insects—guaranteed delicious!" Shima Sage suddenly produced a large bowl filled with fat, wriggling bugs.
Xia Li and Jiraiya's faces changed instantly.
"Sister, it's time. I'll take Xia Li back first. See you next time!" Jiraiya said, grabbing Xia Li and activating Reverse Summoning. In a puff of white smoke, they vanished.
"What?! Old man! That Little Jiraiya is going too far! You should stop teaching that brat!" Shima Sage exploded in anger.
"Haha, calm down," Sage Fukasaku said, chuckling as he took the bowl from her and began eating happily. "They're humans—it's normal they don't understand fine cuisine."
Back at Konoha's rear mountain, Jiraiya and Xia Li reappeared. They looked at each other, wiped cold sweat from their brows, and laughed.
"Sensei, if you keep doing this, I won't be able to go to Mount Myōboku anymore. What should I do then?" Xia Li asked suddenly.
"That's not something a teacher should worry about," Jiraiya said hesitantly.
Suddenly, Xia Li's expression changed.
Jiraiya sensed danger and immediately bolted.
Lightning crackled around Xia Li's legs as he chased after him.
…
The next day, at Konoha's gate.
Xia Li stood beside Sage Fukasaku, facing Jiraiya.
"Sensei, can't you stay?" Xia Li asked softly.
"I'm sorry, Xiao Li," Jiraiya said.
After a moment of silence, Xia Li took out a hair tie the same color as Jiraiya's coat and handed it to him.
"This is…?" Jiraiya widened his eyes.
"Don't lose the gift your student gave you," Xia Li said.
Jiraiya untied his old headband and used Xia Li's instead, tying back his messy white hair. "Don't worry. I'll never lose it."
"Haha, even if you do, it's not worth much," Xia Li joked.
Jiraiya didn't answer. Looking at Xia Li, he slowly saw Minato's shadow overlapping him.
At that moment, Jiraiya truly accepted Xia Li—not just for his talent, but as a disciple, just like before.
"I'm leaving!" Jiraiya waved and walked away from Konoha.
Xia Li waved back, sighing softly.
Sage Fukasaku smiled and said gently, "Xiao Li, let's go home. Prepare yourself."
"Yes, Sage Fukasaku," Xia Li replied, leaving with him.
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