At the seventh training ground, arcs of lightning surged across Kakashi's body, then quickly faded like a receding wave.
"It looks like the results are promising... but there's still a long road ahead."
"Yo, Kakashi! Not bad at all. Was that the Lightning Release Armour technique of the Fourth Raikage? I didn't expect you to manage to replicate it."
Kakashi was surprised by the voice—familiar, bold, and full of spirit.
"Lord Jiraiya! You're back!"
Kakashi greeted him with visible excitement.
The curse mark had been troubling Kakashi greatly, and he had long known that Jiraiya could be the key to unraveling it. Seeing him return to the village stirred a mix of hope and relief.
"Yeah, I just got back. I saw you training here. That move you just used... it was definitely the Lightning Release Armour technique, right?"
Kakashi nodded. He had nothing to hide—after all, it wasn't a technique he could keep secret once he began using it actively.
"I see... looks like your battle with the Fourth Raikage wasn't just a clash—it turned into a lesson. I honestly didn't expect you to grow so quickly. I thought you'd need at least five or six more years to reach this level. Guess that's why people say geniuses defy logic."
"You flatter me, Lord Jiraiya. This is just the fruit of relentless effort, not any so-called genius."
Only Kakashi truly knew how much dedication and effort he had poured into his growth over the past three years. In the shinobi world, talent without hard work meant nothing. Kakashi had always been aware of that. Even with talent, if one gave in to despair or stagnation, growth would halt—as it had once with him.
In the shinobi world, the line between genius and mediocrity was often blurred. Jiraiya, Might Guy, Obito, and Naruto were all once considered underachievers. And yet... what had they become?
Everyone had their own pace. Kakashi's advantage lay in his clear perspective. He never let small achievements swell his ego. He understood there were still powerhouses in the world that he had yet to even face.
With that awareness, he viewed himself as merely standing at the starting line.
"Well said. Hard work is what brings true strength. You've grown so much. If Minato could see you now, he'd definitely be proud."
Jiraiya gave Kakashi a firm pat on the shoulder.
"Lord Jiraiya... now that you're back, could I ask your help with something? It's about the curse mark."
"Ah, yes, Hiruzen did mention that to me. I haven't seen one of Orochimaru's curse marks firsthand before, so I can't guarantee anything—but let me take a look."
Jiraiya was aware that Orochimaru's curse marks were born from the power of senjutsu chakra. As such, even he wasn't entirely sure he could help—but he had to try.
"Sit down for me."
Kakashi nodded and sat cross-legged.
Jiraiya leaned in, inspecting the area around Kakashi's neck where the curse mark was located. It still bore the secondary seal Kakashi had placed to suppress its spread.
"Kakashi, your Evil Sealing Method is holding it back to some extent, but it's not neutralizing the chakra corruption. It's only a partial restraint."
"I'm aware. That's why I was hoping your senjutsu knowledge might offer something more effective."
Jiraiya scratched his chin, frowning slightly.
"I'm afraid I'm not well-versed enough in senjutsu to deal with this alone. This curse mark contains chakra from Ryūchi Cave, infused with Orochimaru's methods. It's a unique blend, and I don't fully understand it."
Kakashi's expression darkened slightly. If even Jiraiya couldn't help, then perhaps the curse mark truly was beyond his means.
Seeing this, Jiraiya's expression softened.
"How about this—I'll summon Fukasaku and Shima from Mount Myōboku. They know far more about senjutsu than I do. If anyone can help, it's them."
Kakashi's eyes lit up. The Great Sage Toads of Myōboku were revered as the foremost senjutsu experts in the world. Their insight might provide the breakthrough he needed.
"Thank you, Lord Jiraiya."
"Sure. Give me a second—summoning both of them takes some effort."
Jiraiya bit his thumb, then smeared blood across his hand and formed a series of intricate hand signs. As he moved, he also marked his face with Myōboku's unique summoning makeup.
"Summoning Technique!"
Boom!
In a puff of smoke, two small toads appeared before them.
"Huh? What's going on? Why did you summon us again, Jiraiya? I was cooking lunch!" said Shima, brandishing a ladle in one hand and a frying pan in the other.
"Hmph. If we're here, it means it must be urgent," Fukasaku muttered, eyeing the surroundings.
As Shima turned to face Jiraiya, she scolded him: "You never call unless it's trouble. And there aren't even enemies around this time!"
Jiraiya laughed awkwardly. "Sorry, sorry. But this really is important."
"What is it then?" Fukasaku asked curiously.
"Kakashi, come over here."
Kakashi stepped forward respectfully.
"This is Kakashi Hatake, student of the late Fourth Hokage. He's been marked with a curse seal from Orochimaru, one that draws power from Ryūchi Cave's senjutsu chakra. I'm hoping you can help examine it."
The two elder toads looked at each other knowingly.
Shima narrowed her eyes. "Pa, look at this kid's silver-white hair… isn't this the one the Great Toad Sage mentioned?"
Fukasaku nodded, peering closer. "Hmm. Silver hair, and a sealed Sharingan under that cloth… it's definitely him."
Despite the seal over Kakashi's left eye, nothing could be hidden from senjutsu perception.
Jiraiya and Kakashi exchanged confused glances.
"What are you two talking about?" Jiraiya asked.
"Jiraiya," said Fukasaku seriously, "three years ago, the Great Toad Sage foresaw the appearance of a silver-haired youth with a scarlet eye. He told us to bring him back to Myōboku if we ever encountered him... so he could be shown to the old sage."
"What?" both Jiraiya and Kakashi exclaimed in unison.
The Great Toad Sage wanted to meet Kakashi?
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