Shinju and Naruto: ∑(っ °Д °;)っ
Even though they were utterly repulsed by the bug cuisine, this was still a token of Lady Shima's goodwill.
So Naruto and Shinju had no choice but to force a smile and say,
"Thank you. You're way too kind to us!"
After expressing their thanks, the two of them realized that Shima had no intention of leaving.
They had originally planned to wait until she left, then secretly have Fukasaku eat their portions as well.
But now that Shima showed no signs of going anywhere, the two of them had no choice but to pick up their chopsticks with trembling hands…
Fukasaku, knowing full well these two boyss couldn't stomach bug cuisine, tried to intervene.
"Wife, you'd better hurry back. The Great Toad Sage still needs you to look after him."
Shima shook her head.
"It's fine. The Great Toad Sage is asleep."
Then her face softened into a gentle smile.
"Besides, I love watching young ones enjoy a good meal. A single meal doesn't take that long anyway."
Shinju, Naruto: o(╥﹏╥)o
Looks like there's no escaping this one!
This time, without any tricks from Shinju, a starving Naruto braced himself and picked up a chopstickful—lifting a steamed leech, dipping it in wasabi soy sauce, and shoving it into his mouth…
"Giji~ giji~"
The crunching noise as Naruto chewed the insect made Shinju's teeth ache just listening to it.
It was driving him insane!
But to his shock, after swallowing, Naruto's face lit up in surprise.
"Shinju! Quick, you gotta try this! Granny Shima's cooking is amazing today! ꉂ(ˊᗜˋ*)"
Shinju: (||๐_๐)
Yeah, right. Like I'd believe that, you sly old fox.
And besides—wasn't this the same trick I pulled on you last night?!
Though Shinju resisted inwardly, with Shima watching on expectantly, he had no choice but to pick up his chopsticks and reach for another dish that looked slightly less "ferocious"…
He tasted it.
Chewed.
A burst of salty, spicy flavor exploded in his mouth, laced with peppercorn that struck just the right balance of numbing and heat!
Combined with the unique crispiness of the ingredient…
Huh. This was unexpectedly delicious!!
One dish led to another—Shinju sampled everything on the table!
None of it was hard to swallow.
On the contrary—it was actually really good!
(´∇ﾉ｀*)ノ
Delicious!!!
At that moment, Naruto, who was also gobbling down food beside him, suddenly pointed out the truth.
"No wonder! Our bodies have already started showing signs of toad transformation. No wonder these bug dishes taste so good now!"
Shinju thought about it—it did make sense.
But that didn't stop his chopsticks.
Seeing the two kids devour her food like this, Shima was overjoyed.
"Eat slowly, don't choke yourselves…"
...
That afternoon, training resumed.
With his belly full of bugs, Shinju felt brimming with energy.
In just one afternoon, his sensitivity to natural energy and his ability to absorb and use it improved drastically.
He didn't fall off the wooden board even once!
By nightfall, he could already maintain Sage Mode, and all toad-like features had completely disappeared!
Even Fukasaku was stunned.
This kid had mastered Sage Mode in just one day!
Looks like they could move on to the next step tomorrow!
...
Two days later.
Shinju was sparring with Fukasaku.
After several exchanges, Fukasaku halted, panting heavily.
"Shinju… let's take a break for now."
In just two days, Shinju's growth was terrifying.
Not only had he fully mastered Mount Myoboku's Sage Mode and frog kumite, but he could also fight on par with Fukasaku in Sage Mode—and was even starting to suppress him!
To put it bluntly—Fukasaku wasn't sure he could beat Shinju anymore!
"Alright."
Shinju nodded.
He hadn't gotten his fill of fighting yet, but considering Fukasaku's age, he held back out of respect for the elder.
After training, Shinju and Fukasaku started walking back home.
But before they'd gone far, three giant toads suddenly appeared before them.
Fukasaku raised his head, looking at the orange-colored toad in the lead.
"Gamabunta, what brings you here?"
Shinju immediately recognized the trio.
Especially the one Fukasaku had called "Bunta"—with a short sword strapped to his waist, a pipe hanging from his mouth, scars across his face, and the air of a hardened gangster boss—it was impossible to forget him!
Gamabunta spoke up.
"Fukasaku-sama, I heard this red-haired boy mastered Sage Arts in just two days?"
Fukasaku nodded.
"Yes. His talent even surpasses that of the Fourth Hokage."
"Tch. Just a rookie. Probably just got lucky."
Gamabunta puffed smoke from his pipe, full of disdain.
To everyone's surprise, the usually low-key Shinju suddenly spoke up after hearing that.
"Hey. Want to test that theory against me?"
Both Gamabunta and the Fukasaku perched on Shinju's shoulder froze.
Then, a roar of laughter erupted from the toads.
Gamabunta especially mocked him loudly.
"You think you're somebody? You've only just scratched the surface of Sage Arts!"
Shinju, however, replied calmly.
"You'll know exactly how much I've learned once we fight."
Gamabunta's hot temper instantly flared.
"Fukasaku-sama, let me teach this arrogant guy a proper lesson! (ꐦ ಠ 皿 ಠ)"
Truth was, Gamabunta had already been irritated for some time.
When Shinju hadn't been summoned alongside the other toads, it had left a sour taste in his mouth.
And now, hearing that this red-haired kid had learned Sage Arts in only two days, he had come specifically to test him out.
But before he could even start, the boy had the nerve to issue the challenge himself.
Hell no—how could he just swallow that?!
Time to show this kid the might of Mount Myoboku's toads!
Fukasaku glanced at the massive Gamabunta, then at the much smaller Shinju. After a pause, he leaned to Shinju's ear and whispered,
"Go easy on him."
Shinju nodded, understanding instantly.
The fight began!
On a wide clearing at Mount Myoboku, Shinju and Gamabunta stood facing each other.
Gamabunta gripped his short blade.
Though "short," thanks to his massive size, the sword itself was seven or eight meters long!
By comparison, Shinju was tiny—barely reaching Gamabunta's ankle—and all he held was a single kunai.
"Kid, it's not too late to admit defeat. That little knife of yours won't even scratch me."
Gamabunta sneered.
But Shinju showed no fear. His face calm, he activated Sage Mode.
The markings of a sage appeared at the corners of his eyes and on his forehead!
Then—
"Shu-shu-shu!!"
Shinju hurled a volley of kunai, sending them flying toward Gamabunta!
Gamabunta scoffed, swinging his massive short blade casually, batting away all the incoming kunai.
But at the very moment his blade intercepted them—
Shinju flashed through space with Flying Thunder God, reappearing at the exact spot where the kunai had landed!!
"Whoosh!"
With both hands, he grabbed hold of Gamabunta's blade—catching it by the spine!
Then, with a sudden surge of strength—he wrenched it free!
Gamabunta: Σ(っ °Д °;)っ
WTF?!
He actually pulled that off?!
This kid's got nerves of steel!!
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