Naruto clasped his hands behind his head and let out a dry laugh.
"So you finally understand, Sasuke..."
"That's right. You're much dumber than I thought!"
The three masters and apprentices burst into laughter.
Fukasaku watched them with a meaningful smile, though Gamabunta and the other giant toads still didn't fully understand what was happening. They exchanged confused glances, completely bewildered by the conversation.
From that moment onward, Naruto remained on Mount Myōboku and officially began his Sage Mode training under Fukasaku's guidance.
Meanwhile, Sasuke returned to Konoha with Jiraiya.
Jiraiya explained the situation to Tsunade. Although Tsunade was somewhat surprised by Sasuke's decision, she understood how determined he was. In the end, she could only sigh and give up trying to stop him.
As Hokage, Tsunade summoned Jugo and Yakushi Kabuto.
"I need you two to help Sasuke find Ryūchi Cave."
Jugo naturally had no objections.
Kabuto, however, was a different matter.
His identity remained highly sensitive, and there were still many people in Konoha who didn't completely trust him.
Kabuto looked at Tsunade.
"You want me to help you find Ryūchi Cave?"
"Hokage-sama, aren't you afraid I'll use this opportunity to escape?"
Tsunade smiled faintly.
"You think too highly of yourself."
"Even if Orochimaru praised you as highly as Kakashi, escaping from Jiraiya, Sasuke, and Jugo wouldn't be easy."
Kabuto gave a bitter smile.
"You're right..."
He then glanced at Sasuke.
"However, I never thought you'd actually want to go to Ryūchi Cave. It's a forbidden place, and even Orochimaru was afraid of it."
Sasuke's expression remained calm.
"Killing that man is out of the question. I'm not afraid of anything, not even death."
Kabuto laughed.
"You're still as crazy as you used to be, Sasuke."
"But perhaps that's exactly what Orochimaru admired about you back then."
"You may not be as dazzling as Naruto, but you possess a kind of self-destructive madness. Since you're willing to throw your life away, you were actually a better captive than Naruto."
Sasuke interrupted him.
"Don't bring up those old stories."
"Just tell me whether you're going to help me or not."
Kabuto smiled bitterly.
"Do you think I have a choice?"
Sasuke stared at him.
"Everyone has a choice. Don't make yourself look so pathetic."
Kabuto frowned slightly.
"Sasuke... you've changed."
After a moment, he sighed.
"Fine. I'll help you. But I have one condition."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
"What condition?"
"Don't worry. I'm not going to make things difficult for you."
"I only hope that after I help Sasuke find Ryūchi Cave, my past crimes can be forgiven. I'd like to continue working properly at the orphanage."
"Orochimaru is dead, and I've already revealed all the information I know. The Akatsuki has no reason to trust me anymore, and I have no position from which I could betray anyone."
"Under those circumstances, you can actually trust me more than before."
Shizune still looked somewhat concerned.
However, Tsunade waved her hand.
"Do not use someone you doubt, and do not doubt someone you use."
"Yakushi Kabuto, as long as you sincerely atone for your crimes, I guarantee, in the name of the Hokage, that you will receive what you want."
Kabuto smiled.
"I trust you, Hokage-sama."
"Good. Then let's go."
After receiving Tsunade's assurance, Kabuto immediately stood up and left.
Jiraiya, Sasuke, and Jugo followed closely behind him.
Shizune watched them disappear into the distance, still looking worried.
"Lady Tsunade, if Sasuke really dies in Ryūchi Cave, I'm afraid..."
"Yes, I understand. Things could become very difficult."
Tsunade sighed.
"But ultimately, this is his own choice."
"Besides, Sasuke might fail because Jiraiya is accompanying him, but he shouldn't be in any real danger."
Shizune smiled.
"Even though you argue with Jiraiya all the time, you actually trust him quite a lot, don't you, Lady Tsunade?"
"Hmph. That man was unreliable when he was young, but he's lived through most of his life now. At least he's become somewhat dependable."
Shizune covered her mouth and giggled.
Tonton, resting in her arms, let out a small grunt.
At that moment, Naruto was staring miserably at the "food" in front of him.
Fukasaku was genuinely a kind old man.
While teaching Naruto Sage Mode, he was also concerned about Naruto's physical condition.
As expected, the moment Naruto returned to his home, Fukasaku immediately asked his wife, Shima, to prepare a magnificent dinner for the two of them.
Unfortunately...
In Naruto's eyes, this could no longer be called a meal.
It was a nightmare.
A pot of black, purple, and green soup sat in front of him.
Inside were thick, writhing worms, coiled creatures, strange elongated insects covered in legs and antennae, and all sorts of things Naruto couldn't even identify.
There was no way a normal human could swallow this!
Yet Fukasaku's face was filled with warmth and kindness.
"Little Naruto, don't be shy. Make yourself at home."
"Come on, eat up."
Naruto stared at the horrifying creatures in the bowl.
He didn't dare touch the worms, so he cautiously picked up his spoon and took a tiny sip of the dark, purplish soup.
He struggled to swallow it.
Shima looked at him expectantly.
"Little Naruto, I prepared this feast especially for you."
"You have to eat everything. Only then will I be satisfied."
Naruto immediately felt an enormous amount of pressure.
Cold sweat appeared on his forehead.
If he ate it, he might never be able to overcome the psychological trauma.
But if he didn't...
The expectant gazes of the two Great Toad Sages felt like two enormous mountains pressing down on him.
In the end, Naruto didn't want to disappoint them.
He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and shoved another spoonful into his mouth without thinking.
"Ugh!"
The moment it touched his tongue, a demonic flavor exploded across his taste buds.
The horrifying sensation rushed down his throat and into his stomach.
It felt as though his entire body was being baptized in some kind of hellish purgatory.
Fortunately, Naruto had already endured countless "Lightning Release trials" under the System's supervision.
His body and spirit had become extraordinarily strong and resilient.
He gritted his teeth and endured.
Shima immediately asked with excitement,
"Well? Is it delicious, Little Naruto?"
Naruto's face twisted into a forced smile.
His entire body was trembling as he raised his thumb.
"Y-Yes! It's delicious!"
Shima's eyes lit up.
"That's wonderful! I was worried you wouldn't be used to it."
"Little Jiraiya and Little Minato both complained that it was difficult to swallow, which made me question my cooking skills."
"But as expected, Little Naruto has excellent taste!"
"If you like it, I'll prepare more for you after you finish this!"
Naruto frantically shook his head.
"No, no, no! That's enough! Shima, you don't have to work so hard!"
"Oh, it's no trouble."
"People rarely enjoy my cooking, so I have to treat you well!"
"Besides, Little Naruto is still growing. Training in Sage Mode consumes a huge amount of Chakra and stamina. How can you keep going without eating properly?"
"Husband, you eat with Little Naruto. I'll go prepare some more."
"Alright. Thank you, my dear!"
Naruto:
"..."
He had no choice.
Trying his best not to look at the food or think about what was inside it, Naruto began eating alongside Fukasaku.
Ultimately, this was a psychological battle.
With his extraordinary willpower, Naruto forced himself to eat one bite after another.
Fukasaku watched him with admiration.
"Little Naruto, my wife will be very happy."
"The thing a cook wants to see most is someone enjoying the food they prepared."
Naruto's heart trembled slightly.
The food was certainly difficult for him to eat, but he could tell that Shima had prepared it with genuine affection and care.
He couldn't bring himself to waste that effort.
Besides...
It was rare for Naruto to experience the feeling of eating food prepared by someone who cared about him.
Even though the person in front of him was a giant toad, Naruto could still feel a faint warmth in his heart.
"Thank you, Grandpa Fukasaku and Grandma Shima."
"I'll eat everything!"
Naruto quickly finished the remaining food.
He even raised his empty bowl into the air and shouted,
"Grandma Shima! Another big bowl!"
Shima was overjoyed.
"Little Naruto likes it that much?"
"Wonderful! Wonderful! I've already prepared another serving!"
Fukasaku stared at the scene and couldn't help remembering the past.
Little Jiraiya, Little Minato, and now Little Naruto... You've all been completely defeated in this regard.
Naruto had no intention of resting after dinner.
"Grandpa Sage, let's continue training!"
"I have no problem with that, but Little Naruto, are you sure you're ready?"
"Don't worry. After eating Grandma Shima's food, I've completely recovered!"
"Excellent. Then let's go."
The two returned to the training ground on Mount Myōboku.
Fukasaku once again began explaining the profound principles behind Sage Mode.
"Sage Mode is fundamentally different from the ordinary Ninjutsu you normally use."
"Little Naruto, you should already understand the basics of Chakra."
"Ordinary Chakra is created by combining physical energy and spiritual energy extracted from the body through training."
"However, Sage Mode Chakra is different."
"It requires three types of energy to be combined in a precise one-to-one-to-one ratio."
"Physical energy."
"Spiritual energy."
"And natural energy."
"All three must remain in perfect balance."
Naruto listened carefully.
Fukasaku continued.
"If you absorb too little natural energy, you won't be able to utilize the true power of Sage Mode."
"But if you absorb too much natural energy..."
Fukasaku's expression became serious.
"...your body will begin to be overwhelmed by it."
"You'll gradually mutate and lose control."
He then pointed toward a pile of black stone frogs nearby.
"Do you see those stone frogs?"
Naruto nodded.
"Yes, I see them."
"Those are people who failed to master Sage Mode."
"They were unable to balance the natural energy properly, and eventually, the energy swallowed them completely."
Naruto's expression changed.
"Does that mean they're dead?"
"Exactly."
Fukasaku nodded solemnly.
"Once someone turns into a frog and becomes petrified, it means they're truly dead."
Naruto stared at the stone frogs.
He hadn't realized that Sage Mode training carried such terrifying risks.
And this was Mount Myōboku, one of the safest and most stable sacred grounds for learning Sage Mode.
If even this place contained people who had died during training, then the danger of Sage Mode was obvious.
Fukasaku noticed Naruto's expression and smiled.
"Little Naruto, you don't need to worry."
"With your talent and the way you're approaching your training, you'll be fine."
Naruto clenched his fists.
He looked at the stone frogs for a moment before turning his attention back to Fukasaku.
"Then teach me."
"I'll master Sage Mode."
Fukasaku smiled.
"Good."
"Then let's begin."
________________________________________
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