As long as Mei Terumī disregarded the lives of her teammates and indiscriminately covered the entire battlefield with acid mist—acid mist capable of melting even Sasuke's Susanoo—the Flying Thunder God kunai would be as fragile as paper.
Unless the seal could be placed directly on Mei Terumī's body.
But if one could get close enough to leave a seal on the enemy's body, for Kakashi, it would be far more practical to simply cut them down with a blade.
Thinking of this, Kakashi ordered his subordinates to summon Jiraiya.
Kakashi wanted to visit Mount Myōboku before Jiraiya left Konoha to see if he had the aptitude for Senjutsu.
For the Six Paths-level battles of the future, Sage Mode would definitely allow him to participate.
"Yo, isn't this our newlywed Lord Hokage?"
Jiraiya's residence in Konoha was near the Hokage Building, so he appeared before Kakashi in less than ten minutes.
The tall, white-haired man leaned against the doorframe in his usual improper manner, arms crossed, teasing Kakashi.
"Save the idle chatter," Kakashi said. "I need you to help me with something."
Kakashi smiled helplessly; he was long accustomed to Jiraiya's eccentric behavior.
Moreover, his current position as Hokage had been secured with Jiraiya's full support.
When Hiruzen Sarutobi had appointed Kakashi as proxy Hokage, Jiraiya's attitude had played a significant role.
"What is it?"
Seeing Kakashi's demeanor, Jiraiya's expression involuntarily turned serious.
"I need to go to Mount Myōboku. I want to see if I can learn Senjutsu."
Kakashi's words made Jiraiya frown deeply.
"Setting aside whether Mount Myōboku is willing to let you train in their Senjutsu, the training itself is full of risks."
"You are now the Hokage of Konoha, and you just got married. Are you sure...?"
Listening to Jiraiya, Kakashi understood his concerns.
Training in Sage Mode was an extremely dangerous endeavor; one wrong step could lead to death.
But Kakashi had no choice.
"No matter what, I have to try."
Kakashi's firm attitude exceeded Jiraiya's expectations.
He didn't understand why someone like Kakashi, who effectively stood at the peak of the ninja world, would be so obsessed with cultivating Sage Jutsu.
In Jiraiya's view, even without Senjutsu, there were few in the entire ninja world who could rival Kakashi's strength.
Even if there really was someone capable of opposing Kakashi, or someone even stronger than him...
So what?
Kakashi commanded the entire Hidden Leaf.
If I can't beat you alone, can't I beat you with a group?
The retired old man at home, Tsunade idling away in the Senju lands, Itachi of the Uchiha family, and him, the handsome Toad Sage Jiraiya.
Or even...
Jiraiya took a deep look at Kakashi.
Others might not know, but he knew very well what kind of existence Kakashi's newlywed wife was.
Did Kakashi think there was anyone stronger than his wife?
Or perhaps, after getting married, that Hatake Hikari's true personality had been exposed?
Did Kakashi decide to train in Sage Mode because he was worried about domestic violence?
"Alright."
Jiraiya nodded. He couldn't refuse Kakashi's choice.
If he refused, Kakashi could still go to Tsunade and head to the Shikkotsu Forest.
Compared to himself, Tsunade would definitely let Kakashi give it a try.
And Jiraiya knew very well that despite the Slug Sage's gentle and amiable personality, Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode training basically tortured the practitioner to death.
The kind that didn't even leave bone fragments behind.
"When do we leave?"
"Right now."
For things that could be done, Kakashi never hesitated.
"Okay."
"Reverse Summoning Jutsu."
As Jiraiya formed seals with both hands, mysterious patterns instantly covered him, and he vanished directly from in front of Kakashi.
Kakashi looked at the empty office with a blank expression.
No, you could at least take me with you?
I haven't boarded yet!
Mount Myōboku
"Ahahaha, sorry, sorry! I got excited and forgot you."
Jiraiya scratched his head, laughing awkwardly as he looked at Kakashi.
Kakashi didn't mind Jiraiya's apology; instead, he observed the surroundings.
Blue sky, white clouds, small hills, ponds, lotus leaves.
It was exactly the same as the ninja world, with the only difference being the size.
Leaving the hills aside, the lotus leaves in the pond were at least several hundred times larger than those in the outside world.
And there was the ubiquitous croaking of frogs.
"Yo, Kakashi is here."
"I wasn't there when you became Hokage, so let me congratulate you on becoming Hokage here."
A familiar voice came from the distance. Accompanied by a huge black shadow passing overhead, a somewhat familiar toad appeared in front of Kakashi.
Gamabunta.
"Long time no see, Bunta."
Looking at the familiar toad before him, Kakashi greeted him familiarly.
This toad was not only Jiraiya's summon but also his teacher Minato Namikaze's summon.
He could be considered an old acquaintance of Kakashi... an old toad acquaintance.
"Bunta, are Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima home?"
Jiraiya asked Gamabunta familiarly.
"Pop and Mom are at home. You two arrived just in time; it's dinner time. Let's eat together."
"It's just a matter of adding a pair of chopsticks anyway."
Gamabunta warmly invited Jiraiya and Kakashi to eat.
"Th... no need. Kakashi and I have already eaten."
Jiraiya seemed to recall some painful memories and hurriedly waved his hands to refuse.
"Well..."
Gamabunta was about to speak, but his sharp eyes spotted two old toads hopping toward them from not far away.
"Pop, Mom! Jiraiya and Kakashi are here!"
"Kakashi is the new Hokage of Konoha."
Gamabunta's words drew Kakashi's gaze, and he looked at the two Toad Sages rushing over.
"Sage Fukasaku, Sage Shima."
Seeing the familiar toads arrive, Jiraiya immediately spoke respectfully.
"It's little Jiraiya."
Sage Fukasaku glanced at Jiraiya, then his gaze landed on the unmoved Kakashi.
"Sage Fukasa..."
Kakashi felt that since he wanted to learn Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode, it wouldn't be too much to lower his attitude a bit. Just as he was about to speak, he was interrupted by Sage Shima.
"No need for more words, Fifth Hokage of Konoha."
"The Great Toad Sage wants to see you."
Kakashi frowned slightly upon hearing this.
This attitude could hardly be called friendly.
"Then let's go meet him."
Kakashi naturally had no objection to this.
"Kakashi, don't take it to heart. Sage Shima is just like that—sharp tongue, soft heart."
Jiraiya, long used to Sage Shima's temper, patted Kakashi on the shoulder with a nonchalant look.
Kakashi nodded. He naturally wouldn't get angry over such a small matter.
Instead, he was very interested in the Great Toad Sage calling for him.
After all, this Great Toad Sage was an ancient antique that had existed since the time of Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki.
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