Chapter 244: Self-Practice in Adversity, Benevolence in Prosperity.
He pointed out the root cause: "Because the Practice methods of the Three Great Holy Lands were originally created, optimized, and passed down to adapt to the racial characteristics of toads, snakes, and slugs."
"Although humans can learn them through wisdom and Chakra adaptability, the difference in the essence of energy leads to this risk of 'Animalization'."
"To help human practitioners get started, different places have different auxiliary means."
The Great Toad Sage continued to explain:
"Mount Myoboku uses a special 'Toad Oil' applied to the practitioner's body to enhance their perception and absorption efficiency of external natural energy."
"In Ryūchi Cave, the White Snake Sage personally injects a wisp of pure senjutsu chakra into the practitioner's body as a 'Primer' and 'Signpost'."
"The Slug Sage's method is similar, guiding the practitioner to perceive natural energy through a unique method. However, it only shared it for a little over a hundred years before stopping."
"It is these different auxiliary methods of 'perceiving' natural energy, combined with the unique nature of the natural energy in each location, that cause human practitioners to mutate into different animal forms when deviations occur."
Finally, he emphasized the most terrifying ultimate risk common to all Holy Land Practice methods:
"But they all share one unified, most serious drawback—Petrification."
"When natural energy spirals completely out of control, severely eroding the body and spirit beyond any possibility of conversion or assimilation, the practitioner will gradually turn into a lifeless stone from the inside out."
"This is the most absolute end for a failed Sage Mode Practice ."
After clearly explaining all the risks, principles, and limitations, the Great Toad Sage changed the subject and offered another choice.
"If you want to be like your First Hokage, Hashirama Senju—not relying on the assistance of a Holy Land, not tainted by any specific 'animalized' aura, and mastering the purest Sage Mode best suited for humans... then you need to..."
He paused and said solemnly:
"Go practice in the human world, amidst the vast natural world. Rely on your own perception, Comprehension Ability, and will to directly communicate with, capture, and tame that ubiquitous yet elusive natural energy."
"This path is far more difficult and dangerous than using the methods of the Holy Lands. There is no ready-made 'Toad Oil' or 'Primer' to guide you. Everything requires you to explore, balance, and bear all the risks of losing control on your own."
"But once successful, the senjutsu you master will be the one that fits you best, unaffected by any external characteristics—a perfect senjutsu belonging to 'humans'."
After the Great Toad Sage finished speaking, he waited quietly for Naruto's choice.
He had laid out the pros, cons, and ultimate risks of the two paths without reservation before this ambitious young man.
Would he choose the relatively'safe' shortcut with a traceable path, but one that might leave behind the risk and aura of 'Toadification'?
Or would he choose the 'Human World Practice' path, which was filled with thorns and a narrow chance of survival, but offered a broader future and purer power if successful?
The power of choice was handed back to Naruto himself.
The heavy temple doors slowly opened inward in the silence, letting out a low grinding sound.
Light from outside flooded in, blending with the dim natural energy shimmer inside the hall, outlining Naruto's figure as he slowly walked out.
There was no particular expression on his face, but his eyes seemed deeper than when he entered, as if he had just undergone a spiritual baptism or processed a great deal of heavy information.
Behind him, on the towering throne deep within the hall, the massive figure had curled up again. Those eyes that saw through everything were tightly closed once more, and the Mortarboard on his head was slightly tilted.
Bursts of low, long snores, carrying a sense of accumulated ages, drifted faintly from the depths of the hall, as if the conversation just now was merely an ordinary interlude in this ancient sage's long dream.
He sank back into the deep sea of prophecy and contemplation, leaving the real-world choices to the living beings of reality.
Jiraiya, who had been waiting not far outside the hall and pacing anxiously, immediately stopped and rushed over upon hearing the sound. His face was a mix of concern, curiosity, and a hint of subtle tension.
"How was it, Naruto? What did the Great Toad Sage say to you? Did... did he agree to teach you senjutsu? Did the talk... go well?"
He had countless questions in his heart.
Why did the Great Toad Sage want to see him alone?
Did the conversation involve those unsettling prophecies?
Naruto looked at the worried Jiraiya, his lips curling up slightly into a peaceful smile.
"Chatting with the Great Toad Sage has benefited me greatly."
He spoke in a calm tone, choosing his words carefully and generally, without revealing specific details.
"Many thoughts that were vague before are much clearer now."
"About power, about the future, about... how to move forward."
He avoided directly answering whether the Sage had agreed to teach him senjutsu, nor did he mention any specific prophecies or plans.
But expressions like "benefited greatly" and "thoughts are clear" at least indicated that the conversation itself was constructive, perhaps even positive.
Naruto paused, his gaze drifting toward the strange and magnificent distance of Mount Myoboku, where mist swirled and giant plants and toad statues stood silently, nourished by natural energy.
"Let's go back, Senior Jiraiya."
He withdrew his gaze and looked at Jiraiya, his tone carrying a calmness that comes after the dust has settled.
"Go back?"
Jiraiya was stunned and subconsciously repeated.
"You mean... you're not learning senjutsu? Or did the Great Toad Sage..."
"The Great Toad Sage gave me a choice and enlightenment."
Naruto interrupted Jiraiya's questioning, his tone still calm but carrying a conviction born of deep thought.
"I already know what to do. Let's return to Hidden Leaf Village; there are many things... that need to be prepared."
Jiraiya looked into Naruto's blue eyes, which were as calm as water, and knew that further questioning wouldn't yield more detailed answers.
Once this kid made up his mind, his mouth was sealed tight.
Moreover, from Naruto's calm yet firm demeanor, he seemed to have made some important decision and was full of confidence in it.
"Alright..."
Jiraiya sighed and scratched his hair.
"Since you say so... then we'll head back first. Fukasaku Sage! Shima Sage!"
He turned and shouted toward the distance.
The two Sages soon appeared.
Fukasaku Sage looked at Naruto with a searching expression on his toad face; Shima Sage was still somewhat huffy.
"Little Jiraiya, you're leaving already?" Fukasaku Sage asked.
"Yes, Fukasaku Sage, Shima Sage, sorry for the trouble this time."
Jiraiya said respectfully, while signaling Naruto with his eyes to show some courtesy as well.
Naruto nodded slightly to the two Sages: "Thank you both for the introduction and hospitality."
"Hmph, as long as you know."
Shima Sage muttered and didn't say anything more.
"Well then, we'll take our leave."
Naruto took one last look back at the closed temple doors, from which long snores drifted, his gaze profound.
You say I won't succeed, but I insist on succeeding.
You could say I'm young and reckless.
In adversity, one maintains one's own integrity; in prosperity, one benefits the whole world.
I believe even more that humanity can conquer nature!
The light of the Reverse Summoning Jutsu flared up, enveloping the two figures.
In the next moment, the strange scenery of Mount Myoboku vanished from before their eyes, replaced by the familiar and welcoming air and sights of Konoha Village.
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