"Enough."
Fukasaku Sage's aged yet majestic voice dropped like a cold stone into the farce.
"Little Jiraiya, step aside."
He didn't even bother to spare another glance at his hopeless disciple.
"After all these years, you're still a fool with no improvement."
"Save some face in front of my apprentice."
Jiraiya opened his mouth, wanting to say something to salvage his dignity, but under Fukasaku's murderous glare, all words choked in his throat, turning into a reluctant grumble.
He slunk off to the side, squatting in a corner and drawing circles on the ground.
He looked just like a dejected big dog scolded by its owner.
In his mind, Sora quietly put a period on the outcome of this "battle to defend the dignity of the master-disciple relationship."
Jiraiya: complete defeat.
"Kid, watch closely."
Fukasaku Sage shifted his full attention to Sora.
His murky old eyes were now terrifyingly clear, as if they could pierce through all facades to the essence.
"The essence of Senjutsu is perfectly harnessing three types of energy."
"The chakra within you, formed from the union of spirit and body—this is the 'internal'."
"The infinite natural energy existing in the atmosphere, the earth, the entire world—this is the 'external'."
He extended a withered finger and drew a circle in the air.
"Senjutsu is fusing these three forces in your body at a perfect ratio, uniting them as one."
"One bit too much, and you'll be devoured by natural energy, turning to stone."
"One bit too little, and you can't even cross the threshold into Sage Mode."
Fukasaku's explanation was simple, direct, without any superfluous embellishment.
Every word struck the core.
"It sounds somewhat similar to chakra nature transformation and shape transformation."
Sora timely posed a question brimming with "talent" and "thoughtfulness."
"Hmph, that's child's play."
Fukasaku dismissed it bluntly.
"Nature and shape transformation merely alter the 'form' and 'properties' of your own chakra."
"Senjutsu changes your very 'existence'."
"It briefly transforms you from 'human' to 'sage'!"
"It's a leap in the level of life itself!"
These words stirred Sora's heart slightly.
A leap in the level of life?
It aligned perfectly with his growth method of remodeling his physique and soul concepts through "devouring."
It seemed he had chosen the right path.
"Dear, stop with just theory."
Shima Sage, puffing on her pipe, spoke leisurely from the side.
"This stuff can't be learned by talking alone."
"He needs to see it with his own eyes and feel it himself."
She nudged her mouth toward Jiraiya, still drawing circles in the corner.
"Little Jiraiya."
Fukasaku's voice rang out again.
Jiraiya jolted, instantly snapping out of his sulking.
He looked up with a fawning smile.
"Yes, Master?"
"Come here."
Fukasaku pointed to the open space in front of Sora.
"Demonstrate it once for the kid."
"Remember, slow it down. Let him clearly see how you draw natural energy into your body."
Jiraiya's face fell again.
He couldn't escape this after all.
Being ordered around like an apprentice by his master in front of his newly accepted genius disciple.
He felt his dignity as one of the Sannin, as the gallant Jiraiya, shattered into dust and blown away by Myoboku Mountain's morning breeze.
He dawdled over to the center, meeting Sora's pure amber eyes filled with "eagerness to learn" and "anticipation."
Jiraiya's heart stung again.
Fine.
Embarrassing it is.
He took a deep breath and sat cross-legged.
Hands clasped together in front of his chest.
"Watch closely, kid!"
He tried to cover his unease with a loud voice.
"The most important thing in Sage Mode is..."
"Shut up!"
Fukasaku's staff precisely struck the back of his head.
"I told you to do it, not talk!"
Jiraiya: "..."
He completely gave up resisting.
The next second.
Jiraiya closed his eyes, entering a strange, motionless state.
He was no longer a living person.
More like a reef, an ancient tree.
He perfectly blended his aura into the surrounding environment.
Then.
Sora saw it.
Obvious changes began appearing on Jiraiya's face.
Thick, bright red markings emerged around his eye sockets.
His nose grew larger, even developing a few toad-like bumps.
His whole form took on a bizarre "half-human, half-toad" appearance.
At the same time.
A cold, emotionless prompt appeared quietly in Sora's consciousness.
[Detected special energy form: Sage Mode (Incomplete)]
[Commencing source energy analysis...]
[Analysis complete.]
[Disc generated: Jiraiya - Sage Mode (Incomplete)]
A new disc appeared in his system space.
On it, Jiraiya's half-human, half-toad face looked somewhat comical.
Surrounded by a mottled yet powerful swirl of natural energy.
Sora's mind raced.
Keep this disc as a trump card?
"Replicate and play" it at a critical moment to enter this incomplete Sage Mode himself?
The thought lasted only 0.01 seconds before he rejected it entirely.
Incomplete.
For a strategist pursuing perfection, the word itself was a flaw.
Moreover, this disc only contained the "how to perform" method.
The true priceless treasure was the core "concept" behind it—of balancing the three energies.
"Devour."
He issued the command inwardly.
[Confirm devouring disc: Jiraiya - Sage Mode (Incomplete)?]
[Upon devouring, the disc will permanently vanish, and its source energy concept will fully integrate into the host.]
"Confirm."
Buzz!
A vast, profound flood of information instantly rushed into the depths of his soul.
It wasn't knowledge infusion.
More like... unlocking a permission.
Everything about "Senjutsu" was no longer vague words or cold text on scrolls.
It became instinct.
An innate instinct, like breathing.
How to sense, guide, fuse.
Mental energy, physical energy, natural energy.
These three once distinct forces were deconstructed in Sora's cognition into the most basic data streams.
He could even clearly "see" the massive chakra of his Uzumaki immortal body circulating spontaneously in a perfect ratio.
All preparations complete.
Only awaiting the east wind.
And that "east wind" was the omnipresent, raging natural energy.
"Kid, what are you spacing out for?"
Jiraiya's untimely voice interrupted Sora's contemplation.
Seeing Sora motionless, as if his soul had left his body, he couldn't resist trying to act the master again.
"Scared silly by the power of Sage Mode?"
"Want your master to demonstrate again, in slow motion?"
Sora ignored him.
He simply sat cross-legged slowly.
His movements fluid and natural, as if practiced thousands of times.
"Hey, kid?"
Jiraiya felt ignored.
But Fukasaku raised a hand, stopping Jiraiya's chatter.
His murky old eyes locked unblinkingly on Sora.
An ominous yet supremely anticipatory premonition surged in his heart.
Sora closed his eyes.
The entire world instantly transformed in his perception.
Air was no longer air.
Earth was no longer earth.
All matter shed its shell, revealing its most primal form.
An ocean boiling with boundless, surging energy.
He was an isolated island in that ocean.
Now, he needed to open the floodgates and draw the water onto the island.
He began actively absorbing the surrounding natural energy.
Without the slightest hesitation or pause.
The raging energy surged into his body.
Jiraiya's heart leaped to his throat.
He could see clearly—this kid was absorbing natural energy faster than his own demonstration!
Insane!
Had the kid gone mad?!
He wanted to shout, but Fukasaku sternly stopped him.
"Watch!"
Fukasaku's voice was low, with a barely detectable tremble.
The moment the raging natural energy entered Sora's body, it met the massive chakra torrent already on full alert.
The two forces didn't clash violently as expected.
Instead, like converging rivers, they began a wondrous, high-speed fusion.
Sora's body was the battlefield and the furnace.
Everything developed toward perfection.
However.
Theory is theory.
Jiraiya saw nothing amiss.
He only felt Sora's state was stable—terrifyingly stable.
But Fukasaku saw clearly.
He saw Sora's face and arms beginning to swell.
Signs of toadification!
Though extremely slight, it had indeed appeared!
"Not good!"
Fukasaku reacted at extreme speed.
His black staff blurred through the air.
Without hesitation, he swung hard at Sora's back.
Yet, just as the seemingly powerful staff was about to strike, all its force miraculously vanished.
*Thud.*
A dull sound, like striking leather.
The black staff landed precisely on Sora's head.
Boom!
Sora felt the precise energy circulation he had just established forcibly severed by brute external force.
The natural energy he was rapidly assimilating scattered like startled fish, driven out of his body.
He abruptly opened his eyes.
His body swayed slightly but didn't fall.
"Hoo..."
He exhaled a long breath of turbid air.
Visible to the naked eye, it carried a faint white substance in the morning air.
"What happened?"
Jiraiya rushed over, anxiously examining Sora.
"You okay? You scared me to death!"
Sora didn't answer.
He just lowered his head, spread his palms, and carefully observed.
A faint, unfamiliar swelling sensation on his palms.
The skin texture seemed slightly rougher.
This was... the mark of failure.
For the first time, a ripple appeared in Sora's pure amber eyes.
The plan had deviated.
"Kid, did you feel it?"
Fukasaku's aged voice pulled him from absolute rational introspection.
"Just now, a small part of your skin began toadifying."
"Though only for an instant, though minuscule."
"But that's the sign of losing control."
He paused, his murky old eyes now filled with admiration.
"Yet, on your first attempt, to guide natural energy to this extent with only such a minor rejection..."
"You're truly a complete monster."
He turned to glance at Jiraiya, still in shock.
"Much stronger than this fool back in the day."
Jiraiya opened his mouth to retort but found himself unable.
Back then, his first attempt nearly turned him fully into a toad.
This kid only had a negligible change in skin texture.
Comparisons were infuriating.
"Alright." Fukasaku waved a hand, delivering the final verdict.
"You've officially entered the door."
He handed the plain-looking black staff to Jiraiya.
Jiraiya instinctively took it, feeling its cold, heavy weight.
"Master, this is?"
"From now on, you supervise this kid's training." Fukasaku's unquestionable command echoed.
"Remember, Senjutsu training allows no mistakes."
"The moment you detect energy imbalance, use this staff to wake him."
He warned in an extremely serious tone.
"Don't damage my successor."
Jiraiya: "..."
Successor?
Wasn't that evaluation a bit too high?
It was only the first day!
"Alright, old lady, let's go." Fukasaku ignored them and turned to Shima.
"Time to prepare lunch for these two brats."
"A hearty, energizing welcome feast."
Lunch?
Hearing that, Jiraiya's freshly normalized face turned green again.
He reflexively recalled Shima's proud "signature dishes."
Deep-fried moths, stewed worms, and that childhood nightmare—slug sashimi...
His stomach churned.
"Little Jiraiya, look at you, so spineless." Shima blew a smoke ring and glanced at him disdainfully.
"It's little Sora's first time; of course I'll bring out my best to welcome him."
Jiraiya's face grew greener.
Just as he felt his life plunging into darkness.
A hand gently tugged his sleeve.
He looked down to see Sora's innocent, concerned face.
"Master."
Sora lowered his voice to a whisper only they could hear.
"Don't worry."
"I brought plenty of canned beef and tonkotsu ramen."
"We can sneak some later to tide us over."
"The main meal comes—we'll just symbolically eat a couple bites."
Jiraiya froze.
He looked at Sora, then at the mountain of sealing scrolls at his feet.
An indescribable wave of immense gratitude overwhelmed him.
What a divine disciple!
Not only extraordinarily talented but so considerate and understanding!
"Sora!"
Jiraiya grabbed Sora's shoulders, trembling with emotion.
"You're truly my good disciple!"
He felt his eyes moisten.
Sora merely gave a shy, plan-succeeded smile.
A perfect plan accounts for all possible contingencies.
Including, but not limited to, his master's fragile stomach unable to handle otherworldly cuisine.
...
Fukasaku and Shima's figures vanished into the distant mushroom forest.
On the giant lotus leaf, only master and disciple remained.
After a brief warm moment, the atmosphere turned serious again.
Jiraiya weighed the black staff, cleared his throat, and forced himself into the "strict master" role.
"Ahem, kid."
"Senjutsu training truly begins now."
He pointed at Sora.
"Sit."
"Continue absorbing natural energy."
"Remember, this time your goal isn't how much to absorb, but maintaining balance."
"Let mental energy, physical energy, and natural energy achieve an absolute, perfect, static equilibrium in your body."
His expression was unprecedentedly grave.
"The slightest fluctuation, and I..."
He raised the black staff.
"Will wake you up."
"Understood."
Sora nodded without hesitation and sat cross-legged again.
He closed his eyes and once more opened his body's "gates."
Raging natural energy surged in again.
But this time, Sora didn't let it rampage.
He precisely mobilized his chakra, attempting to confront the external force.
Like walking a tightrope over a thousand-foot cliff.
Left: the ocean of his own chakra.
Right: the flood of external natural energy.
He had to steadily walk the nearly nonexistent line in the middle.
One second.
Two seconds.
Sora held it.
He even felt the three forces reach a subtle harmony.
However.
At the third second.
His mind experienced a minuscule lapse, almost imperceptible even to himself.
Balance broken.
Whoosh!
Before he could react.
A cold, hard staff whistled through the air, striking his nape with perfect precision.
*Thud!*
A muffled sound.
Sora's vision blackened; he pitched forward uncontrollably.
The fragile balance collapsed instantly.
Sora climbed up from the ground, rubbing his aching nape, silent.
He simply sat properly again.
Again.
Close eyes, draw energy, fuse, balance.
This time, he lasted five seconds.
*Thud!*
Another strike, precisely on his shoulder.
"Too hasty!"
"You're trying to control it, not guide it! Natural energy isn't your chakra—it has its own 'will'!"
Sora gritted his teeth.
Again!
*Thud!*
"Mind not focused! What are you thinking?!"
Again!
*Thud!*
"Body too tense! Relax!"
Again!
*Thud!*
"Idiot! I told you to guide it!"
Half a day passed swiftly in this monotonous, pain-filled cycle.
*Thud!*
*Thud!*
*Thud!*
Crisp, dull strikes became the only melody on this quiet wetland.
Jiraiya turned into a tireless fault-finding machine.
No matter how close to perfect Sora got, he always found that tiniest flaw.
Then mercilessly struck.
Sora felt like he was falling apart.
Every part of him screamed in pain.
Face, arms, back—bruised black and blue.
Utterly battered.
But his amber eyes grew brighter.
Each strike, each failure, each scolding.
Provided his ultimate rational mind with the most precious, precise error-correction data.
Pain was merely a signal.
A marker for "error."
He was collecting these "errors" at a terrifying speed, then eliminating them from his program one by one.
Finally.
As the sun began to set.
Jiraiya's raised black staff paused mid-air, not falling.
Sora sat quietly.
A visible swirl of utterly pure energy encircled him.
The three forces achieved an unprecedented perfect dynamic balance.
Time ticked by.
One minute.
Five minutes.
Ten minutes.
No sign of toadification.
Jiraiya slowly lowered the staff.
He looked at his bruised, swollen yet rock-steady disciple.
On his usually frivolous face emerged a complex emotion.
Shock, gratification, and a trace of heartfelt awe.
He put away the staff.
"Alright."
"We'll stop here for the morning."
Hearing this, Sora's taut body finally relaxed.
Boom!
The perfectly balanced energy dissipated instantly.
Boundless exhaustion flooded him like a tide.
He could no longer hold on, collapsing straight backward.
Onto the soft lotus leaf fragrant with grass.
He didn't even want to move a finger.
A shadow loomed over him.
Jiraiya.
He pulled a sealing scroll from his robe and tossed it to Sora.
"Your reward."
With his last strength, Sora lifted his swollen eyelids and unsealed it.
White smoke cleared.
A beautifully packaged cup of "Deluxe Tonkotsu Chashu Flavor" instant noodles lay there quietly.