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"So, you are the 'Toad Sage' that Jii-chan made mention of?" inquired Naruto, addressing Jiraiya.
"Indeed... I am the 'Toad Sage' Jiraiya!" confirmed Jiraiya, then turning his gaze to Hiruzen, "Finally, a proper introduction has been made." Jiraiya expressed to Hiruzen.
"Just to reaffirm, you were my father's mentor, correct?" Naruto sought further clarification.
"Indeed, I was your father's mentor," Jiraiya confirmed. "I can enlighten you with a Jutsu your father crafted," Jiraiya offered, summoning the Rasengan in his palm. "This is the Rasengan."
"Ah, Jii-chan has spoken to me about it," responded Naruto, similarly summoning the swirling blue chakra in his hand. "It's truly remarkable," Naruto expressed.
"You bestowed this knowledge upon him?" Jiraiya queried Hiruzen, his face marked with surprise.
"In truth, I merely demonstrated it once, and he was able to replicate it," Hiruzen responded.
"Incredible. Is this a benefit of his potent eyes?" Jiraiya mused to himself. Hiruzen had previously briefed him on Naruto's unique ocular abilities, and he had been tasked with gathering information about them and the Namikaze lineage, all in an effort to support Naruto's training and instruct him properly in his father's clan techniques.
"Quite impressive, Naruto. You are indeed a prodigy... Much like your father," Jiraiya complimented Naruto, a proud smile gracing his features.
Naruto returned the smile as the Rasengan dissipated in his hand. "Jii-chan mentioned a 'sage mode' where one harnesses nature's energy. He told me that you could instruct me on this," Naruto stated, anticipation clear in his voice.
"I will guide you. Let us first relocate," Jiraiya suggested.
Bidding farewell to Hiruzen, the pair vacated the Hokage office and Jiraiya led Naruto to a training field adjacent to a waterfall.
"So, you will instruct me in the Sage mode now?" Naruto asked, excitement evident in his tone.
"Indeed, but first we must discuss something... Or rather, I must instruct you on a particular matter," Jiraiya stated, drawing out a piece of paper.
"What is that?" Naruto inquired, puzzled.
"You'll soon find out," Jiraiya responded cryptically.
Naruto simply nodded.
"Naruto, are you familiar with the five basic chakra natures?" Jiraiya asked, stowing the paper back in his pocket.
"Certainly, Fire Release, Water Release, Earth Release, Wind Release, and Lightning Release. These are the five basic chakra natures, and my chakra affinity is wind release," Naruto replied.
"Those are indeed the five basic chakra natures that most speak of... However, there are two additional nature transformations. Ninjas fuse these two components together in varying proportions to create chakra. Are you aware of these?" Jiraiya inquired.
"Certainly, I've read about them. They are Yin and Yang release," Naruto replied calmly.
"Correct... Yin Release employs spiritual energy, while Yang Release utilizes physical energy," Jiraiya clarified. "Being a Namikaze, you possess both Yin and Yang, in addition to a third energy... A unique trait of the Namikaze Clan members."
"A third energy! I've always sensed a darker energy within me," Naruto commented.
"That's the energy of the Nine-Tails chakra. As a Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, you have inherited its dark chakra," Jiraiya explained.
"Then what are you referring to?" Naruto asked, confusion creeping into his tone.
"As Sensei mentioned, you are already utilizing a technique derived from the third energy I spoke of..." Jiraiya stated.
"Are you referring to the Limitless technique?" Naruto asked.
"Indeed. The Limitless technique stems from the energy I am referring to, and only members of the Namikaze clan can wield it, including yourself," Jiraiya explained to Naruto.
"What is it called?" Naruto inquired.
"It is known as the Curse Technique. There are various techniques, like the Limitless, that Namikaze Clan members can perform using this Curse energy," Jiraiya calmly explained.
"So, my father could also use this Curse energy?" Naruto asked.
"No, unfortunately. For reasons unknown, despite being a Namikaze, he did not possess the Curse energy nor could he perform any of the Curse techniques. This is why he was cast out from the Namikaze Clan and their village," Jiraiya commented.
Naruto felt a surge of anger at the revelation. "They cast out my father? I will make them pay for casting out my father," Naruto declared angrily.
"Well, you can't. You see, during the Third Shinobi World War, both the Namikaze Clan and the Uzumaki Clan were among the most feared clans in the Shinobi world. As you may have heard, the Uzumaki Clan, along with their village, were destroyed. Similarly, the Namikaze Clan and their village were annihilated, but unlike the Uzumaki Clan, no members of the Namikaze Clan had the chance to escape the destruction," Jiraiya explained.
"Except for my father..." Naruto remarked.
"Yes, as he was expelled from the village and the clan, he came to Konoha, the Hidden Leaf, and made it his home. He was very young when he arrived here. I was the first to encounter him and I witnessed the talent he possessed. So I took him under my wing, and he was admitted to the Konoha Academy. He was a prodigy right from the start, much like you are now," Jiraiya paused.
"Now, let's return to the topic of the Curse Technique. You have been utilizing a small portion, or rather, a fragment of the Limitless technique until now. However, I have gathered information about many other techniques you can employ by manipulating the Curse Technique and the Limitless as well," Jiraiya said as he sat down near a tree. "Sit down, Naruto," Jiraiya said with a serious tone.
Naruto walked over to the tree where Jiraiya was seated and took a seat in front of him.
Jiraiya retrieved a scroll, slightly burnt but still legible, and unfurled it. The contents of the scroll were visible despite its condition. He gave the scroll to Naruto.
"The Limitless technique is an inherited ability that grants the user the power to manipulate space. Its base state is Infinity, which represents the power to halt. This ability renders other energies powerless upon contact with the user. It also grants the user the capability to halt any attack directed at them and generate potent attractive or repulsive forces to overpower opponents," Naruto read aloud from the scroll.
"So, I have been employing this technique without even realizing it. That's incredible..." Naruto remarked as he stopped reading.
"Well, as I mentioned, you have only been tapping into a fraction of its true power," Jiraiya explained, tilting his head against the tree. "Read through it, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask me anytime," Jiraiya commented as he closed his eyes, settling in for a nap.
Naruto refocused his attention on the scroll in his hand.
"So, I am aware of the technique to halt my opponents using the Limitless, but I have yet to master the ability to generate this repulsive force," Naruto contemplated.
Naruto's eyes widened as he read about the additional techniques derived from the Curse Technique.
"So I can do all of these using the Limitless technique!" Naruto exclaimed in awe. "Teleporting instantly is similar to the Flying Raijin technique," he murmured to himself, continuing to read from the scroll.
He came across the description of the Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue.
"This technique utilizes the Limitless Cursed Technique to generate a magnetic force that draws everything in. To learn this, one must master the concept of negative cursed energy," Naruto read.
His curiosity piqued, Naruto delved further into the scroll and came across the Cursed Technique Reversal: Red.
"The exact opposite of the Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue, this technique pushes things away with a force even stronger than Blue. It requires precise control of positive cursed energy," Naruto discovered.
As he continued reading, Naruto stumbled upon the Domain Expansion technique.
"'Unlimited Void'... It creates a space where infinite information overwhelms anyone trapped within, rendering them immobile. It's the pinnacle of the Limitless technique," Naruto read with a mixture of fascination and determination.
A surge of excitement coursed through Naruto's veins as he realized the untapped potential of the Curse Technique and the Limitless technique. He knew that mastering these techniques would elevate his skills to a whole new level.
"I must learn and master these techniques," Naruto vowed to himself, his eyes gleaming with determination.
As the scroll slipped from his grasp, the sound of parchment meeting stone echoed through the still air. Simultaneously, Jiraiya stirred from his midday slumber, the sun already high and the afternoon creeping closer.
"Have you finished deciphering it?" Jiraiya queried Naruto, his tone casual yet curiosity evident.
"I've traversed every word, every phrase, every sentence, but still, the enigma of my eyes persists, Jiraiya-sensei." Naruto responded, a hint of frustration coloring his usually calm tone.
"Well, from what I've gleaned from Sensei and your father, it seems even the clan itself had scant knowledge of these peculiar eyes. The reason for this scarcity of information, you might ask? The last recorded incidence of these eyes was four centuries ago, leaving the clans with little to no insight." Jiraiya elucidated the mystery to Naruto.
"So, am I to understand that I'm the sole possessor of these eyes in the last 400 years?" Naruto inquired, a spark of thrill flaring in his eyes.
"Indeed, you could perceive it that way." Jiraiya replied, a chuckle escaping his lips.
"We should get going, the afternoon is upon us, and my stomach is in dire need of sustenance." Jiraiya stated, noticing Naruto's contemplative silence.
"But Jiraiya-sensei, what about the sage technique you promised to teach me?" Naruto inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"First, master these techniques before the final round of the Chunin exam. After that, I'll guide you to the location where the sage technique can be learned." Jiraiya explained, his words brimming with wisdom.
Naruto gave a nod of understanding, standing up as they left the field behind.
"Have you attempted any of the techniques from the scroll?" Jiraiya inquired, his curiosity renewed.
"No, I have merely studied them. I plan to practice them starting tomorrow, may I retain the scroll?" Naruto requested.
Jiraiya gave his consent with a nod.
Following their meal together, Naruto bid Jiraiya goodbye and headed for his apartment.
[Are these techniques well-explained? If not, well, that's the way the cookie crumbles.
Please continue supporting this series with your powerstones. From the next chapter, I'll be releasing it early on Patreon, so if you're eager for a sneak peek, do check it out. Thanks!].