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"Orochimaru, why would you ask about this?"
Jiraiya was taken aback for a moment, but then, seeing Orochimaru's serious expression, he reluctantly informed him, "Indeed, there is. I originally planned to keep it as a trump card to surprise you all later. I didn't expect you to already know. Orochimaru, how did you find out about Sage Mode?"
"Idiot, did you think only Mount Myōboku had Sage Mode? Shikkotsu Forest has it too!"
Tsunade said with a snort after putting down her sake cup. Her grandfather was a Sage, and her grand-uncle had researched Sage Mode, though he never mastered it.
To others, Sage Mode might be a secret, but to the Senju clan, it was no mystery at all.
"Indeed, Shikkotsu Forest also possesses it. However, I'm curious about the differences in Sage Mode between the three great Sage regions. Jiraiya, is Mount Myōboku Sage Mode difficult to learn?"
Orochimaru inquired further from Jiraiya, who sighed in response before telling him, "I spent ten years learning Sage Mode and even now, I can barely control it, and that's with the help of the Sages of Mount Myōboku. Without their aid, I probably could never master Sage Mode."
Remembering the lessons learned while studying Sage Mode, Jiraiya shuddered.
It involved eating bugs, being beaten with sticks daily, and being thrown from great heights.
Even now, he could barely maintain Sage Mode on his own, as enemies wouldn't wait for him to gather Sage Chakra for several minutes.
Only with the help of the two great Sages could he quickly enter Sage Mode.
"Orochimaru, are you interested in learning Sage Mode?"
"The Sage Mode of Ryūchi Cave is also challenging. Without passing the trials of Ryūchi Cave, I can't learn it."
Orochimaru didn't hide his intentions from Jiraiya; he wanted to understand the risks of training in Sage Mode to devise a strategy. He believed any technique could be mastered, given enough time and research.
"The Sage Mode of Shikkotsu Forest is very dangerous, almost like soaking oneself in a slug's acidic secretions. Although not that exaggerated, without strong regenerative abilities, it's impossible to successfully train in the Sage Mode of Shikkotsu Forest."
Tsunade wasn't stingy with these methods. In her view, aside from her grandfather, no one else could successfully master the Sage Mode of Shikkotsu Forest.
"My great-grandfather studied it for a long time and ultimately gave up. Without my grandfather's physique, it's impossible to train in the Sage Mode of Shikkotsu Forest."
Hearing this, Jiraiya said, "Then Mount Myoboku's Sage Mode is relatively simpler, though still challenging. As long as a Sage helps, it's always possible to succeed."
The biggest danger of Mount Myoboku's Sage Mode is being eroded by natural energy. However, Mount Myōboku has a staff that can harness natural energy. Whether or not the Sages will help you train depends on your relationship with Mount Myōboku.
"Is that so? Thank you."
Orochimaru then raised his sake cup in gratitude. Today, he had gained much insight into the dangers of natural energy and planned to visit Ryūchi Cave when he had time.
If Jiraiya could succeed, there's no reason he couldn't.
"Orochimaru, you didn't learn about Sage Mode from Uchiha Yōichi, did you?"
Jiraiya suddenly asked, recalling that Orochimaru hadn't known about Sage Mode before. If he had known and been interested, he would've asked earlier. The only recent connection to Ryūchi Cave was Yōichi.
"Correct, I went to consult Yōichi-kun, and he didn't hide anything."
And he revealed many risks associated with Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode, equating it to an A-rank forbidden jutsu.
Jiraiya took a drink and sighed, "That kid, always not easy to get along with, and has quite the temper."
"How so?" Tsunade inquired.
"During the last mission-"
Jiraiya then shared the events of the mission with Tsunade and Orochimaru.
However, Orochimaru shook his head and said, "If I were leading the team, I would have him brought back to the village for interrogation."
Jiraiya was surprised, "Isn't that a bit much, Orochimaru? He's just unpleasant to talk to."
"Hmph," Tsunade snorted disdainfully and then reproachfully said to Jiraiya, "Are you an idiot? That ninja Orochimaru mentioned, harboring resentment towards the Uchiha kid, why would you keep someone like that around? To resent a hero?"
"Although the Uchiha kid might not be likable, he at least completes missions successfully. What has the other person done? Saying something like causing a comrade's death?"
Although Tsunade sometimes wanted to hit that Uchiha kid, facing someone who resented their teammate, she wouldn't let it slide.
Seeing both of his companions opposed him, Jiraiya had no choice but to concede, "Alright, alright, let's talk about something else."
---
Konoha and the Land of Fire reaped a bountiful harvest in the Land of Rivers, but the Sand Village and the Land of Wind suffered heavy losses.
They had hoped to secure more profits, but not only did they fail to achieve their goal, they also couldn't even secure their original share, and were subtly accused of assassinating the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers.
Now, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind was not only angry but also distrustful of the Sand Village, believing they dared to assassinate a country's Daimyo without the Sand Daimyo's orders.
Even if it was a minor country's Daimyo, it was unacceptable!
However, these concerns were secondary for the Sand Village. What mattered most was the disappearance of their Third Kazekage, and the vague information from Leaf ninja suggested that the Third Kazekage might have been killed by their own village's ninja.
It sounded like a ridiculous joke, but with the entire village's effort unable to locate the Third Kazekage, and with Sasori's sudden disappearance, they couldn't help but doubt.
During a high-level meeting in the Sand Village, Chiyo's expression was grim. She looked around at the attending high-ranking officials, none of whom spoke.
"You... you don't really believe the Leaf ninja's divisive words, do you? My grandson is only a teenager. How could he possibly kill the Third Kazekage!"
Her last words were almost a shout, as Chiyo would not allow her only grandson to be slandered.
"Moreover, the Leaf saying this is for the sake of the Land of Rivers. We should be targeting the Leaf, not falling for their divisiveness."
"Chiyo-sama!"
Suddenly, a Sand Village high-ranking official spoke up, interrupting Chiyo, and after a moment of silence in the meeting room, continued, "Where is Sasori? Why did he suddenly leave the village?"
This question was unavoidable. Why would he leave the village for so long without reason? This was considered desertion!
Another Sand Village high-ranking official also spoke, "Sasori might be young, but his strength as a Jōnin is unquestioned by anyone. Moreover, it's said that the poison Sasori creates is unbreakable by anyone in the village, even by you, Chiyo-sama. Is that true?"
Chiyo's expression darkened as she said, "What are you all trying to say."
"Enough, let's not fight amongst ourselves anymore. Let's focus on the village's affairs."
Rasa spoke up to quell the argument. He was the disciple of the Third Kazekage and the only ninja in the Sand Village who could use Magnet Release.
"Let's decide on the important matters. I also don't believe the Leaf ninja's words. We should continue searching for the Third Kazekage-sama, and in the meantime, select someone to command the village."
"You should take on that role, Rasa."
As soon as Rasa finished speaking, Ebizō almost simultaneously spoke up, "You were already a candidate for Kazekage. With the Third not here, it's most suitable for you to manage the village."
There was no opposition among the Sand Village high-ranking officials, so Rasa assumed the role of acting Kazekage.
Rasa had competitors in the Sand Village, with the Sand hero—Pakura—putting considerable pressure on him.
If not for his Magnet Release and being the disciple of the Third Kazekage, competing with Yashamaru would have been challenging.
The Sand Village and the Hidden Mist Village were old enemies, but Pakura had been unbeaten in wars against the Mist, earning the title of Sand hero from her frequent victories.
Moreover, Pakura possessed the Scorch Release Kekkei Genkai, making her quite powerful.
Fortunately, Rasa managed to assume the position of Kazekage during the Sand Village high-level meeting, although only as acting Kazekage. Without the Third's return, he would effectively be the Fourth Kazekage.
As for finding the Third Kazekage, the Sand Village high-ranking officials already believed he had met with misfortune and died.
If there was no trouble, a village's Kage disappearing for months without contact would be absurd.
Rasa's ascension to Kazekage was not easy, as he inherited a multitude of problems from the Sand Village.
The reduction in missions from the Land of Rivers, decreased mission assignments from the Land of Wind, reduced external profits, and constant trouble from the Hidden Mist meant that without change, the Sand Village would decline within a few years.
After much thought, Rasa soon convened another high-level meeting of the Sand Village and expressed his idea, "Prepare for war. We must win against the Leaf to regain our lost profits!"
Few in the Sand Village high-ranking officials opposed, as the village's current state left war as the only option for salvation.
With decreased mission assignments, the Kazekage's disappearance, and instability within the village, only a resounding victory could regain their share of missions and boost morale.
"The state of Bunpuku might not be good. If we're going to war, we need to prepare a replacement for the Jinchūriki."
The Sand Village high-ranking official responsible for the Jinchūriki spoke, "After the war, Bunpuku's life might reach its limit. If we don't prepare a new Jinchūriki in advance, we'll have to wait several years to capture Shukaku again."
"Do we have suitable candidates in the village?"
"The Third mentioned it once, but... no selections were made."
Rasa said, "Let's quickly choose suitable candidates. Although Bunpuku should last a while longer, we won't use the Jinchūriki at the start of the war. Anyway, prepare for war as soon as possible."
"Understood."
After giving the order, the Sand Village sprang into action, including Chiyo.
Although worried about her grandson possibly killing the Third Kazekage, with the Sand Village preparing for war, Chiyo had to focus on village affairs.
As a puppeteer and medical ninja skilled in poison, Chiyo was responsible for medical care and supplying poison to the frontline during external wars.
The Sand Village was notorious for its use of poison in the previous Great Ninja War. Aside from Tsunade of the Leaf, other villages had no answer for the Sand's poison.
---
[Divine Tongue]: Your tongue is bestowed with divine power. Massaging someone with your tongue can make them feel as if they're in a heavenly realm, causing anyone massaged by your tongue to speak their innermost thoughts within three seconds.]
"???"
Yōichi was full of question marks upon seeing his new ability.
He initially thought it would be the Divine Tongue from Shokugeki no Soma, but what was this massaging with the tongue?
Although making someone speak their inner thoughts with a tongue massage might be useful, how practical was it?
How many female ninja would let him interrogate them? "I'd like to use it, but on whom?"
Yōichi decided to ignore this ability, having already gained significantly from previous abilities. He didn't expect his luck to continue indefinitely and decided to wait a month to see what the next ability refresh would bring.
Suddenly, the sound of a chain rattling came from behind. Yōichi instinctively dodged, then quickly grabbed the chain near his face with lightning in his hand.
However, the chain glowed gold, and the lightning in Yōichi's hand disappeared upon contact. The gold chain wrapped tightly around his hand.
"Mina, have you awakened the Adamantine Sealing Chains?"
Yōichi was surprised to see the chain wrapped around his hand and asked in astonishment.
The Uzumaki clan's inherited sealing techniques were indeed formidable. He felt the flow of chakra in his arm nearly stop, becoming sluggish and difficult to control.
If the Adamantine Sealing Chains were wrapped around him, Yōichi might be reduced to an ordinary person.
"I just awakened it today, Yōichi-sama."
Mina happily approached, then unwrapped the Adamantine Chain from Yōichi's hand.
"After consulting Kushina, she shared some techniques with me, and I managed to use it. I thought I couldn't awaken this ability."
Mina then stood beside Yōichi, slightly bowing her head.
It took nearly ten seconds for Yōichi to react, then he praised her by patting her red hair, "Well done, Mina. Once you're proficient with this ability, ordinary Jōnin won't be able to harm you."
The Adamantine Sealing Chains could also create an Adamantine Barrier. Even Hiruzen found the barrier created by a weakened Kushina troublesome.
Mina looked forward eagerly, "Yōichi-sama, can I accompany you on missions now?"
After considering, Yōichi realized it was a good idea to take more missions recently to make a name in the ninja world. Bringing Mina along seemed like a good choice.
With medical jutsu, sensory abilities, Adamantine Sealing Chains, and summoning Gates, Mina's self-defense was not weak, and she could also heal injuries, making her a valuable ally.
"Okay, tell Tsunade tomorrow, and we'll take on a mission the day after."
Yōichi had been planning to make a name for himself in the ninja world through missions for a long time.
Although a full mission squad required four members, Yōichi could ask the Second Elder to assign two clan members in name only to the squad without participating in missions, leaving only him and Mina to execute them.
Yōichi had made progress in sensing chakra with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
For a ninja specializing in Yin Release, learning such techniques was relatively easy, but this was just the beginning.
There was still a long way to go before he could proficiently use the Flying Thunder God Technique in combat.
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(End of chapter)