Inside the great hall of Mount Myoboku's Sage Palace, silence pressed like a heavy mist. A colossal, ancient toad larger even than Gamabunta rested upon a throne-like seat. His breaths rumbled in long, slow snores, the sound echoing faintly across the stone chamber.
When Shima, Fukasaku, Jiraiya, and Naruto entered, Fukasaku hopped forward and stopped before the Great Toad Sage. Bowing slightly, he called in his gravelly voice.
"Elder, wake up. Little Jiraiya and young Naruto have come. They wish to learn senjutsu."
He called several times before the old sage finally stirred. Heavy eyelids dragged open, revealing pupils still clouded with the haze of sleep. His voice came out slow and muffled.
"What's the matter, Fukasaku?"
Patiently, Fukasaku repeated himself.
"Little Jiraiya… and young Naruto?" The Great Toad Sage blinked, finally lowering his gaze to the figures below.
Naruto straightened at once. His voice carried the booming spirit of youth.
"Good day, Great Sage!"
Beside him, Jiraiya normally carefree bowed with rare solemnity.
But before they could say more, a soft rumble filled the hall once again. The Great Toad Sage had drifted back to sleep.
Shima's tiny body trembled with irritation. Veins bulged on her forehead as she leapt beside the sage's enormous ear. She sucked in a breath, then unleashed a thunderous bellow.
"Wake up!"
The force rattled the air, soundwaves visibly rippling outward.
The old sage's eyes snapped open. Pupils shrank, his sluggishness swept away in an instant. Cold sweat dampened his wrinkled skin as he croaked hurriedly.
"I'm awake! I'm awake!"
"Hmph." Shima hopped back, muttering under her breath, while she and Fukasaku took their places at the sage's side.
The Great Toad Sage peered down. "And who are you, young one?"
Naruto puffed out his chest proudly. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki, your new summoner!"
"Ah, so you are the boy." The sage gave a slow nod. His eyes drifted to Jiraiya. "And you are…?"
Jiraiya pointed dramatically to himself, wounded expression plastered on his face. "It's me, Great Sage! Jiraiya, your loyal student. Don't tell me you've forgotten me?"
A rumble like rolling thunder shook the sage's chest laughter, deep and booming. His wrinkles folded into a sly grin.
"Of course not! Just teasing you, little Jiraiya."
Then his voice grew solemn. "So. You have come here for…?"
"Little Naruto wishes to study senjutsu," Fukasaku answered.
The sage's gaze fixed on Naruto, heavy and piercing, as if it could peel away flesh and bone to see the boy's very soul. After a long silence, the ancient toad finally spoke.
"Very well. Fukasaku, teach him. I am weary."
His words trailed into a sigh. His eyes fell shut again, breathing deepening until sleep reclaimed him.
Fukasaku hopped to Naruto's shoulder. "Come along, lad. The Great Sage has given his blessing. I'll begin your training right away."
Naruto looked back at the elder, studying the lined face and weary expression. Something about it unsettled him, but he said nothing and followed Fukasaku. Jiraiya fell in step behind them.
Only after they had left did Shima turn back. Her sharp eyes widened. "Elder, are you… all right?"
Two crimson streaks trickled from the corners of the Great Toad Sage's eyes. Slowly he opened them again, sclera laced with fine red veins. His expression was strained, exhausted beyond measure.
"It is nothing," he murmured. A gnarled limb brushed away the blood tears. His voice carried a weight that filled the hall with dread. "Merely a vision I should not have glimpsed. Thankfully, there was no malice. To have been seen at all and survive… is fortune enough."
"What did you see?" Shima pressed, worry etched in her small features.
The old sage's eyes clouded with memory. "Perhaps… a god."
In his mind lingered the image of a golden-haired youth standing atop a radiant Buddha wreathed in five-colored light. The figure had turned, meeting his gaze with a gentle smile.
That single glance had pierced him like lightning. His vision nearly failed, his soul shuddered as if on the edge of collapse.
Just one image, and his eyes had nearly gone blind.
This, he realized, was the lightest punishment possible.
Such was the price of peering into the strong even when the strong bore no hostility.
Shima said nothing further. She could not understand, but instinct told her not to pry.
Meanwhile, outside the palace, Naruto scratched his head as he followed Fukasaku along the misty stone path. He hesitated before voicing his thought.
"Grandpa Fukasaku… doesn't the Great Sage seem a little…" He trailed off, fumbling for words.
"You mean senile?" Fukasaku asked bluntly.
Naruto winced. "Well… yeah."
Fukasaku waved a hand. "The old sage is over a thousand years old, boy. A little confusion is only natural."
"A thousand years?!" Naruto's eyes bulged, mouth hanging open in shock. He had never imagined any creature living so long.
They passed towering plants and winding stone paths until the roar of rushing water filled the air. A vast waterfall came into view, flanked by rows of carved stone toads.
Here, Jiraiya stopped. He gave Naruto an encouraging smile. "I'll take my leave. Naruto, I'm entrusting you to Fukasaku."
"Off with you," Fukasaku muttered, waving dismissively. He had little patience for Jiraiya's antics.
"Ha ha, don't mind me." Jiraiya chuckled, turning to Naruto. "Before the Chunin Exams, I'll come fetch you. Train hard here, all right?"
"Yes, sir!" Naruto saluted energetically.
With that, Jiraiya vanished in a puff of smoke, returning to the shinobi world. Naruto remained, gazing up at the waterfall with anticipation.
Stone toads lined the shore like silent guardians.
"Now then, Naruto," Fukasaku said, hopping down from his shoulder, "let me explain what senjutsu truly is."
Naruto's expression hardened with focus. "Please teach me, Grandpa Fukasaku."
"Senjutsu," Fukasaku began, "is the art of drawing in the world's natural energy to strengthen your ninjutsu and taijutsu. The essence of it is balance merging nature's energy with your own chakra to create something greater: Sage Chakra."
He paused, eyes narrowing seriously. "You already know that ordinary chakra is made from physical energy and spiritual energy, yes?"
Naruto nodded quickly. Kakashi had drilled that lesson into him from the start.
"Well then, Sage Chakra is physical energy, spiritual energy, and natural energy in perfect balance one to one to one. Achieving that balance, however, is nearly impossible. Many spend a lifetime and never succeed. Even Jiraiya has practiced for twenty years and still can't enter Sage Mode on his own."
The old toad gave Naruto a firm look. "Do you see now how difficult this training will be?"
Naruto clenched his fists. His blue eyes shone with determination. "I understand. But I'll do it."
Then, with a sheepish grin, he scratched his head. "Uh, Grandpa Fukasaku… what exactly is natural energy? I've never even felt it before."
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