Chapter 57: Explaining the Future
Seeing the strange and worried looks from Jiraiya and Tsunade, Tenchi didn't keep them guessing. He explained directly. "I'm currently working for a certain high-ranking official in the village. He's made sure I can still leave whenever I need to. As for who it is... you can probably guess. I can't say much more than that. So now you see, I'm not being lazy or depressed. I'm just resting."
Hearing this, the three Sannin started wondering. Who in the village's leadership had the power and the will to protect Tenchi like this?
"Tch, yeah right," Nawaki muttered under his breath, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "As if some important person would hire a criminal ninja. You're just making that up."
Tenchi slowly turned his head, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Nawaki. *'I swear, if you weren't Tsunade's little brother, I would have thrown you through a wall by now. Don't think I'm made of patience.'*
Seeing the dangerous glint in Tenchi's eyes, the three Sannin knew he was reaching his limit. Tsunade quickly grabbed Nawaki and pulled him back. "You brat, shut your mouth! If you keep talking nonsense, I'll really beat you up this time!" she hissed at him.
"Big Brother Tenchi," Jiraiya said loudly, trying to lighten the mood again. He raised his bowl. "Since you've got things handled, we're relieved. We were just worried about you. Come on, let's have a drink!"
"Big Brother Tenchi, I would also like to propose a toast," Orochimaru added, raising his own bowl. "I wish you success in your future endeavors."
Nawaki just looked more confused. *'Why is everyone so careful around him? I don't believe he'd actually try anything inside Konoha.'*
Tenchi finally pulled his gaze away from Nawaki. "Hahaha! It's not easy to hear such nice words from you, Orochimaru. Alright, alright! Since we're all finally together, let's drink!"
The four of them raised their bowls and drank. After he put his bowl down, Jiraiya couldn't hold his question back any longer. "Big Brother Tenchi, how do you know so much about Mount Myoboku? Lord Hiruzen told me you knew all about it, like you'd been there yourself."
Tenchi tore off a chicken leg and handed it to Tsunade, ignoring Nawaki's disapproving stare. "Oh, that? I was just fooling around with Old Man Sarutobi," he said casually. "I actually learned about it all in a dream."
"A dream? Mount Myoboku? What are you two talking about?" Tsunade asked, looking completely lost. Orochimaru also leaned in, his curiosity clearly piquated.
"Let me explain," Jiraiya said, puffing out his chest. "There are three great sage regions in this world: Mount Myoboku, Ryuchi Cave, and the Shikkotsu Forest."
"Each one is home to a powerful sage: the Great Toad Sage, the Great White Snake Sage, and the Slug Sage. It's said that if you can find them and earn their approval, you can learn a power called Sage Art."
"Sage Art? What's that?" Tsunade and Orochimaru asked at the same time.
"I didn't expect Big Brother Tenchi to know about Sage Art," Jiraiya said, sounding proud. "I can tell you, it's even stronger than regular ninjutsu!"
Hearing Jiraiya's vague explanation, the other two still looked confused. Tenchi sighed. "Who can understand you when you put it like that, Jiraiya? Let me explain it properly."
Jiraiya just scratched his head, embarrassed. He was still a beginner himself and didn't fully understand it.
"We all know that normal chakra is made by mixing the energy from your body and the energy from your mind," Tenchi began, like a teacher. "Ninjas use this chakra to perform jutsu."
"But Sage Art chakra is different. You have to draw in the natural energy that exists all around us—from the air, the earth, the trees. You then mix that natural energy perfectly with your own physical and mental energy. The power you get from this mix is immense. Any technique you use with this power becomes a Sage Art. If you master it, your strength will increase many times over."
He then looked at them seriously. "But Sage Art is also very dangerous. If you fail to control the natural energy, it can be fatal. If you want to learn it, you absolutely need a proper teacher to guide you." He finished his lesson.
Even Nawaki was listening carefully now, a little shocked. *'Is this for real? How does a guy like him know all this?'*
"I see," Orochimaru said, his sharp mind processing the information instantly. "So, you absorb nature's energy to supercharge your own chakra, dramatically increasing its power. Is that correct?"
"Exactly," Tenchi nodded. "But finding these holy lands and gaining their recognition... that's something you have to do on your own. No one can help you with that."
"And about the dream," Tenchi continued, now looking directly at Jiraiya. "In my dream, I saw a white-haired man. He guided a young boy, and together, they worked to create a future of true peace for the whole ninja world." His gaze was intense.
"Tenchi," Tsunade said, following his stare. "Are you saying that white-haired man is... Jiraiya? That's ridiculous!" Orochimaru also looked at Jiraiya with wide, surprised eyes.
"Hehehe, is it true? Am I really that amazing?" Jiraiya said, puffing up with pride under their collective gaze.
"Oh, you're thinking too much," Tenchi said quickly, feeling a little flustered. He had said too much. "He just happened to have white hair, and it was just a dream. No one can tell what the future really holds." The last thing he wanted was to mess up Jiraiya's destiny.
"I knew it," Orochimaru said with a dismissive sniff. "A fool like him, creating world peace? It doesn't seem possible, no matter how you look at it."
"Orochimaru, what do you mean by that? You looking down on me?" Jiraiya yelled, jumping to his feet. "Just you wait! When I succeed, I'll make you eat your words!"
"You can talk after you've actually done it," Orochimaru replied coolly.
"Hahaha! Come on, come on, let's just eat and drink!" Tenchi said, laughing. Seeing his friends bicker like this made him genuinely happy. It was refreshing to be with people who were sincere, with no schemes or hidden plots between them.
And so, the evening continued with laughter and light-hearted arguing. They finished the sake and the roast chicken, all while Nawaki sat to the side, silently watching the whole scene.
***
Later, at the doorway...
"Big Brother Tenchi, Orochimaru and I are heading out now," Jiraiya slurred, leaning heavily on a patient-looking Orochimaru for support.
"Alright, get home safe. Orochimaru, make sure this idiot gets back in one piece," Tenchi said, waving goodbye.
"Don't worry, I'll handle it," Orochimaru replied, before leading a stumbling Jiraiya away into the night.
"Let's go, Tsunade. I'll walk you home," Tenchi offered, turning to her.
"Oh, it's okay, I can go back by myself. I didn't drink that much, really," Tsunade said, her cheeks turning a light pink. She looked down shyly.
Nawaki, watching his sister, was frozen in place. *'When did my sister ever act so... feminine?'*
"It's not safe for a girl to walk alone at night. I'll see you home. Let's go," Tenchi said firmly. He gently took Tsunade's hand and started walking. The two of them led the way, with a frowning Nawaki trailing behind them like a disgruntled shadow.
"Tenchi," Tsunade said, breaking the comfortable silence between them. She felt a little awkward in the quiet night. "Are you really okay with the village's decision? If you're not, I could ask Grandma Mito to speak up for you."
"I'm really fine with it," Tenchi said, his voice calm. "Maybe I was a little annoyed at first, but it's not a big deal. I went through something similar back when your grandfather Tobirama was still Hokage. This kind of thing blows over after a while." He looked completely at ease, his confidence showing. When you had real power, these small political games couldn't touch you.