"Orochimaru-sensei is back!"
During their conversation, Shihouin Naraku suddenly shared this news.
Jiraiya nodded, already aware of this fact.
Originally, Jiraiya hadn't planned to stay in the village for long. Whether by accident or design, after meeting Uzumaki Naruto, he had decided not to leave for the time being.
"Jiraiya-sensei, what do you think Orochimaru-sensei intends to do?"
"You still call him teacher?" Jiraiya looked up at Shihouin Naraku, contemplating the wine glass in his hand. "Who knows what he's planning."
Shihouin Naraku laughed, "Orochimaru-sensei taught me for a long time and helped me understand what ninjutsu truly is... If he causes harm to Konoha Village this time, I will kill him with my own hands!"
Jiraiya seemed not to have heard these words, continuing to play with the wine glass in his hand. After a long pause, he spoke, "Is that so? It seems that the three of us taught you well, but why tell me such a thing?"
Shihouin Naraku could be considered an outstanding student who had been taught and cultivated by all three Sannin—Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru—together!
Jiraiya had helped Shihouin Naraku build the most solid foundation, Orochimaru had taught him numerous ninjutsu techniques and knowledge, and Tsunade had ultimately trained Naraku to become the best medical ninja.
Even without the system's appearance, Shihouin Naraku still held a secure position among Konoha Village's elite and was even vaguely considered a candidate for Hokage.
This was enough to prove that the Sannin's teachings had been truly successful.
Sensing that the conversation had become too serious, Shihouin Naraku changed the subject. "Have you seen Tsunade-sensei in recent years?"
Jiraiya's hand holding the wine glass trembled, as if struck by some emotion. It took him a moment to reply: "I only met her once, and aside from helping her pay off a large gambling debt, she barely spoke to me. But from what I could tell, Tsunade seems to be doing well."
"That's good," Shihouin Naraku nodded. "Konoha Village holds painful memories for Tsunade-sensei, so it's understandable she doesn't want to return."
"By the way, don't you plan to meet the Third Hokage?"
"No, I'm the old man's least promising student. Meeting him would only make him angry. Better to avoid it."
Jiraiya knew perfectly well that if he met Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage would certainly try to persuade him to become the Fifth Hokage. He preferred to stay away to avoid the pressure.
Besides, the new generation of ninjas in Konoha Village showed great promise—there was no need to burden himself with such responsibility.
"Jiraiya-sensei..."
"Hmm?"
Jiraiya looked up, noting Shihouin Naraku's serious expression, and sat up straighter.
"I want to ask about Sage Mode."
"Sage Mode? You want to learn Sage Mode?"
"Yes!"
Jiraiya scratched his head.
He would never withhold knowledge from his students, but there was a problem. "But you've already signed a Summoning Contract with the Slug Sage of Shikkotsu Forest.
Even if the Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku were generous, it would be impossible for him to let you learn Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode."
"You misunderstand—that's not what I meant."
Shihouin Naraku waved his hand and explained, "I just wanted to ask whether Tsunade-sensei went to Shikkotsu Forest to learn Sage Mode. As you know, Tsunade-sensei left Konoha Village a long time ago, and I didn't study under her for very long."
"Oh, that's what you meant..."
Jiraiya pinched his chin and thought carefully. "Orochimaru has been interested in the location of Ryūchi Cave for a long time. I suspect he's jealous that I can learn Sage Arts at Mount Myōboku, so he's been quite desperate to find it, hahahaha..."
Shihouin Naraku prompted impatiently, "Tsunade! I'm asking about Tsunade-sensei! Not Orochimaru!"
"Oh, right, Tsunade. She did go to Shikkotsu Forest to learn Sage Mode." Jiraiya stated with certainty: "The reason both Tsunade and Orochimaru wanted to learn Sage Mode was because of me."
"Hahaha..."
A drop of sweat involuntarily slid down Shihouin Naraku's forehead. The conversation had been going fine until Jiraiya started bragging again.
"Sorry, sorry, I can't help myself. The ladies always pester me to tell them about my glorious past. I'm used to it, I'm used to it."
Jiraiya smiled and pointed his index finger at his forehead, suggesting: "How do you think Tsunade developed the Strength of a Hundred Seal? The Slug Sage has lived to this day and still maintains a youthful appearance..."
Youthful?
Maintaining youth?
Is this really what Sage Mode does?
But...
Shihouin Naraku remained confused. "I honestly don't know how Tsunade-sensei developed her Strength of a Hundred Seal, but does that really resemble Sage Mode? It's nothing like what you described to me before!"
"That's because Tsunade failed! She didn't truly master the Sage Mode of Shikkotsu Forest!" Jiraiya looked up proudly. "Jiraiya-sama is the only Sannin who has successfully learned Sage Mode!"
"Hmm? Why are you looking at me like that? Don't you believe me?"
Shihouin Naraku quickly hid his skeptical expression and indicated that he hadn't meant anything by it.
So Tsunade had attempted to learn Sage Mode from Shikkotsu Forest but failed, and subsequently developed the Strength of a Hundred Seal?
If that was true, it would explain some things. The Strength of a Hundred Seal could instantly improve healing abilities, increase speed and attack power, and even maintain a youthful appearance by regulating chakra.
In some ways, these effects did resemble the immortal qualities of the Slug Sage in Shikkotsu Forest.
"If you truly want to learn, you should ask the Slug Sage or Tsunade yourself," Jiraiya advised seriously. "I don't know much about Shikkotsu Forest, so I can't give you any suitable guidance."
"This information is enough," Shihouin Naraku replied with a shake of his head. "Besides, I'll be very busy during this period and have no time to journey to Shikkotsu Forest to learn Sage Mode. I was just seeking information."
Jiraiya nodded in agreement. "That's right, you're now a high-ranking official in Konoha Village. How could you have enough time to learn Sage Mode?"
"When I was learning Sage Mode, it took me a long time to succeed, and I suffered greatly."
At this point, Jiraiya almost couldn't help but grimace. He remembered the insect feasts he had been forced to eat—that period had been absolute torture for him.
Shihouin Naraku smiled and continued their conversation.
Throughout the chat, Shihouin Naraku kept his Observation Haki and perception abilities activated, so he wasn't worried about outsiders overhearing their conversation.
Besides, if someone could actually breach both his and Jiraiya's perception abilities to eavesdrop, Shihouin Naraku would have to acknowledge their skill.
After not seeing each other for so long, both were in good spirits and continued chatting until late at night before ending their drinking session.
Jiraiya announced that he wanted to find a beautiful woman to continue drinking with, and Shihouin Naraku wasn't concerned about him. This was Konoha Village, after all, and Jiraiya knew it well.
"Hey? Naraku left? When did he leave? That boy didn't even say goodbye."
Jiraiya was so intoxicated that he had completely forgotten their farewell.
"Wait, Naraku didn't pay the bill. Damn it!"
Sure enough, as Jiraiya was about to leave, the tavern owner approached with a smile and presented him with the check.
"I've been hunting geese all day, but today a goose pecked my eye."
Jiraiya could only reach for his wallet with a defeated sigh.
----------------
You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion