"Jiraiya's Sage Arts..."
Even someone possessing Kitagawa Minamoto's characteristic composure couldn't suppress an involuntary acceleration of respiration upon witnessing this reward.
Sage Arts!
This represented the ultimate strategic advantage employed by legendary figures such as Naruto Uzumaki and the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju!
Even the Ten-Tails, that seemingly invincible entity, almost certainly possessed chakra of this fundamental nature.
Naruto had once received confirmation from Kurama, the Nine-Tails, that the Ten-Tails' extraordinary power derived from natural energy permeating the world—an infinite and boundless force.
Such transformative power had long occupied Kitagawa Minamoto's strategic considerations. However, one limiting factor had been his relatively recent bloodline awakening.
The other significant constraint involved the profound danger associated with uncontrolled natural energy absorption. The risk of petrification represented a very real threat.
"The natural energy in this dimensional plane manifests entirely differently from my previous experiential framework... The associated hazard coefficient exceeds conventional parameters..."
Prior to his interdimensional transfer by that enigmatic force, Kitagawa Minamoto had consumed countless fictional narratives. Never had he encountered a conceptualization where natural energy posed such existential danger.
Yet regardless of its inherent risks, this power undeniably ranked among the most formidable forces in this reality. And now, he finally possessed the opportunity to master it.
"Although Jiraiya's Sage Mode demonstrates certain implementation inefficiencies, the true value resides in his comprehensive understanding of Senjutsu Chakra..."
Knowledge transcended conventional valuation!
Experiencing the influx of information permeating his consciousness, Kitagawa Minamoto felt profound satisfaction.
With this experiential framework, combined with his unique bloodline capabilities, mastering Sage Mode should present a manageable challenge...
Following an additional day of recuperation in the Land of Waves, Kakashi reported modest improvement. Without further delay, they initiated their return journey.
Although Kitagawa Minamoto's analytical deductions had led Kakashi and Jiraiya to suspect Orochimaru and his associates might be operating in the Land of Water, the geographical proximity between the Land of Waves and the Land of Water presented significant strategic vulnerability.
Should Itachi Uchiha and Jūzō Biwa return to deliver their operational report, the possibility of subsequent pursuit couldn't be discounted.
Consequently, immediate departure represented the optimal security protocol.
Fortunately, their return journey proceeded without incident. In less than forty-eight hours, they successfully reached Konohagakure.
"Konohagakure remains fundamentally unchanged," Jiraiya observed as he positioned himself outside the village gates, surveying the familiar landscape with evident emotional complexity.
Periodically, he found himself contemplating—had he maintained his presence in the village ten years prior, would circumstances have evolved differently?
His prolonged absence, beyond his tracking of Orochimaru, also stemmed from his reluctance to confront these painful memories.
Yet past events remained immutable. No degree of retrospection could alter established history. Present circumstances demanded immediate attention.
"Let's proceed," Jiraiya stated, directing his attention toward Kakashi, who continued to require Kitagawa Minamoto's physical support.
"Kakashi, I'll facilitate your hospital admission first, then report to the Hokage's office. Kid, maintain supervision over Kakashi in my absence."
"That won't be necessary. I'll accompany you to the Hokage," Kakashi responded with a negative cranial gesture, explicitly rejecting Jiraiya's proposal.
"My current condition remains manageable, and operational reporting takes precedence."
"Hey, exercise appropriate caution regarding your physical limitations."
Jiraiya massaged his temples, exhibiting frustration at Kakashi's characteristic determination. Nevertheless, Kakashi maintained his position.
"Your concern is noted. I maintain awareness of my physiological constraints. I won't exceed appropriate parameters."
"Very well, I acknowledge your decision."
Jiraiya conceded with an affirmative gesture. He subsequently redirected his attention toward Kitagawa Minamoto, who had maintained tactical silence.
"Kid, I'm temporarily requisitioning your instructor. Consider yourself dismissed for the present."
"No objection!"
Kitagawa Minamoto responded with deliberate compliance. In actuality, he had been anticipating this opportunity to disengage.
After all, their continued presence prevented him from properly examining the "gold" he had recently acquired from Jiraiya.
Having exercised restraint for an extended period, he felt eager to explore this new acquisition.
"Oh, and maintain nutritional capacity," Jiraiya added with casual inflection while supporting Kakashi.
"This represents your first completed mission, and since Kakashi clearly lacks celebratory capacity, I'll function as his proxy. Should you wish to include associates, arrange to meet me at the hospital subsequently."
Jiraiya's assessment of Kitagawa Minamoto had developed quite favorably.
Though the youth demonstrated certain rhetorical sharpness, he had exhibited remarkable composure when confronting Itachi Uchiha and Jūzō Biwa, two S-rank rogue shinobi.
Not only had he refrained from tactical withdrawal, but he had implemented a calculated deception strategy. He had even maintained effective engagement against Jūzō Biwa while ensuring Kakashi's security.
Moreover, his analytical insights regarding the mysterious organization had provided valuable intelligence leads.
An intellectually astute, demonstrably loyal, and exceptionally talented youth—how could Jiraiya not develop appreciation?
Particularly given his status as Kakashi's student...
"Thank you, Lord Jiraiya."
Kitagawa Minamoto saw no reason to decline such a generous proposition.
Jiraiya, after all, maintained substantial financial resources. As a bestselling author, his economic position remained considerable. Meanwhile, Kitagawa Minamoto, despite his recent shinobi status, continued to experience financial limitations.
Following the two into the village, Kitagawa Minamoto observed that standard documentation procedures had been entirely waived.
He glanced toward Jiraiya again—Kakashi could rely on his established reputation, yet even he typically completed certain administrative formalities. In Jiraiya's presence, all such requirements were suspended.
"Finally, I can return to my residence."
After observing their departure, Kitagawa Minamoto redirected his course toward his domicile.
However, as he approached his residence, he suddenly observed Naruto descending from his windowsill.
"Hey, hey, hey! What precisely are you doing?"
Kitagawa Minamoto experienced evident surprise at this unexpected sight.
"Huh? You've returned?"
Naruto demonstrated equal startlement, but rapidly transitioned to a characteristic grin.
"Damn it, you jerk! You requested horticultural maintenance but failed to provide access authorization!"
"Ah, is that so?"
Kitagawa Minamoto paused momentarily, finally recalling his casual request for this assistance. He experienced mild embarrassment.
"My apologies. I mentioned it without proper consideration—I hadn't anticipated your actual implementation..."
"That's precisely why you qualify as a jerk."
Naruto expressed momentary indignation, but subsequently adopted a posture of pride.
"But regardless of your interpersonal deficiencies, I maintain absolute commitment to my promises! Just as I'll definitely succeed in the shinobi examination and achieve official shinobi status!"
"Didn't you previously express intention for accelerated examination? Have your standards undergone recalibration?" Kitagawa Minamoto inquired with evident curiosity, his question immediately causing Naruto to momentarily suspend his response.
Before Naruto could formulate a retort, Kitagawa Minamoto continued, "Additionally, academic success requires diligent application. Don't you have scheduled instruction today?"
"It's a designated non-instructional period..." Naruto's vocal confidence temporarily diminished, but he quickly resumed his characteristic volume, "You jerk! I'll definitely succeed!"
"Acknowledged, acknowledged."
Kitagawa Minamoto scratched his ear reflexively. This youth's vocal projection truly exceeded comfortable parameters.
"I maintain confidence in your capabilities. Commitment to one's word represents your shinobi way, correct? I comprehend your position."
"Huh?"
Naruto experienced momentary cognitive suspension at these words.
Honoring commitments? Shinobi way?
That... demonstrated remarkable conceptual alignment.
"Here, accept this."
Before Naruto could fully process this philosophical framework, Kitagawa Minamoto extracted a kunai and a scroll from his shinobi equipment pouch.
"This kunai represents the first implement I employed to neutralize an adversary. Consider it compensation for your horticultural services. I sincerely hope you achieve shinobi status expeditiously. Regarding the scroll, I acquired it in the Land of Waves—consider it a gift."
"Uh... Th-thank you!"
Naruto hastily accepted the items, regarding them with evident disbelief.
Momentarily, he appeared to forget his previous characterization of Kitagawa Minamoto. His ocular region even demonstrated slight moisture accumulation.
"Hey, excessive emotional response is unnecessary. We maintain friendship status, after all."
Kitagawa Minamoto delivered a light impact to Naruto's thoracic region. After all, he had benefited substantially from Naruto's economic subsidies—reciprocity represented basic fairness.
"Additionally, I'm hosting a celebratory meal this evening commemorating my first mission completion. Maintain nutritional capacity and participate. Don't exercise unnecessary restraint."
"I..."
Naruto hesitated, initially demonstrating enthusiasm but subsequently exhibiting caution.
"My financial stipend remains pending..."
"Idiot. Alternative financial responsibility has been arranged. Dismiss your concerns."
Without providing Naruto opportunity for refusal, Kitagawa Minamoto redirected his course toward his residence.
"Refrain from subsequent disturbance. Recent operational activities have resulted in significant fatigue."
Disregarding Naruto's potential response, Kitagawa Minamoto entered his domicile, secured the entrance, and collapsed onto his sleeping surface.
"Finally, I can properly attempt implementation..."
Closing his eyes, he initiated careful review of the knowledge acquired from Jiraiya.
During their return journey, he had already systematically organized this information. What remained required practical application and refinement.
Time progressed methodically. Following sixty minutes of concentrated recollection, Kitagawa Minamoto suddenly opened his eyes.
At that precise moment, an unusual energy signature emanated from his physical form.
Within an infinitesimal temporal interval, distinctive red markings materialized around his ocular region...
...
[TN-Final: Original Term - "仙人相" - Final Translation: "Sage Appearance" - Justification: This term refers to the physical manifestation of Sage Mode, particularly the distinctive markings that appear around the eyes when one enters this state. The translation captures both the literal meaning of the physical transformation and the significance of achieving Sage status.]