Looks like Jiraiya can now enter Sage Mode with the help of that old toad.
No wonder he's acting so smug!
Sage Mode did indeed significantly boost his strength.
But unfortunately, Jiraiya was still only halfway there.
He needed help to enter Sage Mode, and his entire face turned into something resembling a toad-not the most appealing look.
Plus, Sage Mode had a lot of limitations.
Wait, I could suggest Minato learn it, couldn't I?
As Jiraiya's disciple, Minato going to Mount Myōboku to learn Sage Techniques just makes sense, right?
The Sage Mode of Mount Myōboku combined with Flying Thunder God, plus Minato's ongoing work on the Rasengan...
That setup sounds like a dream team!
Apart from his terrible naming skills, Minato was pretty much flawless-especially his talent.
If it were Nawaki, Xin definitely wouldn't recommend it, but Minato? He could give it a try.
After asking around a bit, Xin found the tent assigned to their squad.
When he walked in, he saw a fire already burning, hot water ready, and pots and dishes cleaned. He couldn't help but twitch his eyelid.
Well, well, well-looks like everyone's gotten pretty self-sufficient here.
Everything was prepared, just waiting for me to start cooking, right?
"What did Jiraiya-sensei talk to you about? I've already cut the meat for you," Minato said.
He twirled the knife in his hand a few times before sticking it firmly into the cutting board.
"Your teacher has mastered the Sage Techniques of Mount Myōboku. He kept me back just to brag about it," Xin replied bluntly, selling Jiraiya out without a second thought.
"Sage Techniques?"
Minato and Nawaki perked up immediately, their ears standing straight in attention.
"Yeah, that's what he said. I don't know the details, but his strength has definitely improved a lot."
Xin intentionally left them hanging and started cooking, while Minato and Nawaki felt like there was a little cat scratching at their hearts-they were dying of curiosity. Why aren't you saying more?
Their curiosity piqued, the two started pacing around the tent, practically ready to run straight to the command center to find Jiraiya.
After dragging it out long enough, Xin finally filled them in.
"Mount Myōboku, Ryuchi Cave, and Shikkotsu Forest-these are the Three Great Sage Regions, all capable of teaching Sage Techniques. Nawaki, your grandfather, the First Hokage, is said to have learned his Sage Techniques at Shikkotsu Forest.
"Jiraiya learned his at Mount Myōboku. Minato, if you're interested, you should talk to Jiraiya. As for Nawaki..."
Xin recommended Minato give it a shot because Minato had the talent. Nawaki, on the other hand...
Forget it-better let Tsunade handle this one.
Shikkotsu Forest was different from Mount Myōboku. Whether Nawaki could learn there was still an open question.
"After the war ends, go talk to your sister. But remember, don't even think about going to Ryūchi Cave. It's far too dangerous."