Even if Mizuki Ryosuke seeks to learn Sage Arts through the descendants of the Three Great Sage RegionsMount Myōboku, Ryūchi Cave, and Shikkotsu Forest the difficulty is far from trivial.
This pursuit means not only forming a deep rapport with Tsunade, but also, sooner or later, successfully converting Konoha's future stance toward him from suspicion to alliance.
In the end, Mizuki Ryosuke thought of the most direct path Tsunade!
Most critically, by relying on Tsunade, he could evade the direct surveillance of her supposed handler Sarutobi Hiruzen, the "man behind" the scenes during the Sannin era.
But Tsunade's identity makes things complex.
The greatest obstacle is Jiraiya!
This situation is like a person who wants to reach the shrine at the mountain's summit to pray for fortune, yet struggles with the climb only to suddenly discover a cable car leading straight to the top.
Reflecting on his earlier conversation with Tsunade, Ryosuke repeatedly verified the subtleties of her words and actions, ultimately smiling in satisfaction.
Even after Sarutobi Hiruzen's death during the Konoha Crush, in the original manga, only Jiraiya took it upon himself to decline the Hokage seat and continue his mission abroad.
Jiraiya remained loyal. Despite Tsunade's self-imposed exile and Orochimaru's betrayal, Jiraiya still accepted assignments from Sarutobi Hiruzen without hesitation.
Establishing bonds with Konoha's elite was akin to securing favor with nobility.
What Mizuki Ryosuke never expected was to encounter Tsunade in Amegakure.
Though this was a chance encounter, Ryosuke understood all too well that Tsunade's potential wouldn't end there she was destined to become the Fifth Hokage.
It wasn't about Tsunade's beauty or charm though admittedly, she was captivating no, there were deeper reasons.
These reasons alone made Tsunade the focal point of Ryosuke's attention.
But it raises the question where did Orochimaru's Ryūchi Cave sage heritage truly come from?
Ryosuke reminded himself that he couldn't rush such things eating hot tofu in haste only leads to burns.
Judging by late-stage combat feats, Jiraiya was undoubtedly the most powerful of the Sannin.
Originally, Ryosuke merely intended to escort Tsunade and gain her favor, but unexpectedly followed her into the Shikkotsu Forest.
This demonstrated just how tightly Sarutobi Hiruzen controlled Jiraiya's movements, even after years of wandering.
In the manga, Orochimaru's dealings with Akatsuki's Sasori suggest that despite being a renegade, his credibility in the underground world was solid.
As long as Ryosuke could appeal to Orochimaru's core interests namely immortality there was room to negotiate anything.
Moreover, the divergent paths of the Sannin were evident throughout the series.
Ryosuke's choice to disclose Kirigakure secrets in Tsunade's presence wasn't merely a matter of conscience it was a strategic decision.
Orochimaru's betrayal stemmed from his obsession with immortality and experimentation.
But all this underscored a fundamental issue.
Ryosuke's eyes gleamed with understanding.
Politically, practically, and personally, there was no logic in "letting go" of Tsunade.
Indeed, Jiraiya despite appearing easy-going was the hardest to sway!
His feelings for Tsunade were public knowledge; even the villagers whispered about them.
This fact underscored Hiruzen's limited influence over Tsunade and Jiraiya neither had obeyed him blindly since the Second Great Ninja War.
If Ryosuke wanted to befriend Jiraiya to access Sage Arts, Sarutobi Hiruzen remained a blockade that could not be bypassed.
Fortune had arrived so suddenly.
Jiraiya, born with unremarkable talent, ascended to legendary status only after training under Fukasaku and Shima of Mount Myōboku.
Tsunade, however, suffered from hemophobia following Kato Dan's and Nawaki's deaths, and her power waned during that period.
What truly captivated Ryosuke was the immense potential value Tsunade represented!
First, Tsunade was a Senju a direct descendant of Hashirama, the God of Shinobi.
Ryosuke calmly sipped his tea.
"There's a god three feet above your head" this idiom fit perfectly.
If the White Snake Sage of Ryūchi Cave acted uncooperatively, learning Sage Arts from her would be a monumental challenge.
Mizuki Ryosuke's heart raced when he thought about Tsunade.
First of all, the method by which Jiraiya became Mount Myōboku's heir was vague some speculated Sarutobi Hiruzen had orchestrated it.
Tsunade, notably, did not attend Hiruzen's funeral a fact mentioned directly in the manga.
She had abandoned Konoha, only occasionally doing missions for the village, which highlighted her detachment.
Orochimaru and Jiraiya's situations had once mirrored each other both leaving the village for personal ideals.
The key difference was that Orochimaru was driven by selfish ambition and a lust for knowledge.
A life-saving act was Ryosuke's best bet to draw Tsunade close.
Did Sarutobi Hiruzen assign her the Katsuyu contract, or did she inherit it from the Senju lineage?
The manga implies she inherited Shikkotsu Forest's summoning directly from the Senju bloodline.
Tsunade's loyalty, once earned, was unparalleled as seen in her eventual return to lead the village.
With her favor, Ryosuke's path to Sage Arts would open.
Unlike platonic bonds, emotional intimacy could deepen connections faster and more meaningfully.
As Senju Hashirama's granddaughter, her ability to access Shikkotsu Forest was justified.
In truth, Ryosuke had thought of this strategy long before arriving in Amegakure.
Jiraiya, though seemingly free-spirited, was the most deeply tethered to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Since fate had granted him this opportunity, Ryosuke knew it had to be seized without hesitation.
He solidified his determination not to let this chance slip.
Besides, among the Three Great Sages, the White Snake Sage was far inferior to the Great Toad Sage and Katsuyu, in both legacy and temperament.
Back then, Tsunade was vulnerable, reeling from grief, and anyone with emotional intelligence knew it was the perfect window to draw her back but Jiraiya failed to act on it.
Just a man alone.
Ryosuke smiled, confident in his calculations.
Unlike Danzo or Orochimaru, his ideals were tempered by justice his stance toward Naruto and Nagato proved that.
But acquiring Ryūchi Cave's teachings before Orochimaru's defection would be nearly impossible.
Even so, it was far easier to coax secrets out of Orochimaru than win the absolute trust of Jiraiya.
"By now, Tsunade should be returning…"
Jiraiya's indecision had cost him his moment with Tsunade.
Given that Hashirama once practiced Sage Arts, it was almost certain that the Shikkotsu Forest scroll had remained within the Senju Clan.
Jiraiya, a man who upheld justice, had lived an irreproachable life his tale ended as a true hero.
Unlike Jiraiya, whose path was combat and Sage Mode, Orochimaru delved into science, while Tsunade became the pioneer of modern medical ninjutsu their specialties diverged entirely.
In many ways, Jiraiya acted as Sarutobi's most obedient disciple, carrying his legacy forward with utmost faith.
One thing was certain: Tsunade's summoning contract did not originate from Hiruzen.
Even if Mizuki Ryosuke denied it with his mouth, his heart had already made its decision.
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