Within the Ninja World, there are three Holy Lands: Mount Myōboku, Ryūchi Cave, and the Shikkotsu Forest.
Their names alone hint at their extraordinary nature, yet only those blessed with a true opportunity may enter. Jiraiya, of course, had plenty to say on the matter.
As a boy, he had been slow-witted, lecherous, and lazy; even among the so-called "dead-last" students, he stood out.
One day, while performing a reverse Summoning Jutsu, he stumbled straight into Mount Myōboku, beginning the legend of his life.
Mount Myōboku, one of the three, lies far from any human settlement. A journey from Konoha takes a full month, and entry without the secret method is impossible. No humans disturb its peace. Removed from the strife of the outside world, every creature here forms a natural hierarchy.
Giant lotus leaves float across tranquil waters, where toads lounge without concern. Sky and lake glow amber, untouched by war, teeming with life—a true paradise.
Before a modest waterfall, the roar never ceases. The cascade sprays golden mist, for the water here carries the secret essence of Mount Myōboku, harnessed to aid the formation of Sage Chakra.
Along the bank stand rows of towering toad statues. They are not carved; they are the Ninja who failed in their Sage training, turned to stone as warnings to future seekers.
Yet the toads, long familiar with this system, found a unique solution. A black rod etched with special patterns can channel natural energy safely into a student's body.
Smack!
Seated in meditation before the waterfall, Jiraiya yelped and rubbed his head. "Failed again."
The grey-cloaked Fukasaku, arms folded and twirling a rod, shook his head. "Don't rush. Sage Chakra isn't mastered overnight. You're progressing fast enough."
"Really?" Jiraiya perked up.
"Of course… not!" Fukasaku rolled his eyes. "I've hit you until my shoulder aches, yet you've barely passed the first stage. I've never seen such a blockhead. Can't you focus? Must you drive me to my grave?"
Jiraiya pouted, shifting blame. "It's not all my fault. My stomach's growling; how can I concentrate?"
"Is the food that bad? I've eaten it for centuries and still enjoy it."
"That's because you've never seen the world, cooped up in Mount Myōboku," Jiraiya muttered, glancing at a huge toad hugging a sake bottle. "Gamabunta, back me up."
Gamabunta wiped his mouth and set the bottle down. "Right. Take the brew the kid brought—pure nectar! You won't leave, and neither will I."
Fukasaku's white brows furrowed. "Leave for what? You're barely grown and already soaked in bad habits—smoking, drinking… where is the dignity of a toad sage? I warned you: don't copy him, yet you never listen."
Jiraiya jumped up, stamping. "Fukasaku-sama, that's unfair. So Gamabunta's habits are my fault?"
"Isn't it?"
"How?! I neither drink nor smoke—why smear my good name?"
"And who keeps finding him pretty female toads to date?" Fukasaku added dryly.
Jiraiya chuckled awkwardly, ruffling his hair. "I just thought he needed guidance. With my vast experience, a little advice won't hurt."
"He's still a child!" Fukasaku scoffed.
Jiraiya glanced at the towering Gamabunta, stunned. Since when was a kid this big?
Fukasaku snorted. "Don't judge toads by human years. By our count, Gamabunta is still an adolescent—just an early bloomer."
"…Fine, enough bickering," Shima arrived carrying lunchboxes. "Little Jiraiya, hubby, come eat."
Fukasaku, the Great Toad Sage, set down the rods, grabbed a bowl, and polished off the rice in a few mouthfuls. He handed it back to Shima, grinning. "Wifey, another bowl, another bowl!"
Jiraiya quickly offered his own. "Lord Fukasaku, please eat mine instead."
"Weren't you starving?" Shima asked skeptically.
"I'm fine. I was just pretending to slack off," Jiraiya admitted.
Shima sighed. "I know you don't like my cooking, little Jiraiya, but that's okay…" She pulled another bowl from the bento and smiled. "I learned some human recipes. These new dishes are specially for you—try them."
Jiraiya's brows shot up. "Thanks! What's on the menu?"
Charred cicadas, braised millipedes, stewed centipedes…
"…Um, my stomach's acting up. Bathroom break. You two start without me." Jiraiya clamped a hand over his mouth and bolted.
Fukasaku looked on in regret. "Little Jiraiya doesn't know good food when he sees it," he said, turning to Shima. "Give it to me. With your skill, you should open a diner in Konoha. Business would boom."
Shima laughed. "I'll make little Jiraiya my official taste-tester then, haha…"
Jiraiya staggered, nearly face-planting. Yet under Shima's watchful eye, he obediently finished the bug banquet.
After a short rest, he sat cross-legged, drawing in natural energy.
Balancing body and mental energy was simple; that's the foundation of Chakra control. But add natural energy and maintain balance while producing Sage Chakra—that was brutal.
Too little natural energy and Sage Chakra could not form; too much, and one risked turning into a toad—at which point Fukasaku would whack you. The surrounding toad statues bore grim testimony.
Still, Jiraiya had no intention of quitting.
After two years of wandering, his growth had slowed to a crawl. He'd hit a ceiling. Step by step, he could gain experience and refine Ninjutsu, but at best, he'd reach Kage level—nothing more.
To break through, one needed either a bloodline or a cheat.
Bloodline was out—Jiraiya was a commoner. Talent-wise, he was average.
So, the only option: cheat.
Luckily, he possessed the ultimate cheat: Sage Arts. Even learning the techniques sharpened Chakra control and Ninjutsu application. Failure only led to growth.
Besides… "Is there anything in this world the great Jiraiya cannot learn?"
Pop.
A soft sound; Jiraiya's face ballooned, showing subtle toad-like features.
Smack!
Without hesitation, Fukasaku cracked him on the head. "Focus!"
"Right," Jiraiya sighed, readjusted, and reached out to draw natural energy.
Just then, a little toad hopped over and shouted, "Lord Fukasaku! The Great Toad Sage has awakened and requests Jiraiya immediately!"
Fukasaku froze. Another vision of the future?
"Little Jiraiya, pause here. Come with me to see the Great Toad Sage."
Jiraiya opened his eyes, nodding. "The Great Toad Sage… another prophecy?"
"Possibly," Fukasaku replied. "Suspend your training and follow me."
With that, he hopped off the platform and headed down the steps.
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