Most of the villagers would stare at him in surprise, curiously looking at his cracked body and Reanimation-like eyes. After a few incidents, Namikaze Minato tried not to go out anymore.
Feeling the increasing pressure on his body, Namikaze Minato only then realized the thought that crossed his mind: there was indeed a boundary between the dead and the living.
While the night was quiet and deep, on the other side of Ninja World Planet, in the Holy Land of Mount Myoboku, the sun was shining brightly.
Fukasaku Sage came to the Great Toad Sage, surprised to find the Great Toad Sage was not asleep, and directly asked, "Elder, the flow of Toad Oil suddenly stopped. Has there been a problem with the source of the Holy Land?"
The source of the Holy Land is where Mount Myoboku cultivates Immortals, a place possessing the purest Natural Energy. Training there can allow the Toad to maintain a long lifespan.
Fukasaku and Shima trained at the source of the Holy Land back in the day, which is why they have lived for over eight hundred years without dying. Only after Fukasaku and Shima pass away will Mount Myoboku select new Toads to train as Immortals at the source of the Holy Land.
"Nothing much; it will soon return to normal, Fukasaku."
"...I understand, then, I'll be going down now, Elder."
Fukasaku Sage hopped away upon hearing the Great Toad Sage's words, the flow of Toad Oil being crucial for other Toads' training, now paused, forcing the other Toads of Mount Myoboku to temporarily halt their practice.
After Fukasaku Sage left for quite a while, a figure emerged from behind the Great Toad Sage's hall.
Holding a Zen Staff, nine Truth-Seeking Orbs floating behind him, his aura nearly at its peak.
The Great Toad Sage asked, "It looks like you've recovered, Hagoromo?"
"Barely, I only have two or three chances to act, thanks to your help, Gamamaru,"
Otsutsuki Hagoromo replied. Without Mount Myoboku's rich Natural Energy, he would have needed years, maybe even longer, to accumulate enough Chakra.
"Now we must wait for an opportunity; I will return this body for now, Gamamaru."
Once finished, Otsutsuki Hagoromo sat down, the Zen Staff in hand and the Truth-Seeking Orbs behind him disappeared, and his head drooped down afterward.
Within tens of seconds, Jiraiya drowsily raised his head, muttering in a daze, "Where is this place? What happened...Elder? Why are you here?"
Jiraiya thought he was in Konoha Village, but after looking around, he realized he was already at Mount Myoboku.
The Great Toad Sage said, "Little Jiraiya, your body had some problems, and Little Minato sent you here; it's fine now."
Upon hearing this, Jiraiya still in a daze said, "Is, is that so?"
"Since you're alright now, I'll have Fukasaku send you back."
Saying this, the Great Toad Sage called Fukasaku using Mount Myoboku's Secret Technique and sent Jiraiya away.
After leaving the Great Toad Sage's palace, Fukasaku asked, "Little Jiraiya, are you alright? When Little Minato brought you here, you looked highly pained..."
"I'm fine now, but I might still return to Konoha to check my body, hoping it's not something hard to cure...."
Jiraiya clenched his fists to feel his body, and suddenly, he sensed his sensitivity to Natural Energy was unprecedentedly high, the sensation being almost...
"Fukasaku elder, wait a moment...."
After speaking, Jiraiya immediately clasped his hands together, and as he absorbed Natural Energy, a red Sage Face quickly appeared, and his eyes transformed into Toad eyes. Aside from these two features, there were no other changes.
"Perfect Sage Mode? Little Jiraiya, have you been training these past two days? And you're this skilled...."
Fukasaku was amazed, given that Jiraiya previously struggled to maintain Sage Mode and required assistance from him and Shima to absorb Natural Energy.
But now, he could instantly enter Sage Mode, not just maintain it, but achieve Perfect Sage Mode.
"I-I also don't quite know what's happening, but this state feels exceptionally good, Fukasaku elder."
Jiraiya said joyfully, feeling considerably stronger than before; he could sustain Sage Mode without the help of Fukasaku and Shima, the two Immortals.
"Seems this time calamity turned out fortunate for you, granting many benefits...."
Fukasaku Sage suspected the Elder had arranged something, yet it was unclear why the Elder assisted Jiraiya. Still, knowing the Elder wouldn't harm Mount Myoboku, there was no need to mention it.
"Return, notify us whenever you need assistance."
"Understood, appreciate your help, Fukasaku elder."
After speaking, Jiraiya proceeded to release the Reverse Summoning Jutsu, returning to Konoha.
————————————
The following night, once again, Uchiha Yoichi brought his disciples, along with the entire Kushina family, to the Land of Whirlpools. This time, it was a Random Summon, potentially calling forth a robust Exotic Beast or perhaps a useless one.
But both Karin and Naruto clenched their fists, hoping for one suitable for them, while Sasuke crossed his arms in imitation of Uchiha Yoichi's posture.
No matter how strong, it couldn't surpass his Ghidorah!
Boom!
A vast Magic Array appeared, followed by a thunderous explosion.
Upon sensing such a commotion, Kushina, Minami, and the others knew the summoned exotic beast this time also had considerable strength.
But suddenly, those within the Barrier felt extreme coldness, the ground beneath rapidly condensing into hard ice.
At a critical moment, Uchiha Yoichi's clone released Chakra, repelling the cold aura and the ice forming on the ground.
"Shiro, a suitable beast for you has appeared this time, Frost Giant Dragon Sadaiel, though it has a temper. Wait for the main body to subdue it, then seal it into your body,"
Inside the Barrier, Uchiha Yoichi's clone stated. After Shiro agreed, everyone inside the Barrier saw the colossal icy dragon, hundreds of meters tall.
Once this dragon exhaled gently, the surrounding environment directly transformed into an icy realm, the cold of winter unyielding.
The Frost Giant Dragon's power and abilities were formidable, yet inferior to Uchiha Yoichi. Upon experiencing an irresistible summon to a foreign environment, it initially tried to vent anger furiously.
But it encountered Uchiha Yoichi.
After a fierce battle, the Frost Giant Dragon Sadaiel's wings and claws were smashed by Uchiha Yoichi, and finally, heavy injuries rendered it unable to rise. Uchiha Yoichi used Yin-Yang Release to eliminate Sadaiel's soul and consciousness.
Intelligent life becoming a Jinchuriki is the most precarious; if their awareness isn't erased, they will continuously incite the Jinchuriki to escape.
Once subduing Sadaiel, Uchiha Yoichi allowed Uzumaki Minami and Kushina to seal the Frost Giant Dragon within Shiro. Given he already had Ice Release Kekkeigenkai, and after absorbing the Frost Giant Dragon's abilities, he would gain the title of Lord of Ice and Snow in the Ninja World.
"Hoo...."
Upon sealing completion, Shiro exhaled a cold aura, causing nearby Uchiha Itachi and Kimimaro to shiver and distance somewhat.
Then, Shiro smiled slightly at Uchiha Yoichi and said, "Thank you, Teacher Yoichi, I feel great now...."
Curious, Karin and Naruto couldn't help but touch Shiro, immediately shivering from cold; they felt as though touching a frigid ice sculpture.
"Shiro, once you master the ability, you'll return to normal; given your abilities, it shouldn't take long."
"I understand, Teacher Yoichi~"
Shiro's smile made Uchiha Yoichi's mouth twitch; this disciple bore an androgynous appearance, attracting numerous male classmates' pursuit in Ninja Academy. Lovable as a child, he couldn't fathom how beautiful he'd become grown-up.
"Let's return, don't rush; opportunities will arise."
Uchiha Yoichi remarked, today was fortunate as they hadn't summoned something like a Slime; the Frost Giant Dragon's ability and power were just suitable for Shiro.
Ten years forward, Shiro and Sasuke will stand as the strongest beneath the Six Paths, reaching Six Paths Level strength isn't hopeless, especially with him, their father and teacher, present.