บท 101: Chapter 101: Journey to Mount Myoboku – Unleashing Sage Energy!
"Still a long road ahead…" Kazuya sighed.
A daunting road, but fortunately, he had plenty of time.
"Kazuya…" Kurenai called, carrying two bowls of seafood ramen into the living room and setting them on the table. Her voice was noticeably softer now.
"Thanks," Kazuya replied.
This life, being taken care of so tenderly, wasn't bad at all. Kurenai was a genuinely caring person.
However, she couldn't help but feel a little insecure.
"Kazuya… You won't suddenly leave me one day, will you?" she asked, her voice uncertain.
"Of course not," he said, completely serious. "We've been through life and death together; I'd never leave you so easily."
"Really?"
"Absolutely!"
At his reassurance, she visibly relaxed. Smiling warmly, she handed him the shrimp tempura from her bowl. "Eat more—you need to keep your strength up."
Realizing the unintentional double meaning in her words, Kurenai's cheeks flushed as she quickly looked away.
After they finished the ramen, they spent the rest of the day in each other's company. Kazuya finally experienced what it meant to "never want to leave the palace."
When he finally left her house three days later, the sun was just rising.
"Don't forget to get the medicine," he reminded her gently as he left.
Ah, that feeling… something about it was just natural.
Leaving Kurenai's house, Kazuya took a roundabout route to the ANBU base.
"Kazuya-sama!"
"Good morning, sir!"
"Great to see you, Kazuya-sama!"
Those ANBU who weren't on missions greeted him warmly.
Kazuya returned their greetings with a slight smile, keeping his responses short. As a leader, it was important to stay approachable, but he also knew that maintaining some distance helped reinforce his authority.
[You have collected 100 Chakra points]
[You have collected 50 Chakra points]
[You have collected 200 Combat Experience points]
[You have collected 100 Combat Experience points]
Jiraiya waved excitedly. "There you are, you slippery fellow! Took me ages to finally catch you here at the ANBU base!"
"Hm?" Kazuya raised an eyebrow. "Jiraiya-sensei, what's all this about?"
"Summoning contract, of course!" Jiraiya slung an arm roughly over Kazuya's shoulders, grinning widely. "The Great Toad Sage himself told me to bring you to Mount Myoboku to train! You didn't forget about that, did you?"
"Of course not," Kazuya said with a smile.
Well… maybe he had forgotten. There were more interesting things to do lately.
Thud! Thud!
Returning Jiraiya's enthusiasm, Kazuya gave him a couple of hearty slaps on the back.
[You have collected 300 Chakra points]
[You have collected 200 Chakra points]
[You have collected 200 Chakra points]
[You have collected 100 Combat Experience points]
[You have collected 400 Combat Experience points]
Golden orbs radiated from Jiraiya, each brimming with energy.
Now this is what I like to see, Kazuya thought with a satisfied smile.
Before long, the two reached an empty training ground.
Jiraiya bit his thumb and pressed his right hand onto the ground.
Poof!
A large scroll appeared before them. Unfurling it, Jiraiya instructed, "Kazuya, just sign your name in blood here on the scroll and press your handprint. After that, we'll use Reverse Summoning to send you directly to Mount Myoboku."
"Relax! It's perfectly safe. The Great Toad Sage is already expecting you!"
Kazuya looked at the scroll thoughtfully. "Isn't Mount Myoboku pretty far away? Couldn't we just walk there? Might be safer."
"No chance!" Jiraiya shook his head, laughing. "Mount Myoboku lies far to the west. Walking there would take a month at least! And even if you reached the right area, you'd just get lost in the maze-like mountains around it."
"For a thousand years, countless people have sought the secrets of Mount Myoboku, and none succeeded in finding it."
Kazuya nodded, quickly signed his name, and pressed his handprint on the scroll.
"Alright, then…" Jiraiya grinned. "Time to try Reverse Summoning!"
Reverse Summoning was simple for shinobi of their skill level—a matter of watching once to learn. Kazuya formed the hand seals swiftly.
Poof!
Suddenly, a cloud of white smoke appeared, and Kazuya's figure disappeared.
"Good luck, Kazuya…" Jiraiya waved with a chuckle. "The toads on Mount Myoboku have high standards. Let's see if Kazuya can pass the Great Sage's test!"
After a strange sensation, Kazuya found himself in a lush, verdant wetland, surrounded by greenery and the distant sound of frogs croaking.
Of course, none of that mattered.
What mattered was the golden orbs of energy rushing toward him in waves.
[You have collected 20 Sage Skill Points]
[You have collected 30 Sage Skill Points]
[You have collected 20 Sage Skill Points]
[You have collected 100 Sage Energy points]
[You have collected 200 Sage Energy points]
[You have collected 400 Sage Energy points]
The golden light washed over Kazuya like a flood.
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