Chapter 73: Arrival at Mount Myoboku

"(ˉ▽ˉ;)...Uh..."

Obito stared at Gamashin, the gluttonous frog, feeling utterly speechless.

But then again, thinking about how Naruto had only managed to summon a tadpole on his first try, this wasn't so bad in comparison.

Jiraiya, watching from the side, smiled warmly at the scene.

The first summoned beast usually forms the deepest bond with its summoner. Over time, this connection could even surpass friendships or familial ties.

Jiraiya sent Gamashin back with a clap of his hands and said,

"Gamashin's a fine junior—quite the character. You'll see what I mean in time. Now, go pack up. We'll head out shortly."

Obito hesitated briefly before nodding.

"Yes, Jiraiya-sama."

Truthfully, after obtaining the reward of Sage Mode, he had debated whether he even needed to go to Mount Myoboku. But of course, he still had to go.

Learning the technique was one thing, mastering it was another. At Mount Myoboku, he could receive the most systematic training, which was precisely why he chose this path.

Though the White Snake Sage's eight years of crawling training had been a complete drag, that was just sunk cost. Instead of regretting the past, Obito decided to make the best choice for his present circumstances.

He scratched his head awkwardly and said,

"Uh, Jiraiya-sama… Can we delay our departure by a few days?"

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, looking puzzled, as Obito explained sheepishly,

"Before I leave, I want to spend some more time with my girlfriend."

Nagano's death had left Rin deeply guilt-ridden, and Obito was worried about her emotional state.

"Nani?!"

Jiraiya was stunned.

This kid—so young, and he already has a girlfriend?! Meanwhile, his own love life over the decades was practically non-existent.

"One week," Jiraiya said abruptly, leaving no room for negotiation. "I'll wait for you at the village gates."

And with that, he hurried off. He needed a bar—and some lovely ladies to vent his sorrows.

Obito had assumed Minato-sensei was aware of Jiraiya's plans to take him for training. But when he brought it up, Minato was just as surprised and clearly uninformed.

This left Obito puzzled.

Why had Jiraiya decided to take him to Mount Myoboku?

Also… If he became Jiraiya's student, didn't that technically make Minato his equal?

Heh heh, rank upgrade achieved!

And if he somehow became sworn brothers with the Sage of Six Paths later…

Heh heh, ultimate rank upgrade!

Sorry, but at that point, everyone in the Shinobi World could be considered my juniors!

A week later, Obito showed up at the gates of Konoha with a small travel pack.

Jiraiya was already there, waiting for him.

"Let's go," Jiraiya said with a grin.

Obito nodded enthusiastically.

"Got it!"

They headed east, but after a while, Obito couldn't help but ask,

"Jiraiya-sama, aren't we supposed to be going to Mount Myoboku for training? Why are we...?"

Shouldn't it just take a poof with a reverse summoning technique?

Jiraiya turned to him with a knowing smile.

"Training can wait. Your heart is unsettled."

Obito froze, caught off guard.

It was true—his emotions had been in turmoil lately. That Jiraiya could see through him so easily elevated the man's image in Obito's mind.

A few days later, Obito stood outside a building, staring at the sign above with three question marks slowly forming in his mind.

"...'Bathhouse'???"

Jiraiya wrapped an arm around Obito's shoulder and walked him inside, laughing heartily.

"That's right! This is the most famous hot spring in the Land of Hot Water. Where better to cleanse your spirit?"

Obito's eye twitched.

I'm so gullible. How could I have believed him?!

Half an hour later, he was soaking in the hot springs, letting out a long, contented sigh.

Jiraiya, seated nearby, chuckled smugly.

"So, Obito, feeling calmer now?"

Obito glanced at the girls playfully splashing each other in the springs nearby and nodded earnestly.

"Yes, Jiraiya-sama. I've just realized how… beautiful the world truly is."

Neither of them spoke after that, silently savoring the tranquility of the moment. An uncanny sense of camaraderie united their expressions: one old, one young, but oddly in sync.

After a while, Obito spoke softly.

"Jiraiya-sama… I had a friend who died in the war. It made me angry—so angry that I… I started having dark thoughts…"

Jiraiya's playful demeanor vanished as he replied solemnly,

"That's normal. Everyone has darkness in their hearts. But how you choose to deal with that darkness determines the kind of person you'll become."

Obito nodded thoughtfully.

"I think I understand now, Jiraiya-sama."

He hadn't abandoned his dream of reshaping the world, but perhaps… he could find a different way to achieve it.

After leaving the bathhouse, Jiraiya finally led Obito toward Mount Myoboku.

"The two sages teaching you will be very strict," Jiraiya warned.

"This training might take three to five months—or even three to five years. Be prepared."

Obito's expression turned odd as he nodded.

"Understood, Jiraiya-sama."

Should he mention that he had already learned Sage Mode? Nah. Better to go for the advanced lessons.

With a puff of smoke, Jiraiya summoned a massive toad.

Before Obito could react, Jiraiya dragged him into the toad's mouth.

Covered in sticky mucus, Obito nearly cried.

So much for that hot spring soak!

The toad closed its mouth, plunging them into darkness.

"...And just like that, night falls," Obito muttered, resigned.

When light returned, they stepped out of the toad's mouth into a breathtaking scene.

"Whoa!" Obito gasped.

Majestic peaks stretched endlessly into the horizon, shrouded in mist. The lush greenery and rolling clouds painted a picture of paradise. Or perhaps… it truly was paradise.

Crystal-clear streams, verdant mountains, and a carpet of soft grass—it was like a dream brought to life.

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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