Chapter 98

Full of frustration, he snapped, "No, you did!" Shinki's eyes met his with a stern expression. 

"???" Did I evade my responsibility? Did I? Hatake Sakumo was stunned, while Jiraiya looked puzzled. 

"Senior, there is no war without casualties. From the moment we became shinobi, we had to accept this reality," Shinki said, placing a reassuring hand on Sakumo's shoulder. "Dwelling on the past won't change anything. If you believe that the loss of the elite troops was your fault, then use that guilt as fuel. Rest, recover, and when you're ready, strike back at the Rock Village. 

"Our comrades have sacrificed their lives, and we can't let their killers roam free, can we?"

"Yes! Well said, Shinki." Jiraiya clapped his hands with enthusiasm before adding with a grin, "Senior, think about it. If we died suddenly, how would we face our fallen comrades in the Pure Land without avenging them first?"

"What nonsense…" Shinki muttered before smacking Jiraiya on the head. "If you can't talk properly, don't talk at all."

"I'll do my best to recover," Sakumo said with a faint smile, though a trace of doubt lingered in his eyes.

Shinki shot Jiraiya a look that said, *I've done all I can; the rest is up to you*.

Hatake Sakumo was the type to overthink, and with such people, persuasion alone only did so much. Ultimately, it was up to him to break free from his own mental prison.

Jiraiya sighed. Despite his best efforts, he knew he couldn't force Sakumo out of this state. Some struggles had to be resolved within.

Sakumo's disposition reminded Shinki of someone else—his son, Hatake Kakashi. Kakashi was fortunate to have comrades and a mentor who supported him, even if the one person who could guide him out of his darkness was someone unexpected.

"Hey, Shinki, did you sign a contract with the Slug Sage?" Jiraiya asked, breaking the silence with his typical curiosity.

"With my connection to Tsunade and as a medical ninja, it was natural for me to sign with the Slug Sage," Shinki replied. "Why, are you thinking of trading the toads of Mount Myoboku for the Shikkatsu Forest?"

"Never!" Jiraiya's voice echoed around the room.

Suddenly, soft footsteps approached the door. Orochimaru appeared, his usual smirk in place as he entered and greeted Sakumo before sitting beside Shinki.

Ignoring Orochimaru, Jiraiya continued, "The Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku has been very generous, even teaching me senjutsu."

Jiraiya had earned the recognition of the toads, a turning point that allowed him to surpass Tsunade and Orochimaru in power as he matured.

"Senjutsu?" Orochimaru's eyes glinted with interest. "Did you master it?"

"Not quite…" Jiraiya admitted, his tone deflated. "It's difficult, but I'm working on it. I heard that the method of practicing senjutsu in the Shikkatsu Forest is unique, so I wanted to ask Shinki."

Senjutsu could be learned at the three great summoning grounds: the Wet Bone Forest, Mount Myoboku, and Ryuchi Cave. Tsunade had attempted it in the Wet Bone Forest but lacked the talent. Jiraiya had talent, though it was average. Orochimaru hadn't even tried it in Ryuchi Cave, knowing full well how dangerous it was.

"It's tolerable," Shinki said with a shrug.

Jiraiya recalled his own grueling training and muttered, "The Slug Sage told me I had talent, but I hated feeling sticky and wet. At least the slugs helped me absorb excess natural energy."

"What?!" Jiraiya's eyes lit up with surprise.

Even Orochimaru's interest piqued.

Hatake Sakumo, meanwhile, was utterly lost. What on earth were they discussing? Senjutsu? Natural energy?

The training at Mount Myoboku involved covering oneself in a repulsive toad oil, while Ryuchi Cave was even more perilous—it involved direct exposure to snake venom. Success meant talent; failure meant death.

"Is it really a good thing?" Shinki's face twitched at the memory, a shiver running down his spine.

Jiraiya's face contorted with disbelief. "What? You don't think so?"

Compared to the toad oil, Jiraiya found slugs, with their slimy bodies, to be a far better alternative. Even if they were wet with mucus, at least they weren't as revolting as toad oil.

Seeing Jiraiya's reaction, Shinki chuckled. "If you're so envious, why not visit the Shikkatsu Forest? I can introduce you to the Slug Sage. By the way, the Slug Sage can sense if someone has the talent for senjutsu."

"Really?" Jiraiya was visibly excited.

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. He, too, was tempted. While he had always been curious about senjutsu, the dangers of Ryuchi Cave had kept him away. The Slug Sage and the Toads of Mount Myoboku, however, genuinely guided their students. The snakes of Ryuchi Cave were a different story—they would as soon eat you as train you.

"Oh, absolutely," Shinki said with a mischievous glint in his eye. "And you should come too, Sakumo."

A sly smile crossed Shinki's face. Why should he suffer alone? Dragging them along would be far more entertaining.

Shinki bit his finger, quickly formed a series of seals, and pressed his palm to the ground.

"Poof!"

A small slug appeared amid the smoke.

"Master Shinki, do you need me?" the tiny slug spoke, its voice as soft as the Slug Sage's.

"I'd like to bring some friends to meet the Slug Sage. Can you take us there?"

"Of course, Master Shinki."

The small slug vanished. Shinki gestured for Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Sakumo to come closer. Once they gathered around, Shinki placed a hand on them.

With a sudden, powerful tug, the four disappeared from the room.

They arrived at the Shikkatsu Forest.

"Oof!"

Dizziness washed over them as they materialized in the Shikkatsu Forest. Before Jiraiya could take in the surroundings, he lost his balance and tumbled to the ground.

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