Chapter 226 - Dungeon Training/Jiraiya's Warning

[Dungeon - Demon Island Battlefield.]

Daichi stepped through the doors and was met with a scene he did not expect. In front of him was the vast ocean with giant raging waves and strong winds blowing.

Daichi took a few steps forward and looked back to the entrance. He was standing on a small rock formation in the middle of the sea. The dungeon gateway was sandwiched between two palm trees. The entire diameter of the rock formation wasn't larger than 4 or 5 meters.

'This is new.'

All the relevant titles became active and as usual after entering a dungeon, Daichi turned off his Gamer's Mind. Just then the quest notifications appeared.

[Quest Created - 'Clear the Dungeon.']

This dungeon is much larger than an ordinary one. There are many enemies and monsters lurking all around. Find and defeat all the creatures in this dungeon.

[Time limit : None.]

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[Rewards:]

New Jutsu.

New Title/Title Upgrade.

Ryo 400,000.

20000 Exp.

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[Failure:]

Death.

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[Accept] (Y/N)

Daichi immediately accepted the quest and thought about his next plan. 'I can't bulldoze through this dungeon like I did the previous ones. I need to train the Rasengan technique and I also need to increase my stats. Specifically Stamina and Vitality. Canon is getting closer and something is bound to go wrong. I need to capture a few dungeon enemies and keep them restrained. Just long enough for me to master the special jutsus.'

The boy closed his eyes and took a deep breath of air. Daichi's senses expanded and he could sense several creatures beneath the ocean surface.

'No point in wasting any more time.'

The gamer ninja jumped to the sea and ran forward. Less than a minute later he sensed the presence of a large life form coming for him from deep beneath the sea. The boy waited for just a moment before disappearing from his spot.

The next second a giant mouth clamped shut where he stood. Daichi looked at the sea creature and his eyebrows raised.

"This is indeed new."

It was a giant dark green sea serpent. It had green hair like mane similar to seaweed and a wide mouth lined with large jagged fangs. It had a long body with thick scales covering every inch.

Daichi immediately used observe skill on it.

'Serpon. Level 65. With HP and CP over 30000. Scales are extremely hard and durable, so blades won't do it, have high agility and can use wind blades and water attacks. This thing is also resistant to Fire but weak against Lightning attacks. I can use that. Hmm… But it says there is a limit.'

Daichi jumped to the side to avoid another attack from the large serpent. The sea serpent turned its head and looked at its prey in annoyance. The next moment it opened its mouth and Daichi could see water molecules quickly gathering.

Without wasting a second he sent chakra to his limbs and quickly dodged a giant water blast. Daichi was several meters away and looked at the large sea creature. 'That thing has a ton of Health and Chakra points. If I can restrain it and activate my Life Return skill then I'm sure I can improve my Stamina and Vitality points by a good number.'

Daichi calmly looked at the creature and smirked. He took a single step forward and then disappeared from the beast's line of sight. The next instant a powerful blow struck the side of Serpon's head shifting its view. Before it could regain itself several blows struck all over its body.

"ROOARRR!"

The giant sea serpent angrily thrashed around and tried to escape underwater but Daichi didn't give it a chance. 'Super speed + Tsunade's super strength punch combo. Even you with your high level defense won't be able to stand up to it.'

As the giant sea serpent was getting attacked from multiple directions several clones were making their move. 'I need to distract this thing long enough for my clone to capture it.'

4 shadow clones went through several seals in perfect unity.

'Water Style - Water Prison jutsu.'

The instant the last seal was made the ocean water exploded upwards towards the serpent and completely submerged it inside. The real Daichi created several clones when he began the assault. He watched with a smile as his clones trapped the large creature in a giant water prison jutsu.

'I've gotten a lot stronger since I used this against Kakashi during the Genin test. My control over the water element has gotten so good that even a creature like you won't escape this prison.'

Another shadow clone walked up to the large water sphere and chakra strings extended from his fingertips. It connected with the large green sea serpent and the next second the strings turned to Lightning paralyzing the creature. It roared in fury and tried to escape but it was helpless and unable to defy its captor.

The real Daichi came near the water prison and used the chakra threads to bring the beast's head near him. His clones were keeping a close eye on the beast in case it attempted anything.

[Skill Life Return Activated.]

10 seconds after Daichi made contact the Life Return skill was activated and he began absorbing the Stamina, Health and Vitality of the creature.

[You have sensed Killing Intent.]

Daichi could sense several other life forms appearing in his senses. But he wasn't worried. There were several other clones keeping an eye on the surrounding ocean ready to intercept any enemy looking to attack him.

Moments later several new enemies appeared. Several of them were similar to Onizaki but they were much stronger. Daichi's clones engaged in combat as the real one kept up his jutsu.

[+1 Vitality]

[+234 HP]

[+234 SP]

[+1 Stamina]

[+1 Vitality]

[+1 Stamina]

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Daichi mentally grinned but at the same time he sighed. 'If my clones use this jutsu they would only be able to absorb HP and CP. Not stats points. If I want Stat points then I need to do it myself. That's the down side of this.'

The sea serpent looked at the small human but it was powerless as its energy disappeared. It was paralyzed due to the strong lightning current flowing through its body and it was getting weaker and weaker as time went by.

Daichi looked at the trapped prey and his mind went through the battles and struggles he faced in the first dungeon he entered. 'Even with a higher level and a greater presence, this sea serpent didn't pose much of a threat. A combination of swift strong attacks and a powerful restraining jutsu. I've come a long way from a kid who struggled against a few apes.'

With each passing second the Health and Chakra of the sea beast kept dropping and after about 4 minutes it's health reached zero.

[+2000 Exp.]

[+300 Exp.]

Enemies killed: [01/199]

'So I got 7 Vitality and 6 Stamina points from this guy alone. This jutsu is definitely an OP one.'

Daichi looked around and saw most of the enemies subdued and others escaping. The boy killed the weaker ones and made sure to restrain the stronger enemies. 'Once the cool down ends, I'll use this on you guys next.'

Daichi looked around and frowned. 'This island is called the Demon island Battlefield. So there must be an island somewhere in this place. Need to find it.'

Creating a few clones, Daichi had them spread out in several directions. In less than 20 minutes he got the memories of a large island from one of his clones. 'Time to get myself on solid ground.'

—-

Hokage Tower - Private Chamber.

Hiruzen looked out at the midnight sky and let out a puff of smoke. As he waited he sensed another presence entering the room.

"You're late." The old kage said, turning to look at his student.

"Come on sensei. I got here as fast as I could." The form of Jiraiya the Toad sage became visible.

"So have you made any new discoveries?"

"Wow. Not even a hello, how have you been? Just straight to business. I'm hurt sensei." The toad sage said with a mock hurt tone.

Hiruzen sighed at his student's antics. "How have you been Jiraiya?" The old man smiled and asked his student.

"Well since you asked. I'm looking for some new inspiration. My book is getting a movie adaptation." The Sannin replied with a grin.

That news surprised Hiruzen. "Really? That is interesting information. Any word on who gets to play the lead female character?"

At that Jiraiya giggled shyly like a little schoolgirl. "I'm thinking of asking Tsunade to do it."

Hiruzen deadpanned at that. 'Is he trying to get himself killed?'

"You know there are easier ways to commit suicide, right Jiraiya?"

"Come on sensei. Who knows, she might take the part."

"I sincerely doubt that. Now, onto matters that are a tad more important…"

At that the Toad Sannin's face turned serious and Hiruzen mentally prepared himself for whatever bad news his student found out.

"Orochimaru has made contact with the Sand village."

The Hokage was silent but his eyes slightly narrowed. His student continued.

"It was a few weeks ago. I traced his movements to Wind country and then the Hidden Sand village. I have reason to believe he met with the Kazekage. But what they're planning is unknown at this point."

Hiruzen let out a puff of smoke and turned to look at the night sky. "We have a peace treaty with the Sand village but that's only on paper. If the last 3 wars are any indication, a promise made on a paper is worth no more than that paper itself. But Rasa is also a cautious man. He won't do anything reckless. Do we have reason to believe that Sand could be hostile?"

"This isn't known much to outside but as I'm sure you've noticed, the Wind Daimyo has been sending a good portion of his missions our way and that has put a financial struggle on the Sand village. Coupled with the unearthing of the Phantom's Treasure and the conditions the Sand village has to oblige by, they are in serious financial trouble. If nothing is done to solve their money problems they might try something drastic." Jiraiya replied.

Hiruzen nodded his head at that. "I noticed the situation with their Daimyo. But I didn't say anything because we needed to recover after the nine tails attacks and the loss of the Uchiha clan. So I didn't turn away from his missions. But now if it puts a strain on our ally and could potentially turn them into our enemy then I will have to rethink that matter."

"But then what about the mission loss?" The toad sage asked.

"The Chunin exams are coming up again next month. I'm thinking of sending Daichi and having him put on an excellent performance for the mission boost. That reminds me, how are things in the Mist village." Hiruzen turned to his student and asked.

Jiraiya's face turned grim at that. "Bad. Really bad. You can't send Daichi to the Mist village. Not now."

Hiruzen tilted his head. "Why?"

"There is a civil war going on over there. The Chunin exams are just a front to kill their enemies. I also have intel that several other villages are sending some powerful shinobi to the exam. Their goals are information on the Mist village's situation and then Daichi. They're intention is probably to probe him and ascertain his strength."

Hiruzen groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I have already held him back once. And I have no doubt that Kakashi will nominate him again when I convene the Jonin council next week."

"The Chunin exams after the Mist will be conducted here. Why not have Daichi participate then? That way if Orochimaru comes here we'll be able to trap him… If you send him now, there is no telling what might happen."

Hiruzen sighed and nodded his head. "Very well, I'll think it through. In the meantime, there is something I need you to do. It requires you to go into that Sage transformation of yours."

The toad sage grimaced at that. "Come on sensei, you know I don't like using that form unless it's really necessary."

"This is an important matter, Jiraiya. I know your aversion to using the jutsu because of what it makes you look like but this matter is of utmost importance."

The Sage of Mount Myoboku relented and agreed. "Fine. But what is this about? Why do you need me to go into Sage mode?"

"You'll see." Hiruzen then led his student into another secret chamber hidden beneath the tower.