Chapter 52

On the training ground, Shiroishi was engaged in a live combat drill with Ruri.

It had been a while since their last live combat drill, probably during their time at the ninja academy. With Ruri's rapid growth in strength over this period, Shiroishi's assessment of her abilities had become somewhat vague and uncertain.

Moreover, when Ruri entered combat mode, a sharp and natural killing intent naturally enveloped her, a sign that she had seen blood.

Although the Shokumou team had been established for less than half a year, they had experienced over a dozen battles, large and small, and could be considered battle-hardened. They had also faced many high-ranking ninjas in direct combat.

Even Shiroishi, an ordinary genin with a specialty in medical ninjutsu, had personally taken out several ninjas. Therefore, during the drill, he was not intimidated by the killing intent emanating from Ruri.

However, this did not mean that Ruri was easy to handle. Even with ordinary taijutsu, her movements were like thunder.

Ruri, who was in front of Shiroishi a second ago, had already flashed behind him in an instant, and with a powerful kick, she aimed at Shiroishi's head, the wind from her movement almost deafening.

Shiroishi had no choice but to crouch down, one hand pressing against the ground, using it as a pivot to spin his body and flip away in the opposite direction, creating a safe distance.

He then immediately turned around, and a finely crafted kunai fell from his sleeve, landing perfectly in his hand. The blade's momentum was fierce, clashing with the rapidly approaching kunai, sparks flying in all directions.

Shiroishi, being a ninja with a severe chakra deficiency, tried to conserve chakra as much as possible during combat. Compared to ninjutsu, taijutsu required relatively less chakra.

Additionally, his body had been permanently enhanced by a new drug based on natural energy, making his overall physical capabilities far superior to those of ordinary people. With just a little chakra, he could significantly enhance the speed and power of his taijutsu, allowing him to quickly deal with ninjas with poor reaction times and speed, especially lower-ranked ninjas.

For high-ranking ninjas, he could disrupt their jutsu casting, but if he faced a high-ranking ninja skilled in taijutsu, the outcome would be uncertain and would depend on various factors such as the environment, psychological resilience, tactical deployment, and the type of taijutsu.

However, in combat with Ruri, Shiroishi could not disrupt her jutsu casting. For a ninja proficient in taijutsu, ninjutsu, and genjutsu, if he could not comprehensively overpower her, it would be difficult to achieve any significant results.

Moreover, Ruri possessed the Sharingan, a troublesome bloodline limit.

The battle between the two in the training ground looked intense, but due to their high speed, if someone were to watch, they would likely only see afterimages flashing by, followed by the sound of metal clashing, and then nothing.

Neither of them needed to use the Body Flicker Technique; they could achieve high-speed movement with pure taijutsu.

One could say they were using the Body Flicker Technique continuously throughout the battle.

This was the convenience of being a taijutsu ninja, but maintaining the highest speed of taijutsu for a prolonged period would quickly drain their physical strength and put a heavy burden on their bodies.

Fortunately, both Shiroishi and Ruri's bodies had been improved by natural energy drugs, giving them top-tier recovery and resistance capabilities, allowing them to maintain this high-speed combat state for a long time.

This was also the reason why Ruri could face two high-ranking ninjas in her first mission without being at a disadvantage.

Without two or more high-ranking ninjas, including one skilled in taijutsu, to restrain her from the front, it would be difficult to defeat her.

As the battle progressed, Shiroishi's chakra began to run out, and he started to pant.

Seeing this, Ruri immediately stopped, twirling the kunai on her finger before putting it back in her ninja tool pouch, ending the long-awaited intense battle.

Compared to using genjutsu, a more unconventional technique, Ruri preferred taijutsu and ninjutsu, which involved direct offensive combat.

Perhaps it was because this method of combat was more straightforward and satisfying.

Therefore, every time she engaged in taijutsu with Shiro, it left her in a better mood.

Only this kind of close-quarters combat could be called the essence of battle.

"You're really useless. You can't even last this long."

"There's no help for it. I'm not like you Uchiha ninjas, who have much stronger chakra from birth."

Especially after awakening the Sharingan, their chakra would further increase.

Apart from the fatigue that comes with prolonged use of the Sharingan, Uchiha ninjas never ran out of chakra in regular combat.

"But I plan to start training in natural energy, which should improve the situation."

"Isn't that already done?"

"That was in the experiment. I haven't tried actively absorbing natural energy myself. Now that the risk is minimized, I will use drugs to assist me in grasping the feeling of absorbing natural energy."

"Since the risk is low, I want to join you. I can't let you have all the glory."

Ruri also had a strong desire to master natural energy.

Natural energy is more powerful than ordinary chakra, even if it cannot be fused with chakra to form Sage Chakra. The enhancement of physical abilities is still significant.

Moreover, mastering the absorption of natural energy means an inexhaustible source of energy.

Natural energy is everywhere in nature.

Water, air, trees... it is omnipresent.

One could say that as long as one is in the natural world, natural energy can be supplied indefinitely.

"Sure, that was my plan too."

Shiroishi did not refuse. In fact, he could not have reached this point without Ruri's financial support, connections, and location.

Capital is truly invincible.

One should never go against money.

Sigh... It's ironic that humans created something that ends up enslaving them, making the world corrupt.

"Do you plan to visit Ayame too?"

Ruri walked to the bench outside the training ground, picked up a wet towel, and wiped her face. Then, out of the blue, she asked, her tone not cold but giving a sense of intense pressure.

"...Ah, well, sort of... because the Byakugan has many uses. Ayame has helped me solve many research problems with her Byakugan."

Shiroishi looked away, feeling guilty.

He thought that after Ruri talked to him that day, the matter would be over, but bringing it up again made him feel a bit awkward.

Wait, why should he feel awkward?

Isn't it normal for teammates and classmates to help each other?

Shiroishi began to question himself.

Is he overcomplicating things?

"Is that so?"

Ruri looked up at the blue sky, then smoothed her long black hair, and turned to leave.

Shiroishi remained in place, thinking.

What does "Is that so?" mean?

Women's thoughts are truly hard to understand. Whether it's Ayame or Ruri, their personalities are easy to grasp, but sometimes their words can be confusing.

As the saying goes, a woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea, a timeless truth.

"Whatever, the most important thing now is to train in natural energy..."

◎

The grass was green, birds sang, and flowers bloomed, full of vitality.

Surrounded by towering toad statues, this place was the mystical Mount Myōboku, one of the three great holy lands of the ninja world, along with the Dragon's Den and the Wet Bone Forest. It was also the birthplace of the ancient Sage Techniques.

Throughout history, countless powerful ninjas have visited this place to train in Sage Techniques. Some have been buried here, becoming part of the toad statues, while others have successfully mastered the techniques and become renowned ninjas in the outside world.

However, with the advent of the ninja village era, although the existence of Sage Techniques is still recorded in the archives of the major ninja villages, they have become a legend since the death of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. It is difficult to determine whether they are real or not.

To this day, no ninja has appeared who can master Sage Techniques and shine in the Great Ninja Wars.

"Old Man Shima."

That was a human voice, which should not be present in the three great holy lands of Mount Myōboku.

Wearing a Konoha jōnin uniform, with a Konoha headband, and two red marks under his eyes, the man was about 25 or 26 years old, with white hair and a youthful, confident demeanor.

Upon arriving, he greeted the toad at the entrance of the grand hall deep in the mountains.

The toad waiting for him at the entrance was wearing a gray robe, with green skin, and was about the size of a human child, but exuded an extraordinary aura, despite being a toad.

"Oh, it's Jiraiya. You finally made it?"

The toad recognized the young man and smiled kindly.

This young ninja was Jiraiya, a Konoha jōnin who had signed a summoning contract with Mount Myōboku, one of the three great sages.

He was one of the legendary Sannin, alongside Tsunade and Orochimaru, and a disciple of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, inheriting the Will of Fire.

He had just returned to Konoha after a three-year mission in the Land of Rain and was about to head to the front lines in the Land of Fire when he received a message from Mount Myōboku, asking him to come as soon as possible.

"Old Man Shima, what's going on? Why did you call me here at this time?"

"I'm sorry to call you at such a critical moment, but it's the Great Toad Sage's order, and I have no choice."

Jiraiya understood that Konoha was currently involved in a major war, and as one of the few high-ranking jōnin, he was needed on the front lines.

Jiraiya did not blame Shima. As one of the two great sages of Mount Myōboku, Shima had taught him Sage Techniques during his training, although he had not succeeded.

But considering that this was the legendary Sage Techniques, it was expected to be difficult.

Not becoming a toad statue was already a significant achievement.

"Where's Lady Shima?"

Jiraiya noticed that the other sage, Shima, was not present and asked.

Shima was Shima's wife and one of the most powerful sages in Mount Myōboku. They were almost always together, so Jiraiya asked.

"She's out buying groceries."

"I see. So, it's the Great Toad Sage who called me here?"

"I'm not sure about the details, but the Great Toad Sage ordered me to bring you in. Follow me."

Shima led the way, and Jiraiya followed, entering the grand hall.

Inside the grand hall, opposite the entrance, there was an incredibly large reclining chair, and on it lay an enormous old toad.

The toad had a large pipe in its mouth, and even in its sleep, smoke rings filled the hall, creating a misty, otherworldly atmosphere.

Shima hopped onto a platform by the toad's right hand, clasped his hands together, and looked solemn.

Jiraiya stood before the toad, looking up.

No matter when he saw it, the toad always looked like it was on the verge of death.

"Great Toad Sage, I'm here."

Jiraiya called out.

The old toad showed no reaction, continuing to puff out smoke rings.

Shima's solemn expression did not last long. He took a deep breath and turned to the toad, using Sage Chakra to amplify his voice:

"Great Toad Sage, Jiraiya is here!"

The old toad slowly turned to look at Shima, then saw Jiraiya below and finally reacted.

"Have you brought him? Sorry, I almost fell asleep."

"..."

Not almost, but already asleep.

"Great Toad Sage, what's the matter this time?"

The Great Toad Sage was the ruler of Mount Myōboku, possessing the ability to see the future. He had made predictions for Jiraiya before, all of which came true, so Jiraiya held a deep respect for him.

Being able to see the future, he felt, was the mark of a true sage.

Especially after seeing some things in the Land of Rain, he was even more convinced of the Great Toad Sage's abilities.

"About this matter, Jiraiya... what was your name again?"

The Great Toad Sage's sudden question left Jiraiya and Shima feeling awkward.

"Great Toad Sage, this is Jiraiya. You made predictions for him before. He is one of our summoners."

Shima helpfully added.

"Oh, I remember now. It's Jiraiya. I almost forgot."

Honestly, Jiraiya did not want to believe that such a senile toad could be a sage.

But the predictions made him believe.

And