"Princess Tsunade, long time no see. I brought you a little gift. How's your research coming along?"
As the laboratory door opened, Hyuga Mirai stepped inside and saw that nearly all the equipment was running. Tsunade had even created multiple shadow clones to assist her, and she remained fully focused despite his arrival.
Seeing this, Mirai placed the shochu he had brought to the side before opening another door and stepping into the next room.
The documents were somewhat scattered. He picked one up and began reading.
"The Effects of Electrons on Human Cells and Body Energy"
"The Influence of Electrons on Natural Energy"
As he continued reading, he gradually immersed himself in Tsunade's research direction. She was still focusing on human biology and had expanded on the principles of her Creation Rebirth Jutsu, exploring broader applications of bioelectricity.
"Impressive. As expected of Princess Tsunade."
Mirai couldn't help but voice his admiration. When it came to human biology, Tsunade was second to none. She had already conceptualized the idea of condensing bioelectric fields within the body to achieve precise cellular control.
If she succeeded, it would be akin to embedding a "solidification" technique into the body—a different approach to immortality, far superior to the flawed Yin Seal.
"I'm still far from that level. Controlling electrons remains the biggest hurdle. Generating such minuscule energy units is already an incredibly difficult threshold... By the way, where's my gift?"
Tsunade suddenly appeared beside Mirai. After dispelling her shadow clones, she felt a slight headache as days' worth of research data flooded her mind. Although it wasn't dangerous, she still needed to process it all.
"I think control can be assisted with external devices. Your gift is outside the door. And if you have a headache, you shouldn't be drinking. The equipment here is valuable."
Tsunade bared her teeth and retorted, "This is why I can never like you, brat. I've never once gone on a drunken rampage!"
"That's true," Mirai admitted after a brief recollection. He had never actually seen Tsunade act wild when drunk—she usually just slept it off.
Still, alcohol in the lab was strictly prohibited. That was one rule he wouldn't compromise on.
Suddenly, Mirai asked, "By the way, I noticed Shizune has gained a lot of weight and keeps eating. Was that your suggestion?"
"Half and half. The food you provide here is too good, and Shizune can't control herself. But once I refine my jutsu, I'll be able to help her manage her weight—and use her as a test subject while I'm at it."
Tsunade casually sat down in a chair, studying Mirai for a while. When her gaze started making him uncomfortable, she finally spoke again.
"Thanks to the information you provided, I've managed to perfect the Creation Rebirth Jutsu, eliminating its major flaw—the excessive cellular division that shortens lifespan. My next step is to establish bioelectric fields so I can precisely control chakra in both combat and medical treatment."
As she finished speaking, Tsunade raised a hand and activated her chakra.
In the next instant, Mirai suddenly lost all sensation in his lower body. Though he could still stand, he couldn't move.
Waving his arms experimentally, he exclaimed in surprise, "I can still move my hands, but my legs are completely numb. Princess Tsunade, your progress is astonishing! You can already do this?"
Hearing his praise, Tsunade restored his nerve functions with a smirk of satisfaction.
"Hmph. It's just the result of years of accumulated research. Right now, I can only manage this level, but if I continue, I should be able to create a fully functional bioelectric domain that can extract and transfer others' cellular energy. At that point..."
"You'll be the ultimate medical master!"
A true master of cellular-level healing. This would revolutionize the field, completely changing the way medical ninjutsu functioned. Once Tsunade perfected her bioelectric field technique, it could replace a vast majority of medical supplies with simple sugars and fats, marking a breakthrough in medical science.
"This scroll contains the complete methodology of Chaos Body Surge and subsequent chakra bioelectric control techniques. If you're interested, give it a try. Even Shizune hasn't mastered it yet, and I doubt many in the shinobi world ever will."
Tsunade casually tossed a scroll to Mirai before eyeing him suspiciously.
"You didn't just come to see me for no reason, did you? Showing up with gifts all of a sudden... You didn't do something behind my back, did you?"
"Tch. You're imagining things. No one else would drink that shochu anyway. If you're going to be so paranoid, I'll just take it back."
Mirai smirked, keeping his expression perfectly composed, though inwardly he wondered if bioelectricity could be used for mind reading. Then again, his control over his expressions was flawless—no one in the shinobi world should be able to see through his thoughts.
Tsunade still looked skeptical, but ultimately, her attention shifted back to the shochu. After working for so long, she deserved a little relaxation.
With that, Mirai didn't linger. He took the scroll Tsunade had given him and left.
The jutsu recorded on the scroll is an advanced technique derived from Chaos Body Surge, integrating electronic principles. Tsunade refined it to enhance Creation Rebirth and medical ninjutsu, eliminating the drawback of excessive cellular division.
This type of jutsu alone is well worth learning. Moreover, Tsunade plans to develop further techniques based on electronics. If she succeeds, unless someone employs energy-based defensive jutsu, anyone caught within her electronic domain will essentially lose control over their own body.
Before leaving, Hyuga Mirai reminded her that next time, she didn't need to record jutsu on an outdated scroll—she could simply scan and send it via the terminal.
"I forgot to remove the drawbacks of the Sage Curse Mark for her," Mirai mused. But Tsunade was probably already drinking by now. It could wait until next time.
Mount Myoboku
After returning, Shima broke into sobs.
Not long after, Gamabunta and Gamaken also dispelled their summoning and returned to Mount Myoboku.
The other toads sensed something was wrong. Currently, Jiraiya was the only active summoner of Mount Myoboku. If anyone had been summoned there, it could only mean one thing—they had gone to aid Jiraiya in battle.
A few years ago, Gamabunta had perished in combat while supporting Jiraiya. Now, seeing Shima Sage break down in tears upon her return, the other toads could already guess what had happened.
Gamabunta and Gamaken remained silent. They had always been close to Jiraiya. Back when he trained at Mount Myoboku, the three of them would often spend time together.
Now, the last remaining contract holder of Mount Myoboku had been killed—along with Fukasaku.
"I'll inform the Great Toad Sage."
Shima Sage was filled with hatred, but the deaths of Jiraiya and Fukasaku could only be reported to the Great Toad Sage. That Hyuga brat was far too powerful—only the Great Toad Sage could do something about it.
Together, Shima, Gamabunta, and Gamaken made their way to the Great Toad Sage's residence. The moment they arrived, Shima shouted, "Old geezer! Wake up! Something terrible has happened to Mount Myoboku!"
In the past, Fukasaku would have reminded her to show respect, but now, there was no one to stop her from calling the Great Toad Sage an old fool.
"Mm… Shima, what is it?" The Great Toad Sage slowly opened his eyes.
"Jiraiya is dead! Fukasaku is dead too! Old fool, what should Mount Myoboku do now?" Shima Sage cried, then quickly recounted everything that had happened.
The most important intelligence she brought back was the Hyuga boy's blue eyes. This matched the Great Toad Sage's prophecy—the one destined to destroy the future of the ninja world.
Jiraiya had found him, but at the cost of his own life. Fukasaku had also perished.
"So, he has been found... The future grows ever more uncertain."
The Great Toad Sage muttered, "Find the Child of Destiny. Fukasaku… He is the only one who can communicate with that power and stop him. If we can guide that power properly, we can correct the course of history."
"Old fool, Fukasaku is already dead!"
Shima Sage's eyes were filled with grief. "Jiraiya spent over ten years searching for the Child of Destiny and never found him. Now, even our last summoner is gone! How are we supposed to find the Child of Destiny?"
The Great Toad Sage fell silent for a long time. Just as Shima thought he had dozed off again and was about to shout him awake, he finally spoke.
"Go to Konoha. The Child of Destiny has always been by Jiraiya's side. He should search for him properly... Oh, and as for Mount Myoboku's summoners, we should look for more candidates to sign a contract. That's how we'll proceed for now."
After saying this, the Great Toad Sage seemed to have exhausted all his strength and immediately fell asleep again.
"Old fool! Jiraiya is dead, and you're still sleeping?!"
Shima Sage yelled furiously, but the Great Toad Sage had already drifted off, and waking him would be near impossible. Frustrated, she and the two toads left.
Deep down, Shima had always believed that Mount Myoboku should not interfere too much in human affairs. In the past, they would only sign a few summoning contracts and observe the ninja world's changes from afar. Even when teaching Sage Jutsu, Fukasaku had never gone out of his way to invest too much effort.
But ever since Jiraiya appeared, the Great Toad Sage had begun making prophecies and instructed Fukasaku to train Jiraiya diligently in Sage Jutsu, bestowing upon him the power of Mount Myoboku. He even permitted Jiraiya to summon the two Sage Toads for assistance in battle.
And what did it lead to?
First, they lost Gamabunta when they encountered the prophesied one.
Now, on their second encounter, they lost Fukasaku.
Yet, Shima could not disobey the Great Toad Sage's orders.
"Gamaken, summon the Riding Toad and the Mighty Toad. We're heading to Konoha."
Shima Sage gave the command. With Jiraiya gone, they had no way to teleport directly to Konoha. Their only option was to travel through the shinobi world on foot.
(End of Chapter)