Shima, the elder toad sage, was fussing over Gamabunta with rolls of bandages.
Even in Mount Myoboku, where natural energy was rich and restorative, Gamabunta would need more than two months to fully recover.
"You really are impossible," Shima scolded with a sharp click of her tongue. "You knew you couldn't win that fight, so why didn't you retreat? Instead, you insisted on holding out until you nearly wrecked yourself."
Her body was small, but her words carried such weight that the mighty boss toad dared not raise his voice in reply.
"Well, I couldn't let myself look weak in front of that brat, could I? Ow careful, Mom!" Gamabunta winced, groaning as the bandage tightened.
Shima finished by tying a neat bow across the bulky wrappings, then hopped down with a satisfied huff.
"Boss, who managed to beat you up so badly? Wasn't Jiraiya around?" Gamaken asked, his rumbling voice low.
Nearby, Gamahiro stood with twin blades strapped across his back. He pressed a webbed hand over his mouth, stifling laughter at Gamabunta's sorry state.
"It was that new kid who signed the summoning contract," Gamabunta admitted, lying flat on his back. "That brat is a monster. His speed was unpredictable, his chakra reserves enormous. He pelted me with one huge jutsu after another."
He paused, then puffed smoke from his pipe, speaking around the bandages. "But don't get the wrong idea. He didn't exactly have it easy either. I was only a step behind. The brat took a beating too. We both walked away half-ruined."
"Is that so," Gamaken muttered, nodding thoughtfully.
Just then, an unwelcome voice rang out.
"Yo! Long time no see, Gamabunta!"
The familiar tone made Gamabunta's eyes bulge. His pipe clattered to the ground as his massive, bandaged body jolted so hard the wrappings burst apart.
"You you you! What are you doing here, brat?" he croaked, staring at Naruto in disbelief and ignoring Jiraiya completely.
"Relax, don't work yourself up. You should be lying down, not jumping around," Naruto said with an awkward scratch at his cheek.
Had he really hit Gamabunta that hard? Maybe he'd gone overboard. But no he hadn't even used his full technique, the Five-Element Barrage. If he had, Gamabunta wouldn't even be standing.
"You're the new summoner?" Gamahiro asked, stepping forward with curiosity.
"That's me! Nice to meet you," Naruto said with a broad grin.
"I'm Gamahiro. If you ever need help, just summon me," the twin-sworded toad said quickly. He glanced sidelong at Gamabunta. And this guy claimed it was an even match? The truth was clear Naruto had beaten him clean.
Gamahiro thought grimly, Gamabunta is scrap iron. This kid is solid gold. Better stay on his good side if I don't want to end up wrapped like a mummy.
"I'm Gamaken," rumbled the other toad. "I may be slow, but I'll always give my best." Even he, dim as he sometimes seemed, wasn't stupid enough to challenge the kid who had floored Gamabunta.
"Great to meet you both! I'm Uzumaki Naruto!" Naruto waved cheerfully.
Jiraiya chuckled, but Shima hopped in front of him, arms folded. "Jiraiya, what's the meaning of this? Bringing the new summoner here look at Gamabunta, terrified out of his wits! I just finished wrapping him up!"
"Sorry, sorry, Lady Shima," Jiraiya laughed, scratching the back of his head. "I brought Naruto here to train in Sage Mode."
"Sage Mode?" Shima's voice sharpened. She scrutinized Naruto, then turned back to Jiraiya. "Are you certain this boy even meets the requirements?"
Sage training was no joke. Without massive chakra reserves, no one could survive balancing natural energy within their body.
"Of course. That much I can guarantee," Jiraiya said firmly.
"Fine. If you're that sure, then follow me. You'll need the Great Toad Sage's permission first." Shima sighed, then turned to the three toads. "Gamahiro, Gamaken, re-bandage Gamabunta. I worked hard making those wrappings neat."
"Yes, ma'am," they chorused.
Naruto bowed apologetically. "Sorry for the trouble."
Shima waved it off. "Don't worry about it. Injuries from sparring aren't unusual. But if you truly bested Gamabunta, maybe you are qualified to learn Sage Mode after all."
In her mind, Gamabunta's pride had always been his greatest weakness. Being humbled might be the best thing for him. Better to be beaten in a friendly match than to die in real combat.
With that, Shima bounded off.
"Come on, Naruto," Jiraiya said, motioning for him to follow.
"Where are we going now?" Naruto asked curiously.
"To meet the Great Toad Sage," Jiraiya explained. "Without his blessing, you can't begin your training."
"Got it," Naruto nodded.
Together with Shima, they soon arrived at a massive hall. By the water outside the palace, a small toad sat fishing. The line jerked, and with surprising strength, the little sage hauled up a fish the size of a grown man.
"Dear," Shima called, hopping to his side. She patted the catch with satisfaction. "Looks like we'll eat well tonight."
"Hmm? Weren't you tending to Gamabunta?" Fukasaku asked, surprised.
"Jiraiya brought Naruto, the new summoner. He wants to learn Sage Mode, so we're here to see the Great Toad Sage," Shima explained.
Fukasaku set down his rod, then leapt onto Jiraiya's shoulder to peer at Naruto. "So you're the boy who beat Gamabunta?"
"Yes, sir. I'm Uzumaki Naruto." Naruto bowed politely. He had no parents, but that didn't mean he lacked manners.
"Well done," Fukasaku chuckled, stroking his beard. Far from angry about Gamabunta's loss, he seemed pleased. If anything, it looked like the whole of Mount Myoboku was enjoying Gamabunta's humiliation.
"Jiraiya, you rascal," Fukasaku suddenly snapped, smacking Jiraiya on the head. "You never finished your own Sage training. After all this time, you still can't even enter Sage Mode properly!"
"Ahahaha, come on, old man, you know me," Jiraiya laughed sheepishly, rubbing the sore spot. "Meditation's never been my strong suit."
"Hmph. Always with your filthy mind full of nonsense," Fukasaku scolded, rapping his skull again.
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