Natural energy is everything in nature.
Water, air, trees... it's everywhere.
It can be said that as long as one is within nature, natural energy can be supplied indefinitely.
"Hmm, I was planning to do that anyway."
Hakushi did not refuse; in fact, it would have been impossible to get to where he is today without the funds, connections, and locations provided by Ruri.
The power of capital is indeed invincible.
One cannot afford to be on bad terms with money.
Sigh... it's something created by humans, yet humans are enslaved by it. This world has indeed fallen.
"Are you planning to go to Ayane's place too?"
Ruri walked to the seating area outside the training ground, picked up a damp towel, wiped her face, and casually said this, her tone not very cold but giving a very intimidating sense of pressure.
"...Ah, well, sort of... because the Byakugan is very useful. Ayane, using her Byakugan, also helped me solve a lot of research problems."
Hakushi looked away awkwardly.
He originally thought that after Ruri came to him that day, things could pass quietly, but bringing it up again made Hakushi feel a bit embarrassed.
Wait, why should he feel embarrassed?
Isn't it normal for teammates and classmates to help each other?
Hakushi couldn't help but question himself again.
Did he make the situation too complicated?
"Is that so?"
Ruri glanced up at the azure sky, then tucked her long black hair behind her ear and turned to leave.
Hakushi remained where he was, pondering.
'Is that so?' What does that mean?
Women's thoughts are really hard to understand; whether it's Ayane or Ruri, their personalities are easy to grasp, but sometimes their words can be utterly baffling.
The ancient saying about a woman's heart being like a needle in the sea holds true as an eternal truth.
"Forget it, the most important thing now is to train in natural energy..."
◎
This place was lush with verdant grass, and birds chirped among the fragrance of flowers, brimming with vibrant life.
Towering toad statues stood all around; this was Mount Myoboku, a place akin to a paradise outside the world.
Alongside Ryuchi Cave and Shikkotsu Forest, it is revered as one of the Three Great Sacred Lands of the Ninja Realm and is one of the sources of ancient Immortal Techniques.
Since ancient times, countless powerful ninjas have sought this place, hoping to master the Immortal Technique; some were buried here, becoming part of the toad statue landscape of Mount Myoboku, while others succeeded in their training and became renowned ninjas in the outside world.
But with the onset of the Ninja Village era, although the existence of Immortal Techniques is still recorded in the archives of various Great Ninja Villages, in reality, with the passing of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, the Immortal Technique has long become a legend in the Ninja Realm, its truth or falsehood hard to determine.
As of now, no ninja capable of mastering the Immortal Technique has appeared to shine in the wars of the Ninja Realm.
"Fukasaku Boss."
It was a human voice that shouldn't be heard in the Three Great Sacred Lands of Mount Myoboku.
He wore the Konoha Jonin uniform, a Konoha Ninja headband, with two prominent red vertical lines under his eyes, appearing about twenty-five or six, with white hair and the vibrant confidence typical of youth.
As soon as he arrived here, he greeted the toad at the entrance of the great hall deep in the mountain.
This toad, waiting at the hall entrance, wore a gray robe, had green skin, and stood about the height of a human child, yet exuded an aura of extraordinary transcendence, despite being just a toad.
"Oh, it's young Jiraiya, you finally came?"
It recognized the young human who greeted it, revealing a kindly smile on its wrinkled face.
This young ninja was none other than the Konoha Jonin Jiraiya, who had signed the Summoning Contract with the Sacred Land Mount Myoboku.
He is a powerful ninja, on par with Tsunade and Orochimaru, known as the Sannin.
Also, he is a disciple of the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen and an excellent Konoha Jonin inheriting the ideology of the Will of Fire.
A short while ago, he had just concluded a three-year mission in the Land of Rain, returned to Konoha briefly, and was preparing to head to the front lines in the Land of Fire when he received a message from a messenger toad from Mount Myoboku, instructing him to come to Mount Myoboku as soon as possible.
"So, Fukasaku Boss, what's going on? Why call me here at this time?"
"I'm sorry for calling you here at such a crucial time, but this is the Great Lord's order, and I have no choice."
Fukasaku Sage knew that the Ninja Realm was currently engulfed in war and Konoha was one of the participants. As one of Konoha's few elite Jonin, Jiraiya was naturally also needed at the front lines to fight the enemy.
Jiraiya didn't blame Fukasaku Sage; as one of the two Great Sages of Mount Myoboku, it was Fukasaku Sage who personally taught him Immortal Techniques during his training at Mount Myoboku... even though he ultimately gained no outcome, still having no clue about the Immortal Technique.
But considering it's a legendary technique, difficulty is indeed expected.
He was already ahead of many people for not turning into a toad statue.
"What about Lady Shima? Isn't she here?"
Seeing that the other Sage of Mount Myoboku, Shima, was absent, Jiraiya asked.
Shima Sage, being Fukasaku Sage's wife and a highly powerful sage in Mount Myoboku, was virtually inseparable from Fukasaku Sage, hence Jiraiya's inquiry.
"She's gone out to buy groceries."
"I see. So, the Great Toad Sage wants to see me, is that it?"
"I don't know the details either; the Great Lord ordered this, follow me in."
Fukasaku Sage led the way, and Jiraiya had no choice but to follow, entering the great hall together.