"I'm leaving."
After finishing speaking, Gama Bunta disappeared in a puff of smoke.
On the entire mountaintop, only Jiraiya and Akihara Kagura remained.
Jiraiya landed gracefully in front of Akihara Kagura, looked at the leaf face paint on Akihara Kagura's forehead, and said somewhat wistfully, "I originally thought I'd have you train for a while longer before telling you about Sage Mode..."
As a teacher who has taught many students, Jiraiya always had his unique teaching methods, allowing students to become strong gradually without losing their way.
However...
Problems arose on the very first day of teaching Akihara Kagura.
Akihara Kagura had great talent, even possessing a Sage Body, but his knack for causing trouble was exceptional, even thinking about killing the Great Toad Sage...
The most troubling thing is...
How should I continue teaching?
Taught this kid the Summoning Jutsu, and he directly summoned the highest-ranked Great Toad Sage from Mount Myoboku and even mastered Sage Mode directly.
The old man really gave him a monumental challenge.
In addition, Jiraiya was also troubled upon learning the new information that Akihara Kagura was not the Child of Prophecy, which meant he had to continue his journey.
Akihara Kagura looked up and glanced at Jiraiya: "What is the Child of Prophecy? Am I not the Child of Prophecy, is Jiraiya-sensei very disappointed?"
"How should I put it..."
Jiraiya rubbed his hairline, sighed, and said, "The Great Toad Sage is a sage with prophetic abilities..."
"Many years ago, the Great Toad Sage made a prophecy that one day I would have a student who would bring change to the Ninja World, but it was unknown whether this change would bring peace or destruction to the world; thus, I have been looking..."
Jiraiya acted according to the prophecy of the Great Toad Sage, hoping to sooner meet the Child of Prophecy and teach that disciple to bring peace to the Ninja World.
"Forget it."
Jiraiya was only dejected for a moment before becoming cheerful again: "It doesn't matter if you're not the Child of Prophecy; you're still my disciple..."
This might be better.
At least Jiraiya could confirm one thing.
Akihara Kagura, this child, is not the Child of Prophecy, so he wouldn't bring change to the Ninja World, nor would he cause a crisis of destruction in the Ninja World.
"What a pity, Nagato is dead."
Jiraiya thought of a former student and sighed: "If he were still alive, perhaps I could have introduced you both..."
One has the Sage Body, the other has the Sage Eye.
Jiraiya found his life intriguing, having met so many talented students, yet none were the Child of Prophecy. How talented would the real Child of Prophecy have to be to surpass the Sage Body and Sage Eye?
"..."
Akihara Kagura heard the name of his superior and curiously asked, "Why haven't I heard of Master Nagato's name in Konoha?"
"Nagato is not a ninja of Konoha."
Jiraiya shook his head, bringing up his past: "It was during the Second Ninja World War when, after our battle with Salamander Hanzo, we happened to meet three orphans in the Land of Rain, Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato. Worried they'd not survive the war, I took them in as disciples. Later, the communication toad from Mount Myoboku informed me that they perished in the war..."
"..."
Akihara Kagura felt Mount Myoboku was somewhat unreliable.
Akihara Kagura looked at Jiraiya and sincerely suggested, "If you still miss them, sensei, should we visit the Land of Rain and pay our respects?"
"The Land of Rain is still in civil war."
Jiraiya didn't agree with the idea.
Once entering the battlefield, the situation becomes uncontrollable, and Jiraiya fears Akihara Kagura might end up killing on the battlefield. The war easily triggers inner desires for slaughter.
Jiraiya preferred taking Akihara Kagura to peaceful and tranquil places, so this disciple wouldn't constantly think about killing, which was what he should truly do.
"Let's head to the next town for a rest."
Jiraiya raised his hand, beckoning his disciple down the mountain, casting another look at Akihara Kagura's forehead leaf face paint: "Can you maintain your Sage Mode this long?"
How long has it been...
How can this disciple still remain in Sage Mode?
In the past, Jiraiya relied on Fukasaku and Shima to absorb Natural Energy to synthesize Sage Art Chakra to maintain Sage Mode.
"Want to test the power of Sage Art Chakra?"
Jiraiya looked at Akihara Kagura in front of him, feeling a sudden urge to try: "The traditional Konoha bell-snatching game, want to give it a go?"
"Are there any restrictions?"
Akihara Kagura became quite interested.
"..."
Jiraiya found himself momentarily speechless.
The gaze of this tall man began to grow serious; he too wanted to know the true strength of his disciple, a string of bells appearing in Jiraiya's hands.
"Then... no restrictions?"
As one of the renowned Sannin of Konoha, Jiraiya had some confidence: "Then unleash your full strength, with the intention of killing me to snatch the bells, even using your Sage Mode state is fine!"
"Traditionally, you should have two teammates to assist you, but I've heard of your strength, kid, so we don't need those, not even needing me to hold back!"