Shinki's New Research

The Great Toad Sage is asleep again.

Shinki felt that the Great Toad Sage had said everything he needed to say, so he didn't want to waste any more time with the old man and went back with Sage Fukasaku...

Shortly after the two left the Temple, the dazed Great Toad Sage's eyes suddenly cleared, and he looked around blankly. "Huh? Where is everyone? I have a very important dream, and I want to tell Little Shinki..."

A few minutes later, the Shinki was taken home by the Sage Fukasaku.

It was already dark, and the crescent moon hung brightly in the night sky.

Sage Shima stepped out, looking at Sage Fukasaku with a hint of reproach. "You only went to see the Great Toad Sage, why did you waste so much time? The food I made is all cold! (′д`σ)σ"

Sage Fukasaku spread out his two frog paws, looking utterly helpless, and said, "Honey, you have no idea, the Great Toad Sage has become even more confused lately..."

Sage Shima was well aware of the Great Toad Sage's flaws, so he said no more and opened the door, warmly gesturing for Shinki to come in. "After all, he's getting old, sigh~"

Afterwards, to make the Shinki happy, Sage Shima reheated the cold dishes and added two new ones...

Looking at the table laden with insect dishes, Shinki swallowed hard, "Grandma Shima, that's enough! No need to make any more!" (༎ຶ-༎ຶ)

Sage Shima smiled and placed a plate of salt and pepper dung beetles on the table, "Little Shinki, you haven't had Grandma's cooking for a year! Make yourself at home here, don't be shy! ( ´▽` )

Shinki nodded with tears in her eyes, "Thank you, Grandma! ค(TㅅT)ค"

Late at night, the sound of vomiting could be heard intermittently coming from the bathroom of Sage Fukasaku's house.

To be honest, the insect dishes made by Sage Shima are not bad. If you eat them often, you'll gradually get used to them.

But if you haven't eaten for a long time and then suddenly eat such a huge meal, the result will be like what happened to Shinki now—he'll be gagging on someone's toilet...

The Sage Fukasaku, listening from outside, felt sorry for her. "If you can't eat, just eat less. Why force yourself?"

Shinki: "You saw how enthusiastic Granny Shima was, I couldn't refuse... T^T"

The following day, after spending the night at Mount Myōboku, Shinki returned to Konoha with a food box full of insects given to him by Shima.

Before leaving, Grandma specifically instructed, "Little Shinki, I'm so happy that you like Grandma's cooking. Take these dishes back with you; you can just heat them up and eat them! ʘᴗʘ"

"There's one more thing: don't eat it all by yourself, remember to share some with Naruto."

Shinki smiled and thanked her, "Okay, okay, thank you, Grandma. (▿▿)"

The Sage Fukasaku instructed, "The situation on the battlefield changes in an instant. Although you are strong enough to protect yourself, you must still be cautious. If you need anything, just summon the Toads of Mount Myōboku; don't hesitate."

Shinki bowed deeply. "Understood, Sage Fukasaku."

A gentle breeze blew by, and the Shinki tree disappeared.

After Shinki left, Sage Shima leaned towards Sage Fukasaku, her eyes filled with deep worry. "My dear husband, I always feel uneasy."

The Sage Fukasaku reassured him, "Don't worry, this child has not only mastered the Senjutsu of our Mount Myōboku, but also Senjutsu of Ryūchi Cave. His strength is extraordinary... This journey will surely be safe..."

Konoha, Naruto.

The village has been actively preparing for the battle lately. Naruto trained until very late yesterday and is currently fast asleep in bed.

Suddenly, a pungent odor filled his nostrils, instantly waking Naruto from his dream. He looked around warily. "Who is it?! <(`^´)>"

Beside him, Shinki, carrying a food box, looked at Naruto with a speechless expression. "I'm all set, hurry up and get up to eat. You'll never guess what delicious food I brought you. (๑ت๑)"

Naruto then lowered his guard and asked curiously, "Oh, it's Shinki. Where did you go last night? Why didn't you come back?"

As Shinki took out various kinds of insect-based vegetables from the food box, he replied, "I went to Mount Myōboku; the Great Toad Sage has a new prophecy."

Naruto: "What prophecy? Did the prophecy mention me? Does it mean I'll shine brightly in the Fourth Shinobi World War, obtain Sage, and save the world?! ୧⍢⃝୨"

Shinki shook his head. "I don't know the specifics of the prophecy, but the Great Toad Sage hasn't been feeling well lately... Alright, come and eat! (o´Д`o)ノ"

Naruto got up, glanced at the insect meal in the food box in Shinki's hand, and immediately shuddered:(≖╻≖;)

"This must be insect rice made by Shima!! Why did you bring this back! I don't want to eat it, I don't want to eat it...(´⌒`｡)"

Shinki: "It's at least a token of Shima's kindness... Give it to me!"

Finally, not wanting to waste Shima's kindness, Naruto, under Shinki's "persuasion," ate it all.

The days that followed were relatively peaceful.

After staying in the village for two more days, Shinki suddenly received a message from Tsunade, basically telling Shinki that it was time to head to the Land of Lightning.

At the Village Entrance, Shinki and Naruto, carrying their bundles, bid farewell to a group of familiar faces.

Tsunade said, "Be careful in everything you do. Although you have been secretly hidden, the Akatsuki's intelligence network is extensive, and it's not impossible for them to find you."

Shinki nodded. "Don't worry, I will protect Naruto."

"But you, Master, the battlefield is dangerous; you must take good care of yourself."

Tsunade nodded. "Don't worry, your master has experienced more Ninja wars than you've eaten meals...❛‿˂̵✧"

Jiraiya, standing next to Tsunade, nodded. "That's right, that's right, I'm here to protect you."

In the end, Shinki still felt uneasy and gestured for Tsunade to extend her hand.

After some manipulation by the Shinki, a strange Curse Mark appeared in Tsunade's palm.

Tsunade asked in confusion, "What is this? Your Flying Thunder God Mark doesn't look like this. (￢‸￢)?"

Shinki: "This is my latest Space-Time Technique. It has a wonderful use when your Chakra is depleted."

"However, since it's newly developed, it has certain limitations. The person being imprinted with it needs to be sustained by Chakra, which requires them to have precise control over Chakra and a considerable amount of Chakra."

"Perfect timing to use you as an experiment, Master! ⸜(๑ᵕ๑)⸝⋆"

Tsunade smiled upon hearing this, "The thing you've developed is quite unusual."

Jiraiya held out his hand. "Make one for me too. When it comes to Chakra control, your Master Jiraiya is far superior to her. Ծ ̮ Ծ"

Shinki shrugged. "I've already placed a Flying Thunder God Mark on you. ┐(´-`)┌"

Jiraiya: "How can that be the same? (◔◡◔)"

Seeing that Jiraiya insisted, the Shinki placed one in his hand as well.

After placing the two Curse Marks, Shinki's face appeared slightly paler...