Spring, summer, autumn, winter—two years had passed since Nadeshiko Village relocated in its entirety.
Over those two years, taking advantage of its proximity to the Land of Fire and with Konoha's assistance, Nadeshiko Village quickly completed its construction. It attracted many local wanderers, and its population surged directly to over fifty thousand.
However, because the time had been short, the number of ninja had not increased much, reaching only a scant three thousand.
But that was enough.
After all, having the Land of Fire at their back was their greatest support.
After Tingxiang and Jiraiya confirmed their feelings for each other by the river that night, Jiraiya remained in Nadeshiko Village long-term. At the same time, he took on the responsibilities of protecting the Land of Fire's border and assisting with Nadeshiko Village's development.
It was just that he could never control his wandering gaze. From time to time, he would be drawn to the other female ninja of Nadeshiko Village, earning himself Tingxiang's iron fists.
As for Senya, over the past two years, he had traveled to various places throughout the Shinobi World, using their unique environments to further develop Sage Chakra.
By now, aside from Yin-Yang Release Sage Chakra, he could wield Sage Chakra-enhanced versions of all other releases with ease.
At the same time, he simplified them and taught them to Konoha's top combat forces, including Tsunade, Kabuto, Kakashi, and Itachi.
Jiraiya had originally wanted to try cultivating it as well, but he discovered that it conflicted with the Sage Chakra of Mount Myōboku and was difficult to use alongside it, so he gave up.
The other person who gave up cultivating it was Orochimaru.
Using Ōtsutsuki Urashiki's remains, that man transplanted Urashiki's cells into his own body. He even showed signs of being close to awakening