I Will Lead the Charge

"Jiraiya-sensei, didn't you say before that Jinchuriki have massive amounts of chakra even without the Tailed Beast? Why—"

Jiraiya shook his head: "The Jinchuriki method is not something you can use, at least not for now. It is absolutely impossible."

"Jinchuriki grow by stimulating their own chakra with the violent chakra of a Tailed Beast. This stimulation is extremely intense; without the powerful restorative properties of a Tailed Beast, you would only end up with hidden injuries all over your body, ending your ninja career prematurely."

As he spoke, Jiraiya's expression turned exceptionally serious: "Never try this method yourself. It is extremely dangerous. If accelerating chakra growth were this simple, then anyone could just inject their own chakra into someone else's body—"

After a bit of popular science, Jiraiya finally emphasized again: "Therefore, you must not harbor any wishful thinking. Chakra cultivation is a matter that must be handled with extreme caution. Do not act recklessly; if you have any ideas, talk to me first."

Looking at Jiraiya's earnest expression, Chiba couldn't help but feel a slight chill in his heart. It was fortunate he wasn't stupid enough to try it blindly with Nagato, otherwise, he wouldn't even know how he died.

It seems that without sufficient knowledge, it's better to give up on doing my own scientific research and innovation.

Chiba had originally planned to use some of his insights to develop special ninjutsu, but now he decisively abandoned that thought.

A moment later, Jiraiya went out to find dinner for them, leaving the two to continue their chakra adaptation.

Watching Jiraiya's retreating back, Nagato couldn't help but complain a little.

"Jiraiya-sensei is really something, deliberately making it sound so serious. He scared me to death just now."

Hearing Nagato's words, Chiba felt a slight warmth in his heart.

The reason Nagato acted so scared was undoubtedly because he was worried that Chiba couldn't handle such a blow.

Gently waving his hand, Chiba smiled: "Actually, it's nothing. Jiraiya-sensei is doing it for my own good."

Suddenly, Chiba remembered something.

"By the way, if I borrow your chakra, it won't affect your cultivation, will it?"

Actually, Chiba had thought of this question just now, but he forgot to ask because of Jiraiya's interruption.

"Basically no. I don't spend all my time cultivating ninjutsu during the day. Cultivating taijutsu or refining chakra doesn't consume much chakra. We can stagger our cultivation times. When I'm cultivating ninjutsu, you can go cultivate taijutsu or something. Jiraiya-sensei had already thought of this."

As he spoke, Nagato seemed to recall something.

"Besides, Jiraiya-sensei said a few days ago that my development in ninjutsu is not as effective as developing my eye's bloodline limit ability. He also said I could develop some Yang Release or something. I don't quite understand the specifics, but I guess I'll be cultivating ninjutsu very rarely by then."

"Yeah, by the time that happens, my chakra will be even more abundant, and I can bring Konan and Yahiko along to help them speed up their cultivation too."

As he spoke, Nagato revealed a brilliant smile unconsciously.

Compared to the strength Jiraiya spoke of, this feeling of being able to help his companions undoubtedly brought Nagato immense happiness.

"Bloodline limit ability and Yang Release, huh..."

Hearing these two terms, Chiba couldn't help but reveal a bit of envy in his eyes.

Sure enough, Nagato lived up to his reputation as a character with a cheat-like growth rate. While Chiba was still excited about being able to develop a few more elemental attributes, Nagato had already started developing his bloodline limit ability, which represented the top-tier power in the Ninja World.

This gap is truly frustrating.

But regardless, with the method provided by Jiraiya, this gap has finally narrowed a little.

Overall, Chiba was in a relatively pleasant mood at this moment.

Gently patting Nagato on the shoulder, Chiba laughed loudly: "Speaking of which, I really have to thank you, Nagato. If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I wouldn't have the chance to use this method to get stronger. You really are something..."

Nagato immediately lowered his head shyly, his eyes full of the joy of being praised.

"No need to thank me. Do we really need to say things like that between us?"

"Haha, that's true."

Suddenly, Nagato thought of something.

"Actually... I have some other ideas, but I didn't dare tell Jiraiya-sensei..."

"Oh? Other ideas?"

"Yeah, I was thinking, since it's possible to transfer chakra to you like this, maybe in the future, I could transfer chakra to you from a distance during battle through some techniques or tools. By then, I can refine chakra in the rear, and you guys can fight with infinite chakra."

Chiba was slightly stunned after hearing this. Is this the ability Nagato later used to transmit chakra to the Pain Six Paths? But...

"Why would you think that? Jiraiya-sensei also said it, right? Chakra in your hands can unleash much greater power than in ours. If you're considering us, there's no need..."

Nagato shook his head gently: "It's not that..."

As he spoke, Nagato's face showed a hint of disappointment, and he gently buried his head in his knees.

"I actually... don't like fighting, and I don't want to kill people even more... If possible, I don't even want to be a ninja..."

Nagato's tone was full of dejection.

"I'm not afraid of fighting... I just hate the feeling of killing. After killing that person last time, I felt very guilty. Even though I knew that if I didn't kill him, you would be in danger, but..."

"Nagato, you..."

Quietly watching Nagato, Chiba opened his mouth slightly but didn't know what to say.

When he watched the anime in his past life and saw Nagato feeling guilty for killing that Rock Ninja, he thought Nagato was very indecisive. After all, that Rock Ninja had almost killed them, yet Nagato had to be persuaded by Jiraiya for so long before he could move past the guilt.

But now, seeing this scene again, he strangely felt the mockery of fate.

Clearly... Nagato didn't want to be a ninja, yet he was dragged into the greatest Uzumaki of the Ninja World. Clearly, he didn't want to kill, yet he had to stain his hands with blood. Clearly, he only wanted to be with Yahiko and Konan forever, yet this simple wish was ruthlessly destroyed.

"I'm sorry, Chiba. I know I'm being useless, but..."

Gently patting Nagato on the shoulder, Chiba smiled. "I understand."

At first, Chiba had wondered if Nagato developing this chakra conduction for him was a butterfly effect caused by his own arrival, but after hearing Nagato's thoughts, Chiba suddenly felt that even without him, Nagato would have likely come up with this.

Thinking back to how Hanzo only knew Konan and Yahiko were key figures in Akatsuki and sought ways to deal with them, yet didn't recognize Nagato, it was clearly illogical.

Unless Nagato rarely took action, any move he made would be undeniably iconic; a single technique would be enough to make him famous throughout the Ninja World.

Then there was Yahiko. Chiba had always felt it was difficult for him to possess the ability to rival Hanzo in just a few short years, or even whether he could reach the strength of the Sannin.

Yet, Hanzo, whom even the Sannin couldn't defeat, felt that Yahiko posed a serious threat to him.

He even went to the lengths of bringing in Danzo to deal with him. If Yahiko hadn't truly possessed sufficient strength at the time, Hanzo wouldn't have gone to such great lengths to ambush him with so many people.

This proved everything.

Suddenly, Chiba had a conjecture: could it be that Nagato's future role was to be a "mana battery" providing infinite blue and other support abilities to Yahiko and Konan?

If that were the case, it would make sense for Yahiko to threaten Hanzo; Yahiko wasn't fighting alone, after all.

For a moment, Chiba felt a sense of helplessness.

Fate was a strange thing. He wanted to be the main damage dealer, but was restricted by his talent to support, while Nagato, who possessed top-tier offensive capabilities, insisted on being the support.

This really was...

Looking at the dejected Nagato with his head bowed, Chiba shook his head helplessly.

He had originally intended to be a pure support, but it looked like he would have to take on some offensive duties as well.

Gently patting Nagato on the shoulder again, Chiba sighed. "Since you don't like killing, Nagato, just stay in the back and support us from now on. It would be best if you could provide us with some defense and mobility. As for me... hmm..."

Chiba suddenly thought of a line.

"I will lead the charge!"