Seeking the Three Great Sage Powers on Mount Myoboku, Jiraiya's Remnant Soul Reveals Secret Truths

The morning mist of Mount Myoboku hung like a sheer veil, winding between the towering mushroom forests. Su Ye stepped across the damp moss, each stride accompanied by a faint, labored breath. The trace of Void energy within his Six Paths Immortal Bones was like a festering rot, relentlessly eroding the source of his chakra. Pale purple chakra swirled around his body, yet it could not mask the increasingly deep black ripples pulsing in his palm.

Naruto followed close behind, golden Tailed Beast chakra dancing at his fingertips as he remained vigilant of the surroundings. "Su Ye, hold on. Sage Fukasaku surely has a way." Sasuke gripped the Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword, its crimson-gold flames dispelling the surrounding mist, his sharp gaze scanning the path ahead. "The Void rift is still expanding; we don't have much time."

Passing through layers of mushroom forests, a massive toad stone statue came into view. Sage Fukasaku sat atop the statue, his aged eyes slowly opening, the glow of senjutsu chakra flickering within his pupils. "Su Ye, the Void energy within you is more troublesome than I anticipated." Sage Fukasaku's voice carried a note of gravity. He leaped down from the statue, approached Su Ye, and extended a forelimb to touch his palm.

The moment Sage Fukasaku's senjutsu chakra made contact with the black ripples, Su Ye shuddered violently, a searing sensation erupting from his palm. "This trace of Void energy has fused deeply with your Six Paths Immortal Bones; ordinary purification techniques cannot remove it." Sage Fukasaku retracted his limb, his brow furrowed. "Only by gathering the 'Power of the Three Immortal Clans' and using the Spring of Purification of Mount Myoboku as a catalyst can it be completely stripped away."

"The Power of the Three Immortal Clans?" Su Ye looked up, a flicker of doubt crossing his Rinne Sharingan. Sage Fukasaku nodded slowly and turned to walk toward the depths of the mushroom forest. "Beyond our Toad Immortal Clan of Mount Myoboku, there is the Snake Immortal Clan of Ryūchi Cave and the Slug Immortal Clan of Shikkotsu Forest. The senjutsu chakra of these three clans originated at the dawn of the ninja world and complement one another. Only by fusing the three can we form a purification array capable of suppressing the Void energy."

Naruto immediately stepped forward. "I'll go to Ryūchi Cave. I dealt with the White Snake Sage before while on a mission." Sasuke tightened his grip on the Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword. "Leave Shikkotsu Forest to me. The Slug Immortal Clan has a close relationship with Tsunade; with her coordinating, there shouldn't be much of a problem." Su Ye nodded slightly, but just as he was about to speak, the Void energy within him erupted. Black ripples spread up his arm, and his face turned deathly pale in an instant.

Seeing this, Sage Fukasaku quickly formed hand seals, injecting pale green senjutsu chakra into Su Ye's body. "In your current state, you cannot endure long-distance travel. Stay at Mount Myoboku, and Sage Shima and I will temporarily suppress the Void energy within you." As he spoke, Sage Shima emerged from a mushroom house carrying a medicine basket, holding several pills that radiated a dense senjutsu aura. "These are 'Immortal Essence Pills'; they can temporarily stabilize your chakra source and delay the erosion of the Void energy."

Su Ye took the Immortal Essence Pills and swallowed them without hesitation. As the pills hit his stomach, a gentle wave of senjutsu chakra rapidly spread throughout his body, and the black ripples in his palm finally ceased their spread. "My thanks to both Sages." Su Ye stood up slowly, his gaze fixed firmly on Naruto and Sasuke. "Ryūchi Cave and Shikkotsu Forest are fraught with danger; you must be careful. If you encounter trouble you cannot resolve, contact me via the communicator immediately."

Naruto grinned, golden Tailed Beast chakra gathering beneath his feet. "Don't worry, Su Ye. I will definitely bring back the White Snake Sage's immortal power!" Sasuke nodded slightly, crimson-gold flames enveloping his body, and turned to dash toward Shikkotsu Forest. Watching their backs disappear into the morning mist, Sage Fukasaku sighed softly. "Although the three immortal clans share the same origin of senjutsu, there is long-standing resentment between them. Getting them to hand over their core immortal power will likely not be easy."

Su Ye remained silent for a moment, looking up at the sky. The sky of Mount Myoboku was exceptionally clear, yet he knew that above the ninja world, the Void rift was constantly expanding. "No matter how difficult, we must succeed." Su Ye's voice carried a note of resolve. "For the sake of the ninja world, and for everyone protecting this land." A hint of approval flashed in Sage Fukasaku's eyes as he turned and said, "Follow me to the Spring of Purification. I will take you to see someone; perhaps he can help you."

Following Sage Fukasaku into the depths of Mount Myoboku, a spring emitting a pale green glow came into view—this was the Spring of Purification. The water was crystal clear, radiating dense senjutsu chakra, and the surrounding moss shimmered with a rare golden hue. Sage Fukasaku walked to the edge of the spring, formed hand seals, and silently recited an incantation. As the chant echoed, ripples spread across the surface of the Spring of Purification, and a transparent figure slowly emerged.

As the figure became clear, Su Ye's pupils constricted—the figure was none other than Jiraiya! "Master Jiraiya?" Su Ye cried out, an expression of disbelief flashing in his Rinne Sharingan. Jiraiya's lingering soul floated in the spring, a familiar smile on his face, though his form was somewhat ethereal. "Little one, it has been a long time. I never expected that when we met again, you would have grown to such a degree."

Sage Fukasaku sighed softly. "After Jiraiya sacrificed himself, a wisp of his lingering soul was absorbed by the immortal power of the Spring of Purification and has remained here ever since. Over these years, he has been observing the changes in the ninja world and has learned of the threat posed by the Lord of the Void." Jiraiya's soul drifted out of the spring and came before Su Ye, his gaze falling upon the black ripples in his palm, his expression growing grave. "This trace of Void energy is more dangerous than I imagined. When I was training at Mount Myoboku years ago, I once accidentally discovered an ancient scroll that recorded the secrets regarding the Void energy and the three immortal clans."

Su Ye's heart leaped, and he hurriedly asked, "Master Jiraiya, what was recorded on the scroll?" Jiraiya's soul spoke slowly. "The scroll stated that the core immortal power of the three immortal clans is hidden within their respective holy lands. The 'Dragon Immortal Crystal' of Ryūchi Cave contains the purest senjutsu chakra of the Snake Immortal Clan; the 'Slug Orb' of Shikkotsu Forest can purify all evil forces; and the 'Toad Gall' of Mount Myoboku is the key to connecting the immortal power of all three clans. To gather the three powers, you must first obtain these three items."

"But the three immortal clans have always been conservative. I fear we will face strong resistance if we try to obtain their core treasures." Su Ye's brow furrowed; he knew how much the immortal clans valued their core treasures and that they would not hand them over easily. Jiraiya's soul smiled slightly. "Don't worry, I have long been prepared." As he spoke, he waved his hand, and a pale blue orb of light rose from the Spring of Purification, containing a token. "This is the 'Immortal Clan Token'. Years ago, I helped the three immortal clans resolve a crisis, and they gifted me this token. Holding this, the leaders of the three clans will give you some face; at the very least, they will not move against you directly."

Su Ye took the Immortal Clan Token; it felt cold to the touch, engraved with complex patterns and radiating a faint immortal aura. "My thanks, Master Jiraiya." Su Ye solemnly put the token away, his confidence bolstered. Jiraiya's soul looked at him with expectation. "Su Ye, the future of the ninja world is in your hands. Back then, I failed to protect Tsunade and Konoha; this time, you must protect the ninja world." Su Ye nodded firmly. "I will, Master Jiraiya."

At that moment, the communicator suddenly rang. It was Naruto's voice, laced with anxiety. "Su Ye, it's bad! I arrived at the entrance of Ryūchi Cave, but the White Snake Sage not only refuses to see me, she has sent a large number of snake-nin to block my path. They say that unless I pass the 'Trial' of Ryūchi Cave, they will never let me step inside!" Su Ye's expression shifted, and just as he was about to speak, Sasuke's communication also came through. "It is the same here at Shikkotsu Forest. The Slug Sage demands that I defeat the 'Slug Guardian' of Shikkotsu Forest before she is willing to hand over the Slug Orb."

Sage Fukasaku's brow furrowed. "As expected, the three immortal clans have demanded trials. These trials are extremely perilous; a moment of carelessness could cost you your life." Su Ye clenched his fists, his gaze resolute. "No matter how dangerous the trials are, we must pass them." He looked at Jiraiya's soul and asked, "Master Jiraiya, do you know the content of the trials for Ryūchi Cave and Shikkotsu Forest?" Jiraiya's soul pondered for a moment before speaking slowly. "The trial of Ryūchi Cave is to withstand the attacks of countless snakes within the 'Illusion Snake Cave' while locating the Dragon Immortal Crystal. As for the trial of Shikkotsu Forest, it is to defeat the Slug Guardian protecting the Slug Orb within the 'Poison Miasma Swamp'. That guardian is massive and can release highly toxic miasma, making it extremely difficult to deal with."

Su Ye's heart sank; both the Illusion Snake Cave and the Poison Miasma Swamp were filled with unknown dangers. "Naruto, Sasuke, be careful," Su Ye said into the communicator. "If the trials are too dangerous, do not force it; we will find another way." Naruto's voice came through, tinged with stubbornness. "Don't worry, Su Ye. This little bit of trouble won't stop me!" Sasuke's voice remained calm. "I will obtain the Slug Orb."

Hanging up the communicator, Su Ye turned to Sage Fukasaku. "Sage Fukasaku, where is the Toad Gall of Mount Myoboku?" Sage Fukasaku replied, "The Toad Gall is hidden in the 'Toad Shrine' of Mount Myoboku. The shrine is guarded by the stone statues of past Toad Sages. To obtain the Toad Gall, you must pass the test of the statues. However, with Jiraiya's Immortal Clan Token, the test will be somewhat simpler." With that, Sage Fukasaku led Su Ye toward the Toad Shrine.

The Toad Shrine was located at the highest point of Mount Myoboku, built from massive rocks, with a lifelike toad sculpture carved above the entrance. Sage Fukasaku pushed open the doors, and an ancient, heavy aura rushed toward them. Inside the hall, ten stone statues of Toad Sages were lined up, each radiating powerful senjutsu chakra. In the deepest part of the shrine, a gall-shaped object glowing with golden light floated in mid-air—this was the Toad Gall.

"To obtain the Toad Gall, you must awaken the lingering souls of the past Toad Sages and gain their recognition," Sage Fukasaku said. "Go forward and use the Immortal Clan Token as a medium to awaken them." Su Ye took a deep breath, held the Immortal Clan Token, and walked slowly toward the stone statues. As the token neared the statues, their eyes suddenly lit up, and transparent lingering souls drifted out from the statues, surrounding Su Ye.

The lingering souls of the past Toad Sages examined Su Ye with sharp gazes. One of the elder Toad Sages spoke up: "Outsider, why do you seek to take the Toad Gall?" Su Ye stood tall and said solemnly, "The ninja world is facing the threat of a Void rift. The Void energy within me can only be cleared by gathering the power of the three immortal clans. To protect the ninja world, I implore you seniors to grant me the Toad Gall." The lingering souls of the past Toad Sages looked at one another, silent for a moment.

At that moment, Jiraiya's soul also drifted into the shrine and said to the past Toad Sages, "Seniors, Su Ye is someone worthy of trust. He possesses the Rinne Sharingan and the Six Paths Immortal Bones; he is the only one in the ninja world currently capable of opposing the Lord of the Void." Upon hearing Jiraiya's words, a flicker of emotion crossed the eyes of the past Toad Sages. The elder Toad Sage said slowly, "We trust Jiraiya's judgment. However, to obtain the Toad Gall, you must prove your own strength." As soon as he finished speaking, the ten stone statues simultaneously released senjutsu chakra, forming a massive energy barrier that trapped Su Ye inside.

"This is the 'Toad Immortal Array'. If you can persist within the array for the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, we will hand the Toad Gall to you," the elder Toad Sage said. Su Ye clenched his fists, the power of the Six Paths Immortal Bones erupting around him as pale purple chakra formed a barrier. As the energy barrier contracted, immense pressure bore down on him. Su Ye gritted his teeth, continuously channeling his senjutsu chakra and the power of the Six Paths Immortal Bones to resist.

Meanwhile, in the Illusion Snake Cave of Ryūchi Cave, Naruto was locked in a fierce battle with countless venomous snakes. Golden Tailed Beast chakra formed armor around his body, and he continuously unleashed Rasengans, blasting the snakes away. Yet, the snakes in the Illusion Snake Cave were endless; as soon as one batch was dealt with, more surged forward. Naruto took a deep breath and activated Sage Mode, fusing pale green senjutsu chakra with his golden Tailed Beast chakra to form the powerful Sage Art: Wind Style: Rasenshuriken. As the shuriken was thrown, countless snakes were shredded, and a crack appeared in the walls of the Illusion Snake Cave, the light of the Dragon Immortal Crystal shining through.

In the Poison Miasma Swamp of Shikkotsu Forest, Sasuke held the Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword, its crimson-gold flames dispelling the surrounding miasma. The massive Slug Guardian emerged from the swamp, spraying viscous venom. Sasuke used instantaneous movement to dodge the venom, thrusting the Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword into the Slug Guardian's body. However, the guardian's body was highly elastic, and the blade was deflected upon impact. Sasuke's brow furrowed; he channeled the power of his Rinnegan, locking his ocular power onto the Slug Guardian's core. He leaped into the air, the Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword gathering all its crimson-gold flames, and slashed toward the core.

In the Toad Shrine of Mount Myoboku, the time for the incense to burn was nearly up. Su Ye's chakra was more than half depleted, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, yet he gritted his teeth and persisted. A hint of approval flashed in the eyes of the past Toad Sages. When the final moment arrived, the energy barrier suddenly dissipated. The elder Toad Sage said, "Very good, you have passed the test. The Toad Gall is yours." As his words fell, the Toad Gall floating in mid-air drifted slowly toward Su Ye.

Su Ye reached out and took the Toad Gall; it felt warm, and a stream of pure senjutsu chakra surged into his body, allowing his depleted chakra to rapidly recover. Just then, the communicator rang again, and Naruto's excited voice came through: "Su Ye, I've obtained the Dragon Immortal Crystal!" Immediately after, Sasuke's voice followed: "The Slug Orb is in hand; I am returning to Mount Myoboku now."

Su Ye's heart leaped with joy. He looked up at the lingering souls of Jiraiya and the past Toad Sages, his eyes filled with gratitude. "My thanks to you all, seniors." Jiraiya's soul smiled and said, "Little one, the rest is up to you." Sage Fukasaku stepped forward and said, "The three immortal powers have been gathered. Let us go to the Spring of Purification now and begin the purification ritual." Su Ye nodded, gripped the Toad Gall in his hand, and followed Sage Fukasaku toward the Spring of Purification. He knew that a purification ritual concerning the fate of the ninja world was about to begin, and that Void rift was also waiting for his final confrontation.