Seeking the Three Sage Powers at Mount Myoboku; Jiraiya's Remnant Soul Reveals a Secret

The morning mist at Mount Myoboku hung like a gauzy veil among the enormous mushroom trees. Su Ye tread across the damp moss, each step accompanied by a faint gasp. The sliver of void power within his Six Paths Immortal Bones was like a parasite clinging to his bones, constantly eroding the source of his chakra. Pale purple chakra swirled around him, but it could not conceal the increasingly dark ripple in his palm.

Naruto followed close behind, golden Tailed Beast Chakra dancing at his fingertips as he stayed alert to their surroundings. "Su Ye, hang in there. Sage Fukasaku will definitely have a way." Sasuke held the Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword, its reddish-gold flames dispersing the mist around them as his sharp gaze swept the path ahead. "The void rift is still expanding. We don't have much time."

After passing through layer upon layer of mushroom trees, they spotted an enormous toad statue. Sage Fukasaku sat atop it. His aged eyes slowly opened, and Senjutsu Chakra glimmered in his pupils. "Su Ye, the void power inside you is even trickier than I expected." His voice carried a note of gravity. He leaped down from the statue and came to stand before Su Ye, gently touching his palm with a forelimb.

The instant Sage Fukasaku's Senjutsu Chakra touched the black ripple, Su Ye shuddered, a fierce burning sensation flaring in his palm. "This sliver of void power has fused deeply with your Six Paths Immortal Bones. Ordinary purification techniques can't remove it." Sage Fukasaku drew back his forelimb, brows furrowed. "Only by gathering the 'power of the three sage clans' and using Mount Myoboku's Spring of Purification as a catalyst can we separate it completely."

"The power of the three sage clans?" Su Ye looked up, a trace of confusion flashing in his Rinne Sharingan. Sage Fukasaku nodded slowly, then turned and headed deeper into the mushroom forest. "Besides our toad sage clan of Mount Myoboku, there are the snake sage clan of Ryūchi Cave and the slug sage clan of Shikkotsu Forest. The Senjutsu Chakra of these three clans dates back to the birth of the Shinobi World. Their powers complement one another, and only by combining all three can we form a purification array capable of countering the void power."

Naruto immediately stepped forward. "I'll go to Ryūchi Cave. I've dealt with the White Snake Sage before, during a mission." Sasuke gripped the Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword tighter. "Leave Shikkotsu Forest to me. The slug sage clan is closely connected to Tsunade. With her mediating, it shouldn't be too much trouble." Su Ye gave a slight nod and was about to speak when the void power inside him suddenly erupted. Black ripples spread along his arm, and his face turned deathly pale.

Seeing this, Sage Fukasaku quickly formed Hand Seals and sent pale green Senjutsu Chakra into Su Ye. "In your current state, you can't travel far. Stay at Mount Myoboku. Sage Shima and I will suppress the void power inside you for now." As he spoke, Sage Shima emerged from a mushroom hut carrying a basket of herbs. In her hand were several pills radiating a rich aura of Senjutsu. "These are Immortal Essence Pills. They can temporarily stabilize the source of your chakra and slow the void power's erosion."

Su Ye took an Immortal Essence Pill and swallowed it without hesitation. As soon as it reached his stomach, a gentle wave of Senjutsu Chakra spread through his body, and the black ripple in his palm finally stopped advancing. "Thank you, sages." Su Ye slowly rose and looked firmly at Naruto and Sasuke. "Ryūchi Cave and Shikkotsu Forest are full of dangers. Be careful. If you run into trouble you can't handle, contact me at once with your communicators."

Naruto grinned, golden Tailed Beast Chakra gathering beneath his feet. "Don't worry, Su Ye. I'll bring back the White Snake Sage's power!" Sasuke nodded slightly, his body wrapped in reddish-gold flames as he sped off toward Shikkotsu Forest. Watching their figures disappear into the morning mist, Sage Fukasaku sighed. "Though the three sage clans all practice Senjutsu, they've held grudges against one another for a long time. Getting them to hand over their core powers won't be easy."

Su Ye fell silent for a moment, then looked up at the sky. The sky above Mount Myoboku was exceptionally clear, but he knew the void rift above the Shinobi World was still expanding. "No matter how difficult it is, we have to do it," Su Ye said with resolve. "For the Shinobi World, and for everyone who protects this land." A note of approval flashed in Sage Fukasaku's eyes. He turned and said, "Come with me to the Spring of Purification. I'll take you to meet someone. They may be able to help you."

Following Sage Fukasaku deeper into Mount Myoboku, Su Ye came upon a spring glowing with pale green light: the Spring of Purification. Its water was crystal clear and brimming with Senjutsu Chakra, while even the moss around it had turned a rare shade of gold. Sage Fukasaku went to the spring, formed Hand Seals, and began murmuring an incantation. As the words rang out, ripples spread across the water, and a transparent figure slowly emerged.

As the figure came into focus, Su Ye's pupils contracted. It was none other than Jiraiya! "Jiraiya?" Su Ye cried, disbelief flashing in his Rinne Sharingan. Jiraiya's remnant soul floated above the spring, wearing his familiar smile, though his figure was somewhat illusory. "Well, look at you. It's been a long time. I never expected you to have grown so much by the time we met again."

Sage Fukasaku sighed. "After Jiraiya's sacrifice, a fragment of his remnant soul was drawn in by the Senjutsu Chakra of the Spring of Purification and has remained here ever since. All these years, he's watched the Shinobi World change. He knows about the threat posed by the Lord of the Void, too." Jiraiya's remnant soul drifted out of the spring and came before Su Ye. His gaze fell on the black ripple in Su Ye's palm, and his expression turned grave. "This void power is more dangerous than I imagined. When I was training at Mount Myoboku, I once stumbled across an ancient scroll. It recorded secrets about the void power and the three sage clans."

Su Ye's heart leaped, and he hurriedly asked, "Jiraiya, what did the scroll say?" Jiraiya's remnant soul replied slowly, "It said the core powers of the three sage clans are hidden in their respective sacred grounds. The Dragon Immortal Crystal of Ryūchi Cave contains the purest Senjutsu Chakra of the snake sage 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 powers of the three sage clans. To gather the three sage powers, you must first obtain these three items."

"But the three sage clans have always been reclusive. If we try to take their core treasures, they'll probably resist fiercely." Su Ye furrowed his brow. He knew how important those treasures were to the sage clans; they would never hand them over easily. Jiraiya's remnant soul smiled. "Don't worry. I planned ahead." He waved a hand, and a pale blue orb rose from the Spring of Purification, enclosing a token. "This is the Immortal Clan Token. I helped the three sage clans resolve a crisis years ago, and they gave it to me. With this token, the clan leaders will show you some respect. At the very least, they won't attack you outright."

Su Ye took the Immortal Clan Token. It felt cool in his hand, its surface carved with intricate patterns and radiating a faint aura of Senjutsu. "Thank you, Jiraiya." He carefully put the token away, feeling a little more confident. Jiraiya's remnant soul looked at him with hope in his eyes. "Su Ye, the future of the Shinobi World is in your hands. I failed to protect Tsunade and Konoha back then. This time, you must protect the Shinobi World." Su Ye nodded firmly. "I will, Jiraiya."

Just then, the communicator rang. It was Naruto, his voice edged with urgency. "Su Ye, we've got a problem! I'm at the entrance to Ryūchi Cave, but the White Snake Sage won't even see me. She's sent a large number of snake ninja to stop me. They said I can't set foot in Ryūchi Cave unless I pass their 'trial'!" Su Ye's expression changed. Before he could reply, Sasuke's voice came through as well. "It's the same at Shikkotsu Forest. The Slug Sage says I have to defeat Shikkotsu Forest's Slug Guardian before she'll hand over the Slug Orb."

Sage Fukasaku's brows knitted together. "As expected, the three sage clans have set trials. They're extremely dangerous, and the slightest misstep could cost you your life." Su Ye clenched his fists, his gaze resolute. "No matter how dangerous the trials are, we have to pass them." He looked at Jiraiya's remnant soul and asked, "Jiraiya, do you know what the trials at Ryūchi Cave and Shikkotsu Forest involve?" Jiraiya's remnant soul thought for a moment, then answered slowly, "The Ryūchi Cave trial takes place in the Illusion Snake Cave. You have to withstand attacks from countless snakes while finding the Dragon Immortal Crystal. The Shikkotsu Forest trial is in the Poison Miasma Swamp. You have to defeat the Slug Guardian protecting the Slug Orb. The guardian is enormous and can release poisonous miasma. It's extremely difficult to deal with."

Su Ye's heart sank. Both the Illusion Snake Cave and the Poison Miasma Swamp were full of unknown dangers. "Naruto, Sasuke, be careful," Su Ye said into the communicator. "If the trials are too dangerous, don't force yourselves. We'll find another way." Naruto's voice came through, stubbornness in his tone. "Don't worry, Su Ye. This little challenge won't stop me!" Sasuke's voice remained calm. "I'll get the Slug Orb."

After ending the call, Su Ye turned to Sage Fukasaku. "Where is Mount Myoboku's Toad Gall?" Sage Fukasaku replied, "The Toad Gall is kept in the Toad Shrine. The shrine is guarded by the stone statues of past Toad Sages. To obtain the Toad Gall, you must pass their trial. But with Jiraiya's Immortal Clan Token, the trial should be easier." With that, Sage Fukasaku led Su Ye toward the Toad Shrine.

The Toad Shrine stood at the highest point of Mount Myoboku, built from massive rocks. A lifelike toad sculpture was carved above its entrance. Sage Fukasaku pushed open the door, and an ancient, weighty aura washed over them. Inside stood ten statues of Toad Sages in a row, each radiating powerful Senjutsu Chakra. In the deepest part of the shrine, an object shaped like a gallbladder glowed gold as it floated in midair. It was the Toad Gall.

"To obtain the Toad Gall, you must awaken the remnant souls of the past Toad Sages and earn their approval," Sage Fukasaku said. "Go forward and use the Immortal Clan Token as a medium to awaken them." Su Ye took a deep breath and walked toward the statues with the token in hand. When it drew near, the statues' eyes suddenly lit up, and one transparent remnant soul after another drifted out of them, circling Su Ye.

The remnant souls of the past Toad Sages scrutinized Su Ye with sharp eyes. One elderly Toad Sage spoke. "Outsider, why do you wish to take the Toad Gall?" Su Ye straightened and replied earnestly, "The Shinobi World is facing the threat of a void rift. The void power inside me can only be removed by gathering the power of the three sage clans. To protect the Shinobi World, I humbly ask you to grant me the Toad Gall." The remnant souls of the past Toad Sages exchanged glances and fell silent for a moment.

Just then, Jiraiya's remnant soul drifted into the shrine and addressed the past Toad Sages. "Esteemed sages, Su Ye is someone you can trust. He possesses the Rinne Sharingan and Six Paths Immortal Bones. He's the only person in the Shinobi World who can fight the Lord of the Void." Hearing Jiraiya's words, the past Toad Sages' eyes softened. The elderly Toad Sage spoke slowly. "We trust Jiraiya's judgment. But if you want the Toad Gall, you must prove your strength." As soon as he finished speaking, the ten statues released Senjutsu Chakra simultaneously, forming an enormous energy barrier that trapped Su Ye inside.

"This is the Toad Immortal Array. If you can hold out inside it for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, we'll give you the Toad Gall," the elderly Toad Sage said. Su Ye clenched his fists, and the power of his Six Paths Immortal Bones erupted around him, pale purple chakra forming a barrier. As the energy barrier contracted, crushing pressure bore down on him. Su Ye gritted his teeth and held on, continuously circulating Senjutsu Chakra and the power of his Six Paths Immortal Bones to resist it.

Meanwhile, in the Illusion Snake Cave at Ryūchi Cave, Naruto was fighting countless venomous snakes. Golden Tailed Beast Chakra formed armor around him, and his Rasengan kept blasting the snakes away. But the venomous snakes in the Illusion Snake Cave were endless. No sooner had he defeated one group than more came swarming in. Naruto took a deep breath and entered Sage Mode. Pale green Senjutsu Chakra merged with the golden Tailed Beast Chakra, forming Sage Art: Wind Release: Rasenshuriken. As he hurled the shuriken, countless snakes were torn apart. A crack appeared in the wall of the Illusion Snake Cave, and the light of the Dragon Immortal Crystal shone through it.

In the Poison Miasma Swamp at Shikkotsu Forest, Sasuke held the Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword, its reddish-gold flames dispersing the poisonous miasma around him. The enormous Slug Guardian emerged from the swamp, spraying sticky poison. Sasuke teleported out of the way, dodging the poison, and thrust the Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword into the Slug Guardian's body. But the Slug Guardian's body was extremely elastic, and the blade bounced right off. Sasuke furrowed his brow and circulated the power of his Rinnegan, locking his gaze onto the Slug Guardian's core. He leaped into the air, gathering all his reddish-gold flames into the Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword and slashing toward the core.

Inside the Toad Shrine at Mount Myoboku, the incense was nearly burned down. Su Ye had used up most of his chakra, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, but he continued to grit his teeth and endure. Approval flashed in the eyes of the past Toad Sages. When the final moment arrived, the energy barrier abruptly vanished. "Well done. You passed the trial," the elderly Toad Sage said. "The Toad Gall is yours." As he spoke, the Toad Gall floating in midair drifted slowly toward Su Ye.

Su Ye reached out and took the Toad Gall. It was warm in his hand, and a surge of pure Senjutsu Chakra flowed into his body, rapidly restoring the chakra he had spent. Just then, the communicator rang again, and Naruto's excited voice came through. "Su Ye, I got the Dragon Immortal Crystal!" Sasuke's voice followed right after. "I've got the Slug Orb. I'm heading back to Mount Myoboku now."

Su Ye was overjoyed. He looked up at Jiraiya's remnant soul and the remnant souls of the past Toad Sages, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, everyone." Jiraiya's remnant soul smiled. "Now it's up to you, kid." Sage Fukasaku stepped forward. "We've gathered all three sage powers. Let's go to the Spring of Purification and begin the purification ritual." Su Ye nodded, gripping the Toad Gall in his hand as he followed Sage Fukasaku toward the Spring of Purification. He knew that a purification ritual tied to the fate of the Shinobi World was about to begin—and the void rift was waiting for his final showdown.