The End

Seeing this, Naruto Uzumaki withdrew his perception, deciding that once this cultivation session ended, he would certainly make friends with this Great Toad Sage.

Following this, he, Jiraiya, and Hinata stood at a distance, keeping a quiet vigil.

As time passed, the gathered spiritual energy grew denser, slowly diffusing into the area surrounding Naruto Uzumaki and his companions.

The rich spiritual energy was so potent that even the cultivation arts within their own bodies showed signs of activating automatically.

The three of them quickly retreated, suppressing the restless energy within their meridians. The arts they practiced were of a different origin and nature than those currently being cultivated on Mount Myoboku. If they were to practice now, it would likely interfere with the toads.

After pulling back to a distance, the three of them gasped; the spiritual energy had condensed into liquid form around the toads, continuously washing over their bodies.

Swallowing hard, the three sat cross-legged on the ground, watching the toads receiving the baptism of spiritual liquid with envious eyes.

As time wore on, all the toads underwent significant changes, with the Great Toad Sage showing the most prominent transformation.

His once-sagging skin gradually tightened, and the flesh on his body rippled; as the spiritual liquid washed over him, he slowly grew younger.

Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima experienced similar changes, while the other toads showed clear growth in their physical stature.

The three watchers did not leave, eating some dry rations on the spot while keeping their eyes on the scene.

This cultivation lasted for a full day. At night, the three took turns keeping watch, and it was during the late hours of the night, while Naruto Uzumaki was on duty, that he noticed a problem.

A small portion of the gathered spiritual energy was seeping into the ground in the distance. It was not a small amount in absolute terms; Naruto Uzumaki only called it "small" because he was comparing it to the massive concentration of energy around the toads.

He extended his perception to track that flow of energy, but after entering a few meters into the ground, he felt an obstruction.

A layer of something indescribable blocked his spiritual sense.

Naruto Uzumaki noted the location, intending to ask Sage Fukasaku about it once their cultivation concluded.

At daybreak, the toads slowly slowed their absorption of spiritual energy, and seeing this, Naruto Uzumaki knew they had reached the final stage of their training.

He woke Jiraiya and Hinata, and the three waited together.

Gradually, the spiritual energy stopped converging. Waves of energy began to emanate from the toads, with the strongest pulses coming from the three Sages.

A moment later, the toads ceased their absorption, a shocking ripple of power erupted from them, and they all opened their eyes.

After checking the changes in their bodies, most of them let out excited croaks.

At this point, Naruto Uzumaki and his companions walked over to the three Sages.

The Great Toad Sage no longer looked aged; he appeared much younger, his spirit was vibrant, and he was no longer in a drowsy state.

Looking at the three before him, the Great Toad Sage said, "You have worked hard."

Jiraiya quickly replied, "It was no trouble at all, it was our duty."

The Great Toad Sage did not respond, but stared intently at Naruto Uzumaki for a long time before saying, "Child, you are quite impressive."

Naruto Uzumaki scratched the back of his head and said, "Thank you for the praise, Great Toad Sage."

Naruto Uzumaki then asked, "I wonder how the cultivation of the three Sages went?"

The Great Toad Sage looked at Sage Fukasaku, who understood the intent and hopped in front of Naruto Uzumaki. "Most of our kin have broken through to the second level. Only a few young ones who haven't cultivated before remain at the first level. Others, like Gamabunta, have broken through to the third level. As for me and the old woman, we have reached the fourth level."

Naruto Uzumaki nodded and said, "As expected of Mount Myoboku. And what about the Great Toad Sage?"

The Great Toad Sage pondered for a moment and said, "As for me, I have broken through to the fifth level."

Naruto Uzumaki was stunned. Even Jiraiya, who had the fastest progress among them, hadn't reached the fourth level yet. However, once he considered the Great Toad Sage's origins and age, Naruto Uzumaki felt relieved.

Without waiting for them to speak, the Great Toad Sage continued, "This collective cultivation only yields such results the first time; future sessions won't have the same effect. After reaching the fifth level, I feel that further breakthroughs will be extremely difficult, and the process will become incredibly slow."

Naruto Uzumaki replied, "Every breakthrough in the art brings a significant increase in strength, so the further one goes, the slower the progress becomes."

The Great Toad Sage nodded and continued, "Indeed. Now that I have reached the fifth level, I am not entirely sure how strong I am, but my fading vitality has been partially restored. If there is a need in the future, you may summon me."

The three of them bowed immediately and said, "Thank you, Great Toad Sage."

Then, as if remembering something, Naruto Uzumaki ran up to the Great Toad Sage and said, "Great Toad Sage, I have another art here that can replenish vitality. I would like to give it to you and the other two Sages now."

The Great Toad Sage did not refuse, and seeing this, Naruto Uzumaki taught them the Myriad Spirit Longevity Art.

After receiving the art, the Great Toad Sage looked at Naruto Uzumaki with gratitude, then said to Sage Fukasaku, "Little Fukasaku, you handle the rest. I am going back. Oh, and you can tell little Naruto about Chiqi!"

After Sage Fukasaku nodded, the Great Toad Sage hopped away. Previously, he had no choice but to be carried by other toads, but he still preferred the feeling of leaping and bounding himself.

After the Great Toad Sage left, Sage Fukasaku nodded to the three and hopped to the front, using a croak to address the crowd below.

The toads, who had been discussing among themselves, fell silent.

Seeing this, Sage Fukasaku said, "Now, all of you go back and reflect on what you have learned. From now on, you may cultivate freely. Dismissed."

The toads below hopped away one by one. Naruto Uzumaki glanced in the direction where the Rock-Dwelling Toad had left, marking it in his mind.

Seeing that their kin had departed, Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima led the three back to their residence.

Once they were inside and seated, Naruto Uzumaki told Sage Fukasaku about what he had sensed. Sage Fukasaku sighed and said, "Even if you hadn't asked, I intended to tell you. That is the dungeon of Mount Myoboku, and it only holds one toad."

Jiraiya and Naruto Uzumaki were both astonished. Having held a contract with Mount Myoboku for so long, the former had never heard of the existence of a dungeon.

Looking at the three before him, Sage Fukasaku pondered for a moment and said, "This toad is named Chiqi, and he was a companion of mine and the old woman's..."

Then, Sage Fukasaku slowly told the three the story of Chiqi.

About eight hundred and fifty years ago, Chiqi was born on Mount Myoboku in the same year as Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima. From a young age, Chiqi displayed monstrous talent for cultivation, and at that time, he was hailed by the Great Toad Sage as someone who would one day surpass him.

Since he was young, Chiqi had been incredibly fast at mastering various ninjutsu. While others needed weeks to learn Water Release: Gunshot, he managed it in just a single day.

Back then, he was high-spirited and kind-hearted, but everything changed once they began training in Sage Mode.

At that time, Chiqi found himself unable to absorb natural energy, which meant he could not master Sage Mode.

This was something Chiqi could not accept. Having been praised by everyone since childhood, he could not fathom being unable to learn the strongest technique of Mount Myoboku, so he began desperately experimenting with various methods.

When he finally appeared before the toads again, he had completely changed. His red skin had turned purple, and it was covered in numerous winding runes.

At this point, he could indeed absorb natural energy, but for some unknown reason, his heart had become twisted.

He had become manic and was at constant risk of losing control. Left with no choice, the Great Toad Sage took action; he captured Chiqi, built a dungeon deep underground, and locked him inside after setting up special barriers.

Afterward, the Great Toad Sage erased all traces of Chiqi from Mount Myoboku. In the current Mount Myoboku, the only toads who know of his existence are the three Great Sages.

After listening, Naruto Uzumaki asked Sage Fukasaku, "So, Sage Fukasaku, have you seen Chiqi since then?"

Sage Fukasaku shook his head and replied, "The Great Toad Sage forbade Chiqi from having contact with any toads. I haven't seen him in all these years."

Naruto Uzumaki sighed and said, "I really want to meet this genius from over eight hundred years ago."

Sage Fukasaku said earnestly, "Perhaps that is the very reason the Great Toad Sage had me tell you. He will likely arrange for you to meet him in the future."

Naruto Uzumaki replied, "Let's put that aside for now. Sage Fukasaku, I want to know about that huge toad first..."

Sage Fukasaku thought for a moment and realized who Naruto Uzumaki was talking about. "That is the Rock-Dwelling Toad, the largest toad currently residing on Mount Myoboku. He is incredibly powerful, though exactly how strong is unknown, as he has never once taken action."

Naruto Uzumaki nodded quickly and said, "Yes, yes, that's him! Can I go and make friends with him?"

"Of course you can. Because of his massive size, he doesn't really have any friends on Mount Myoboku," Sage Fukasaku said.

Naruto Uzumaki nodded and grabbed Hinata to head out, but Jiraiya called out to him, "Naruto Uzumaki, if you're going to make friends, you should go back and bring some gifts first."

Naruto Uzumaki thought about it and agreed that he should indeed bring some gifts. After saying a word to Sage Fukasaku, he returned to the Altar.

He gave up after searching for a while; there was simply nothing among the supplies that could serve as a gift.

Thus, they went to Muyuan Town. After wandering around for a long time, they bought several large carts of items. Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata bought various snacks and drinks.

While paying, Jiraiya looked at the confident Naruto Uzumaki and couldn't help but ask, "Are you sure these things are for the Rock-Dwelling Toad? Or are they for you and Hinata?"

Naruto Uzumaki nodded and said earnestly, "Of course! Isn't making friends all about sharing the things you like with each other?"

Jiraiya didn't argue, simply shaking his head as he said, "If you think it's fine, then it's fine."

Naruto Uzumaki had bought a lot of snacks—nearly three carts' worth—while Jiraiya had purchased plenty of alcohol and a few side dishes to go with it.

After finishing their shopping, they moved the goods to an empty alleyway and returned to Mount Myoboku together.

Naruto: Starting with Asura Chakra by Ti Ta.