We'll Have to Raise Another Litter / This Is What You're Best At

"How's it going?" Sage Fukasaku asked. "Any leads?"

"You probably don't want me to learn this technique by rote."

"Of course, Toad have Toad own characteristics, and humans have theirs, but we can take them as a reference," Sage Fukasaku said. "It's like how humans acquire the power of Tailed Beasts through the Jinchūriki, but only humans can do that."

"Then let me guess, the method you mentioned is to use a barrier space to store a portion of the Tailed Beasts's Chakra in its body as a medium, right?"

"Shingen, you're quick-witted." Sage Fukasaku somewhat surprised, but quickly understood.

Compared to all the previous guests at Mount Myoboku, Uchiha Shingen's distinguishing feature was his exceptional sensitivity to Chakra mechanisms, which was perhaps the foundation of his formidable strength.

Mount Myoboku has witnessed just how powerful someone who understands the nature of Chakra can be.

At this moment, Uchiha Shingen recalled how Naruto Uzumaki used the power of the Nine Tailed Beasts in the original timeline.

Naruto Uzumaki nominally became the Jinchūriki of all the Tailed Beasts, but in essence, he was still only the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails.

However, he possesses a portion of the Chakra of the other Tailed Beasts, which allows him to use the Chakra of all the Tailed Beasts as a medium.

The Tailed Beasts simply created a chat group inside his body, with him as the group owner and Nine-Tails) as the administrator.

The barrier space can also play a similar role because it can store a portion of the Tailed Beasts's Chakra. This portion doesn't need to be large; the interconnected rules of Chakra are sufficient.

A barrier space is indeed a good idea.

However, Uchiha Shingen confidently asserted that this was most likely a conjecture from Mount Myoboku, and there probably had been no previous instances of it.

After all, among the people he knew at Mount Myoboku, Hagoromo Otsutsuki was the most skilled Tailed Beasts user, but he himself was Jinchūriki. By the time he separated the Nine Tailed Beasts, he had already stopped being Jinchūriki.

He's even given up being human.

Uchiha Shingen was a little excited. If he could somehow... no, I mean, become friends with all the Tailed Beasts, could he try to reach the Six Paths level?

Even if he can't break through, shouldn't he at least be able to use Uchiha Madara Release to fight Yin-Yang Release?

However, dealing with the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails might be more difficult, as those two might get angry just seeing you.

I was too hasty; I should have been gentler!

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Another Nest of Livestock

In order to completely change Uchiha Shingen's not-so-good first impression of Mount Myoboku, Sage Fukasaku did a pretty good job.

After teaching the Senjutsu and introducing the barrier space, Sage Fukasaku summoned a large group of Toad to show their faces.

The scene was practically a parade of the Mount Myoboku Toad' abilities.

The purpose is simple—to see which of these Toad isn't a domestic whiz? Which one looks like it could cause trouble?

We at Mount Myoboku take world peace as our mission; we are definitely among the good guys!

It had heard from the liaison frog that Uchiha Shingen was wearing a gas mask when he went through the passage.

In all the years since Mount Myoboku was established, this is definitely the first time such a marriage has happened, even if we don't talk about a happy ending.

Those who don't know better might think Mount Myoboku is some kind of demonic cave.

The group of Toad it summoned were also amazed.

Perhaps because they are still relatively young, I have never seen a contractor become familiar with Senjutsu so quickly.

With the help of the Toad, the techniques from Mount Myoboku were learned in no time.

He's also incredibly skilled in Sage Mode, completely unlike someone who just learned it a day ago.

He clasped his hands together, held them for about ten seconds, and then opened it.

It's that big, painted face that's a bit distracting.

By the end, Sage Fukasaku's expression was stiff, a group of Toad were exhausted, but Uchiha Shingen looked radiant.

Good heavens, how can this person have such incredible stamina?

That's what the Toad all think.

Regardless, this contractor is truly powerful.

He completely outmatched the other two contractors from Hidden Leaf Village, at least in terms of physical strength.

"Little Shingen, what do you think?" Sage Fukasaku felt that the time was about right and stopped summoning Toad to show his face.

The latest batch from Mount Myoboku is all here.

This is also a tradition of Mount Myoboku. Each generation of Toad corresponds to a contractor, so that each contractor can be assigned a fully functional Toad team.

"It's excellent. As expected of Mount Myoboku, it truly lives up to its name," Uchiha Shingen said sincerely.

The Toad really do all the necessary functions.

It will be much more convenient to go out now.

He had it all planned out: when he needed to launch a strong attack in the future, the giant snake would be perfect, its serpentine movements incredibly agile.

However, for those things that require trickery, Toad are more convenient.

"I won't bother you any longer today. Matatabi is still out there eating dust. I'll head back now. Thank you for your hospitality." Uchiha Shingen saw that the group of Toad looked very tired and decided to be considerate. Besides, he was also afraid that if he stayed too long, Matatabi would get angry.

"Yes, I'll see you off." Sage Fukasaku was pleased; Uchiha Shingen had finally shown the proper demeanor of a guest from Mount Myoboku.

That's right, we can't tarnish our reputation for hospitality.

After saying this, the Sage Fukasaku began casting a spell to open the passage.

"It'll be much easier for you to come in from now on. Have the liaison frog notify us, and we'll use the Reverse Summoning Technique... Hey? Little Shingen, what are you doing?"

As soon as he turned around, Sage Fukasaku.

It saw Uchiha Shingen habitually pull out his gas mask.

The other Toad almost spat out their drinks too.

What's wrong with this new contractor? He's already ridiculously strong, yet he's so cowardly?

Staring at him by dozens of Toad eyes, even the thick-skinned Uchiha Shingen couldn't help but blush.

"I was just checking if this thing was broken. You know how it is, Sage Fukasaku, wearing a gas mask when you're out and about is perfectly normal..."

No, I don't understand!

"Shingen, you're being too... cautious. Mount Myoboku is very safe."

Can't you have some self-awareness? Every single contestant around Maze Mountain who dares to mess with you is asking for trouble.

"It's mainly because I used to live a poor life, and I don't feel comfortable without carrying more equipment," said Uchiha Shingen, quickly putting away his gas mask.

This is not the time to handle this thing.

It's all because it was too easy; it became a habit, and I just took it out.

"Lord Fukasaku, please give my regards to the Great Toad Sage. I am Fukasaku grateful for your guidance today. I hope you will have the opportunity to visit the Uchiha Clan in the future."

"Yes, I'm going, I'm going." Sage Fukasaku was very pleased that Uchiha Shingen had finally gotten rid of that broken mask, and replied in a great mood, "Then be careful on your journey."

People around Maze Mountain, please be careful! Avoid causing any unnecessary misunderstandings!

Our Mount Myoboku's motto is "To forge many good relationships," not "To have corpses strewn across the land!"

"Okay, no need for you to see me off, you're too kind." Uchiha Shingen nodded, then disappeared into the mist ahead.

Soon, Uchiha Shingen's figure disappeared into the mist, and gradually, the mist dissipated.

This means that Uchiha Shingen has returned to Maze Mountain, and therefore the passage has been closed again.

The Toad finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Fukasaku," a Toad cautiously inquired of his elder, "This contractor doesn't seem to like Mount Myoboku originally, so why are you treating him this way?"

Mount Myoboku wasn't that big; in a short time, all the Toad had learned of Uchiha Shingen's "knocking on the door."

Shouldn't we just give them a token punishment for such a vicious person?

The contractors of Mount Myoboku are not usually like this.

The other two from Leaf Village were very kind to the Toad; they seemed like good people.

"This is what I wanted to tell you as well." Sage Fukasaku's expression was serious. "Ninjas are a profession born from conflict. You cannot judge them by appearances. Both Jiraiya and Minato were powerful figures feared by other humans in the outside world."

"But... this person looks really fierce..." the liaison frog said weakly. "Everyone thinks he's scary."

"A fierce person is not necessarily a bad person. When young Shingen met the lord, he was still very polite. He is a proud man. It is normal for him to be angry Mount Myoboku was so rude today."

The Sage Fukasaku.

The patriarch has protected Mount Myoboku very well, and the contractors in the past have all had kind faces, making the children's actions this time truly inappropriate.

"Children, you must remember not to judge others by appearances. Hidden Leaf Village is an important ally of Mount Myoboku. You must treat any ninjas from there with respect and not behave inappropriately."

The Toad nodded in agreement.

"Good to know. Making mistakes isn't terrible, as long as you correct them in time." Sage Fukasaku nodded in satisfaction. "Don't worry, Shingen is a descendant of the Uchiha Clan. Most people in this clan are tough on the outside but soft on the inside. As long as you treat him with sincerity, Shingen will be a very reliable partner for you."

The Toad suddenly realized, and immediately began to pat their chests, declaring themselves to be the most honest children of Mount Myoboku.

Sage Fukasaku smiled broadly, but inwardly he began to mutter to himself.

Shouldn't Mount Myoboku hurry up and have another litter?

This family looks like they'll be fooled to death if they go outside.

Chapter Twenty-Eight: You're Best at This Kind of Thing

In the Maze Mountain, amidst a cloud of mist, Uchiha Shingen, wearing a gas mask, emerged.

They still put it on.

The thought of carrying the equipment made him itchy to use it.

It's inappropriate to wear it in front of the Toad, but surely he can wear it in between, right?

As soon as he stepped out of the fog, Uchiha Shingen had already removed his gas mask and stored it in a scroll with extremely smooth movements.

The Maze Mountain before us was already dark.

This wasn't the place he had entered before.

Uchiha Shingen activated his Chakra perception and immediately sensed a gigantic mass to the west.

The Tailed Beasts's Chakra was so "bright" within the perception range that it almost "covered up" the other Chakra.

It's like searching for light in the darkness; if a giant Olympic torch suddenly appears, all the other small sparks seem to have no presence at all.

Uchiha Shingen followed his senses and searched the area.

The surrounding scenery gradually became familiar—after all, it had been burned to the ground and was easy to spot.

Finally, the view opened up before me.

On the scorched, barren land, one of the Nine Tailed Beasts Matatabi, lay lazily... upside down.

It wasn't just being lazy; it was either asleep.

With its two front paws bent over its chest, it slept with a blissful expression.

However, as soon as Uchiha Shingen approached its warning range, it perked up its ears and rolled over to its feet.

It only relaxed when it saw that the approaching little figure was Uchiha Shingen.

He lay prone on the ground again, looking like he didn't really want to move.

"Matatabi, it's time for us to go home." Uchiha Shingen said as he walked over and reached out to scratch Matatabi's chin.

But he was too small, Matatabi didn't feel anything at all.

She simply opened her eyes again and looked at him with some dissatisfaction.

"You don't actually like this place, do you? That's fine too. I'll go talk to Mount Myoboku, and I think they'll agree."

They'd be a fool to agree.

Otherwise, why didn't Uzumaki Kushina go to Mount Myoboku to give birth?

Despite its name, "Secret Realm," they would never dare to let a single Tailed Beasts enter, regardless of the form it takes.

He shook himself off and got up Matatabi.