Neji's heart stirred. Orochimaru's powers of observation were indeed sharp; he had seen through part of Crystal Release's true nature at a glance.
He chose his words carefully. "Crystal Release is indeed somewhat special. The structure of the blackish crystals is denser, and..." He raised a hand, and a small cluster of crystals grew from his palm. "They can store a small amount of natural energy."
Jiraiya's eyes went round. "Whoa! Isn't that just like Sage Mode?"
"Something like that." Neji answered vaguely as the crystals shifted shape in his hand. "It's only the most basic form of storage, nowhere near the qualitative transformation of Sage Mode." He looked at Jiraiya and suddenly thought of something. "Speaking of which, how is your training at Mount Myoboku progressing?"
Jiraiya's expression immediately fell, and he scratched his head. "Uh... Lord Fukasaku says my chakra control is too poor. I always fall asleep when I'm sitting in meditation..." He smiled sheepishly. "But I can already sense natural energy! Just a tiny bit..."
Neji fell into thought. In the original story, Jiraiya had spent years barely mastering Imperfect Sage Mode, and even then, he needed the assistance of the two great sages, Fukasaku and Shima, to enter the state. This clearly was not a matter of talent, but of Mount Myoboku's Sage Mode being poorly suited to Jiraiya.
"Perhaps..." Neji slowly began, "you could try another method."
Three pairs of eyes turned to him at once. Even Orochimaru, who had kept his distance the entire time, leaned forward slightly.
"The core of Sage Mode is balance." The crystal at Neji's fingertips dissolved into a cloud of mist. "One-third one's own chakra, one-third spiritual energy, and one-third natural energy." He looked at Jiraiya. "But everyone's talents lie in different areas. What you excel at is..."