That made Jiraiya nervous. He had never seen the Toad Sage like this.
Fortunately, the Toad Sage calmed down a moment later.
"No matter what, cherish the present. The future can be changed. There is still hope."
"Go on, little Jiraiya!"
The Toad Sage waved a hand and spoke with a soft sigh.
Then his eyes slowly closed once more.
Bewildered, Jiraiya led Naruto away. With the other toads guiding them, they reached the place where they would train in natural energy.
"See those stone toads?"
"They're all people who failed to master natural energy."
Jiraiya pointed to the stone toads in the pond ahead.
"Huh?"
Naruto's face went green.
"If I fail, I'll turn to stone?!"
Jiraiya nodded. "That's right."
Seeing Naruto's stricken expression, he laughed and patted his shoulder.
"But don't worry."
"The method I'm teaching you is different from Mount Myoboku's."
"It's better suited to humans, so the risk is much lower."
Only then did Naruto let out a long breath and relax.
After that, the two began their training.
Jiraiya had studied the scroll he'd received from Xia Le over the years, but he had never practiced its method himself.
He knew the basic principles, but he had never tested them. Now, as he taught Naruto, his own understanding of Sage Mode deepened.
And the more he understood the scroll, the more he admired the man who had devised the method.
What kind of genius did it take to develop such a perfect, ingenious way for humans to cultivate natural energy?
Meanwhile.
Inside a dark cave.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Several figures appeared in flashes. They looked toward a strange creature ahead, glimmering with light. Its body resembled branches and vines, but it bore an ugly, sinister face.
"After absorbing seven Tailed Beasts, the Demonic Statue