"Wait, haven't I already learned Sage Jutsu?"
"Mount Myōboku's Sage Jutsu is different, of course. You'll understand once you learn it."
Fukasaku understood the Great Toad Sage's intentions and offered an explanation.
"Mm, that's right." Gamamaru nodded, then seemed to remember something. "Isn't Jiraiya waiting outside with someone else? You can let them come in now."
"I'll go tell them."
Sage Shima leaped outside, leaving Naruto staring after her. Although this toad looked like an older lady, she really was fast.
Before long, she brought Jiraiya and Hinata in.
"Naruto-kun!"
As soon as Hinata entered, she saw Naruto standing ahead of her and called out in delighted surprise.
When she noticed the Little Nine-Tails on Naruto's shoulder, she paused, her eyes lighting up even more.
"Hinata, Pervy Sage, you're here too!"
"Young girl with the Byakugan." Gamamaru looked at Hinata and suddenly nodded. "You should stay at Mount Myōboku and train for a while too. Shima, you'll teach her."
Hinata blinked in surprise. Before she could understand what was happening, the toad with what looked like an older woman's curly hair had already hopped onto her shoulder.
Hmm, she isn't as cute as little Kurama.
"Oh my, I've been wanting to look after a little girl. Perfect! What's your name, dear? What do you like to eat? How old are you this year? Is there someone you like...?"
Like a friendly older lady you might meet anywhere on the street, Shima immediately began fussing over Hinata.
While Naruto was still puzzled, Fukasaku hopped over to him and shook out his cloak. "Come with me, Little Naruto. We need to start training too."
"Huh?"
Naruto let out a puzzled sound. The Little Nine-Tails on his shoulder seemed to understand something, then turned back into a streak of Golden Light and vanished