Jiraiya scratched his head awkwardly. His talent really was lacking; he needed the two sages' help to enter Sage Mode.
Just as Jiraiya was about to explain, Sage Fukasaku's expression began to shift uncertainly.
"Little Jiraiya, who exactly used this senjutsu? It carries neither the scent of Ryūchi Cave nor that of Shikkotsu Forest."
"That's precisely why I called you two here..." Jiraiya said.
"..." Sage Fukasaku fell silent.
As a toad from Mount Myōboku, Fukasaku was particularly sensitive to senjutsu. Yet the chakra lingering here carried neither the scent of their enemy, Ryūchi Cave, nor any trace of Shikkotsu Forest.
Had a new sacred land appeared in the shinobi world? But the Great Sage had never mentioned anything like that.
Although history had seen a few ninja with a natural affinity for natural energy, none had ever achieved Sage Mode to this degree. It was not far from perfect Sage Mode.
And as for the other chakra...
Fukasaku and Shima exchanged a glance, then turned to Jiraiya. "Little Jiraiya, all we know about the other chakra here is that it isn't senjutsu. Perhaps only the Great Sage knows what it actually is."
"The Great Toad Sage?" Jiraiya's expression grew grave. Even Sage Fukasaku could not identify the remaining chakra, so they actually had to consult the Great Toad Sage.
The thought of that perpetually slumbering Great Toad Sage gave Jiraiya a headache.
The sage kept telling him to find the Child of Prophecy. Although the Children of Prophecy kept dying, none of his other predictions had ever been wrong.
After dismissing the summons, Jiraiya rubbed his sore pressure points, inwardly reflecting that things were growing more and more complicated.
*Still, staying here won't yield much more. I should report the intelligence to the old man and let him worry