"Huh? What, spiritual power?"
"So that's it!"
Understanding dawned on them, and they crowded around Jiraiya, all talking at once.
The men swept into Mount Myōboku were all fairly young. They had some exposure to otherworld anime and fantasy movies in their everyday lives, so they readily accepted the concept of spiritual power.
It was like supernatural energies such as "ki" in Dragon Ball or "magic power" in Harry Potter.
Spiritual power, supernatural power!
Genuine supernatural power!
They had witnessed the great battle between the Toad Sage Jiraiya and Orochimaru firsthand, watching them command the elements, reshape the terrain with a turn of their hands, and whip up storms. They were deeply shaken. Sages really did exist in this world!
Who had not dreamed as a teenager of possessing superhuman abilities and saving the world single-handedly?
Now their dreams had become reality. Not only had they crossed into Mount Myōboku, but they had also seen Miss Kiritani, previously an ordinary person no different from themselves, unleash flames. Their hearts burned with excitement.
If even a delicate young woman like Miss Kiritani could possess supernatural power, there was no reason grown men like them could not!
"After the age of the gods, the spiritual energy of the present world dwindled to its lowest point. Naturally, mortals also degenerated until they could no longer awaken spiritual power in their entire lives."
Jiraiya instantly slipped into his act, half closing his eyes as though recalling something, and spoke in a deep voice.
"The moment your souls entered Mount Myōboku, the abundant spiritual energy of this land stimulated them, awakening your spiritual power."
"Is that so?"
"No wonder I felt so full of energy earlier! We've walked for so long, and I haven't felt tired!"
After hearing Jiraiya's words, some closed their eyes, seemingly