At those words, the corner of Xuandou's mouth twitched.
He had actually been looked down on by a frog!
Fortunately, Fukasaku noticed his expression and hurried to smooth things over:
"Ahem! You can't really be blamed for this."
"The main problem is that your chakra reserves are too vast, and your spiritual energy is too strong. That makes your body exceptionally sensitive to natural energy, so the slightest carelessness throws it out of balance."
Xuandou leaned against a Mushroom Tree, gazing up at the pale purple sky as he sank into thought.
Perhaps his aptitude wasn't poor; perhaps the toads' method simply didn't suit him.
However, he couldn't stay here to continue exploring senjutsu cultivation now.
The month was up. It was time to attend the Five Kage Summit.
His senjutsu training would have to be put on hold.
So Xuandou stood, brushed the dust off himself, and said his farewells:
"Thank you for your guidance, Lord Fukasaku."
"Although I haven't mastered Sage Mode, my understanding of natural energy is much deeper than before I came."
"I have other matters to attend to now, so I have to leave."
Sage Fukasaku looked at him and nodded.
Xuandou bowed deeply to Sage Fukasaku, then left using Flying Thunder God.
Meanwhile, in Hidden Xuan Village, in the Imperial Palace Office.
Mabui was pacing around Xuandou's office like a cat on hot bricks.
"Honestly... why did he have to disappear at a time like this...?"
"The Five Kage Summit is getting closer, and he's been gone for an entire month!"
"Lord Hashirama said he went to Mount Myōboku to practice senjutsu."
"But the summit is almost here, and he hasn't even sent a message back."
"At this rate, he won't make it in time!"
Mabui muttered to herself.
As she was muttering,