11-20

*Chapter 11: Summoning Jutsu and a Big Shopping Spree*

Encouraged by Jiraiya, Minato Namikaze nodded decisively, mimicking his mentor’s earlier actions. He drew blood onto his right palm, formed the seals, and called out:

"Boar, Dog, Bird, Monkey, Ram… Summoning Jutsu!"

With a low shout, black markings spread across the ground in an instant. In a puff of white smoke, an orange toad the size of a person appeared, letting out a deep, resonant croak.

“Ribbit…”

Jiraiya’s face briefly showed a trace of surprise at this scene.

“You succeeded on your first try! Minato, your talent really is remarkable. Now it’s your turn, Shigeo—give it a shot!”

“Understood!”

Shigeo Aburame nodded. Like Minato, he drew blood onto his palm and began forming the seals.

Although his hand seals weren’t as swift, each movement was precise, almost textbook-perfect. Once done, he placed his hand on the ground, focusing his chakra to summon his beast.

“Ninja Art: Summoning Jutsu!”

Under the eager gazes of everyone present, a small puff of smoke emerged on the ground. A bean-sized orange tadpole appeared, bouncing energetically.

“Plop, plop, plop…”

“…”

The scene left everyone in stunned silence.

Jiraiya couldn’t help but shout, “Use all your chakra, you idiot!”

“Uh…”

Scratching his head awkwardly, Shigeo glanced at the tiny tadpole.

“Well, sensei, I really did use all my chakra. I swear!”

He wasn’t lying. Earlier, when Jiraiya had summoned them, Shigeo had just used most of his chakra to synthesize his hybrid insects, leaving only a small amount in reserve.

What he didn’t anticipate was Jiraiya suddenly teaching them the Summoning Jutsu, much less including him. The technique’s chakra requirements were high, leading to this embarrassing result.

Unaware of these details, Jiraiya shook his head in disappointment at the sight of the tiny tadpole and Shigeo’s fatigued state.

“Forget it. Practice more on your own later. If you have questions, ask Minato. For now, Minato stays. The rest of you are dismissed!”

“Yes, sir!”

…

It was clear Jiraiya planned to give Minato some special training again.

By now, Shigeo was used to this and didn’t feel particularly envious.

After all, Minato lacked a clan inheritance but was incredibly gifted. It was only natural for Jiraiya to favor him. Moreover, Minato’s successful summoning had proven his exceptional spatial ninjutsu talent.

Considering his keen perception during missions, Shigeo speculated Jiraiya might be preparing to teach Minato the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Of course, "teach" was a stretch. Jiraiya likely had documentation on the technique for Minato to study since Jiraiya himself wasn’t proficient in it.

“Tsk… Flying Thunder God, huh?”

Shigeo couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy. However, he knew it wasn’t for him.

Flying Thunder God required an enormous chakra pool, outstanding spatial ninjutsu talent, and exceptional perception abilities—traits he simply didn’t possess.

Shigeo’s priorities were clear: expand his insect colonies, develop new hybrids, and increase his survival odds during missions. Strength was secondary; staying alive mattered most.

Still, mastering the toad summoning jutsu was non-negotiable. Mount Myoboku, one of the three great summoning sanctuaries, had resources like sage chakra that were game-changers.

Even if he couldn’t learn Sage Mode, forging a strong bond with the toads was a vital safeguard. In times of danger, he could rely on reverse summoning to escape to Mount Myoboku.

Unless he faced instant death or a nightmare like Pain’s Six Paths, survival would be achievable.

“For now, I need to stock up on special insects as emergency tools.”

Having decided, Shigeo took all his savings to the village’s ninja tool shop.

“Boss, I’d like twenty smoke bombs and a hundred explosive tags, please.”

The shopkeeper’s eyes lit up, his expression turning warm and welcoming.

“Of course! Give me a moment!”

During the war, explosive tags had risen to 2,000 ryo each, and smoke bombs to 750 ryo—a steep price. Most ninjas bought only a few at a time, but Shigeo’s order made him a big spender.

The shopkeeper carefully counted the items and placed them on the counter, beaming.

“Here you go: twenty smoke bombs and one hundred explosive tags. That’ll be 215,000 ryo, but I’ll round it down to 210,000 for you!”

Hearing the price, Shigeo couldn’t help but wince.

Over the past year, his team had completed many missions, and he wasn’t a frivolous spender. Still, his earnings weren’t substantial.

D-rank missions paid modestly, with his cut ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 ryo. On higher-ranked missions, he often contributed less and insisted on taking a smaller share.

His principle was clear: handle money and relationships carefully.

Fortunately, with many missions available, his monthly income averaged 40,000–50,000 ryo. Half went to living expenses and soldier pills, while the rest was saved for emergencies—like now.

With Jiraiya heading to the Land of Rain and Minato still maturing, their team’s danger level was rising. To prepare, Shigeo used his savings to bolster his arsenal.

After stowing his shrunken wallet, Shigeo left the shop, his face heavy. Back home, he immediately got to work.

Using two smoke bombs and his hybrid insects, he synthesized two smoke-releasing insects. Then, combining five explosive tags with his soldier insects, he created five explosive insects.

These insects replicated the effects of their tools but were waterproof and under his control. Their drawback? A one-month lifespan.

After preparing just a few, Shigeo stored the rest of the materials and climbed into bed, exhausted.

“So tired… Let’s start training Summoning Jutsu tomorrow.”

With that, he closed his eyes and quickly fell asleep.

(End of Chapter)  

*Chapter 13: Fierce Battle*

The arrival of the "Three Legendary Sannin" not only greatly boosted the morale of the Konoha ninjas but also decisively changed the course of the battle in the Land of Rain.

Wherever they joined the fight, the conflict reached its most intense peak!

Whether in terms of the number of ninjas involved or their ranks, these battles far surpassed those on other fronts.

Through their seamless teamwork, they consistently led Konoha to victory, forcing the Rain ninja to retreat step by step.

Their remarkable performance finally caught the attention of the Rain Village leader—Hanzo of the Salamander!

Hanzo personally led an elite unit of Rain ninjas to ambush the forces led by the Sannin, sparking an epic and ferocious battle.

The battlefield was engulfed in chaos—enemies everywhere, relentless clashes, and blood spilling in all directions, painting a gruesome picture of war's cruelty.

The cacophony of screams, the clash of kunai, the detonation of explosive tags, and the cries of the wounded merged into a hellish symphony of destruction.

“Kill them!”

“Die... ahh!”

“Boom boom boom!”

Both sides were consumed by bloodlust, unleashing every technique in their arsenal to annihilate their foes.

On the battlefield's periphery, Aburame Shigeo lay bloodied atop a Rain ninja wearing a gas mask, with over ten kunai embedded in his body—even one piercing his forehead. It was clear he had endured a fierce battle, ultimately taking his enemy down with him.

However, a passing Rain ninja noticed something strange and casually flung a kunai at Shigeo's body.

The moment the kunai struck, Shigeo's “corpse” exploded into a swarm of densely packed insects, swarming over the unsuspecting attacker.

Nearby Rain ninjas rushed over to provide aid.

But just as they took a couple of steps, two smoke-emitting insects detonated in front of them.

“Boom! Boom!”

Thick smoke spread instantly, reducing visibility to zero.

The cautious Rain ninjas gripped their kunai tightly, bracing themselves.

Unbeknownst to them, explosive insects had silently approached under the smoke's cover.

“Boom… BOOM!”

A violent explosion dispersed the smoke, and the ensuing fire and debris left only shattered remains.

The Rain ninja initially surrounded by insects was now drained of all chakra, lying lifeless on the ground.

The parasitic insects regrouped on the Rain ninja's gas-masked body, reforming into the appearance of the kunai-riddled Aburame Shigeo, just as before.

Soon, another Rain ninja noticed the anomaly, and the scene repeated itself…

Meanwhile, on the main battlefield, the Sannin faced off against Hanzo, the leader of the Land of Rain, in a climactic showdown.

Hanzo's summoned beast, a giant salamander, spewed clouds of deadly poison gas that incapacitated ordinary ninjas instantly, leaving only the Sannin standing.

Yet, the three refused to back down, fighting fiercely.

Hanzo, standing atop his salamander, hurled kunai laced with explosive tags at the Sannin.

“Watch out!” Jiraiya shouted. “Tsunade! Orochimaru!”

With years of battle-hardened teamwork, the trio leapt in unison, narrowly avoiding the attack.

“Boom boom boom!”

The explosive tags erupted, shrouding the area in thick smoke.

Obscured by the smoke, Tsunade missed the trap and stepped onto a pre-set explosive tag.

“Got you!”

Hanzo formed seals, activating a wave of explosive tags that clung to Tsunade's legs, locking her in place.

Jiraiya immediately sprang to her aid.

“Ninja Art: Needle Jizo!”

His hair extended and wrapped around Tsunade, pulling her to safety and forming a protective barrier.

“BOOM BOOM BOOM!”

The subsequent explosions engulfed them in flames.

When the fire and smoke cleared, the battlefield reeked of scorched hair.

To Hanzo’s surprise, Jiraiya and Tsunade emerged unscathed.

“What?!”

Hanzo was briefly stunned, giving Orochimaru the opening to strike.

“Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!”

White serpents shot through the smoke, binding Hanzo tightly.

“Now, Jiraiya!” Orochimaru yelled.

“On it!”

Jiraiya unleashed another technique.

“Needle Hell!”

Countless strands of hair transformed into sharp senbon and flew toward the immobilized Hanzo.

But Hanzo wasn’t about to fall easily.

“Body Flicker Technique!”

He dissolved into a splash of rainwater, dodging the lethal attack.

“What?!” Orochimaru’s shock was palpable.

Meanwhile, Jiraiya, drained from the effort, collapsed to one knee.

Tsunade rushed to support him, her face filled with guilt.

“I’m sorry... because of me…”

Before she could finish, Jiraiya interrupted her.

“Don’t be ridiculous. This is nothing but a scratch.”

Despite his brave words, it was clear he was pushing himself to his limits.

Orochimaru retreated to their side, his expression grave.

“Even our combined efforts failed to land a decisive blow.”

His words hung heavy in the air, as Jiraiya clenched his teeth in frustration, thinking, Is this it?  

With their chakra nearly depleted, any hope of victory—or even escape—seemed slim.

Hanzo, however, lowered his weapon, speaking with a calm, commanding tone.

“You’ve fought well to make it this far. For ones so young, it’s truly impressive.”

He paused before continuing, “This war will end in Konoha’s favor. I’ll spare your lives.”

Jiraiya, furious at his condescension, shouted, “We don’t need your pity! We can still fight!”

Tsunade quickly restrained him. “Stop it, Jiraiya.”

Hanzo remained unfazed, his tone unchanging.

“You three have potential. Survive and grow stronger. Then, come face me again.”

His words carried the weight of an undisputed champion. Even Jiraiya found himself unable to respond, swallowing his anger.

As Hanzo turned, he added, “As payment for sparing your lives, tell me your names.”

Jiraiya immediately yelled, “Jiraiya!”

Tsunade and Orochimaru followed suit.

“Tsunade!”

“Orochimaru!”

Hanzo nodded.

“Jiraiya, Tsunade, Orochimaru—your names are etched into my memory. From this day forth, you shall be known as the ‘Legendary Sannin of Konoha.’ Carry this title earned through the price of your lives.”

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 14: The Ceasefire*

The fierce battle claimed countless lives, including those of powerful and experienced Jonin. Even the newly titled “Legendary Sannin,” granted the name by Hanzo, owed their survival partly to sheer luck.

After Hanzo departed, the Sannin began clearing the battlefield and tending to the wounded Konoha shinobi.

As they reached the edge of the battlefield, Jiraiya spotted the body of Aburame Shigeo, who had perished alongside an Ame-nin in mutual destruction. A look of unmistakable grief appeared in his eyes.

Just as Tsunade was about to console him, Orochimaru suddenly shouted.

“Careful!”

He pulled out a kunai and stepped in front of them.

At that moment, “Aburame Shigeo” suddenly dissolved into a swarm of kikaichū insects.

From behind, an Ame-nin wearing a gas mask stood up and shouted, “Wait, don’t attack! I’m one of you!”

With a puff of smoke, the Ame-nin transformed into a boy with sunglasses.

Who else could it be but Aburame Shigeo?

Seeing their stunned faces, Shigeo cautiously scanned the area before asking, “Is the battle over?”

The Sannin stood silent for a moment.

Seeing the cautious expression on Shigeo’s face, they couldn’t help but exchange exasperated looks.

Jiraiya, however, was overjoyed. He embraced his student, laughing heartily.

Tsunade also smiled but remarked sharply, “You’re lucky to survive using such a cowardly method.”

Orochimaru, meanwhile, swept his gaze across the battlefield and noticed several Ame-nin corpses drained of chakra, their bodies shriveled. A raspy chuckle escaped him.

“Hehe… he didn’t survive on luck alone. Jiraiya, your student is much cleverer than you.”

As a seasoned shinobi, Jiraiya quickly picked up on what Orochimaru meant. He patted Shigeo on the shoulder with approval.

“Well done, Shigeo!”

Embarrassed by the praise, Shigeo muttered, “It’s not a big deal… nothing compared to you, Sensei. Uh, when can we return to camp?”

Jiraiya paused for a moment, then replied meaningfully, “Soon, I think.”

---

The war between Konoha and the Land of Rain continued.

However, Hanzo did not reappear, and the Sannin faced no battles as intense as before.

Not long after, they received a letter from Konoha.

The letter announced that the war was over, Konoha had emerged victorious, and they could withdraw from the Land of Rain.

“So, it ended with Konoha’s victory… just as he said it would,” Jiraiya mused as he ate dried rations in a cave.

Tsunade, sitting nearby, asked, “What about you? Starting another journey?”

“Probably.”

Jiraiya’s eyes glimmered with anticipation. “I’m planning to travel again and maybe write another book.”

Tsunade hesitated, her eyes betraying a trace of reluctance. “Why not stay in the village?”

Jiraiya didn’t answer immediately. He gazed at the ceaseless rain outside the cave before speaking.

“I have a feeling… I’ll meet someone important again.”

“You mean the person you mentioned before, the one tied to destiny?” Tsunade looked skeptical but refrained from mocking him. Instead, she turned to Shigeo.

“Hey, coward, what will you do when we’re back? Huh?”

She stopped mid-sentence, noticing something odd about Shigeo.

He held his ration in one hand while his other hand clutched his insect jar. A swarm of kikaichū silently crawled out from his pant leg, gathering behind a stone pillar nearby.

By now, Tsunade had a good grasp of Shigeo’s personality and tactics. She knew he was likely preparing a bug clone and substitution technique to slip away unnoticed.

She snorted. “Hmph… still a coward.”

But Orochimaru, noticing something unusual, smirked.

“Shigeo is right to stay cautious. This is the Land of Rain—never let your guard down, even for a rat.”

Tsunade’s expression turned serious. She called out into the shadows ahead.

“Hey, stop hiding and come out!”

At her words, an orange-haired boy with a gas mask stepped out from behind the stone pillar.

He approached cautiously and extended a hand. “Can you spare us some food?”

Tsunade was taken aback.

Jiraiya, however, remained alert. “Where are your parents?”

“Killed by ninjas in the war!” The boy’s face twisted with anger and grief.

Moved, Jiraiya took out a compressed ration bar and handed it over. “Take this. It’s bread.”

The boy shouted toward the shadows behind him.

“Nagato, Konan! It’s okay—they’re not enemies!”

A blue-haired girl and a red-haired boy stepped out from behind the pillar. They quickly ran up to Jiraiya and grabbed the food. Even the rations Tsunade hadn’t eaten were snatched up.

Seeing this, Shigeo finally relaxed, recalling his kikaichū and stowing his smoke bomb and explosive beetles. He walked over to the red-haired boy and handed him his ration.

“Here, this is for you. You remind me of a friend. She also has beautiful red hair. What’s your name?”

The boy hesitated before softly replying, “Nagato.”

“Hmm?”

Shigeo’s eyes lit up in surprise.

“Your name is Nagato? What a coincidence! My best friend’s name also has the word ‘gate’ in it. Seems like we’re destined to meet! Here, take it.”

He handed the ration to Nagato and pulled out another small pack for the blue-haired girl.

“This one’s for you!”

The orange-haired boy approached eagerly but stopped when he saw Shigeo hesitate.

“What about me?”

Shigeo raised a hand in mock seriousness.

“No, not for you.”

“Why not?” The boy looked confused. “Nagato and Konan got some—why not me?”

Shigeo adjusted his sunglasses and replied flatly, “Because you’re ugly.”

“…”

The orange-haired boy was stunned, while Nagato and Konan stifled giggles.

Even the Sannin couldn’t help but smile.

(End of Chapter)  

*Chapter 15: Sorry, I Love You*

The orange-haired boy being teased by Shigeo Aburame was named Yahiko, the future leader of the Akatsuki.

In the original storyline, Yahiko tragically trusted Hanzo, leading to the near destruction of the Akatsuki and Konan being captured by Hanzo.

To save Konan, Yahiko followed Hanzo’s demands and chose to take his own life in front of Nagato, triggering Nagato’s descent into darkness.

From Shigeo Aburame’s perspective, someone like Yahiko could either be described as naïve or, less kindly, as foolish. Teasing him felt harmless.

Nagato, however, was a different story.

This was the future big boss, a man capable of leveling Konoha while chanting something akin to, "How many sacks of rice can one carry up a flight of stairs?"  

It was only practical to build a good relationship with him now. If things went south in the future, at least begging for mercy might be an option.

The saying goes, "The more friends you have, the more paths you’ll find." As long as Shigeo treaded carefully, avoided provoking Nagato, and stayed out of his way, survival seemed within reach.

Self-preservation wasn’t shameful!

As for saving the world? That was the destiny of the Child of Prophecy. Shigeo considered himself a mere bystander; survival was his top priority.

He resolved to be cautious.

With that in mind, he placed both hands on Nagato’s shoulders and, with a serious expression, said, “Nagato, considering I gave you some rations today, could you promise me one small favor?”

“Huh?” Nagato looked confused at first but then nodded slightly, replying softly, “Okay.”

This exchange caught the attention of not only Yahiko and Konan but also the three Sannin standing nearby.

Under their curious gazes, Shigeo sincerely continued speaking to Nagato.

“If we ever meet in the future, please spare my life. I’m begging you!”

Nagato: “…”

Everyone: “…”

For a moment, everyone present was dumbfounded.

Jiraiya covered his face, then without a word, grabbed Shigeo by the collar and dragged him out into the rain.

Seeing this, Tsunade and Orochimaru chuckled as they followed them outside.

To the Sannin’s surprise, Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato also followed them.

Noticing this, Tsunade turned around and shouted, “We already gave you food earlier, didn’t we? Why are you still following us?”

Konan stepped forward, reached behind her, and pulled something out.

Tsunade prepared to strike but was stopped by Jiraiya.

Looking closely, Tsunade realized Konan wasn’t holding a weapon but a small flower folded from food wrappers.

With a radiant smile, Konan offered the flower with both hands. “Thank you. This is a token of appreciation.”

The gesture surprised Tsunade. She was touched by Konan’s thoughtfulness and impressed by her craftsmanship.

Yahiko then stepped forward and addressed Jiraiya and Tsunade. “Teach us ninjutsu. You’re Konoha shinobi, aren’t you?”

“Uh…”

Hearing this, Jiraiya and Tsunade exchanged surprised looks.

Orochimaru, however, calmly proposed, “Why not just kill these children? I’ve seen plenty of war orphans—they often meet tragic ends. Ending it here might actually be…”

“Enough, Orochimaru!”

Before Orochimaru could finish, Jiraiya interrupted with a stern expression.

“You and Tsunade can head back. I’ll stay here to look after these kids, at least until they can fend for themselves. It’s a small way to atone for what’s happened.”

“But…”

Tsunade wanted to argue but decided against it after seeing Jiraiya’s resolve.

Orochimaru, meanwhile, turned to Shigeo with a sly grin.

“Shigeo, your teacher is staying here. Why don’t you return with us? Don’t worry; if you encounter any issues in your training, feel free to ask me.”

“Thank you, Lord Orochimaru!”

Shigeo bowed deeply, but instead of following Orochimaru, he walked over to Jiraiya.

“However, I choose to stay with Jiraiya-sensei. This is not only a direct order from the Hokage but also my duty as his student. There’s a saying: ‘When the master has a task, the disciple must help.’ That’s my role now!”

Shigeo knew full well that the end of the war between Konoha and the Rain Village was only temporary. Battles with the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth were just around the corner.

Returning now would likely mean being sent to the frontlines as cannon fodder by the Third Hokage.

No way was he going back!

Orochimaru, unaware of Shigeo’s true thoughts, looked somewhat moved by his dedication.

“Jiraiya, I envy you. You’ve taken on a fine student. Take care, both of you. Let’s go, Tsunade.”

“Alright.”

Tsunade nodded, casting one last complicated glance at Jiraiya before leaving with Orochimaru.

Watching them walk away, Jiraiya’s expression turned wistful.

Seizing the moment, Shigeo leaned in and whispered, “Jiraiya-sensei, based on my experience, if you chase after Lady Tsunade now, hug her, and confess with the words ‘Sorry, I love you,’ then kiss her, you might secure a relationship with her!”

“Hmm?” Jiraiya’s eyes lit up. “Really? How reliable is this?”

“I’d say it’s highly likely!”

Adjusting his sunglasses confidently, Shigeo continued, “Fortune favors the bold! Opportunities like this are fleeting. If you miss it, you might regret it forever. The method is clear—it’s up to you now, sensei!”

“Uh…”

Still hesitant, Jiraiya glanced at Tsunade, who was disappearing into the rain. Steeling himself, he ran after her.

“Hey, Tsunade!”

“Huh?”

Hearing Jiraiya’s voice, Tsunade turned around, puzzled. “Jiraiya? What are you—”

Before she could finish, Jiraiya rushed forward, embraced her, and blurted, “Tsunade, I’m sorry! I love you!”

Tsunade: “!?”

Has this guy lost his mind?!

Wide-eyed, Tsunade was stunned. But her shock turned to fury as Jiraiya leaned in to kiss her.

“Jiraiya, you idiot! Go to hell!”

With a roar, she broke free and landed a powerful uppercut to his jaw.

*Boom!*

With a heavy thud, Jiraiya was launched skyward. It wasn’t until Tsunade had walked several meters away that he crashed back down with another loud “boom.”

Shigeo, stunned, rushed over.

“Jiraiya-sensei, are you alright?”

“Cough, cough…”

Spitting out blood, Jiraiya groaned and shot Shigeo a pained look.

“Shigeo…your method didn’t work. Where did you even get this experience?”

“From plays!” Shigeo replied matter-of-factly. “They’re performed all the time in Tanzaku Town. Haven’t you seen them, sensei?”

“Pfft…”

Hearing this, Jiraiya spat out another mouthful of blood.

(Chapter End)  

Chapter 16: Nagato’s Rinnegan

"Let's dig in!"

By a small river in the remote reaches of the Land of Rain, Jiraiya sat with four young students in a newly built wooden cabin, sharing a simple dinner.

The meal was humble—just a single large grilled fish over a meter long, with nothing else on the table.

Though the war with Konoha had ended, the Land of Rain was still caught in conflict, fighting against Iwagakure and Sunagakure.

Rain always poured over Amegakure, rarely letting the sun break through. This made agriculture challenging, leaving the country heavily reliant on external trade for food. But with most trade routes severed due to the ongoing war, food shortages were severe. Even shinobi struggled to secure enough to eat, let alone ordinary citizens.

Fortunately, the Land of Rain was rich in rivers, and fishing offered some relief. The large grilled fish on the table tonight was caught by Jiraiya and Yahiko from a nearby river.

Looking at the fish, Jiraiya beamed with pride. "See? A bit of Fire Release, and you’ve got yourself grilled fish! Hahaha!"

"Mm, delicious!"

Yahiko nodded enthusiastically, his face lit up with joy as he ate with chopsticks.

"Sensei, I’ve figured out the trick to fishing now!"

"Is that so? Yahiko, you’re becoming more dependable!"

"Haha!"

While the cheerful chatter surrounded him, Nagato sat quietly, his chopsticks untouched. Tears welled in his eyes as he let out faint sobs.

Yahiko noticed and paused his eating, asking in surprise, "Nagato, what’s wrong?"

Nagato wiped his tears and whispered, "I was just thinking about my family..."

"Bang!"

Before Nagato could finish, Yahiko slammed the table and stood, shouting at him angrily.

"Stop crying! You’re a man, aren’t you? It’s people like you who make the men of Amegakure seem weak and spineless!"

"..."

Nagato flinched at Yahiko’s words and quickly stifled his sobs, though his shoulders still trembled.

Aburame Shigeo, who had been quietly eating, put down his chopsticks and sat beside Nagato, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"It’s okay, Nagato. If you feel like crying, let it out. Crying isn’t a sign of weakness. True courage is about facing the harshness of life and confronting the bloodshed that comes with it."

Nagato’s shoulders stopped shaking. He murmured, "Facing the harshness of life... confronting the bloodshed..."

Jiraiya, watching from across the table, nodded with a faint smile.

"Well said, Shigeo. Besides, the war surrounding the Land of Rain can’t last forever. One day, when you all grow up, nations will understand each other, and this place will become peaceful..."

"That’s just wishful thinking!"

Yahiko interrupted, his expression suddenly intense.

"Our families were all killed. If understanding is possible, then the other side should feel our pain first. That’s what it means to share pain, right? But I know that’s impossible, and that’s why the war will never stop!"

His grip on the chopsticks tightened, and his voice fell into a gloomy tone.

"I hate the rain. This country is always crying. It’s pathetic. I want to change this country. I want to protect everyone. So, Jiraiya-sensei, please teach us ninjutsu!"

"..."

Jiraiya fell silent.

As a Konoha shinobi, teaching children from a foreign nation ninjutsu—especially one still at war—was unthinkable.

---

Days later, Jiraiya sat at the table, staring at blank sheets of manuscript paper, unable to write a word. Frustrated, he thought about consulting Aburame Shigeo, hoping for inspiration. However, when he turned to look, he found Shigeo sleeping in the corner.

Seeing this, Jiraiya’s face twitched.

"This guy... always talking about serving his master diligently, but all he does is sleep! What’s the point?"

Despite his grumbling, Jiraiya took his cloak and gently draped it over Shigeo before returning to his manuscript.

Shigeo, half-awake, noticed but didn’t move or speak, pretending to stay asleep. It wasn’t intentional; he was genuinely exhausted.

Since receiving orders for Konoha’s withdrawal, all supplies, including the rations he depended on, had been cut off. Without his specialized food pills, he couldn’t sustain his chakra-feeding insects, which started dying in droves.

Even so, Shigeo refused to abandon them. In a war-torn country like the Land of Rain, where danger lurked everywhere, his insects were his greatest defense.

Lacking alternatives, he shouldered the burden, feeding his insects with his chakra while pondering a replacement for his food pills. But inspiration eluded him, and exhaustion often dragged him into sleep.

---

One rainy day, Konan burst into the cabin, her face pale with urgency.

"Jiraiya-sensei! Something’s happened to Yahiko and Nagato!"

Jiraiya’s heart sank. He grabbed his coat and rushed out, shouting, "Take me to them, Konan!"

"Me too!" Shigeo, jolted awake, quickly followed.

They arrived at the base of a nearby cliff, rain drizzling down. Yahiko lay face-down on the ground, injured, while Nagato sat in a daze.

Not far from them, a ninja wearing an Iwagakure headband lay lifeless in a pool of blood.

Jiraiya knelt to lift Yahiko, his voice filled with concern. "What happened?"

"Remnants of the enemy," Yahiko managed weakly, his face smeared with dirt.

"He wanted us to hand over our food and valuables and tried to kill me. Then Nagato..."

Before he could finish, Yahiko fainted.

Jiraiya glanced at the dead Iwagakure ninja, then turned to Nagato.

Nagato sat silently, his breath uneven. The rain slicked back his crimson hair, revealing a pair of pale lavender eyes with concentric rings.

"This... these eyes... Could it be..."

Jiraiya’s eyes widened in shock as realization struck.

He recognized the Rinnegan—said to be the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths.

In that moment, Jiraiya recalled the prophecy of the Great Toad Sage at Mount Myoboku.

The Sage had predicted that Jiraiya would one day guide a student who would bring great change to the shinobi world, forcing him to make a life-altering choice.

"Could Nagato be the one?"

Watching Nagato as Konan helped him to his feet, Jiraiya made a silent but crucial decision. A faint smile appeared on his lips.

"This must be destiny’s call."

Unbeknownst to Jiraiya, Shigeo, standing behind him, also smiled faintly.

"Finally found him."

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 17: Growth*

“I’ve decided to teach you ninjutsu!”

A few days later, after Yahiko and Nagato had recovered, Jiraiya announced this to them.

Hearing this, Yahiko’s face lit up with joy. “Really?”

“Yep!”

Jiraiya nodded firmly and explained his reasoning.

“Just like before, you never know when your lives might be in danger, so I’ll teach you how to protect yourselves with ninjutsu!”

“That’s amazing!”

Yahiko jumped up in excitement, but Nagato didn’t share the same enthusiasm, his expression subdued.

At this moment, Yahiko suddenly turned to Nagato, grinning as he extended a hand toward him.

“Thanks for saving me last time, Nagato. I was wrong to call you a coward. Next time something happens, it’ll be my turn to protect you!”

“Th-thank you, Yahiko!” Nagato muttered, bowing his head.

Konan, standing nearby, giggled. “Hmm? But compared to Yahiko, Nagato seems stronger!”

“Ugh...”

Yahiko’s face twitched with embarrassment as he clenched his fists, trying to defend himself.

“Just wait—after some training, I’ll get stronger! Konan, you talk too much!”

“I think Konan’s right.”

Shigeo Aburame, who had been sitting quietly, adjusted his sunglasses with a light push of his middle finger.

“Even in a village full of talent like Konoha, Nagato and Konan would be considered prodigies. Yahiko, on the other hand...”

At this point, he pointed a finger at Yahiko.

“You’d be the class underachiever. Don’t bother trying to surpass geniuses. Just hide and shout, ‘Nagato, Konan, save me!’ whenever you’re in danger.”

“Pfft!”

Konan was the first to burst into laughter at Shigeo’s words, and even Nagato couldn’t suppress a few chuckles.

Seeing Yahiko’s face turn red with frustration, Jiraiya quickly stepped in to diffuse the situation.

“Alright, Shigeo, stop teasing Yahiko. It’s time to start our training. First up—chakra control!”

“Yes, Sensei!” Yahiko and Konan responded in unison.

---

Night fell swiftly.

After a day of training and dinner, Yahiko and Konan quickly drifted into dreamland. Shigeo, however, remained wide awake, having napped most of the day and skipped their training.

Suddenly, he heard a faint sound nearby. Cracking open an eye, he spotted Nagato slipping out of bed and heading outside.

Soon, the sound of soft sobbing reached Shigeo’s ears, barely distinguishable over the rain.

Raising an eyebrow, Shigeo got up, threw on a jacket, and followed.

Outside, he found Nagato sitting at the doorway, quietly crying.

At that moment, it was hard to reconcile this vulnerable boy with the cold, emotionless Pain from the original storyline.

“If only this kid could stay this innocent forever,” Shigeo thought to himself, then walked over to sit beside Nagato, placing an arm around his shoulder.

“Nagato, what’s wrong? Tell me what’s bothering you. I’m really worried about you.”

“Shigeo...”

Nagato felt a wave of warmth from Shigeo’s concern. Wiping his tears, he began to speak.

“When Yahiko got hurt, I was so angry... my mind went blank, and I lost control. When I came to, the enemy was already down...”

As he recounted this, his voice began to tremble, and tears welled up again.

“After that, I felt terrified—because of my hatred, I lost myself and... I... ended them. I must have been wrong. There had to be a better way...”

“No, Nagato, you weren’t wrong.”

Shigeo interrupted firmly, seeing how distressed Nagato was becoming.

He looked out at the rain with a hint of melancholy in his voice.

“There isn’t always a better way. In times of chaos, we’re powerless. You fight, or you flee. If you hadn’t acted that way, Yahiko might not be with us anymore.”

Turning back, he smiled and gave Nagato a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

“You did great, Nagato. You saved Yahiko. You protected your friend!”

“Shigeo...” Nagato stared at him in awe, eventually managing only a quiet, “Thank you.”

Shigeo grinned. “Haha, no need to thank me!”

Just then, a soft laugh echoed from behind them.

“Well, well, Shigeo. You’re getting better at comforting people. Finally acting like an elder brother—good job!”

“Uh...”

Looking up, Shigeo saw Jiraiya standing there, and quickly greeted him. “Sensei!”

“Hmm.”

Jiraiya nodded and walked over to sit beside Nagato, resting a hand gently on his shoulder.

“Shigeo’s right. Yahiko was saved because of you. You did the right thing. No one will blame you for it.”

His tone then shifted, becoming more reflective.

“When people are hurt, they grow hatred. When they hurt others, they invite hatred and guilt. But it’s because we know pain that we learn to treat others with kindness. That’s what it means to be human.”

Nagato didn’t fully understand and asked, “What... does that mean?”

“It means you’ve grown,” Jiraiya replied with a smile.

“Grown? What does that mean?” Nagato asked, puzzled.

“It means you can tell right from wrong for yourself now,” Jiraiya explained patiently.

Nagato buried his head in his knees and spoke softly.

“When Konan and I were starving and crying, Yahiko helped us—even stealing food for us. I just want to protect the two of them, no matter how much it hurts.”

After sharing his thoughts, he turned to Jiraiya.

“Sensei... what do you think about?”

Jiraiya answered without hesitation.

“This world is full of war and hatred. I want to change that. I’m searching for the answer to true peace.”

After hearing Jiraiya’s response, Nagato turned to Shigeo.

“What about you, Shigeo? What do you think about?”

“I think about how to survive.”

Shigeo shrugged.

“I’m not the hero of this world. I can’t change it. I just want to live—and make sure the people I care about live, too. That way, when peace finally comes, I won’t be alone.”

“Do you really think peace will come?” Nagato asked doubtfully.

“It will.”

Shigeo nodded with conviction.

“Maybe we’ll be old and gray when it happens, but I believe true peace will come someday!”

Nagato was moved by Shigeo’s unwavering belief.

Just as he was about to say something, Shigeo suddenly pulled out a pair of scissors from who-knows-where and smiled mischievously.

“Hey, Nagato. Your hair’s getting a bit long—it’s blocking your view. Let your big brother give you a stylish new haircut. Don’t move, alright?”

“...”

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 18: Teaching and Signals*

The next morning, when Yahiko saw Nagato’s adorable red “watermelon” hairstyle, he burst into laughter and rolled on the floor.

“Nagato... what’s with your hair? It’s too funny! Hahaha!”

“...”

Hearing Yahiko’s laughter, Nagato blushed and lowered his head.

Aburame Shigeo’s eyes flashed coldly. He pulled out his scissors and started walking toward Yahiko.

“Hahaha… uh… Shigeo, what are you doing?”

Seeing Shigeo approaching him, Yahiko’s laughter stopped abruptly, and his expression turned panicked.

“Don’t do anything rash! I’ll tell the teacher! Don’t come closer... help! Nagato, Konan, save me! Nooo...”

...

Five minutes later.

Yahiko, now sporting an orange “watermelon” hairstyle, knelt on the floor, crying, while Nagato and Konan tried to comfort him.

Suddenly, the sound of a door opening caught everyone’s attention. Turning to look, they saw that Jiraiya, who had left before dawn, had returned.

Yahiko seemed to have found his savior and ran crying to cling to Jiraiya’s leg. “Teacher, Shigeo bullied me! Look at my hair!”

“Oh?”

Jiraiya glanced at Yahiko’s hair, stroked his chin thoughtfully, and nodded.

“Hmm, this hairstyle looks energetic. Not bad. So, what’s this about Shigeo bullying you?”

“...”

Yahiko gaped, speechless and forgetting to cry.

Seeing this, Konan and Nagato burst into laughter, leaving Yahiko fuming as he stormed toward the door.

Before he could get far, Jiraiya pulled him back.

“Haha, don’t be mad. Look at what I’ve brought for you—ta-da!”

Like a magician, he pulled out several green frog costumes.

Seeing this, Shigeo’s expression froze, and he discreetly edged toward the window.

Unfortunately for him, Jiraiya was prepared. With a body flicker, he appeared in front of Shigeo and handed him a frog costume.

“Come on, Shigeo. As the senior, you need to set an example. Put it on. This is a teacher’s order; you can’t refuse!”

Shigeo: “...”

This order is absolutely ridiculous!

Reluctantly, under Jiraiya’s watchful eyes, Shigeo put on the frog costume.

Soon, everyone was dressed in frog outfits, turning the room into a scene of one “big frog” and four “little frogs.”

With the costumes on, lessons began.

Jiraiya started teaching basic theory—how to use kunai and shuriken, foundational hand signs, and so on.

Since Shigeo already knew all this, he tried sneaking away to nap, but Jiraiya caught him.

“Shigeo, your hand signs are very precise. Come here and demonstrate the twelve seals for them.”

“Alright.”

Resigned, Shigeo walked to the front and began demonstrating.

“I’ll go through them once; watch closely. Starting with ‘Rat’—this is ‘Rat,’ this is ‘Ox,’ this is ‘Tiger’...”

After finishing, he turned to Jiraiya. “Teacher, I’m done!”

“Good!” Jiraiya nodded with a smile. “Your next task is to teach them these twelve hand signs. Got it?”

“Yes!” Shigeo nodded.

“Your ‘yes’ doesn’t matter!”

Jiraiya grinned and patted Shigeo on the shoulder.

“A teacher's burden is shared by their students. You said it yourself! I’ve got some inspiration for my novel, so I’ll be off to write. You stay and teach them until they’ve learned it all!”

“Uh...”

At that moment, Shigeo truly understood what it meant to be hoisted by his own petard.

“Tch... fine, I’ll teach.”

Resigned, he began teaching the trio the hand signs.

“I’ll break it down step by step. Start with ‘Rat.’ Overlap your thumbs, with the left thumb on top, like this...”

Nagato, perhaps due to his Rinnegan, learned quickly, mastering the signs after two demonstrations.

Konan took a bit longer but got it after a few hands-on corrections from Shigeo.

Yahiko, however, was a different story. Despite Shigeo dedicating most of the time to him, Yahiko only managed to memorize four signs by noon and often got them wrong.

This infuriated Shigeo, who resorted to rapping Yahiko’s “watermelon” head with his knuckles.

“What’s in your head? Glue? How can you still not get it after so many tries? Why are you running?”

“Stop hitting me!” Yahiko cried, running in circles. “You’ll make me dumber!”

“Could your IQ drop any further? Maybe a few knocks will knock some sense into you. Get back here!”

“No… don’t come any closer!!!”

“...”

As a trained ninja, Shigeo easily caught Yahiko after two laps and knocked him senseless before making him continue practicing hand signs.

Three days later, Yahiko finally learned all twelve hand signs without mistakes.

For him, those three days were a nightmare. Every time he began forming signs, his head ached.

For Shigeo, however, teaching Yahiko gave him a taste of being a mentor, which made teaching substitution techniques easier.

Once the trio mastered the three basic jutsu, Shigeo’s part of the teaching ended.

Next, Jiraiya would teach them combat skills.

Before that, Jiraiya hung some boards on the wall of their cabin. Each board had a red and white side, with their names written underneath.

“Konan on the right, Yahiko in the middle, and Nagato on the left!”

After setting up, Jiraiya explained the purpose of the boards.

“These are flip boards. Flip them red when you’re in the base and white when you’re out. By the way, the frog symbol on them also means ‘be back soon.’”

“But… why do we have to do this?” Konan asked curiously.

Jiraiya explained, “Because this area isn’t completely safe. Staying at the base is actually the most dangerous since it’s easy to be ambushed!”

Hearing this, Konan nodded in understanding.

“I see. If the board is red but no one’s in the base, it means they were likely captured. If it’s white but someone’s in the base, it’s probably an imposter. This makes it easy to spot trouble!”

“Exactly! Smart thinking, Konan!”

Jiraiya praised her and then glanced at Yahiko.

“Smarter than Yahiko, that’s for sure!”

Shigeo added, “Comparing Konan to Yahiko is an insult to her intelligence.”

“Oh? Is that so?”

“Absolutely!”

Their banter left Yahiko red-faced and fuming.

Sensing the joke had gone far enough, Jiraiya changed the subject.

“Alright, this is our secret system to confirm each other’s presence. Always check the boards and stay vigilant, even in the base. Also...”

He tapped a floorboard with his foot, revealing a hidden trapdoor.

“I’ve prepared a secret room and an escape tunnel. If anything happens, use this to flee. Now, let’s head out for some field training!”

“Awesome!”

Yahiko cheered, running into the rain with his fists in the air.

“I’ll become stronger and change this country with my power!”

His declaration was promptly interrupted by Jiraiya’s scolding: “Flip your board first!”

“Haha, give it up, Jiraiya-sensei.”

Shigeo leaned against the doorframe, waving at Jiraiya.

“Yahiko’s brain is beyond saving. I exhausted myself teaching him clones this morning, so I’m staying behind.”

Jiraiya nodded reluctantly. “Alright, just be careful while you’re here alone.”

“Got it!”

Once they were out of sight, Shigeo returned to the cabin, shut the door, and took out a kikaichū and a strand of red hair.

“Synthesize!”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 19: A New Crimson Parasitic Bug

Upon completing the synthesis, the parasitic bug and the strand of red hair vanished, replaced by a blood-red parasitic bug.

Shigeo Aburame suddenly felt dizzy, accompanied by a deep sense of exhaustion.

"I didn't expect this synthesis to consume so much chakra."

Fighting off the urge to pass out, he quickly stored the newly synthesized parasitic bug within his body.

But then, something unexpected occurred.

As soon as the red parasitic bug entered his body, it began releasing a massive surge of chakra, which coursed through his meridians and spread throughout his body.

The wave of chakra jolted the drowsy Shigeo Aburame awake, a glimmer of excitement flashing in his eyes.

"The synthesis cost nearly ten times the chakra of the soldier-parasitic bugs, but the return... It's nearly a hundredfold. My hypothesis was correct!"

He had been reminded of this potential during the moment Nagato used his Rinnegan to kill that Iwagakure shinobi. Shigeo realized that Nagato had transplanted Madara Uchiha's Rinnegan, a tool notorious for its chakra consumption.

Even Kakashi, a Jonin, struggled with the chakra drain of just one Sharingan transplanted from Obito. Given that the Rinnegan is the ultimate form of the Sharingan, its chakra demands would naturally surpass those of the ordinary Sharingan.

This underscored the incredible amount of chakra Nagato's body must possess.

"And to think, just one hair was enough to synthesize such a powerful parasitic bug. If I were to synthesize them all..."

Excitement surged in Shigeo’s chest at the thought.

He immediately retrieved the strands of red hair he had cut from Nagato earlier. With a face full of anticipation, he began synthesizing.

As more and more red parasitic bugs entered his body, the previously depleted chakra pathways rapidly filled.

It was as if a dried-up riverbed was suddenly flooded, the rushing water nourishing the parched earth and further expanding the channels.

The influx of chakra reinvigorated Shigeo, but the tearing pain caused by the expansion of his chakra pathways made him wince and grit his teeth.

To ease the discomfort, he hastened the synthesis of more red parasitic bugs, hoping to burn off the excess chakra. However, the newly synthesized bugs only returned even more chakra to his meridians, intensifying the flow.

For the first time, Shigeo experienced what it felt like to have an abundance of chakra. It was equal parts agony and ecstasy.

When he finally synthesized the last strand of red hair into a red parasitic bug, Shigeo stepped out of his room and bit his finger to prepare hand seals.

"Boar, Dog, Bird, Monkey, Ram... Summoning Jutsu!"

Boom!

A massive plume of white smoke erupted in the clearing.

As the smoke dispersed, a giant toad adorned with a necklace engraved with the kanji for "Loyalty" appeared before Shigeo.

*Gamahiro!*

Shigeo recognized the toad immediately. It was the same one that had brought the scroll when Jiraiya first taught them the Summoning Jutsu.

Gamahiro was immensely powerful. In the original storyline, Jiraiya had used him to defeat Ebisu, a Special Jonin, with ease.

Summoning Gamahiro now confirmed that Shigeo's chakra levels had reached the standard of a Jonin.

"I did it!"

Feeling the once-surging chakra within him now stabilizing, Shigeo allowed himself a satisfied smile.

Previously, he had avoided practicing the Summoning Jutsu due to its high chakra demands. The constant need to maintain his parasitic bug colony left him with little chakra to spare for anything else.

Now, with a superior replacement in the form of the red parasitic bugs, Shigeo finally had the freedom to revisit this life-saving technique. He hadn’t expected to succeed on the first try.

"Phew... Looks like I do have some talent for spatial ninjutsu after all!"

Admiring the giant toad before him, Shigeo exhaled deeply and patted Gamahiro on the back with a grin.

"Hiro, thanks for coming. You can head back now. Give my regards to the elders and the two sages for me!"

"Ribbit!"

With a hearty croak, Gamahiro acknowledged the request before disappearing in a puff of white smoke. Shigeo then turned back toward his house.

Around noon, Jiraiya returned.

He was alone; Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan were still training hard elsewhere. Their determination was evident.

Seeing Jiraiya back, Shigeo began preparing lunch.

With limited ingredients on hand, the meal was simple. Shigeo measured out two bowls of flour, mixed it with some clarified wood ash water, and kneaded it into dough. He then pulled it into thin noodles, boiled them, and served them in a simple miso broth.

Placing a bowl of the finished miso ramen before Jiraiya, Shigeo was surprised when the older man waved it off.

"Don’t worry about me. Take it to Yahiko and the others first. They’re probably starving in the cave up ahead."

"Got it!"

Shigeo nodded, packed two bowls of ramen into a food box, and headed out to deliver them.

Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato were practicing diligently, their sweat-soaked forms a testament to their hard work.

Seeing this, a small smile crept across Shigeo’s face as he knocked on the food box.

"Take a break, everyone. Lunchtime! Today’s menu: ramen!"

Opening the box, he distributed the steaming bowls of noodles to the trio.

"Wow, it smells amazing!" Yahiko exclaimed, grinning as he held his bowl. "I was starving!"

He immediately began slurping noisily, savoring the taste.

Nagato and Konan, on the other hand, each thanked Shigeo quietly before starting to eat.

Halfway through the meal, Yahiko suddenly pointed at their bowls.

"Hey! Why do you two have chunks of meat in yours while mine’s all veggies and radishes? Shigeo-senpai, you must’ve eaten my meat on the way!"

Thwack!

Before Yahiko could finish his accusation, Shigeo delivered a swift flick to his forehead, leaving him wincing in pain and tearing up as he looked at the older boy.

"You…! That means I was right!"

"Right, my foot!"

Shigeo raised his hand to hit him again, causing Yahiko to quickly shield his head and back away. The sight made Nagato and Konan burst into laughter.

Nagato, still chuckling, pushed his bowl toward Yahiko.

"Here, Yahiko. You can have mine."

"Uh..."

Yahiko was momentarily speechless, while Konan handed her bowl to Shigeo.

"Shigeo-senpai, you haven’t eaten yet, have you? Please, take mine!"

"Ha, no need!"

Shigeo waved her off with a smile and gently ruffled her hair.

"You eat, Konan. I’ll share with Jiraiya-sensei back at the house. You’re too thin; you need the extra nourishment."

"Okay… Thank you, senpai!" Konan blushed and nodded.

Yahiko couldn’t help but interject, "I’m thin too! I need meat!"

"Then go figure it out yourself!" Shigeo snapped, glaring at him. "After training, you’re going to the river to fish. If you come back empty-handed, don’t blame me for skinning you alive!"

"Ugh…"

Chapter 20: Growing Strength

After their meal, Yahiko and his companions resumed their training. Shigeo Aburame carried the empty lunchbox back to the cabin, where he prepared two bowls of ramen to share with Jiraiya.

On the table in front of Jiraiya were two stacks of books, but the notebook before him remained blank. He ate his ramen absentmindedly, clearly preoccupied with his thoughts.

Shigeo, understanding Jiraiya's need for space, refrained from interrupting him. After finishing his meal, Shigeo settled into a corner, closed his eyes, and began meditating.

Meditation is one of the key methods for a ninja to refine their chakra, serving as an essential complement to both taijutsu and ninjutsu training.

Shigeo didn’t lack chakra at the moment. His primary purpose in meditating was to regulate and expand his chakra pathways, enabling them to accommodate even more chakra.

Most ninjas would never dare attempt such a thing. The chakra pathways are critical to a ninja's abilities; any damage to them could render a ninja incapable of using chakra altogether.

This is why the Hyuga Clan of Konoha is so formidable—their Gentle Fist technique disrupts an opponent’s chakra flow by targeting their tenketsu (chakra points), effectively incapacitating them.

This underscores just how crucial chakra pathways are to a ninja.

However, Shigeo dared to experiment with his own chakra pathways—not out of ignorance, but because he had a trump card: the new red parasitic insects he had cultivated, which he named *Blood Bugs*.

Unlike the chakra provided by standard parasitic insects, the chakra returned by the Blood Bugs was not only more abundant but also carried a unique property: *regeneration*.

Regenerative chakra is a hallmark of yang energy and a cornerstone of medical ninjutsu.

A ninja with this type of chakra can recover from injuries far faster than ordinary ninjas, even without medical ninjutsu.

The most famous example of this is Hashirama Senju. According to Uchiha Madara’s account, Hashirama could heal almost instantly after being wounded, thanks to the vast reserves of yang chakra in his body.

Now, Shigeo also possessed such chakra.

Although he was far from matching Hashirama’s prowess, his chakra was more than sufficient to heal the damage caused by expanding his pathways.

As Shigeo meditated, chakra surged through his body, crashing against his pathways like waves against a shoreline. The repeated impacts gradually widened and toughened his pathways.

The process of expansion caused the pathways to stretch and tear, but they healed rapidly under the influence of the regenerative chakra, becoming sturdier with each cycle.

This process repeated several times before Shigeo stopped.

His chakra pathways had nearly doubled in capacity. However, further expansion would require a significant increase in his overall chakra reserves.

Ending his meditation, Shigeo opened his eyes just in time to see Nagato stepping through the door.

“Sensei!”

Nagato hesitated at the doorway, glancing toward Jiraiya. “Do you have some time now?”

“Hmm?” Jiraiya looked up, nodding. He glanced at the blank notebook in front of him. “I wanted to start writing a book, but I haven’t been able to find the right inspiration.”

Hearing this, Nagato sat down at the door, remaining silent for a moment before speaking with his back to Jiraiya.

“I’ve been thinking about what you said before... about hatred in this world.”

“Oh?” Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. “Have you come up with a solution?”

Nagato shook his head.

“Peace... I still don’t know how to achieve it. But one day, I’ll break this curse!”

He turned to face Jiraiya, determination blazing in his eyes.

“If true peace exists, I’ll seize it with everything I have. What matters more than any method is the strength to believe, right, Brother Shigeo?”

Nagato then turned to Shigeo, whose lavender Rinnegan eyes shimmered with an indescribable light.

“Uh...”

Shigeo couldn’t help but twitch at the corner of his mouth.

The contrast between this impassioned Nagato and the one he mentally dubbed the “Rice Bag Nagato” left him momentarily stunned.

Thankfully, his sunglasses concealed most of his expression. Regaining his composure, he quickly gave Nagato a thumbs-up.

Encouraged by his “brother’s” approval, Nagato smiled, feeling he had found his direction in life.

Jiraiya, too, smiled, inspired by Nagato’s words. Picking up his pen, he scrawled a title across the blank notebook: *Tales of a Gutsy Ninja*.

---

In the following days, Jiraiya split his time between mentoring the trio in ninjutsu and drafting his new book.

Meanwhile, Shigeo took charge of meals and periodically trimmed Nagato’s hair to synthesize more Blood Bugs.

To Shigeo’s delight, the Blood Bugs had incredibly long lifespans. Even after two months, the first batch showed no signs of aging.

Freed from the inefficiencies of constant replenishment, Shigeo’s power began growing exponentially.

He synthesized Blood Bugs to increase his chakra reserves, expanded his pathways to hold more chakra, then synthesized even more Blood Bugs—a simple yet effective cycle.

---

A year later, when the first batch of Blood Bugs finally started dying, Shigeo could summon Gamabunta using the Summoning Jutsu.

This marked a major milestone: his chakra reserves had reached Jiraiya’s level, greatly enhancing his ability to protect himself.

Elated, Shigeo generously handed over all his stock of insect snacks to Gamabunta as a first-meeting gift.

Pleased with the offering, Gamabunta left in high spirits, even praising Shigeo’s generosity compared to Jiraiya’s.

“Unlike Orochimaru’s man-eating Manda, the toads of Mount Myoboku are much easier to get along with,” Shigeo thought.

Jiraiya was the first human to enter Mount Myoboku and had earned the favor of the Great Toad Sage, as well as the two toad sages, Fukasaku and Shima.

However, as a contemporary, Gamabunta wasn’t as fond of Jiraiya.

Whenever Jiraiya summoned Gamabunta, it was always to fight a tough enemy, after which he’d dismiss him with little more than a few words of thanks.

At first, Gamabunta tolerated this, but over time, his resentment grew.

“Who does he think he is? Summon me at will and then dismiss me like that? I’m *Gamabunta, the Crown Prince of Mount Myoboku*, not some disposable tool!”

Eventually, Gamabunta stopped responding unless the situation was truly dire.

Shigeo, on the other hand, struck the perfect chord with Gamabunta’s temperament.

When he summoned Gamabunta for the first time, he showered him with praise and gifts of rare and delicious insect snacks. Gamabunta felt genuinely respected.

Especially delighted by the juice-filled, wine-flavored beetles, Gamabunta only regretted there weren’t more of them.

“Hmm... Maybe I should invite him to Mount Myoboku for a drink and a bonding session?”

Back in Mount Myoboku, Gamabunta began plotting how to deepen his relationship with Shigeo.

(Chapter End)