Naruto: The Teaching System - 202

Chapter 202: The Great Toad Sage Who Cannot See the Future

"Phew..." After training ended, Naruto collapsed under a tree, his body drenched in sweat.

"Multi-element training is impossibly difficult," he groaned. Recently, Naruto had been conducting intensive training sessions alongside Sasuke, pushing themselves to master new chakra natures.

However, the results weren't encouraging. Sasuke had only barely managed to produce a few Water Release jutsu, while Naruto himself could only manage basic Earth Release techniques. Progress with other elements had completely stagnated.

Sasuke sat nearby, equally exhausted and unable to argue since he was facing the same struggles.

"Anyway, Sawada-sensei didn't set a time limit for you, so there's no need to rush," Shikamaru said, approaching with two bottles of water for his exhausted teammates before settling down beside them.

Although Shikamaru's words were meant to be comforting, both Naruto and Sasuke simultaneously looked toward the other side of the training ground. There, Neji continued training relentlessly, completely drenched in sweat but showing no signs of stopping.

Can't let him catch up! Naruto thought anxiously about being overtaken, while Sasuke worried about falling to third place in their team rankings again.

Shikamaru followed their gaze and naturally spotted Neji's intense dedication. He couldn't help but sigh, wondering why all of Sawada-sensei's disciples were so incredibly motivated.

"I'm not resting anymore! I'm continuing!" Naruto eagerly set down his water and immediately jumped up to return to his training position.

Sasuke drained his water in one gulp, determined not to let heatstroke slow him down later.

Not far away, Sawada opened his eyes, observed the scene for a moment, then shook his head. At least for now, they showed no signs of dangerous fatigue, and he had no intention of interfering too much.

The current Neji was like Sasuke and Naruto had been before, all three pushing each other through mutual competition. This was simply an alternative form of communication between rivals.

Sawada paid no further attention, closing his eyes again and carefully extending his senses. It was strange. So many days had passed, yet Black Zetsu still hadn't made an appearance.

To locate this individual who had been hiding in the shadows for so long, Sawada pushed his perception abilities to their absolute limits. Although not all of Konoha fell within his sensing range, he covered most of the village.

Hm? Sawada suddenly opened his eyes, stood up, and walked out of the training ground. He found Shisui in ANBU uniform standing outside. Seeing Sawada approach, the young operative nodded respectfully.

"Shisui, what brings you here?" Sawada asked curiously.

"Hokage-sama requests your presence, Sawada-san," Shisui glanced at the training ground, then spoke quietly.

Upon hearing this, Sawada nodded and briefly looked toward a large tree nearby. Then he instantly disappeared from his original position using the Body Flicker jutsu.

Shisui followed, pausing to glance at the spot Sawada had been observing before departing.

As soon as the two ninja left, Nyanko jumped down from the large tree. "That kid isn't simple either..." he muttered to himself. "Forget it, why bother with such troublesome things? I'll go ask Choji for snacks instead."

Nyanko shook his head and padded into the training ground.

"Sensei, what's the matter?" Sawada entered the Hokage's office casually, then stopped in surprise. He saw Jiraiya's tall figure seated on the sofa, waving at him in greeting.

"Sawada, you're here. Want some?" Jiraiya gestured to refreshments on the table.

Sawada waved his hand in polite refusal. "Jiraiya-senpai has actually returned to the village."

"Come sit down, don't mind him," Hiruzen Sarutobi said while smoking his pipe and glancing at Jiraiya with obvious exasperation.

"Hey, Old Man, don't be so biased!" Jiraiya protested with clear displeasure.

"If you came back to take over as Hokage, forget my attitude. I'd even personally recommend you for the position," Hiruzen replied irritably.

"Never mind then, just keep treating me like this," Jiraiya quickly waved his hands, then looked at Sawada, who had already taken a seat and laughed heartily.

"Not bad at all, Sawada. I heard you left the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki stranded in Moon Wheel Valley?"

Sawada shook his head modestly. "Just bad luck on their part, and Kumogakure was in complete chaos at the time."

"Don't be so modest. Too much modesty becomes arrogance," Jiraiya said with unusual seriousness.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in agreement from his position behind the desk.

Seeing their expressions, Sawada could only change the subject. "Master, is there something specific you needed to discuss?"

"Do you remember the massive tsunami that occurred at the former site of Whirlpool Country not long ago?" Hiruzen slowly exhaled smoke and asked directly.

"Yes, I recall hearing about it," Sawada nodded with a neutral expression.

"Many investigation teams were dispatched to study the area, but since almost the entire coastline was submerged underwater, virtually no traces were recovered," Hiruzen sighed deeply. For such a powerful individual to appear in the ninja world was ultimately concerning.

This kind of power that could casually destroy landscapes and reshape terrain... aside from Tailed Beasts, only the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara had possessed such capabilities in living memory.

"I investigated as well. I happened to be in a neighboring country at the time, so I went there immediately after the incident," Jiraiya spread his hands casually.

"However, there were some interesting discoveries," Jiraiya's statement suddenly paused meaningfully.

"What discoveries?" Hiruzen asked with controlled calm.

Sawada also looked at Jiraiya with curiosity, though he was certain he hadn't left any physical evidence at the scene.

"Fukasaku-sensei from Mount Myoboku said that the shattered underground of that area contained incredible life force energy," Jiraiya explained seriously.

"He predicted that in a few years, that location would be like Konoha itself, flourishing with countless plants and vegetation."

"Vitality..." Hiruzen frowned slightly. The ANBU teams sent to investigate had reported almost nothing about this particular aspect.

This meant it wasn't something traditional senses could detect easily.

Sawada raised an eyebrow internally. Jiraiya wasn't wrong in his assessment. The regeneration would probably be even more dramatic than Senju Hashirama's Deep Forest Emergence jutsu.

After all, that area had once absorbed the blood of countless Uzumaki Clan members over the years. His Yang Release chakra might very well stimulate these dormant elements.

"Well, Old Man, I didn't return to discuss these environmental changes," Jiraiya brushed crumbs off his hands and continued with a more serious expression.

"The Great Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku contacted me recently, right after the disturbance in Whirlpool Country."

Both Hiruzen and Sawada turned their full attention to him. Mount Myoboku contacting Jiraiya wasn't unusual in itself, but doing so immediately after the Whirlpool Country incident suggested a direct connection.

"The Great Toad Sage told me that the previously clear future has recently become completely blurred and incomprehensible," Jiraiya continued gravely.

"That entire portion of the timeline has been covered by brilliant white light, making it impossible to see what lies ahead."

Hearing this revelation, Hiruzen slowly leaned back in his chair. He naturally understood the significance of the summoning contract Jiraiya had signed with Mount Myoboku.

Jiraiya's restless nature had always been influenced by the sage region's prophecies and visions of destiny.

Learning this news now, Hiruzen felt an inexplicable weight settling on his shoulders.

Meanwhile, Sawada began analyzing the implications. The prophecies of that ancient toad at Mount Myoboku had always proven remarkably accurate. The creature possessed genuine foresight abilities.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have made such a precise investment in Otsutsuki Hagoromo thousands of years ago, backing exactly the right side in that ancient conflict.