Chapter 126: The Sage, Departure and Intel

Chapter 126: The Sage, Departure and Intel

__________ POV Narration __________

Jiraiya sat down in a meditative position in the middle of a clearing.

He sat on a large rock somewhat close to the hallowed out trunk of the tree he had decided to rest in.

He tried his best to sense the Nature Energy around him, he wasn't trying to draw it into him but to control it.

He was failing miserably, as Narture Energy, much like Charka, was almost impossible to control while outside of the body.

A regular sage could infuse their attacks and Jutsu with Nature Energy, but they couldn't actually manipulate the Nature Energy outside of their body.

Ken seemed to be the only exception to that rule, and now Jiraiya was also doing his best to break out of the mould in some way.

But he was unfortunately banging his head on a wall by trying to replicate his 'barely human' Senjutsu coach.

In the first place, it was awfully arrogant of him to even bother trying. He wasn't even considered a 'Perfect Sage' by the standards of the Toads yet.

It would take a miracle for him to be able to replicate even a small percentage of Ken's mastery and control.

It was never a fair contest anyway, Ken had been manipulating Nature Energy all of his life, constantly. Almost 14 years of constant Nature Energy manipulation. Ñ00v€l--ß1n hosted the premiere release of this chapter.

They were living in different worlds entirely.

'Maybe I'll be able to do it in the future... Who knows, as long as I keep studying under him, everything might just work out...'

The Sannin had a long road ahead of him. Unfortunately, it wasn't going to be a straight road...

But for now, the fledgeling Sage could feel progress right up ahead. And all of a sudden, he no longer felt like stopping.

Instead of just observing the Energy around him, he started drawing it in. His mind entered a zone, one in which his focus was entirely directed to that Nature Energy.

And slowly, he gathered it, with practised ease, he felt his body slightly shifting, growing stronger as it absorbed that energy.

He had finally done it! The first time in his life that he had reached that state unaided by others!

In the past, he had a lot of issues attracting the Nature Energy, but now it all seemed to flow naturally. It was the first time in his life that Jiraiya felt that powerful, it was a feeling so strong that it could get someone drunk.

Excitement overtook him for one moment, and it all came crashing down...

He felt the energy within his body go wild and like many times before, the Nature Energy from all around him rushed into his body, just like before, uncontrollably.

Even though he wasn't using any Toad Oil, the Nature Energy from around him seemed to be attracted by the Energy in his body...

Too much, far too much for him to control. But if he moved and broke his concentration, then the balance would shift, and he'd surely become a statue...

Worst part? There was no one there to help him.

In those few seconds that he struggled, Jiraiya couldn't help but curse at his own stupidity. Ma and Pa had warned him endlessly that he was to not practice on his own, that he was not yet prepared...

In that instant, just as he felt his body transforming and gaining frog-like features, a large hand grabbed his head and gripped tight, taking away his breath instantly.

The Sannin opened his eyes in shock, he looked at the figure in front of him through the gaps between his fingers.

A tall man with an arm that was bludging with muscles, covered in scales, a palm that was as large as half of the Sannin's head, fingers wrapped around his head.

"That's... Kinda vague. I'm assuming it's an internal affair then." The Sannin sweated a bit as he scratched the back of his head.

"I guess you could call it that. I have to leave the compound very soon to meet a potential future ally."

The Blind Monster sighed as he spoke, his head turning slightly as he seemed to tilt his head to the side.

Ken smiled silently as he felt their little spy arriving on the scene and listening in on their conversation.

'It's awfully bold of him to come so close... Do they not know that I am a great sensor? Or, I guess they are just confident in their abilities...'

"Oh, I get it then. I can stick around in that case, I don't have much to do back in the Leaf, things have been strangely silent with the War lately..." Jiraiya just shrugged, he wasn't against spending a few weeks in the wilderness.

Hell, he could even spend that time with Ma and Pa, continuing his training from before.

"Well, you can certainly do that... But I have a task for you."

Ken's hand reached into his coat, and with a sleight of hand, he took out a small scroll.

"I have a message for Lord Hokage... I want you to personally deliver it."

Jiraiya blinked a few times and held out an open palm. Ken placed the scroll there unceremoniously and grabbed the Sannin's wrist tightly.

"You seem like a kind man, Jiraiya, a bit perverted, but kind... You can open it... But only when you are halfway through your journey to Konoha."

Those strange instructions made Jiraiya blink a few times. He was certainly curious, but at the same time, he also realised that he wouldn't get any answers from Ken regarding the scroll's contents.

So, he just nodded and decided to set out... Right away.

"Well, I'm rested enough, I guess I'll go back and see how my little students are doing, and deliver your message of course." Jiraiya grasped the scroll and slipped it into his sleeve as Ken let go of his wrist and backed away.

Jiraiya then rolled his shoulder and turned around, heading for Konoha right away.

"Of course, we shall meet again after a while. Who knows, I may come to you myself. Safe travels, Jiraiya." Ken gave the Sannin one last smile and waved at his back.

"Same to you, Ken" The Sannin turned around and waved as well with a large and toothy smile on his face. After that, the fledgeling Sage took off like the wind, using the Body Flicker technique.

At that point, Ken simply cracked his neck one last time... And also took off into the forest, away from the brotherhood.

A few seconds after that, the White Zetsu that was watching also smiled.

'So he really did take off, huh? I guess our new intel provider is the real deal, that Grass Village nobody sure is pulling his weight... Better report this back to Madara.'

The humanoid creature gave one last smile towards the direction that Ken had left, before slipping into the ground.

'Hehe... He's sure to receive a warm welcome when he comes back...'

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Hope you liked the chapter!

Had a pretty wild week, I'm still healthy thankfully, but winter came and hit me hard with a cold to fuck me over. I'm all good tho, grabbed sum pills and will get better.

Story Shoutout(if you have any suggestions for a story feel free to dm me or leave a comment , haven't had time to read much lately) : The Final Desperation

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