Chapter 168: Natural Talent

Chapter 168: Natural Talent

Disclaimer:

Naruto and all of its characters belong to Shueisha and Masashi Kishimoto.

I own nothing but the original characters I create.

"Dialogue"

'Thoughts'

-Author notes-

Chapter 168: Natural Talent

Fukasaku glanced at Naruto with a satisfied smile. "It's a good sign that you can feel the natural energy before even beginning your training. It means you must have some affinity for it."

"Affinity for natural energy? I've never heard of any human with an ability like that. Only a few of the animal clans..." Jiraiya said, his tone skeptical.

He was aware of the Snake Clan's natural talent for Senjutsu.

"Oh, but you have heard of another human like that," Fukasaku replied. "He was the first person taught by the Great Elder Gamamaru... a man known as Hagoromo."

"The Sage of the Six Paths?" Naruto's eyes widened. He recalled reading several legends about Hagoromo. The figure was a cornerstone of shinobi history, said to be the originator of modern ninja techniques.

"The very same," Fukasaku confirmed. "From what I've heard, he also had a strong affinity for the natural energies of the world and could sense their presence even before he met the Great Elder."

"Mmm... Hagoromo..." Jiraiya muttered, his expression contemplative.

"But enough about that," Fukasaku said, shaking off the nostalgia. "I can tell Naruto is eager to begin this training." He tapped his wooden staff against the edge of the fountain. "Take a seat and get comfortable. This training will require a great deal of patience and focus."

Naruto felt a shiver as he detected the faint traces of energy emanating from the statues. As the Elder said, these statues weren't exactly dead but not alive either.

"It's a terrible fate," Fukasaku continued. "We keep these statues here as a reminder for future generations...to caution them against carelessness."

"But if that's the case... there's still hope for them," Naruto said quietly.

"Hope?" Fukasaku blinked, caught off guard by the remark.

"Even if only a fragment of their consciousness remains, given enough time, some of them could achieve enlightenment and break free from their stone prisons," Naruto explained.

"That's..." Fukasaku paused, his thoughts interrupted by a memory of something the Great Elder Gamamaru had once said: 'There is always hope for the future. Who knows what will happen?'.

Naruto noticed Fukasaku's contemplative expression, he decided to add something else. "Given enough time, even a mountain has the chance to become a god. Who knows what might happen?"

Fukasaku flinched. 'This boy...'

He wanted to press Naruto further but stopped himself. The Great Elder had warned them not to discuss Naruto's past or origins and to focus solely on his training.

"Apologies if my words were confusing," Naruto said. "Achieving ascension through pure enlightenment is... complicated. Even I don't know enough to explain it properly."

After all, this wasn't a path available to mortals with their short lifespans. Not even cultivators could achieve it easily... it could take countless millions of years, or even longer than that.

But there had always been legends about such stories in the past.

"I think I understand now. I'm ready to begin, Elder," Naruto said, straightening his posture.

"Right..." Fukasaku took a deep breath, regaining his focus. "Since you can already sense the energy around you, I'll explain how to begin mixing it inside your body."

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