"Konoha's Dimensional Pirate: Reborn Uchiha Gin"

"No!" Tobirama looked suspiciously at Jiraiya. "You say that mastering Sage Mode requires a particular spiritual state? I know that! When I researched the technique myself, I came to the same conclusion."

"My brother mastered it easily—not only because of his Sage body and his innate talent for sensing natural energy—but also because of his pure heart. The heart of a child. But how in the world did this pervert Jiraiya attain such a high spiritual state? Does he also have a childish heart like my brother? If so, that's… really something. I've never seen a lustful soul with such a 'pure heart' before!"

"Exactly!" Hashirama, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and others all kicked him simultaneously.

Uzumaki Mito and the others turned to Jiraiya with doubt in their eyes.

His face turned beet red with embarrassment. He felt deeply awkward. He knew, at that moment, that his reputation among Konoha's leadership had officially taken a nosedive. The title of "pervert" would never be washed away. Not that it could be—after all, it was the truth. Though now, across Konoha and the Land of Fire, he was trying to reform himself, his past sins remained.

Fukasaku and Shima exchanged uncomfortable glances.

"In truth," said Fukasaku, "Jiraiya was born with a pure heart—unclouded, simple, and unburdened by the usual distractions."

"Unfortunately," he continued, "as you've noticed, he is deeply lustful. And because of that, even after years of training, he has never been able to attain perfect Sage Mode. You see, entering Sage Mode requires one to remain still and deeply focused for a prolonged period. But once in Sage Mode, even the slightest movement stops the collection and synthesis of senjutsu chakra."

"Only when my wife and I sit on his shoulders and help him gather senjutsu chakra can he continue using it during battle. Even then, due to his imperfect mastery, his Sage Mode always manifests with distinct toad-like features."

"All of this stems from his lust—it disrupts the stillness of his mind. And yet, his talent for Sage Arts is exceptionally high."

Jiraiya felt like he was being executed in public.

"That's right!" Shima chimed in. "And by the way, your Third Hokage is to blame for all of this! I heard from Jiraiya himself that it was Hiruzen who set him down the wrong path by teaching him how to peep! That's what corrupted his innocent heart! Hmph! What kind of teacher does that? Isn't that sabotage?"

Jiraiya: "..."

"Please, I beg you—stop it!" Jiraiya groaned.

"Oh?" Everyone turned to him.

"Jiraiya-san," said Gin with a mocking smile, "so you told them it was the Third who taught you to peep? Not your own inclination?"

"Fascinating. I wonder if the Third even suspects that his beloved student would one day pin the blame on him."

Fukasaku and Shima turned to Jiraiya.

"Baby Jiraiya… what's going on?" Shima asked. "Based on what Hokage-sama just said, did you lie to us?"

"So it wasn't your teacher?"

"Hmph!" Tsunade snorted, cutting Jiraiya off before he could even open his mouth. "Of course, our teacher shares some of the blame. That old man was a pervert himself. Naturally, that had an influence. But then again, why didn't his other students—like Orochimaru and me—end up the same?"

"No, Jiraiya was a pervert on his own. The Third just helped bring it to the surface."

"I think his so-called 'pure heart' was a farce from the very beginning. It doesn't even come close to my grandfather's heart. Although… that's understandable. Compared to my simple-minded grandfather, this scoundrel Jiraiya is far more cunning."

"Hey—hey!" Jiraiya protested.

Hashirama, who had been watching the whole exchange from the side, suddenly spoke up:

"Little Tsunade, how can you talk like that about your grandfather? What do you mean 'simple-minded'? I'm smart! I'm extremely clever!"

"Otherwise, how could I have defeated Madara and founded Konoha? You don't even know—I once stabbed myself with a kunai and pretended I was going to commit suicide! That's how I convinced Madara to end the war. It was a brilliant plan!"

"He didn't know that my healing ability made it impossible for the kunai to kill me. He really believed I was about to die. That's wisdom! That's strategy! What part of that is simple-minded?"

Tsunade: "..."

Madara: "....."

Tobirama and the others: "..."

"…Weird," Hashirama muttered as he scratched the back of his head. "Why is it suddenly so cold in here? Strange. I'm just a reincarnated soul. I shouldn't even be able to feel cold."

Everyone's gaze slowly turned toward the massive figure sitting silently behind him.

"Uh… Grandpa," Tsunade said, pointing behind Hashirama. "You might want to take a look behind you."

Right there sat Madara, exuding a vast and murderous aura.

And you ask who's simple-minded? Tsunade thought. To say such things right in front of Madara… if that's not simple-mindedness, then what is?

Of course, Tsunade knew that her grandfather was sometimes remarkably wise and sharp. But that didn't change the fact that his baseline nature was naïve and simple.

"Huh?" Hashirama turned around slowly, only to see the demonic aura radiating from Madara's entire body.

His face froze. "Oh no. I got too carried away and forgot that Madara was here too."

But outwardly, he forced a sheepish smile and gave an awkward wave.

"Heh… Madara! Would you believe me if I said I was just talking nonsense?"

"Go die, Hashirama!!"

In the next instant, Madara exploded from his seat, grabbed Hashirama by the throat, and began to shake him furiously.

"You bastard! You told everyone that story?! Feeling proud of yourself?! And I believed you back then! You say a kunai wouldn't kill you? Let's test that theory!"

With those words, Madara darted toward Orochimaru, snatched a kunai from his pouch, and stabbed it toward Hashirama's heart.

"Go to the backyard," Gin muttered, annoyed. With a wave of his hand, he activated Flying Thunder God and teleported both Madara and Hashirama to the training field behind the Hokage Monument.

Though he found such chaos entertaining, there were still guests in the room. No need to put on a spectacle in front of them.

"We don't need a public brawl ruining Konoha's image," Gin said plainly.

Once the room settled again, Gin turned to Fukasaku and Shima.

"I understand your intentions—and I appreciate your sincerity. Since you've arrived in time and expressed your goodwill, I will accept the compensation and forgive Jiraiya's past deception. Let's aim for a strong partnership in the future."

"As for Sage Mode training—when the time comes, I'll send those willing to Mount Myōboku. Konoha is not a petty village. We'll ensure you are compensated fairly. I believe you'll be satisfied."

With that, Gin pulled out a bottle filled with high-grade nutrient pills and tossed it to Shima.

She caught it deftly, opened the bottle, and immediately sensed the dense vitality and soft life force radiating from it. She and Fukasaku exchanged surprised glances.

Unable to resist, she popped one of the pills into her mouth.

"What pure, concentrated life force!" she exclaimed. "These pills are incredible for restoring vitality and strengthening the body!"

Though small, Shima was an expert in herbs and medicine. Never underestimate a toad that's lived for centuries.

"Oh?" Gin raised an eyebrow and nodded. "Exactly. That's their purpose."

"In the future, these nutrient pills will become standard issue for Konoha's shinobi. Of course, the average soldier will receive a basic version—about ten times weaker than the high-grade ones. But for those who sign a contract with Mount Myōboku or come to train in Sage Mode, we'll provide the best."

Though it was part of Mount Myōboku's reparations, Gin understood the need to be generous for the sake of long-term cooperation. If they wanted the toads to earnestly train Konoha's next generation of Sage Mode users, they had to reward that effort properly. Otherwise, half-hearted instruction would only harm Konoha itself.

Besides, Gin was confident. Once he mastered Sage Mode and refined the process, he could eventually create a safe and efficient training method suited for humans. Perhaps even a path to true immortality.

Even so, the rich natural energy in Mount Myōboku remained indispensable for such development.

In this shinobi world, the Divine Tree had absorbed most of the planet's natural energy and life force. As a result, vast regions had turned into lifeless, hostile wastelands.

Only in a few sacred summoning realms did the original concentration of natural energy remain intact.

Only three such places still existed.

"So that's it…" Fukasaku's eyes gleamed with realization. Shima's did too. "Now we understand!"

"In the future," Fukasaku declared, "Mount Myōboku will fully cooperate with the shinobi of Konoha. We will dedicate ourselves to teaching Sage Mode to any worthy shinobi sent to us!"

If Konoha's ninja were to regularly receive these nutrient pills, and if those who bonded with the toads formed strong relationships, Mount Myōboku would benefit just as much. Even the basic pills would greatly accelerate the growth and strength of the toads.

With a partnership like that… Mount Myōboku might evolve to an entirely new level.

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To be continued...