Naruto: Mizuki The Savior

Chapter 221: Kindred Spirits

"Let's hope so," Jiraiya said, not particularly inclined to defend a cunning ally like Mizuki.

"Now then, how far have you progressed in Sage Mode?" he asked.

Mizuki chuckled awkwardly. "To be honest, I'm still stuck at the very first step."

"The first step? You mean sensing natural energy?" Jiraiya frowned. "Then how did you even manage to enter Sage Mode?"

"Well…" Mizuki scratched his head. "I guess you could say I played to my strengths and avoided my weaknesses to the extreme."

He then explained to Jiraiya how he used Shukaku's chakra as a medium, relying on his exceptional chakra control to maintain internal balance and trigger Sage Mode.

"That actually worked?" Jiraiya was dumbfounded. "You added Tailed Beast chakra—an unstable element—and still managed to keep the balance between natural energy and chakra to activate Sage Mode?"

"That's probably the only impressive thing I can claim," Mizuki said with a wry smile.

Only he knew how many hours, days, and months had gone into refining that technique. He had devoted nearly all his free time to it.

"But if you've already come this far, shouldn't sensing natural energy be easy for you by now?"

"On the contrary," Mizuki replied seriously. "I'm facing what seems like an unsolvable problem: I'm proficient in sensing and manipulating natural energy only when I use Tailed Beast chakra. Without it, I can't sense natural energy at all."

"That can't be right… Are you saying you can't even feel the tiniest bit of natural energy without the Tailed Beast chakra? That you're completely dependent on it?" Jiraiya's expression grew solemn.

Mizuki nodded. "Not even a trace. If I'm not using Tailed Beast chakra, my Sage Mode simply doesn't function."

"That's impossible," Jiraiya muttered. "Most people struggle with chakra control or sensing, but you've already proven your capabilities by suppressing a Tailed Beast. That shouldn't be happening."

Even Jiraiya, who had personally trained under Fukasaku, had never encountered such a strange situation. Though he needed the oil of the Great Toads to help sense natural energy and had difficulty moving while gathering it, he had never felt completely unable to sense it.

Jiraiya sat silently, running his fingers over the patterns on his teacup.

"Mizuki, this issue of yours—it's not something everyone deals with. I'm sure of it," he finally said. "You can sense natural energy without a medium. The problem is within you."

"Within me?" Mizuki gave a bitter smile. Taking shortcuts often meant overlooking small yet vital details.

"In that case, Jiraiya-sama, could you tell me—in as much detail as possible—how you learned Sage Mode? Especially anything Fukasaku-sensei might have told you? The more specifics, the better."

So began a lengthy and in-depth conversation between the two about the mechanics of Sage Mode, with Jiraiya explaining the nuances of his own training process.

"Wait a minute, Jiraiya-sama…" Mizuki suddenly perked up. "You've mentioned multiple times that the key is to merge with nature, remain still, and then sense natural energy?"

"Yes, that's the basic first step," Jiraiya confirmed.

"Merge with nature, and remain still…" Mizuki muttered, a realization dawning.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "I think I've been going about this all wrong."

"Wrong how?" Jiraiya asked.

"I always thought being still was enough to sense natural energy—but that's not the point. Merging with nature is the true key."

The toad oil, the immobility—all of it was just to aid the process of merging with the natural world.

When Mizuki used Tailed Beast chakra as a medium, despite the difficulty in controlling it, its inherently active nature actually made sensing natural energy easier—like adding a catalyst. However, by relying on it, Mizuki had neglected the core principle of merging with nature. Worse, due to the defensive measures he'd built up against natural energy, his mind and body subconsciously rejected the idea of merging.

No wonder he couldn't sense anything without the Tailed Beast's chakra.

"Looks like you've figured it out," Jiraiya said, pleased. "Glad I could help."

"Thank you, Jiraiya-sama. Talking this through helped me find the flaw. Trying to figure it out on my own, I'd probably have stayed stuck for a lot longer."

Mizuki sighed with relief. In times like this, the issue wasn't about having allies or comrades. Sometimes, all you needed was someone who could understand what you were saying.

As a mentor, Jiraiya felt deeply satisfied being able to offer insight to such a gifted junior.

"Well then, Mizuki," he said, straightening up, "enough small talk. There's something more important I want to hear your thoughts on."

His expression grew serious.

"What do you think Sage Mode represents… for humanity?"

Jiraiya's direct and solemn question didn't catch Mizuki off guard—he had already given it thought.

After a moment's pause, Mizuki replied: "A double-edged sword."

Jiraiya nodded in approval. "Good. You're not one of those unfortunate fools blinded by power. It took me many years to come to that same realization."

"You speak from experience, I see."

"Of course. My life—planned out decades in advance by someone else. How could anyone accept that? Destiny? Hmph…"

Jiraiya once took pride in guiding the so-called Child of Prophecy. But as time went on and his strength and reputation grew, he began to deeply resent the idea that his entire existence was preordained—that someone else had decided how and when he would live or die.

Even if that 'someone' was destiny itself.

Hearing that, Mizuki recalled a similar conversation he once had with Sasori of the Red Sand. The rogue puppeteer had also invited him to rebel against fate.

"Destiny, huh…" Mizuki muttered under his breath.

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