Naruto: The King Behind the Curtain

Seiki gave a calm nod, keeping his expression unreadable. "Lady Tsunade has already explained the risks involved."

Jiraiya grew serious. "Then you still intend to go through with it?"

Instead of answering directly, Seiki steered the conversation elsewhere. "I heard from Lady Tsunade that cultivating Sage Art requires two things—first, an immense amount of chakra, and second, unwavering determination."

Though puzzled by Seiki's meaning, Jiraiya still played along. "Those are just the basics for sensing natural energy. The next step—refining Sage Chakra—requires extremely precise chakra control and strong spiritual mastery. However, for your current situation, focusing on those two points should be enough."

Seiki nodded. "Obtaining a large quantity of chakra isn't difficult—I can borrow some from the Nine-Tails through Kushina."

After that incident that night, it was no longer much of a secret among the upper ranks that Kushina was the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki.

Jiraiya looked shocked. "Wait a minute—you're saying that little girl can already use the Nine-Tails' power freely?"

A faint smile appeared on Seiki's face. "Yes, maybe because Kushina's personality really clicks with the Nine-Tails!"

"Game over, game over! She's not just like Tsunade in personality—her strength is starting to match up too…" Jiraiya couldn't help but feel a twinge of gloating. "That kid Minato will finally get to experience what I've been through… Maybe it's time I pass on my 'how to stay alive' lessons—to teach him the art of escape!"

Noticing Jiraiya had drifted into his own little world, Seiki carried on calmly, "Although borrowed power isn't mine, I'm not aiming to cultivate Sage Art either. Just resisting the invasion of natural energy should be achievable."

Jiraiya gave a slight nod. Natural energy was far too powerful—it was like adding dye to water. If the volume of water wasn't enough, it would instantly be overwhelmed and change color completely.

The Nine-Tails' power existed precisely to counteract this process.

"But you must understand," Jiraiya warned, "natural energy's strength lies not only in how it overwhelms your body as soon as it enters, but also in the gradual changes that follow! Without sufficient willpower, you'll still end up consumed by it."

Seiki naturally understood this wasn't an exaggeration. Otherwise, if Sage Art were so easily mastered, it would have long since become the mainstream martial arts technique in this world.

"I have full confidence in my willpower, but this isn't solely about me. For safety's sake, I'd like to ask Master Jiraiya to help test both Shinyu and I."

Scratching his head, Jiraiya replied, "So Tsunade told you about Elder Fukasaku too, huh? Indeed, Elder Fukasaku's demon-repelling staff can expel natural energy from your bodies."

"But only before the procedure."

Seiki earnestly nodded. "That alone is already sufficient. Then I'll trouble you, Master Jiraiya…"

"Wait a second, I still have one condition!" With a sparkling gaze, Jiraiya suddenly pulled Seiki close, chuckling lewdly.

"If it's within my ability, you have my word I'll do everything I can." Seiki wisely avoided making any absolute promises.

"I saw everything at the last gathering. All those girls wanted to hang around you. I can understand them, but even that violent big-chested Tsunade and Kushina, the fiery little pepper, treated you so nicely. There must be some secret behind this!"

"Quick, tell me! How do you flatter women?"

Jiraiya's eyes lit up. He basically worshipped Seiki for this one thing—it was everything he'd ever wanted.

Seiki unconsciously touched his face and asked confusedly, "Is there really a need to flatter them?"

Jiraiya's grin slowly faded as he snapped, furious, "You mean dozens of girls just naturally gather around you without doing anything?!"

Seiki shook his head. "Of course not!"

Feeling somewhat reassured, Jiraiya listened as Seiki went on matter-of-factly, "You just have to reject most of them first—then you'll be left with around a dozen."

Jiraiya: (つД`)

Moments later, Seiki saw Jiraiya's figure shrink smaller and smaller until finally his body collapsed forward in an orz posture, prostrating dejectedly on the ground.

...

The next day, at Konoha Hospital.

"Jiraiya... Jiraiya..."

"Huh? I'm here!"

Seeing Jiraiya grinning foolishly since their meeting started, Tsunade helplessly said, "If you're still upset about what happened last time, fine, I apologize. I admit I shouldn't have called your books trash. But remember this—you better not dare put..."

Before she could finish, Jiraiya winked mischievously, interrupting, "No need to say more. Hehe, I understand!"

What was with that creepy, lewd laughter... Tsunade twitched her lips. Somehow, Jiraiya seemed off today.

"Forget it. This guy hardly ever acts normal anyway." Thinking this, she shifted her attention aside. "Seiki, are you two ready?"

Seiki clenched his fist powerfully—the orange-colored chakra nearly overflowing from between his fingers. "I feel great right now. I'm ready for the trial anytime."

Behind him, Mizuki gazed at Seiki with infinite adoration.

Two Sannin and a vessel with such powerful Bijuu chakra—a dream team like this was way more than he could've hoped for.

"That's why Mizuki didn't feel grateful to anyone else. To him, Seiki was his only light—the one ray of hope he had!"

Tsunade looked past Seiki. "Regarding the matter of being a jinchuriki, we'll place a seal on you afterward. I hope you can understand."

Mizuki calmly nodded. "I understand."

Seeing everything prepared, Jiraiya began summoning.

Soon enough, an old toad sage appeared before everyone—a thin, aged figure holding a wooden staff and wearing a cape.

"Chief, we need to trouble you again this time," Jiraiya respectfully greeted.

"It's good to get some fresh air every now and then, but I better be back before dinner. My wife'll throw a fit otherwise," Sage Fukasaku replied warmly, clearly not bothered by the summoning at all.

Jiraiya chuckled. "Won't take long—I just need you to check out these two kids' potential."

Already briefed by Jiraiya, Seiki and Mizuki quickly bowed. "Lord Fukasaku, thank you for taking the time!"

Sage Fukasaku squinted, tapping the ground with his staff, clearly displeased. "Kid Jiraiya, are you pulling my leg? These kids are barely grown—they haven't even mastered chakra yet… Hmm? This powerful chakra presence is…"

Without a word, his gaze snapped straight to Kushina. "It's her again. Tsk tsk. Looks like I've really fallen behind the times. So there's actually another method like this?"

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