The aroma of Sayoh's hearty breakfast still lingered in the air, but Tsunade's thoughts were already consumed by the day filled with outdoor adventures alongside Jiraiya.
Her grandmother, Mito, however, had other plans.
"Before you run off to play, Tsunade,"
Mito's voice was firm.
"You have studies to attend to. Remember, you need to focus if you truly want to learn Fuinjutsu."
Tsunade's face fell. The allure of playing with Jiraiya had momentarily eclipsed the importance of her studies.
It was simply so much more fun to spend her time outdoors.
"But, Grandma,"
Tsunade protested.
"I want to play first."
Mito shook her head, her expression unwavering.
"You know you can't. Look at Jiraiya-chan."
She gestured towards the young boy who was chilling after breakfast.
"He's already mastered high-level Fuinjutsu. Do you really want him to leave you behind?"
Mito's words struck a chord within Tsunade.
"No!"
Tsunade exclaimed, thinking about what happened inside her dream. She didn't want him to leave.
"I'll go and study right now! And Jiraiya,"
She turned to him.
"Don't you dare leave me behind!"
"I won't."
Tsunade turned and headed towards her study. The day's adventures would have to wait, but she was determined to catch up to Jiraiya.
She wouldn't let anything stand in her way.
"Sorry for using you to motivate her, Jiraiya-chan. Tsunade-chan is hard to control sometimes but I am very happy that you can motivate her."
Mito smiled at Jiraiya. He was really a goodboy.
"I am glad that I can be of help to grandma."
Jiraiya then excused himself to help his mother do the dishes. Mito liked Jiraiya even more when she saw how filial he was.
Mito's initial inclination to impart her Fuinjutsu knowledge to Jiraiya wavered as she observed his progress.
It became evident that he had already grasped the fundamental principles of sealing and was on the cusp of developing his unique style.
To impose her own techniques upon him at this juncture would only serve to disrupt his burgeoning mastery, potentially leading him astray from his destined path.
Furthermore, Mito's keen senses detected an array of existing seals already imprinted upon Jiraiya.
The Seal of Gravity, designed to push his physical training to the utmost limits.
The Seal of Space, granting him the ability to carry substantial burdens without the aid of scrolls.
The Seal of Life, a reservoir of his surplus life force, readily available for self-healing.
The Seal of Chakra, mirroring the Seal of Life but storing excess chakra instead.
Most intriguing was the enigmatic Seal of Sage, a repository of Nature chakra—the very essence required to attain the revered state of sagehood.
She wondered how he could know about Nature Chakra then again it was Uzumaki Ashina who personally taught him sealing art.
'Father is really going all out with this child.'
She didn't know that all the seal on his body was made by him.
Mito thought of the cold war that was going on right now. She trusted in her clan that they could protect themselves and Hashirama was already prepared for the worst.
If Uzushiogakure were attacked. He would personally lead his army to help.
…
The atmosphere at the front gate of the Senju Clan compound was unusual.
A ripple of commotion had disrupted the usual tranquility, its source unwelcome presence.
Standing amidst the gathering crowd was a figure both revered and feared, a man whose name alone was enough to make even strong shinobi tremble.
Uchiha Madara, accompanied by his younger brother, had arrived unannounced, his presence casting a long, ominous shadow over the Senju Clan's domain.
What could have brought this enigmatic and formidable figure to their doorstep?
What business could the legendary Uchiha Madara possibly have with the Senju Clan, his longtime rivals and adversaries?
Despite the underlying wariness and the lingering memories of past conflicts, a veneer of respect was maintained.
A Senju elder, his voice with caution, stepped forward to address the unexpected visitor.
"What business do you have to come here, Madara-sama?"
The honorific was a formality, a gesture of acknowledgement towards the Uchiha's power and status, but it barely concealed the underlying tension.
The Senju Clan members exchanged uneasy glances, their minds racing with speculation.
Madara's reputation as a fearsome warrior and a cunning strategist preceded him, and his presence within their territory was a cause for both concern and intrigue.
"I have come to fetch my disciple,"
Madara words left the elder perplexed and apprehensive.
Their confusion was understandable. Who could Madara possibly be referring to?
Whispers rippled through the group, each person speculating on the identity of this mysterious disciple.
Unbeknownst to them, Jiraiya, drawn by the commotion, had emerged from the inside to see what happened.
His curiosity had led him into the heart of the unfolding scene, and as fate would have it, his gaze locked with Madara's.
In that instant, the infamous Mangekyou Sharingan, swirling with mesmerizing power, ensnared Jiraiya's mind, plunging him into a potent illusion.
The illusion was a maelstrom of deception, a swirling vortex designed to disorient and control. But Jiraiya was not without protection.
The seal placed upon him, a safeguard against such mental assaults, reacted instantaneously.
A surge of natural energy coursed through his veins, awakening the dormant power within him.
His features shifted, his body contorting as he underwent a partial transformation into Sage Mode.
It had shielded Jiraiya from the full brunt of the illusion, but the power coursing through him was undeniable.
The once bewildered crowd now watched in awe as Jiraiya, in sage mode, stood against Madara's illusion power.
...
Craze: 1/2 Give me review or power stones please.
Hint of future chapters: Kato Dan appeared, Tsunade confused, Jiraiya is jeally.
[email protected]/phelio