Naruto: Reborn with the Tenseigan

"No, you have!"

Takashi stared directly into Sakumo's eyes.

"???"

I've been avoiding responsibility?

Sakumo was stunned, and Jiraiya looked confused.

"Senior, no war is without casualties. From the day we became ninja, we had to accept this reality."

Takashi placed a hand on Sakumo's shoulder and said, "Dwelling on it won't help. If you believe the responsibility for the elite unit's loss lies entirely with you, then pick yourself up. Rest, heal, and when you're ready, wipe out the Rock Village forces."

"Our comrades have fallen. Are you going to let the culprits live in peace?"

"Exactly! Well said, Takashi," Jiraiya clapped loudly, injecting a lighthearted tone.

"Senior, think about it—if we die one day and meet our fallen comrades in the afterlife, how could we face them? Especially if we didn't avenge them."

Takashi couldn't hold back and gave Jiraiya a smack. "If you can't speak properly, just keep quiet."

"I'll try to pull myself together," Sakumo said with a faint smile, though a trace of confusion lingered in his eyes.

I've done my best; the rest is up to you. Takashi shot a glance at Jiraiya that seemed to say, Good luck dealing with him yourself.

Sakumo was the type of person prone to overthinking. For people like him, external persuasion rarely worked—he had to figure it out on his own.

Takashi could only do so much, and Jiraiya was even more helpless.

The two had grown closer during their time recovering in the medical unit, and Jiraiya was genuinely concerned about Sakumo. That's why he wanted him to snap out of it.

Unfortunately, some things couldn't be solved by external effort.

Once someone got stuck in a spiral of self-blame, no amount of reasoning would help. Even if they managed to break free, the scars might never truly fade.

Sakumo was such a person, and so was his son, Kakashi.

Fortunately for Kakashi, he had teammates and a mentor to support him.

Ironically, despite Yellow Flash's efforts to help Kakashi, it was Naruto and Sasuke who eventually pulled him out of his dark place.

"Takashi, do you have a summoning contract with the Slug Sage?" Jiraiya sidled up to Takashi, eagerly pressing the question.

Takashi replied casually, "Considering my ties to Tsunade and my role as a medical ninja, signing a contract with the Slug Sage is pretty normal. Why? Are you thinking of ditching Mount Myoboku's toads for the Shikkotsu Forest?"

"Never!!"

Jiraiya's voice shot up dramatically.

At the door, faint footsteps announced Orochimaru's arrival.

He entered the room, nodded to Sakumo as a greeting, and then sat beside Takashi with a sly smile.

Jiraiya, ignoring Orochimaru, continued, "The toad sages of Mount Myoboku treat me well—they're even teaching me sage arts."

Being recognized by Mount Myoboku's toads was a turning point for Jiraiya, elevating him from the weakest of the Sannin to eventually surpassing Tsunade and Orochimaru in strength as he matured.

"Sage arts?" Orochimaru's interest was piqued. "Have you mastered them?"

"..." Jiraiya slumped in his seat. "It's tough, but I'm working on it. I've heard the Shikkotsu Forest has a unique method for learning sage arts, so I wanted to ask Takashi about it."

The three great sacred places—Mount Myoboku, the Shikkotsu Forest, and Ryuchi Cave—all offered sage arts training.

Tsunade had tried the Shikkotsu Forest but lacked the aptitude. Jiraiya had some talent, albeit limited, while Orochimaru avoided Ryuchi Cave's sage arts entirely, knowing how dangerous their methods were.

"It's alright," Takashi mused, recalling his own training. "The Slug Sage said I have good aptitude, but I personally don't like the slimy, sticky feeling of being covered in mucus. Thankfully, the slugs can absorb unstable natural energy for me."

"They can do that?"

Jiraiya's eyes widened in shock.

Even Orochimaru looked taken aback.

Sakumo, on the other hand, was completely lost. What are you all even talking about? Sage arts? Natural energy?

Mount Myoboku required practitioners to coat themselves in sticky toad oil, while Ryuchi Cave injected venom. If you succeeded, you had talent; if not, you died.

"That's considered fortunate?" Takashi shuddered at the memory of his training, his body instinctively recoiling. The experience had been so unpleasant that he never wanted to repeat it.

"It's not?" Jiraiya bit his cheek, almost grinding his teeth. Compared to toad oil, he'd much prefer having slugs absorb the unstable energy for him, even if they were slimy and wet.

Takashi chuckled at Jiraiya's reaction. "If you're so envious, why not come to the Shikkotsu Forest? I could introduce you to the Slug Sage. Oh, and the sage can test whether you have the talent for sage arts."

"Really?"

Jiraiya was intrigued, and even Orochimaru seemed tempted. He had always been fascinated by sage arts but was wary of Ryuchi Cave's methods.

The Slug Sage and Mount Myoboku's toads genuinely nurtured students, guiding them safely through the process. Ryuchi Cave's snakes, however, were more likely to eat you if you failed—or just because they didn't like you.

Sage arts? More like turning me into a snack.

"Of course. Wait here for a moment. Oh, Sakumo-senpai, you should join us too."

A mischievous glint sparkled in Takashi's eyes.

That awful experience shouldn't be mine alone. It'll be more fun dragging others into it.

Biting his thumb, Takashi swiftly formed a series of hand seals and pressed his palm to the ground.

Poof!

In a cloud of smoke, a small slug appeared.

"Takashi-sama, you called?" Its voice was as gentle and pleasant as the Slug Sage's, being a part of the sage itself.

"I'd like to bring some friends to meet the Slug Sage. Could you take us there?"

"Of course, Takashi-sama."

The small slug disappeared, and Takashi gestured for Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Sakumo to gather closer. Once they were in position, he placed his hand on them.

In an instant, a powerful pulling sensation enveloped them, and the four vanished from the room.

They reappeared in the Shikkotsu Forest.

"Whoa!"

Jiraiya exclaimed, barely catching his balance before promptly tripping and falling flat on his face.