Toad oil?
Oh, it seems he threw it into some forgotten corner.
Mainly because the smell of this stuff is pretty pungent. The kids at home don't like it, Pakura doesn't like it, and even the Snake Princesses aren't fond of it.
What can you do? He's from the Ryūchi Cave. He can't exactly offend the Snake Princesses.
In the end, Kazuyama Gekkō didn't get any useful information. Instead, he ended up listening to a long rant from the Great Toad Sage.
Well, if this path leads nowhere, just take another one.
Just as Kazuyama Gekkō was about to turn and leave, the Great Toad Sage suddenly called him back.
"Young man, do you know why sages are called sages?"
"And the Rikudō Sennin?"
The Rikudō Sennin?
The Ten-Tails Jinchūriki? Yin–Yang Release?
Gamamaru's question left Kazuyama Gekkō completely bewildered.
"Young man, every path is one you walk yourself."
"Before the Rikudō Sennin became the Rikudō Sennin, he was just someone a bit more powerful, someone with a bit more talent."
"As for me or the White Snake, we merely found paths suited to ourselves—what you call 'Senjutsu'."
"And what about your path, youth? Will you follow the Rikudō Sennin's principles, or forge a path uniquely your own?"
Kazuyama Gekkō couldn't process it immediately. By the time he regained his senses, snoring had already started.
The Great Toad Sage had simply fallen asleep.
Seeing him asleep, Kazuyama Gekkō gave him a deep look before pushing open the door and leaving.
The very moment he stepped out of the room, the Great Toad Sage woke up.
"Hehehe, Kazuyama Gekkō...."
"Hagoromo, this Ninja World is far more interesting than it used to be...."
...
"So? Kazuyama, isn't the Great Toad Sage pretty cool?"
Seeing Kazuyama Gekkō emerge, Minato Namikaze was the first to step forward and ask. After all, he had great admiration for his own Great Toad Sage.
Whether it was Senjutsu or prophecy, both were truly miraculous powers.
"Not bad, but I didn't get any useful information."
"Looks like I'll still have to visit the Ryūchi Cave."
Kazuyama Gekkō's mind was still replaying the Great Toad Sage's words.
Walk a different path, one that belongs only to himself?
What did that mean? He was just a ninja with some skill, but he knew full well the gap between himself and the Rikudō Sennin.
That man was a founding patriarch-level figure who used Yin–Yang Release to create the nine Tailed Beasts.
He was also the first Ten-Tails Jinchūriki. How could there be any comparison?
He didn't understand. He truly didn't understand.
"Ah, ah, it's no big deal. Once I return, I'll arrange for personnel to search the Ninja World again. We'll definitely find it."
"Should we return now, Kazuyama?"
After all, it was Kazuyama Gekkō who had proposed coming to Mount Myōboku. He felt he should at least ask.
"Let's go back. There's no point in staying any longer."
"After we return, I'll prepare to head to the Ryūchi Cave."
Soon, Minato Namikaze and Kazuyama Gekkō departed Mount Myōboku.
Back in the village, Minato returned to his duties, while Kazuyama didn't go home. He immediately used the Flying Thunder God Technique to leave the village.
Takigakure Village, Orochimaru's Laboratory.
"Kazuyama-kun, why this sudden interest in the Sage of Six Paths?"
"I know he's not just a legendary figure, but most people know very little about him."
"Even I don't know much."
Orochimaru looked at Kazuyama Gekkō, who had come seeking his counsel, wearing an exasperated expression.
Because just moments ago, Kazuyama Gekkō had actually asked him for his opinion on the Sage of Six Paths.
This had him stumped.
"Uh, that's not what I meant, Sensei. I know you've got a lot of insight into your research."
"What I'm asking is, do you think ordinary people can cultivate themselves into gods? Like the kind of existence the Rikudō Sennin was."
Orochimaru watched Kazuyama Gekkō with keen interest, letting out a soft chuckle before speaking slowly:
"Theoretically, it's possible. Just like my exploration of Senjutsu."
"Senjutsu isn't exclusive to the Three Great Sage Regions. Whether it's the First Hokage or Jūgo, whether innate or acquired—all prove these techniques exist."
"The Rikudō Sennin might've started from a higher ground, but he too grew step by step. If someone with exceptional talent breaks conventions and forges a unique power system, they too could approach godhood."
Orochimaru spoke as he walked to a cabinet, examining the scrolls within.
"Take these forbidden Kinjutsu I've researched—at their core, they too delve into the deeper potential of the human body."
"Of course, this journey brings countless challenges and dangers, even rejection. But so what? To pursue greater heights, these are necessary trials."
"What are your thoughts, Kazuyama?"
Kazuyama Gekkō waved his hand helplessly.
"What other choice do I have? This is the only path laid out before me."
"Go for it boldly. I'm not one to be confined by existing rules. I must find a path suited to myself."
Hearing Kazuyama Gekkō's choice, Orochimaru smiled again:
"That's the Kazuyama I know."
"What's your next move? Head to the Ryūchi Cave?"
Kazuyama Gekkō nodded. He'd resolved to visit the Ryūchi Cave even before arriving here. After all, as representatives of Senjutsu, the Three Great Sage Regions held significant authority in this field. Not to mention, as the Ryūchi Cave's heir, consulting his own Sage was his duty.
"In that regard, I cannot assist you."
"However, if you wish to understand natural energy, my current research does touch upon that subject."
Orochimaru's research spanned a vast array of fields. Among them were natural energy and the realm of Senjutsu. He had failed the Ryūchi Cave's trials in his youth, but years of relentless effort had finally led him to forge an alternate path in Senjutsu.
Jūgo, a natural absorbent of natural energy, served as the core around which Orochimaru crafted the Cursed Seal—a secondary form of Senjutsu Body.
"Oh? Has the Cursed Seal research been perfected?"
"Yes, preliminary mass production is feasible. However, the upper limits of Cursed Seal bodies still require enhancement."
Orochimaru handed a scroll to Kazuyama Gekkō. Upon opening it, the latter found detailed records of Orochimaru's recent Cursed Seal research. The top two names were Samui and Mabui. As bearers of the Cursed Seal of Heaven and Cursed Seal of Earth respectively, their power had risen accordingly. Of course, it was precisely the existence of the Cursed Seals that bound them utterly to Orochimaru.
"Impressive, my teacher."
"Too bad it's useless to me. And don't even think about planting some weird pattern on me."