Chapter 199 Labyrinth Mountain, Mount Myōboku's Gamamaru! (Four chapters, 10,000 characters requested!)
For the next few days, Sarutobi Asuma and the other three patrolled this forbidden zone, finding one God Tree remnant after another.
These remnants were mostly small fragments, broken off and scattered during the great war by the Sage of Six Paths and Ōtsutsuki Hamura.
Or they were small root sections that the God Tree shed itself when it transformed into the Ten-Tails.
Regardless, Sarutobi Asuma had no reason to leave them behind.
For one, he needed to research them, secondly, to clear out future troubles, and even more so, to make space for his own Sage Tree.
Over four consecutive days, Sarutobi Asuma and his companions found a total of thirteen God Tree fragments.
As for the Sage Tree, Sarutobi Asuma planted a full twenty-four saplings.
Their massive root systems formed a network underground, spreading throughout this forbidden zone.
And on this day.
The four, who had been heading east, finally encountered a large area of vegetation and signs of human habitation.
Yūhi Kurenai descended from the sky and, posing as a traveler, entered a village to gather information. She discovered that this area belonged to the Land of the Wolf.
"Land of the Wolf, I've heard of it."
Tsunade remarked, "This country is west of the Land of Demons, with vast plateaus. It seems correct."
"Continuing east, we should reach the Land of Specters and the Land of Demons. To the north is the Land of Snow, and crossing the Land of Snow leads to the Land of Earth!"
"And heading southeast from the Land of Specters is the Land of Wind."
Tsunade, being the oldest, had definitely visited the most countries.
Shizune exclaimed in amazement, "I didn't realize there was such a large landmass where we live. It's a pity it's all a forbidden zone."
"So, the great war from a thousand years ago took place in the region we just passed through."
Sarutobi Asuma shook his head, "I'm afraid the Land of Earth, the Land of Wind, and even the Land of Lightning were battlegrounds, or were affected in the later stages of the war."
"Moreover, before that war, the God Tree had existed on Earth for a considerable time, absorbing Natural Energy from the land to bear the Chakra fruit."
Tsunade recalled the geography of these three countries and nodded in agreement, then asked, "Asuma, do we still need to explore south and north?"
Sarutobi Asuma thought for a moment, "Since we've started, let's do it perfectly!"
"It will take at most three or four more days to complete."
So, the four changed direction.
Two days later.
On the edge of the desolate land, sparse vegetation spread southward, reaching a magnificent mountain in the distance.
"What is it, Asuma?"
Yūhi Kurenai asked.
"That mountain is a bit strange."
Sarutobi Asuma said, "The chaotic magnetic field is even disrupting my perception!"
Yūhi Kurenai was startled, "You've mastered Electromagnetic Release, and it can disrupt your perception?"
"It's not just a magnetic field issue."
Sarutobi Asuma smiled, "It seems we've arrived at an extraordinary place!"
"Huh?"
Yūhi Kurenai was curious, "Do you know what this place is?"
"Guessing!"
Sarutobi Asuma smiled mysteriously.
A moment later, Tsunade and Shizune also flew over.
The four reunited and then flew south towards the great mountain.
"Labyrinth Mountain?"
Upon hearing Sarutobi Asuma's guess, Tsunade felt a sense of familiarity with the place. She thought for a moment and asked, "Are you saying that's Mount Myōboku, one of the Three Great Sage Regions?"
"Just a guess."
Sarutobi Asuma chuckled, "I heard from Jiraiya-senpai that it takes about a month to get to Mount Myōboku from Konoha. This distance is about right."
"The entrance to Mount Myōboku is Labyrinth Mountain, and it's said to be difficult to enter without guidance."
"That mountain has an abnormal magnetic field and can interfere with perception. It's easy to get lost inside."
Although it was just a guess, Sarutobi Asuma was eighty to ninety percent sure.
The war between the Sage of Six Paths brothers and their mother, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, was instigated by Gamamaru of Mount Myōboku, the current Toad Sage, with his guidance.
The direct reason for Gamamaru's actions, in Sarutobi Asuma's view, might be threefold.
First, the God Tree has been absorbing a massive amount of Natural Energy, especially the power of the earth, which has already endangered Mount Myōboku.
Second, the time has come.
The Sage of Six Paths brothers, who had great love, also had their beloved ones become sacrifices. This will directly act as a fuse.
Third, Gamamaru is compassionate. (Can be struck out!)
Among the three great Sage Regions of the Ninja World, Mount Myōboku has the greatest influence on the Ninja World.
Sarutobi Asuma had been very curious for a long time.
However, considering Gamamaru's mystery, he had never thought of contacting Mount Myōboku.
"I heard from the Slug Sage that the three great Sage Regions are actually situated in different dimensions within the Ninja World, and it's generally very difficult to enter them."
Tsunade said, "The entrance to Shikkotsu Forest in the Ninja World is a very inconspicuous island, but I've never entered through that way."
Her slug summoning beast was inherited from her grandmother, Uzumaki Mito.
Sarutobi Asuma said, "Ryūchi Cave, I heard about it from senior Orochimaru. He has already found that place, but unfortunately, his constitution was not sufficient to cultivate Sage Mode."
Tsunade was not surprised. "Sage Mode is extremely difficult. Even with the Slug Sage's help, I haven't managed to master it."
"However, when I was developing the Hundred Healings Technique, the Slug Sage provided a lot of assistance."
As they spoke, the four of them arrived before a large mountain.
Just as they were about to enter the mountain, a red frog emerged from a river beside them.
Sarutobi Asuma stopped and turned to look, then smiled. "It seems it was no mistake!"
"Lady Tsunade, Mr. Asuma, I am Gamakō. The Great Toad Sage ordered me to pick you up!"
Gamakō spoke from within the river.
"Frogs from Mount Myōboku? They already know we're here so quickly!"
Yūhi Kurenai exclaimed in surprise.
"That Great Toad Sage is said to be able to predict the future."
Tsunade explained, then said to Gamakō, "Then please lead the way!"
"Please follow me!"
Gamakō turned and dove back into the river.
Sarutobi Asuma and the other three immediately leaped into the river.
The four followed Gamakō, shuttling through the river, and finally entered a vortex.
When they surfaced again, they had arrived in a different, extraordinary world.
Tsunade and the other two immediately felt the incredibly dense Natural Energy here.
Immediately after, they saw a familiar figure.
Jiraiya!
"I heard from Minato that you were traveling, and I didn't expect you to find Mount Myōboku!"
Jiraiya was squatting by the edge of a pool.
"Senior Jiraiya!"
Upon reaching the shore, Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune quickly greeted him.
"It was just an accident."
Tsunade looked around.
"We also didn't expect senior Jiraiya to be here."
Sarutobi Asuma said, reaching out and grabbing the water in everyone's hands, absorbing it all.
Jiraiya stood up and said, "Let's go, I'll show you around Mount Myōboku."
Gamakō and Jiraiya led the way, with Sarutobi Asuma and the other three following behind, admiring the unique scenery of Mount Myōboku.
Soon, the group saw many petrified frogs.
Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune looked on with curiosity.
Jiraiya said, "These are all people who failed to cultivate Sage Mode!"
Although she had guessed it, Shizune couldn't help but be shocked. "There are so many!"
Sarutobi Asuma found it normal. "Over a thousand years, it's not that many."
Soon, the group met two elderly toads.
Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima!
"They've all mastered Sage Mode and are already very powerful. It seems young Jiraiya wasn't wrong at all,"
Sage Fukasaku said.
Jiraiya then introduced the two Sages to Sarutobi Asuma and the other three.
Sage Fukasaku looked at Sarutobi Asuma, his expression calm, but his heart churned like a stormy sea.
The immense power contained within him gave him a feeling akin to facing the Great Toad Sage himself.
"Young man, what astonishing achievements!"
Sage Fukasaku couldn't help but exclaim.
Sarutobi Asuma chuckled, "It's just luck. Compared to the Great Toad Sage, I'm still far behind."
Jiraiya, overhearing this, couldn't help but tease, "Asuma, you're too modest!"
Sage Shima urged him at this, "Alright old man, hurry up and take him to see the Great Toad Sage. We don't want him to be forgotten!"
Sage Fukasaku calmly replied, "Young man, please follow me!"
"Little Tsunade, you three stay here and let little Jiraiya entertain you. My apologies!"
Sarutobi Asuma, Tsunade, and the other nodded and followed Sage Fukasaku.
Deep within Mount Myōboku, Sarutobi Asuma soon met the long-renowned Gamamaru, the current Great Toad Sage.
Thousands of years had left many traces of time on this sage.
However, the true extent of his age was likely known only to himself.
After all, Gamamaru had been present since the arrival of the God Tree and Ōtsutsuki Kaguya on Earth.
And how much time had passed between the God Tree's arrival and its bearing of fruit?
Sarutobi Asuma didn't know.
But it must have taken a considerable amount of time!
After all, it was the existence capable of creating the Rinne Sharingan and numerous Kekkei Mōra.
Unless the God Tree had absorbed some power from other life-bearing planets before descending to Earth.
"I've brought him!"
Sage Fukasaku announced.
The colossal Gamamaru slowly opened his eyes upon hearing the voice.
Sarutobi Asuma looked up, "Sarutobi Asuma pays his respects to the Great Toad Sage!"
Gamamaru had fully opened his eyes and looked at Sarutobi Asuma, his tone filled with emotion, "What an astonishing young man!"
"To have cultivated the Kekkei Mōra through his own power is truly incredible."
"Seeing you reminds me of a brother from back then... no, perhaps you are even more surprising than he was!"
Sarutobi Asuma raised an eyebrow, not expecting such high praise.
The brother Gamamaru spoke of was clearly the Sage of Six Paths!
"The Great Toad Sage is too kind!"
Sarutobi Asuma smiled slightly, "Compared to the Sage of Six Paths who once saved the Ninja World, I still have a long way to go."
Gamamaru chuckled upon hearing this, "Young man, there's no need to compare yourself like that... however, it's clear your future achievements will surpass his."
"It's been a very long time since I had such a vivid dream."
"You, who will bring about great change to the Ninja World in the future, possess unparalleled power."
"Therefore, even I wished to meet you."
Alas, time spares no one!
Even he could not withstand the erosion of time.
If he were younger, he would have quietly observed Sarutobi Asuma from the sidelines.
But now, he could only await their fated meeting.
He just wondered if this young man before him would become the next Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
After all, he possessed a power that even he couldn't comprehend!
The next update will be tomorrow at 12 PM. There will be no further updates after midnight. My back is sore, so I need to rest early. My apologies, everyone!!!
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Machine Translation by: beta.randomtranslator.com
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