In the mountain range bordering the Land of Earth and the Land of Rain, the misty rain hadn't yet dissipated, shrouded beneath a pale blue light.
The three moved slowly along the damp mountain path, their footsteps blending with the wind, creating an unusually quiet atmosphere.
Jiraiya walked at the front, wearing a half-open cloak with the small blue Ninja Beast Mudkip perched on his shoulder.
The little creature didn't seem to mind being at the mountain peaks, still staring blankly into space while gently swaying its tail fin.
Occasionally, it emitted a lazy gurgling sound, as if racing with the wind.
Orochimaru walked beside them with his hands tucked in his sleeves, his golden vertical pupils occasionally sweeping over Mudkip, his eyes gleaming with intense curiosity and excitement.
Tsunade walked on the other side, her expression relaxed as she occasionally glanced back at the two, appearing to casually observe but actually focusing entirely on the pair of man and beast.
Finally, she couldn't hold back: "Orochimaru, you've been staring at that little thing since earlier. Are you... interested in it?"
Orochimaru's lips curved slightly as he let out a low chuckle: "Heh... interested? No, Tsunade, I'm completely captivated by it."
He licked his lips, his tone barely concealing his excitement.
"This creature... is something I've never seen before. Its Chakra Wave is astonishingly stable, yet different from any known Ninja Beast."
"It's not like a Summoning Beast, nor is it an artificially bred variant. To me, it seems more like an entirely new life form."
Tsunade paused, looking skeptically at Mudkip resting on Jiraiya's head.
The little creature was shaking its head, its eyes vacant, and let out a small yawn.
"An entirely new life form?"
She frowned, her tone clearly doubtful. "Are you sure you're not exaggerating? It looks too lazy to even jump."
Orochimaru's mouth twitched, responding with something between a smile and a smirk: "Tsunade, you always only see the surface. If you could sense it, it has no Chakra Pathways."
"What?" Tsunade was slightly startled.
"How is that possible? Without Chakra Pathways, how does it maintain its energy flow?"
"That's exactly what interests me."
Orochimaru chuckled softly, his golden vertical pupils gleaming strangely.
"Its body structure seems like a fusion of nature and energy. Truly remarkable."
Orochimaru clearly sensed that these Ninja Beasts didn't require Chakra Pathways - their bodies were inherently part of this world.
This body itself was an entity containing Natural Energy.
His voice gradually softened, as if contemplating some concept.
However, at this moment, Tsunade looked again at Mudkip swaying back and forth on Jiraiya's head.
It seemed to notice her gaze, tilting its head and revealing a silly smile.
The expression was so simple it almost made one doubt whether Orochimaru's profound theories were just a joke.
"Haha."
Tsunade couldn't help but laugh.
"Hey, Tsunade, what's so funny!"
Hearing Tsunade's mocking tone, Jiraiya turned back to protest, his face full of indignation.
In truth, Jiraiya hadn't failed to understand Orochimaru's explanation.
He just didn't know how to respond.
Because when it came to matters related to the Children of Destiny he believed in, he had to find ways to keep them concealed.
Meanwhile, Mudkip was of great help to Jiraiya.
Ever since Mudkip hatched, he could indeed feel a wondrous power flowing within him.
It wasn't merely Chakra, but something gentler and more embracing.
When Mudkip perched on his head, his breathing would steady, his heartbeat would slow, and he could even faintly sense the flow of Natural Energy around him.
"Hah…"
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
As his mind emptied, he could clearly perceive the path of the wind brushing through the treetops, the vibrations in the soil, and even the faint chirping of insects in the distance.
In that moment, the boundary between his Chakra and nature seemed to vanish.
"Interesting."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, that meaningful smile once again curling at the corners of his lips.
"It seems its ability isn't just a biological miracle, but possibly a medium... allowing even a fool like you to approach Natural Energy without training."
"Hey! Who are you calling a fool!"
Jiraiya glared at him, but then stroked his chin, falling into brief contemplation.
"But you're not wrong. When it's on my head, I always feel an unprecedented tranquility, as if my soul has been cleansed."
Tsunade glanced at him and snorted with a laugh. "Sounds like the reason you can finally stay quiet for a few minutes."
"Haha, maybe." Jiraiya scratched his head.
"But I have a feeling that if we continue to harmonize, I might truly master Sage Art."
"Sage Art?"
Tsunade was slightly taken aback.
Jiraiya gazed at the distant mountain mist, his expression unusually serious.
"Right now... it's bringing me closer to that step."
The rain and mist gradually dispersed, stretching the three figures in the morning light.
Mudkip lay on Jiraiya's head, eyes narrowed in a daze, a slight curve at the corner of its mouth.
In the quiet resonance between man and beast, Jiraiya seemed to truly touch a thread of nature's rhythm.
But sensing the probing gazes of his two companions behind him, Jiraiya sighed softly and decided to slip away without saying goodbye when the chance arose.
Orochimaru chuckled lowly, neither affirming nor denying.
He lifted his gaze to the Ninja Beast still lost in its daze,
Yet deep within his calm eyes, a flicker of irrepressible fervor flashed.
One day later, at the border of the Land of Rain.
A continuous curtain of rain poured from the sky, carrying its usual chill and dampness.
The three walked on, their footsteps muffled by the rain, until the distant ridge line gradually came into view.
"Finally out of the Land of Earth."
Tsunade shook the water droplets from her hair, a note of relief in her voice.
She glanced sideways and noticed Jiraiya was nowhere to be seen.
"Huh?"
Tsunade frowned slightly, scanning the surroundings and calling out a few times, "Hey, you fool Jiraiya? Where did you run off to now?"
Only the sound of rain answered her.
A mountain breeze blew from the valley entrance, carrying a faint, damp chill.
Orochimaru stood quietly in place, hands tucked in his sleeves, a slight smirk on his lips.
"Interesting."
Tsunade frowned. "He seems to have many secrets lately."
Orochimaru narrowed his golden pupils, his voice low and tinged with amusement.
"Possibly..."
"That fool..." Tsunade sighed softly, both exasperated and somewhat worried.
"Always so impulsive."
Raindrops struck her shoulders, sliding down her golden hair, glinting faintly.
She was about to say more but was interrupted by a soft chuckle.
Naturally, it was Orochimaru's chuckle.
Orochimaru looked at her and after a moment of silence spoke, "Tsunade, I won't be returning for now either... I think I should take a break as well."
"A break?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow, "Since when did you learn to say things like that?"
"Heh, occasionally changing environments and relaxing a bit. After all, the Shinobi World War is coming to an end."
A meaningful glint flashed through his golden pupils.
It seemed like an offhand joke, yet carried hidden implications.
Tsunade watched him, opened her mouth to speak, but ultimately just sighed.
Neither of them were easy to deal with.
As Orochimaru turned away, his smile gradually faded, replaced by that cold and curious gaze.
Jiraiya, I'm very curious about what exactly you're hiding.