62 Ch-62 Need For Sage Mode.
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"This is the scroll that contains information about The Sannin Tsunade," said the man as he handed over the scroll.
(A/N: I feel that the Kishimaoto, maker of Naruto Just created black market for Kakuzu and nothing else. And black market does sell information it is written in of the Data Books of Naruto.)
Jiryoku took the scroll and left the black market branch.
Hundred meters away from the Black Market, Jiryoku walked and then stopped, speaking, "Come out. Do you really think you can hide from me?"
A group of ten shadowy figures emerged behind Jiryoku, wielding kunai, shuriken, and swords.
"Rajin no Jiryoku, the bounty on your head is very high—more than enough for us to retire from this profession," said one of the individuals.
"You are correct about that, but what gives you the illusion that you can fight me and behead me at that?" replied Jiryoku.
"If you were at your peak, we wouldn't have dared to attack you. However, after fighting against the Konoha ninjas, you are not at your peak right?" stated the man.
"You are right. I'm not at my peak, and I'm weaker compared to my prime. However, that's for someone at my level, not weaklings like you. I can fought against thousands like you even in my current state," Jiryoku declared.
"And if you think such petty tricks will work against me, you are dead wrong," he continued, swinging his sword horizontally toward his back and decapitating one of the ninjas attempting a sneak attack.
The other ninjas attacked Jiryoku from various directions, but none of their attacks worked against him, whether physical or ninjutsu.
Within a minute, Jiryoku completely killed these bounty hunters. Among them, the strongest was a Special Jonin. Throughout the fight, Jiryoku relied solely on his swordsmanship.
The information held within the scroll in Jiryoku's possession indicated that Tsunade was on the move and would reach Tanzaku Quarters within three days. This information aligned with Jiryoku's own understanding of events in Naruto. Jiraiya had met Tsunade after three weeks, but Tsunade had already been in Tankazu Quarters before that. She had chosen to leave the Tankazu quarters only after she got frustrated after continuously winning gambles.
Jiryoku himself was fatigued and had not fully recovered. Despite the lack of apparent drawbacks to using the EAM (Enhanced Amplification Mode), it consumed stamina at twice the normal rate for the same strength compared to when he relied on his own power.
----
[DING!]
{ You are mistaken, host. The EAM doesn't actually enhance your existing strength; instead, it creates an illusion that your strength has increased.
In Stage 1, your body enters a hyperactive state triggered by an adrenaline rush. This rush makes you perceive yourself as being twice as strong.
In Stage 2, your mastery over your movements leads you to subconsciously conserve energy, allowing you to execute precise strikes. This results in the sensation of being almost three times stronger.
In Stage 3, your body and mind harmonize, significantly amplifying the force you exert. This fusion of body and mind culminates in a strength nearly five times greater than your current level.}
----
"That means my base stats always remain the same; only the method in which I utilize them changes, and I perceive an increase in my strength," explained Jiryoku.
----
[DING!]
{ Correct, and to counteract this side effect of continuous stamina loss, you need to master Sage Mode.}
----
"Why do you think I'm searching for Tsunade?" Jiryoku questioned, maintaining his movement in the direction of Tankazu Quarters.
However, Jiryoku was unaware of one crucial detail: his intervention had caused many things to change. In the canon, the day after the Hokage's death and his departure from Konoha, an emergency meeting had been held with the Daimyo. Yet, in this altered scenario, Koharu and Homura, who were responsible for Jiryoku's parents' deaths, were barred from participating in the meeting. As a result, Jiraiya attended in their stead. During the meeting, it was decided that Tsunade would be the next Hokage. Coincidentally, the Daimyo was aware of Tsunade's location, enabling Jiraiya to obtain it.
The following day marked the funeral of Sarutobi Hiruzen, and Konoha came under attack by Kisame and Itachi. However, Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai intercepted the attackers. A subsequent battle occurred with Jiraiya, who, despite his injuries, had significantly recuperated due to his Sage Mode proficiency. And Itachi also had no intention of causing harm to Konoha and thus retreated with Kisame, Jiraiya persisted in his journey to locate Tsunade with Naruto.
----
Three days later, in a restaurant within the Tankazu quarters, Jiryoku sat and savored his meal. Onlookers gazed at him as if they had seen a ghost, a sizable stack of bowls and plates accumulating beside him.
"How can someone eat so much?" remarked one of the people in the restaurant.
"He's eaten this much before. Just yesterday, he consumed a similar amount," mentioned another diner.
While the people were engaged in a discussion about his eating habits, Jiryoku remained unperturbed. After settling the bill, he departed from the restaurant.
"It's already been three days, and there's no sign of Tsunade in town. The people from the Black Market wouldn't deceive me. It appears there might be extenuating circumstances causing Tsunade's delay. I'll wait for another two days. If Tsunade hasn't arrived in the Tankazu quarters by then, I'll have to begin searching for her myself," Jiryoku muttered to himself, making his way to the hotel where he was lodged.
(A/N: If you like the story please vote power stones.)
