Ninja Ice House

Chapter 567 Settlement

Chakra is a supernatural energy formed by extracting life force from the body's cells and then combining it with spiritual energy drawn from the soul.

Essentially, chakra is life force itself, and natural energy is the essence of vitality personified in the ninja world. Of course, it's just something similar, and it's very different from the primordial energy of heaven and earth in fantasy novels.

Jiraiya, despite being severely injured, was in relatively good physical condition, but his soul was severely depleted. This caused an extreme imbalance in the "yin-yang balance and circulation" within the Toad Sage's body, which explains why he remained unconscious despite all medical examinations showing normal results.

The seemingly ordinary, but actually forbidden technique among forbidden techniques, the Snake Shedding Technique, is most powerful and magical in that it can indirectly achieve a healing effect that is detrimental. Similar to Orochimaru's Substitution Technique, the shed outer skin can even take away most of the injuries at the cost of sacrificing some still healthy "tissues", and then activate the body's vitality to grow new organs and tissues.

Just like when a hand is working and a finger is accidentally severed by a machine, the treatment principle of "snake molting" is not to reconnect severed fingers or regenerate severed limbs, nor is it to stitch up the ruptured finger on the spot and abandon it to become disabled. Instead, it directly cuts off the entire palm from the wrist and then a new hand grows back.

The surgeon can adjust the "knife technique" of this excision to some extent, but cannot control it with complete precision. How much to cut and how much to leave depends on the specific situation. The new growth that grows later will also be quite different from the original, and there is even a high probability that it will mutate. As for the extent of the mutation, it depends on the individual's foundation and growth environment.

More seriously, this invasive excision that stimulates the regeneration of life is not limited to the physical body; it has a similar effect on the soul and spirit.

This is also the basis for Jiraiya's ability to survive and largely recover after being severely injured by Nagato.

This is why Jiraiya's physical problems were not serious, but his mental problems were much more troublesome, even to the point of inferring his own dream world.

Ultimately, the dream space manifested by Yakumo Kurama using the power of his Genjutsu-type Kekkei Genkai is essentially a projection of Jiraiya's thoughts, a part of the complete life of this "Toad Sage".

"So, the 'Snake Shedding Technique' has an additional effect on Jiraiya-sama: it has created a dream space that is uniquely his own, existing between illusion and reality?"

Karin, who had already guessed, made a final confirmation with Usami and Kurama Yakumo. Seeing that her two teammates nodded in unison, she had no choice but to accept the reality.

After Jiraiya, the "Toad Sage," was seriously injured, he did indeed fall into his own dream. However, this dream would not disappear or collapse regardless of whether Jiraiya woke up or not. This "exclusive dream space" has essentially become a newly grown special "organ" in Jiraiya's spirit and soul.

Or rather... a mental tumor.

It's not malignant, it won't endanger life, or cause any adverse effects... at least for now. Apart from keeping Jiraiya trapped in it and unable to wake up, it doesn't cause any inconvenience, and it might even bring great benefits in the future.

However, whether this thing is advantageous or disadvantageous depends on the specific circumstances, and it's even possible that someone with ulterior motives might manipulate it.

Kosugi Bokusui, who was observing silently from behind the scenes, couldn't help but marvel at the incredible power of life. After eating the fruit of the Divine Tree, he felt like he had seen everything and was no longer surprised by these "trivial matters" of the ninja world. Then, out of nowhere, an unexpected development occurred.

"I've traveled all over the country, I've seen it all... Wait, I've never seen this thing before!"

When Tsunade received the situation report from Karin, her vision blurred, and she rubbed her forehead in exasperation.

"Lady Tsunade, are you... alright?"

Shizune, who was monitoring and coordinating with Sakura Haruno and constantly observing Jiraiya's movements, also noticed the anomaly. After quickly glancing at the top-secret intelligence report that wasn't closed on the table, she stammered:

"This... is really hard to understand. So... what should we do next?"

"Right now, I feel like I'm performing chiropractic on someone. The patient is almost fully recovered, only to find out that their left and right legs are set up backwards. This guy... has never given me a moment's peace of mind since he was a child."

"What are Karin and Yakumo's plans?"

"The matter of waking up Jiraiya cannot be stopped, but how to deal with this dream space is a decision I need to make."

Tsunade responded calmly.

Whether to directly "sever" and discard it, allowing Jiraiya's spiritual body to regrow, or to preserve it and try to develop its potential, is both possible.

The former is convenient and simple, but it may involve secondary surgical trauma, and Jiraiya's period of weakness will last longer; the latter has fewer direct side effects, but the uncontrollable unknowns in the future are too worrying for Jiraiya.

"We can't delay; we need to make a decision as soon as possible. I'll send Haiyi and Ibiki over to check out the situation before making any plans..."

It's perfectly normal for Yamanaka Inoichi, who is proficient in spiritual magic, to go and check. However, it's a bit puzzling to send Ibiki over. Is there someone who needs to be captured and tortured for information?

Although she had questions in her mind, Jingyin didn't ask them, knowing that now was not the time to ask about such trivial matters.

"The Senju clan has a comprehensive collection of various ninjutsu, with virtually no shortcomings, except for a relatively small investment in the spiritual and soul realms. On the other hand, the Uchiha and Uzumaki clans have a deeper understanding of Yin Release and should have experience in this area, which is a pity..."

The Uzumaki family was wiped out long ago, and Uzumaki Kushina, who inherited Uzumaki Mito's will, has been dead for many years. People like Namikaze Minato, who are proficient in all kinds of secret techniques, have strong learning abilities, and are exceptionally talented, are not something that can be found all the time.

After Orochimaru's defection, Konoha's research field actually fell into a state of stagnation, and no decent results were produced for many years.

As for such a "minor problem," Orochimaru could probably solve it relatively easily, while the current Konoha Village can only let a few "children" take charge of the overall situation.

Soon, Yamanaka Inoichi and Morino Ibiki confirmed the situation. After reporting back, Tsunade no longer hesitated and decided to wake Jiraiya up as soon as possible. She had a "big lump" growing in her own spiritual realm, and she would decide how to deal with it after he woke up.

Upon receiving the instructions, Yakumo Kurama and Karin quickly prepared an emergency plan and began instructing their companions, who were busy in the dream space, to act according to the plan.