Although Rasa is currently the most powerful in controlling senjutsu energy, his understanding of it and the methods of training are still far inferior to Tagitsuhime, who has lived for hundreds of years, let alone the White Snake Sage.
Upon hearing Rasa's question, Tagitsuhime floated forward gracefully. After politely nodding to everyone, she spoke.
"There are no major issues. You all truly deserve to be called elites among human shinobi, not to mention that there are also two Uzumaki orphans among you. In just three days, everyone except Lady Pakura and Mr. Bunpuku has already gained the ability to sense senjutsu energy."
The youngest, Hana, looked excited, while Chiyo, Ebizō, Michikawa, and Honoka remained calm. As for Bunpuku, who had not succeeded, his expression remained composed. Only Pakura's face darkened as she clenched her teeth and tightly balled her fists.
"However, sensing senjutsu energy is only the first step in training. The real challenge begins now, absorbing and controlling it. The senjutsu energy currently within you was all shared by Rasa, but from now on, you must attempt to absorb the natural energy around you on your own. Furthermore, in order to utilize senjutsu energy in techniques, you must learn to control it. Take the natural energy of Ryūchi Cave as an example, only when the ratio of natural energy, physical energy, and spiritual energy within the body reaches a perfect balance of 1:1:1 can one use our Ryūchi Cave senjutsu."
Tagitsuhime paused, letting others digest all the information before continuing.
"Fortunately, based on my observations, the senjutsu energy here is different from that of Ryūchi Cave. The absorption process does not seem to pose any risks, which is a good thing. However, you should still be careful, and if anything feels wrong, stop immediately."
Everyone nodded, expressing their gratitude for Tagitsuhime's guidance over the past few days.
After returning the gesture, she continued,
"Then, Rasa-sama, I'll take my leave for now. If you need me, just summon me with the Summoning jutsu."
Although she wanted to stay, Ryūchi Cave was her true home. She had already been away for three days and needed to return to report everything to the White Snake Sage.
"Alright, thank you. Please extend my gratitude to the White Snake Sage as well."
"Umu."
With that, Tagitsuhime instantly disappeared into the forest.
Rasa then turned to the group.
"These past three days of training have been effective. Since you can all sense senjutsu energy now, my role is no longer necessary. Dragon Oasis has the highest concentration of senjutsu energy, so continue practicing your absorption here. However, I recommend that you train separately while keeping an eye on each other. That way, if anything goes wrong, you'll be able to step in immediately."
Everyone nodded in agreement, and Chiyo spoke up.
"In that case, I'll take Hana and Honoka. You two men can form a team on your own."
There were no objections, but Ebizō asked,
"And what about matters in the village?"
"No need to worry. Right now, nothing is more important than mastering senjutsu energy. However, Pakura, Michikawa, and Honoka, you still need to attend tomorrow's banquet. I'll have Baki notify you."
"Understood!"
Michikawa and Honoka nodded, but Pakura suddenly clenched her teeth and said,
"No... I don't want to waste time on something so meaningless. I want to stay here and continue training."
The atmosphere immediately became awkward. Everyone could feel Pakura's frustration. Of the seven people present, aside from Bunpuku, who was an exception due to the Tailed Beast, even a child like Hana had already sensed senjutsu energy, yet she still couldn't. For someone as proud as Pakura, this was unbearable.
Rasa sighed helplessly.
"We'll talk about you later."
With that, he turned to Hana, who had been eager to speak but hesitated when Pakura interrupted. He smiled gently and asked,
"What is it, Hana? Did you want to say something?"
Hana looked nervous but still held onto Honoka's hand and said,
"Rasa-sama, um... Tomorrow, I'd like to walk around the village with Honoka-nee. I-I don't mean to go out and play, I just want to help Nee-san get familiar with the village."
"I see. Well, if it's just for fun, you can go anytime."
Rasa gave Hana a pat on the head to reassure her before continuing.
"But for now, you should stay here. The village is too dangerous for you right now."
"Dangerous?"
Hearing this, everyone was stunned. So, Rasa didn't wase anything before explaining,
"That's right. Don't forget, years ago, Kumogakure used an event like this as an opportunity to kidnap Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchūriki."
Realization dawned on them, and Honoka furrowed her brows.
"Rasa-sama, are you saying that this time, Kumogakure and Iwagakure are actually after Hana?"
Michikawa and Ebizō added,
"If that's the case, then from their perspective, Rasa-sama, you brought Hana here to become a Jinchūriki."
Their words made Hana tremble.
Rasa nodded.
"Exactly. That's why it's best for Hana to stay with you. As long as you're with her, she'll be absolutely safe. Besides, her sensory abilities will also help protect this place."
"Understood!"
Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Hana no longer insisted on going to the village.
"Alright, continue your training."
With that, Rasa turned his gaze to Pakura, who had remained silent all this time.
"Pakura, come with me."
---
In the lush forest, under the cool shade of the trees, Rasa brought Pakura to a secluded spot.
He already knew why she had failed to sense senjutsu energy. It wasn't a matter of talent since Rasa had observed her closely for the past three days and could clearly sense the changes in senjutsu energy around her.
The reason was simple: her emotions were too unstable.
According to Tagitsuhime, all three great summoning realms required one crucial element for sensing natural energy, stillness. Only by calming one's mind could one perceive the flow of natural energy, and the same applied to senjutsu energy.
Pakura wasn't incapable of being still, but she was too competitive.
Not only was she not the first, she wasn't even the second to sense senjutsu energy. When even two children had surpassed her, her mentality wavered.
Still, Rasa didn't comment on it. He simply said,
"From now on, I'll be training you personally."
Pakura's expression immediately turned defiant, and she opened her mouth to argue.
But before she could speak, Rasa added,
"This is my first time taking on a student, I don't want my first disciple to be an idiot."
Pakura's expression grew complicated. In the end, the defiance in her eyes faded, and she scoffed with rosy cheeks,
"M-me? Disciple? And I-I'm not an idiot!"
Seeing this, Rasa felt relieved.
"Good. Then let's begin."
(AN: And then they fucked. The end.)