Chapter 5: Training Continues

[Jiraiya's Perspective]

Sitting across from Shinji, I observed as he continued the leaf concentration exercise, focusing intently as he tried to stabilize the flow of chakra within his body.

But something was off.

The same chaotic energy I had sensed before was still there—two distinct forces struggling against each other inside him. Yet, as I analysed it further, my eyes widened in realization. Among this unstable mix, I noticed something familiar. Something I had spent years trying to master even after intense training at Mount Myoboku.

"Nature chakra…?"

A five-year-old boy was passively absorbing nature chakra.

By all logic, he should have turned into stone by now. Or worse, into some monstrous abomination. And yet, here he was, perfectly fine.

This kid was an anomaly.

"How much do you know about chakra, Shinji?" I asked, still trying to process what I was witnessing.

Without missing a beat, he answered, "I know that chakra is present in everyone and that to use jutsu, we have to mold two types of energy—physical and spiritual—together. By shaping it with hand seals, we can release chakra in different ways."

A textbook-perfect answer.

I nodded. "Now imagine a third type of energy flowing into you. This energy starts to mix with your spiritual energy, creating an entirely new type of power—one not naturally found in most shinobi. And when you try to form chakra, this foreign energy disrupts the process, creating chaos inside your body. That's why you're struggling with control."

Shinji's brows furrowed in thought, his gaze shifting downward. "I think I understand, sensei… but what is this third energy?"

I chuckled at the sight of him staring at his shadow, as if it held the answers. "That, kid, is called nature chakra. And let me tell you, it's dangerous. If you absorb too much of it without control, the consequences are… well, pretty bad. You could turn to stone, become some freakish snake hybrid, or worse—something we haven't even seen yet. So, never use it, alright?"

His response made me pause. "I'm not even using it. It's just happening on its own."

I had no words for that.

[Shinji's Perspective]

So that's how cursed energy fits into this world.

Everything suddenly clicked into place in my mind. The way my energy worked, the constant instability—it all made sense now.

Spiritual energy + physical energy = chakra.

Spiritual energy + nature energy = cursed energy.

All three combined = senjutsu chakra.

This changes everything.

Not only could I theoretically master Sage Mode, but I could also find ways to combine these different energies—maybe even enhance my shikigami using chakra or merge jutsu with cursed energy like some kind of kekkei genkai. The possibilities were endless.

A slow grin spread across my face. My future just got a whole lot more interesting.

Jiraiya sighed as he noticed my expression. "You do realize that if nature chakra ever gets out of control, you're in for a world of trouble, right?"

I barely held back a laugh. It was never in my control to begin with.

Instead, I nodded solemnly. "Got it, sensei."

Jiraiya gave me a knowing look before cracking his knuckles. "Alright then. If you want to control your chakra properly, the first step is stopping nature chakra from interfering."

I let out a relieved breath. Finally, some practical training.

Then he pulled out a massive wooden stick from his scroll.

"And I have just the method to help you do that!" he declared with a grin far too wide for my comfort.

Oh no.

I gulped as he loomed over me, his expression one of sheer joy at the suffering he was about to inflict.

At that moment, I knew—my training was about to become hell.

"From today onward, you're my student," Jiraiya announced, looking far too pleased with himself. "Be ready to train like your life depends on it, because in this world, hard work matters just as much as talent."

I blinked. Just like that? I was officially his student?

I mean, I wasn't complaining, but… that was way too easy.

Then again, maybe he saw my potential, just like I did.

Before I could dwell on it further, Jiraiya's expression turned more serious. "But first… have you visited the cemetery since you woke up?"

His sudden change in tone caught me off guard. I hesitated, then shook my head.

Jiraiya sighed. "It's not good to keep putting it off. Training can help, but it won't erase your pain. You should visit them—it might bring you some peace."

I didn't respond immediately. Instead, I simply nodded and turned toward the village, my feet already carrying me toward the cemetery.

The burial grounds were quiet. The air was heavy, filled with the silent sorrow of those who had come to mourn.

I purchased a small bouquet of white lilies—my mother's favourite flower—before stepping past the entrance. The stone markers stretched far, a solemn reminder of the countless lives lost. At the very centre stood a massive black stone, carved with the names of every shinobi who had sacrificed their lives for the village.

I traced my fingers over two names etched into its surface:

Hiori Murakami

Shin Murakami

I should have felt pride, knowing their names were honoured here. But all I felt was grief. And anger.

Why did they have to die?

Why couldn't the strongest village protect its own people?

Why wasn't Jiraiya here when it happened?

Dark thoughts threatened to consume me, but I forced myself to stop. They wouldn't change anything.

Instead, I let out a slow breath and whispered, "Mom, Dad… don't worry about me. Maybe you'll get another life, just like I did. And if you do, live it to the fullest. I know I will—not for the village, not for anything else… but for myself and the people I choose to protect."

I placed the lilies gently on their graves. And for the first time since waking up in this world, my heart felt lighter.

It was like a weight had been lifted—a final piece of my past self-dissolving, leaving behind only Shinji Murakami.

[Jiraiya's Perspective]

I watched from a distance, hidden from view.

I hadn't followed him to spy—I just needed to know how he would face his loss. Would it break him? Would it make him stronger? I had seen both outcomes before.

He stood there, quiet, lost in thought. Then, he spoke softly to his parents' graves.

His words were selfish in a way, but also honest. And that was good. A ninja needed to be strong, but they also needed to have a heart.

His anger would fade with time. And in its place, he would gain something far more important—empathy.

Satisfied, I turned and walked toward the Hokage's office.

A kid who could instinctively absorb nature chakra without turning to stone?

Yeah, Sensei needed to hear about this.