Chapter 48 - The Cave of Deep D.e.s.i.r.es (1/2)

Dumpling Dynasty

”Damit! Why isn't it working?” a male voice shouted in frustration.

It was Ishizu who was struggling with his Sage Mode training.

”I don't want to end up like Jiraiya. I want to master the Sage mode as Naruto did.

Hell, I want to do it while moving and without Shadow Clones.”

Someone put pressure on Ishizu's shoulder and the latter looked up. It was brother Tau.

”My dear brother, you are to focus on it. You have to clear your mind of everything, but something deep inside you is hindering you.”

Ishizu frowned: ”I have nothing that hinders me.”

Tau just shook his head.

”Let us meet with the Sage Po. Maybe he knows what you lack.”

Ishizu followed Tau to meet Po.

At the thrown Po was eating happily his dumpling as he was his favorite human coming.

”Hey Po, I need your help,” shouted Ishizu.

Po didn't listen as he wanted to take a bite out of the dumping, only to see that it was gone.

”You dare to take my food?” asked Po shocked. In an instant, an invisible force flung away Ishizu as he hit a rock.

'Man, he is a monster. I only took away his food and in the next second I am crushed into a rock.'

As Po calmed down, he looked at Ishizu.

”You are here because you can't control the Sage Mode? It is simple.

Your heart is not pure. Something inside of you is preventing you to reach equilibrium.

Maybe think about how your student reached the Sage Mode?”

Ishizu wanted to fight Po, despite knowing he would lose, but took a moment to think what the old panda said.

At first, Naruto couldn't do it. Only after Jiraiya died, he managed it.

So did he have to lose someone? Impossible. He already lost so many.

No, it was something else. Naruto was mad that Nagato killed his Sensei and wanted revenge. Only when he let go of that hatred could he do it.

So maybe it was that?

”You are suggesting I should let go of my hatred for my uselessness when I was young?”

Po nodded his head: ”Maybe? All I know is that deep inside your emotions are conflicted.

You say what you are doing is for the best, but something or someone is thinking differently.

You blame yourself for forgetting about your friends and your sensei.

Your soul is conflicted and it makes your training useless.

Only if you bring peach to your soul, can you reach Sage mode.

That is the reason why you cannot achieve the perfect Sage Mode.”

Ishizu shook his head trying to find something to deny Po's argument but failed.

”How should I do that? I can't just accept my failure.

I went to hell and come back to be who I am now. I can't let it go!

Everything I did was worth it” shouted Ishizu.

Po chucked: ”You don't have to let go. The past can't be forgotten. You just have to accept it.”

”How?” pleaded Ishizu.

”Come back with your student. I will show you a place here in the Dynasty where you can do that.”

Ishizu nodded and left to take Naruto with him.

Ishizu POV

I was pissed at Po, telling me to accept what I have done. If it was so easy.

If I wasn't stupid and l.u.s.ted for power, then I could have saved everyone.

Instead... Naruto's voice interrupted me as he ran to me.

”Ishizu-sensei what are you doing here?” asked Naruto.

I forced a smile as I greeted my student.

”My teacher told me to fetch you so you can see where I train.”

Naruto's eyes had stars in them. I told him where I was but he never saw the panda realm with his own eyes.

Today was the day and Naruto was excited.

Jiraiya saw me and I explained to him what I wanted to do. He agreed but told us to hurry.

”Let's go Naruto.”

Back in the Dynasty

Ishizu POV

As both Naruto and I arrived, brother Tau greeted us.

”You made it and it seems you brought your student with you. Greetings, brother. My name is Tau. You can call me brother Tau.”

Naruto greeted Tau, and then we followed him. After some time, we reached a cave.

What was so different about it was that nothing was seen in it? It looked like a black hole. After some point, we saw no light.

”Cool, what is that cave?” asked Naruto.

Tau smiled.

”That, Naruto, is The Cave of Deep D.e.s.i.r.es.

Sage Po told me to bring you here. The cave is mysterious and everyone sees it differently.

Everyone who went inside never talked about what happened, but everyone had a different expression when they came out.

Some never came out. You and your student have to go inside, pass the test, and come out.