"Slug Sage, I wish to learn Sage Mode. Tsunade-senpai sent me here," Chinatsu said respectfully, bowing slightly.
"Tsunade? I see. Then come with me. Actually, the Sage Mode of Shikkotsu Forest isn't difficult at all. Those with talent can master it almost instantly, while those without talent may never grasp it in their entire life."
The Slug Sage wriggled its enormous body forward, guiding Chinatsu deeper into Shikkotsu Forest while speaking with obvious pride. Along the way, it began comparing the three great Sage Regions as if narrating ancient history.
"The Sage Arts of Ryūchi Cave are powerful, but they come with a curse. The deeper one studies them, the more the body mutates scales, fangs, even a snake-like transformation. That snake Orochimaru called it 'Dragon Transformation,' but to me, it's just an unstable evolution into something neither human nor snake."
"As for Mount Myōboku, their Sage Mode is acceptable. The higher the mastery, the less physical transformation occurs. If perfected, it only adds markings to the face. But compared to Shikkotsu Forest… it is still inferior."
The Slug Sage chuckled softly, clearly proud of its own lineage of Sage Arts. Chinatsu followed behind, awkwardly smiling while thinking.
So this is the Slug Sage's personality… unexpectedly straightforward. Completely different from what I imagined.
"But all of this is meaningless," the Slug Sage continued, "because whether you can learn it or not depends entirely on you. So far, only that man has ever fully mastered Shikkotsu Forest Sage Mode."
That man… Hashirama Senju.
Chinatsu narrowed her eyes slightly but did not interrupt.
The Slug Sage led her deeper until they reached a vast, damp swamp-like area. Thick mist covered the ground, black bamboo rose unevenly from the mud, and the entire environment was saturated with natural chakra.
"From now on, you will train here."
"Okay."
"Then I'll be leaving now~"
"…Huh?!"
Chinatsu froze.
She turned around with a confused expression as the Slug Sage slowly began to retreat.
Wait… just like that? No instruction? No manual? No beginner guide?
Even Mount Myōboku at least had Fukasaku guiding Naruto step by step. Ryūchi Cave had trials and rituals. But here… she was just dropped into a swamp and told to figure it out?
Chinatsu initially thought the Slug Sage was joking, but as its massive body disappeared completely into the fog, she realized it was serious.
Sage training was dangerous. At Mount Myōboku, uncontrolled absorption of natural energy could turn one into a toad statue. Without guidance, the risk here was even more unknown.
Cold sweat formed on Chinatsu's back. She looked at the swamp, then toward the direction the Slug Sage had left.
Retreat or continue?
"…Just kidding. I'm already here. Why would I back down now?"
Chinatsu exhaled, stepped forward, and entered the swamp.
She closed her eyes and began sensing her surroundings. There was no instruction but that didn't mean there was no method. Every system had rules. She just needed to discover them.
Gradually, she began sensing something beyond ordinary chakra an unfamiliar energy flowing through the air.
Natural chakra.
She attempted to draw it into her body.
Immediately
Failure.
Failure.
Failure.
Failure.
Again and again.
But Chinatsu did not stop. Compared to turning into a toad or snake, failure here carried no immediate fatal consequence. That alone made it manageable.
As expected of a top-tier otaku… persistence mode activated.
Meanwhile, the Slug Sage had already left the deeper forest. It glanced back slightly.
"Humans who attempt Sage training… most of them stop within a week. If they push too far, Shikkotsu Forest itself becomes their grave…"
Its tone was calm, almost indifferent.
"Only that man succeeded before…"
Suddenly, it paused.
The flow of natural chakra inside the forest shifted.
"Hm?"
The Slug Sage turned its head again.
"…It changed?"
A faint surprise entered its voice.
"Could it be… she's different too?"
Time passed.
One week later.
Chinatsu remained in the swamp.
Her body was slightly soaked in mud, but her posture was steady. The Slug Sage arrived carrying a bowl of medicinal forest nutrients.
"Time to eat."
Chinatsu slowly exited meditation and sat down.
She exhaled deeply.
"…No progress. Still no progress."
She accepted the bowl and began eating.
"Why are you sighing?" the Slug Sage asked.
"I've been stuck for a week," Chinatsu replied casually. "No breakthrough at all."
The Slug Sage tilted slightly.
"That's normal. Most people would already have given up or died by now."
"I know," Chinatsu said while chewing. "But I'm in a hurry. I have a troublesome little brother back home. If I take too long, he'll cause trouble again, and everything I've done will be wasted."
The Slug Sage observed her silently.
Compared to Mount Myōboku's food full of insects and strange biological mixtures Shikkotsu Forest's food was at least edible. Chinatsu ate without hesitation.
"Want guidance?" the Slug Sage asked. "Your talent is higher than Tsunade's. With instruction, you could probably master Sage Mode quickly."
"No need," Chinatsu said calmly.
The Slug Sage paused.
"…What?"
Chinatsu swallowed her last bite.
"I already understand natural chakra."
Silence.
The Slug Sage froze.
"You… what did you just say?"
Chinatsu stretched slightly.
"I said I understand it. It's just hard to stabilize. That's all."
Then she raised her hand.
The entire Shikkotsu Forest reacted.
Natural chakra in the air began flowing toward her in visible currents.
The Slug Sage's body stiffened.
"…Impossible."
Chinatsu yawned slightly.
"Honestly, it's been a week already. If I still couldn't do this, that would be embarrassing."
The Slug Sage stared in silence.
The forest itself responded to her.
Natural chakra… obeying her flow.
"…She really… grasped it…"
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