"Huh? What do you mean?"
Naruto was completely dumbfounded when he heard what Sansan said, and couldn't help but scratch his head.
Sansan's beard twitched slightly. He turned and continued walking forward. Having spent so much time together, he was too lazy to bother with finding his way around or explaining things to this little fox brat like Hagoromo.
As long as it's not because of impure thoughts that you're trapped here, it's fine.
As for creating this kind of atmosphere around them, it's also to let this kid experience it for himself, to some extent.
Sasuke, standing nearby, reached out and smacked Naruto on the head, saying speechlessly, "What I mean is, what you're perceiving right now is just you overthinking it!"
"Clear your mind first!"
Naruto was initially thinking of retaliating after being Sasuke, only realized what was happening after hearing this.
"Hehe, I see."
Then they quickly followed Sansan's footsteps, and before long, the cat and the two of them stopped in front of a river.
"Alright, the first hurdle is cleared. The river ahead is the final obstacle you must overcome."
"Once you pass this test, it means you are qualified to learn the Hazy Moon Sage Mode."
Sansan stopped, pointed one of its front paws at the river in front of it, and slowly spoke.
"But..."
As she spoke, Sansan turned to look at Naruto and Sasuke, then lowered her head dejectedly.
"For you, this is really nothing."
He knew his own Sacred Land's challenges should have been difficult to overcome, but he ran into a monster like Hagoromo.
Now there are two more brats Naruto and Sasuke.
This master and apprentice pair seem to be its Sansan.
"Nothing much?" Sasuke seemed to have a guess and asked Sansan.
"Ah, by drinking a mouthful of the river water before you, you will confront your most painful memories. As long as you don't break down, you've succeeded."
With great difficulty...
No, it should be said that their teacher had already taken care of everything the two of them would have to face in advance.
Feeling their teacher's care once again warmed Naruto and Sasuke's hearts.
Even after all these years, the teacher is still so kind-hearted.
Naruto took the lead, immediately lying on the ground and starting to drink heavily.
Upon seeing this scene, Sansan couldn't help but twitch the corners of her mouth; the actions of the master and apprentice were exactly the same.
Sasuke couldn't stand Naruto's actions either, so he just squatted down, scooped up a mouthful, and put it in his mouth.
"Belch--"
Naruto, with his head tilted back, let out a dramatic burp and turned to look at Sansan.
"Teacher Sansan, you know what, this water is actually quite sweet."
Sasuke nodded in agreement; at least the flow of the Naka River couldn't compare to the current.
Sansan raised an eyebrow, wondering if she should talk to them about it.
Their teacher initially thought this place might be filled with the fluids of corpses.
Then, Sansan revealed a sinister expression and said, "Oh? Is that so? You should know that those who fail will turn into stone statues and drown in the river forever."
"Huh?" Naruto was taken aback when he heard this.
Sasuke's face froze instantly, then he turned and began vomiting violently.
"Damn it! I'm going to kill you!" Sasuke had just finished vomiting, immediately pulled out the Amatsukaku and was about to go for Sansan.
"Wait! What's going on?!"
Naruto then hugged Sasuke tightly and asked loudly.
"Idiot Naruto! Haven't you heard me? There are people soaking in this river!"
Sasuke broke through his defenses and shouted at Naruto.
"Huh?!" Naruto was stunned at first, then his face turned pale, and he released Sasuke.
"I'm going to kill you!" Sasuke roared at Sansan as soon as Naruto let go.
Sansan San maintained her smiling expression, completely unconcerned about Sasuke's anger.
What a joke! Taking down Sasuke now would be a piece of cake for him.
But why not enjoy watching a good show?
"Wait! Sasuke!" Naruto grabbed Sasuke again.
Sasuke then turned to look at Naruto. If this Dead Last couldn't come up with a coherent explanation, he'd deal with him too.
"The teacher must have gone through these trials before, but he didn't tell us about them."
"That doesn't make sense. Would a teacher have such a perverse sense of humor as Sansan?"
Naruto looked at Sasuke with a slightly helpless expression on his face.
Why does this arrogant Sasuke seem to have lost his mind?
Um?
Sasuke only realized what Naruto meant after hearing his words. "Oh right."
If they were to actually do something like that, not to mention them, even Teacher Hagoromo wouldn't be able to accept it.
Moreover, although Hagoromo sometimes plays pranks, this kind of prank is almost impossible.
You actually lied to me?
Sasuke turned and glared at Sansan through gritted teeth.
"Kid, when did I ever say there were people floating in this river?"
Sansan was completely unconcerned about Sasuke's accusations, simply stating that those who fail would turn to stone and drown in the river forever.
As for whether anyone has ever failed, it doesn't say.
Upon hearing this, Sasuke's lips twitched, and his fists clenched. By now, he understood perfectly well what was going on.
That damn cat was just playing a trick on him!
Naruto had been holding onto Sasuke the whole time, finally let go at this moment, inwardly cursing.
Teacher Sansan is really awful.
"Okay, if you just threw up, you'll need to drink it again."
Sansan stood up and said, then called to Naruto, "Kid, catch up first."
Naruto scratched his head and then urged Sasuke, "Sasuke, hurry up!"
Sasuke, who had been standing still, took a deep breath and then walked heavily back to the riverbank.
This time, the same leisurely feeling as before was gone.
After downing the drink in one gulp, Sasuke immediately got up and followed.
"Heh--"
As the seal before her slowly dissipated, Hinata leaned on her knees and exhaled a deep breath.
It didn't work.
Rather than a mirror image, Hinata felt it was more accurate to describe her as the person she most wanted to become.
That composure in every gesture, that ability to directly counter one's own attack without the slightest panic.
These are all things Hinata has always longed for.
"Alright, Hinata, take a rest for a bit."
Hagoromo slowly walked to Hinata's side and spoke.
This is why he wanted to use this technique; the usual training could only enhance Hinata and the others.
As for some aspects of his personality, although they have changed somewhat in recent years.
However, it is impossible to achieve perfection; old habits die hard.
To truly understand oneself is something that no one can achieve even in a lifetime; Naruto and Sasuke were merely using Sealing Jutsu as a shortcut.
The same principle applies to being your most perfect self.
It's especially difficult for someone like Hinata.
"Yes, teacher." Hinata nodded and then sat down to the side.
"Teacher!"
Just as Hagoromo was about to try and persuade Hinata, he heard Naruto shout.
Turning my head, I saw Naruto waving his hands and running towards me at high speed.
Sasuke, standing to the side, wore a sour expression and kept glancing at Sansan.
Hagoromo was taken aback upon seeing this, and slowly stepped forward to ask.
After Naruto's explanation, Hagoromo looked at Sansan speechlessly.
This guy still has that same twisted sense of humor.