Unexpected Gains

Masahiko used up all his Witness Points in one go, and his strength finally underwent a qualitative leap.

I finally have Clan Head-level strength... and Sage Mode too. This trip has really paid off. After giving it some thought, Masahiko felt that the purpose of this journey had basically been achieved. He planned to return with Hashirama once Hashirama finished his training.

Two days passed. Masahiko had already grown accustomed to the tremendous increase in his strength, and Hashirama happened to finish his Sage Mode training as well.

Although Hashirama could not yet enter Sage Mode instantly as he would in the future, he had reduced the conversion time to under a minute. The duration of his Sage Mode also far exceeded Masahiko's. It would not be long before he mastered it completely.

Having finished their training, the two discussed it and decided to bid farewell to the Slug Sage.

"Before you leave, I have one more thing to give you." The Slug Sage was not surprised to learn that they were leaving. Instead, he gave them another scroll.

"This is the Summoning Scroll of my Slug Clan. After forming a contract, you can summon one of my clones. I may not be much help in battle, but I am fairly skilled at healing..." the Slug Sage said slowly.

The two exchanged glances, not expecting such an unexpected gain.

Masahiko was even more puzzled. In his memories, Hashirama had never used Slug Summoning Jutsu.

Was it because of my influence? Or did Hashirama obtain the Slug Summoning Scroll but never form a contract, instead leaving it for Tsunade?

Masahiko could not make sense of it, but what happened next was even more unexpected.

After leaving Shikkotsu Forest, Hashirama absolutely refused to accept the Slug Summoning Scroll.

"Second Grandfather, I already accepted the Rashomon Summoning Scroll. This time, no matter what, you have to take this one," Hashirama said.

"I... no, the Slug Summoning Scroll should stay with you. Your granddaughter..." In his haste, Masahiko nearly let the truth slip.

"My... granddaughter?" Hashirama looked utterly bewildered.

"Nothing, nothing. A slip of the tongue... Fine, I'll accept the Slug Scroll." Helpless, Masahiko could only agree.

At worst, I can give the scroll to Tsunade later. Maybe I can even become Tsunade's mentor? With that thought, Masahiko felt that accepting the scroll was not so bad after all.

Then, a familiar line of Chinese characters told him that accepting the scroll had been the right choice.

"Witnessed and slightly altered an important Naruto World side branch—Slug Summoning Beast. Received 2 (*2) Witness Points."

Another 4 Witness Points came in. He had just used them all up, so at least he now had some for emergencies. Masahiko did not use them immediately and saved the 4 points instead.

Having completed their training in Shikkotsu Forest, Masahiko and Hashirama planned to stop by the Balance Clan and say goodbye.

When they arrived, they discovered that the clan was preparing to relocate its compound. After sealing their bloodline, Masahiko had also told them that the dense Natural Energy in the area was what had caused their physical mutations.

Thus, over the past three months, as Masahiko's seal gradually deepened, the Balance clansmen had never lost control again. To avoid being affected by Natural Energy once more, the Balance Clan had decided to relocate as a whole.

When Masahiko and Hashirama arrived this time, the Balance Clan Head personally came to greet them, with the burly man who had fought Hashirama following behind him.

The burly man glanced at Masahiko and Hashirama. His expression still carried some unwillingness; it seemed that having his transformation ability forcibly sealed had left him rather unhappy.

Yet even when he could transform, Hashirama had utterly crushed him. Without that transformation... in any case, he did not dare voice any objections.

The Balance Clan Head was in excellent spirits, practically glowing with health.

Masahiko sensed carefully and realized that the man had made a breakthrough. He was already a Peak Jonin.

The Balance Clan Head warmly welcomed them and even wanted to keep them for a banquet.

Masahiko had actually wanted to stay for a good meal. During these days in Shikkotsu Forest, he had not needed to eat bugs like Naruto at Mount Myōboku, but slugs ate leaves and grass... so Masahiko had not seen any meat these past few days.

However, after being away for over three months, Hashirama had just remembered that he was still the Clan Head of the Senju Clan... In short, Hashirama was in a hurry to return, and Masahiko had no choice.

After a simple lunch, the two returned to the Senju Clan Compound. As for Senju Tenyu and the other Senju clansmen stationed there, they had returned to the Senju Clan Compound three months earlier. After all, in the war-torn Warring States era, it was impossible to give such a unit three months of leave.

Along the way, Hashirama said to Masahiko, "It seems sealing the Balance Clan's bloodline power was a good thing after all. This transformation ability can temporarily grant greater strength, but it may also limit their own potential. When we returned this time, it seemed that the Balance Clan Head's strength had improved..."

"It may allow them to make some progress in the short term, but..." Masahiko hesitated. "After all, it is a Bloodline Seal. Their descendants may..."

Seeing Masahiko trail off, Hashirama pressed, "May what?"

"They may gradually lose the aptitude to become ninja and turn into ordinary civilians. In these troubled times..." Masahiko continued.

"Their descendants will become civilians?" Hashirama murmured. Then before they lose the power to protect themselves, we must end this troubled age...

Masahiko did not hear Hashirama's inner monologue and assumed Hashirama was worrying about the Balance Clan's future.

"Hashirama, do not tell anyone else about my ability to seal bloodlines. This ability is far too dangerous."

"I understand, Second Grandfather." Hashirama agreed, and the two fell silent afterward.

After a day and a half of travel, they finally returned to the Senju Clan Compound.

"Big Brother, you're finally back." Tobirama Senju had learned beforehand that Hashirama would be returning and had come to the clan gates to welcome him.

"He looks like some abandoned little wife..." Masahiko muttered, suddenly wanting to laugh for no reason.

Tobirama mechanically turned his head, clearly having heard Masahiko's words.

"Second... Grandfather, you must be tired from the journey." Tobirama spoke through gritted teeth.

"You always seem to emphasize the word 'Second' whenever you address me." Masahiko smiled. "If you do not want to call me Grandfather, you can call me Uncle Masahiko. Brother Masahiko works too..." At the same time, he thought, Let's see if your big brother and sister-in-law don't beat you to death.

"It's not that I don't want to, Second Grandfather!" Tobirama immediately interrupted.

"It's good that you do..."

Laughing and chatting, the group headed toward the Clan Head's Main Hall.

The moment they entered the Clan Head's Main Hall, Hashirama's face darkened.

"Tobirama, why are there still so many documents left unprocessed?!" he shouted, as if all the strength had been drained from his body.

"Big Brother, after all, I am not the Clan Head. There are some matters I cannot handle. What is left here is only a small portion," Tobirama said, his expression carrying a lingering sense of resentment.

Watching the scene, Masahiko felt goosebumps rise all over his body.

He had always thought the Naruto World was a world of little-brother obsession, but after interacting with Hashirama and Tobirama these past two years, Masahiko always felt...

"Tobirama, you must be a deeply hidden big-brother fanatic..."