The Greater the Risk, the Stronger the Sage Art

Seeing Kawafune's unconcerned expression, Tsunade finally spoke.

"Sounds simple, doesn't it?"

"I haven't even told you about the dangers involved."

It was not the first time Tsunade had heard the Slug Sage speak of Sage Art.

Seeing Tsunade speak up, the Slug Sage was happy to relax and said nothing further.

Only after seeing how serious Tsunade was did Kawafune become solemn.

In the original story, training in Mount Myōboku's Sage Art could result in frog-like transformations or petrification, and there were even two toads who could strike Naruto with sticks to undo it.

He had thought the Slug Sage's claim that "none had survived" was merely an exaggeration.

But judging from Tsunade's expression, the truth might have differed greatly from what he had imagined.

"Go on. I'm listening."

"The process of cultivating Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Art is irreversible. Once you fail to transform it into Sage Chakra—"

"The result is becoming a puddle of pus."

As she spoke, Tsunade's face turned pale. Perhaps she had witnessed it before.

Kawafune could no longer remain calm. This truly was a technique that gambled with one's life.

Senju Hashirama truly was the God of Shinobi World.

Seeing Kawafune remain silent for a long time, the Slug Sage began explaining again.

"Though Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Art is extremely dangerous, its power is beyond question."

"Mount Myōboku's Sage Art cannot be maintained for long, and it takes a long time to prepare."

"Ryūchi Cave's Sage Art causes snake-like traits to appear on the body."

"But Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Art not only has a perfect form, it merely produces a few curse marks."

"Moreover, it can greatly enhance Chakra and physical recovery, and it can absorb Natural Energy on its own as replenishment."

"Simply put, as long as you absorb Natural Energy quickly enough, you can remain in Sage Mode indefinitely."

As the Slug Sage spoke of Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Art, anyone could hear the pride in its tone.

If it had not been maintaining the bearing of a sage, it probably would have simply said, "All other Sage Arts are trash."

After hearing the Slug Sage's words, Kawafune was filled with longing as well.

No wonder Senju Hashirama's Sage Mode was so formidable. Combined with his Wood Style, it was absurdly powerful.

"Is there any support method?"

What Kawafune meant was whether there was a life-saving measure, like those two toads' sticks.

"Yes."

The Slug Sage answered with certainty.

"What kind of support method?"

Joy appeared on Kawafune's face. As long as he did not die, he could train however he wanted.

"I can use my clones to further heighten your sensitivity to Natural Energy."

"If you fail, you will turn into pus even faster."

"That way, you'll suffer a little less."

The Slug Sage's tone was calm, as if it were talking about some utterly ordinary matter.

"..."

Kawafune did not know what to say.

Turning into pus faster—how could a sage even say something like that?

Seriously, how could it say that?

"Maybe we should forget it."

"Even without Sage Art, you're already very strong."

Tsunade began trying to persuade Kawafune to back down.

"If I don't give it a try, I won't be able to accept it."

Kawafune knew that in the later stages of the shinobi world, without special abilities, one could only become cannon fodder. Sage Art was only the beginning.

Without great strength, he could not even protect himself, much less now that he had a whole family.

"Then think it through. If you die, you have to die in front of me."

Tsunade's eyes had already reddened as she tightly gripped Kawafune's sleeve.

"Believe in me. With you here, I'll succeed."

Kawafune patted Tsunade's head and could still manage a smile.

"Slug Sage, how do we begin?"

Once he had made his decision, Kawafune no longer hesitated. If he thought about it for too long, he feared he would lose the courage to try again.

"We can begin at any time."

"Listen to my instructions."

The Slug Sage's voice began echoing continuously through the cave.

"Sit cross-legged. Place your hands on your legs, palms facing upward."

"Are you teaching me meditation?"

Kawafune could not help but make a snide remark.

"Stop talking. I want you to calm down first."

"Take a deep breath. Exhale."

If this had not truly been the Slug Sage, Kawafune would have suspected some qigong master was trying to fool him.

Once his emotions had settled, the Slug Sage gave new instructions.

Tsunade watched from the side with her heart in her throat, unable to conceal the worry in her eyes.

"Mobilize your physical energy and spiritual energy, and merge them into one."

"Slowly sense the Natural Energy in the air."

"Try to make contact and merge with it. Finally, bring the three forces into balance."

Seeing that Kawafune had entered the right state, the Slug Sage shed countless tiny slugs from its main body.

They slowly wriggled forward and completely wrapped around Kawafune.

Tsunade could no longer see Kawafune. All she could see was a pile of slugs.

As Kawafune tried to make contact with Natural Energy, he suddenly felt cool sensations spreading all over his body.

They were somewhat slimy too. He knew the Slug Sage had acted.

The Natural Energy he could already sense now became far more abundant.

Even the fusion process sped up considerably.

The first strand fused successfully. Then the second, then the third...

Just as Kawafune was feeling pleased with himself, a sudden change occurred.

Intense pain erupted throughout his body, and his skin began to corrode.

The slug clones also fell away from the parts of his body that had been corroded.

What Tsunade saw were wounds too horrifying to behold.

She covered her mouth in terror as tears began falling in streams.

But she could only watch. At this moment, she could not even step forward to treat him.

Once she intervened, Kawafune's body would only dissolve faster due to another person's Chakra entering it.

Fear rose in Kawafune's heart as well. The rate at which Natural Energy fused with him was becoming faster and faster, but the pain was growing more intense too.

He wanted to open his mouth and scream, but no sound would come out.

Just as he was at a loss and prepared to await death, Tsunade filled his mind.

I haven't even had her yet.

I haven't even met Kakashi yet.

Sakumo hasn't even been angered to death by me yet.

Perhaps the Cells in his body did not want his wishes to go unfulfilled. They began displaying powerful vitality, resisting the incoming Natural Energy.

They repaired his body while continuing to fuse with it.

Tsunade saw the worsening of Kawafune's exposed wounds begin to slow, while the smaller injuries had already started healing.

She knew there was hope. Wiping away her tears, she prayed silently and stared without blinking.

She only hoped the wounds would heal a little faster, that a healthy Kawafune would appear before her eyes the very next second.

Kawafune felt the vitality provided by his Cells, while the fusion with Natural Energy continued.

He was just a little short of reaching a balanced state.

Even the Slug Sage was alarmed. For an ordinary person, the corrosion and dissolution caused by such frenzied fusion with Natural Energy were irreversible.

Yet Kawafune was dissolving and repairing himself at the same time. His miraculous self-healing ability had already begun matching the side effects of Natural Energy.

At this rate, he truly had a chance of becoming the second person to successfully cultivate Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Art.

Time slowly passed. Kawafune's body had become riddled with wounds through the cycle of dissolution and recovery.

Only a few slugs remained on his body.

Looking at the person before her, Tsunade could no longer make out that handsome face.

Gradually, red curse marks appeared around Kawafune's eyes.

He had succeeded, and the backlash from Natural Energy ended with it.

"I succeeded."

Kawafune opened his eyes, his pupils having turned golden. His voice was hoarse. When he saw Tsunade throw her arms around him, he turned his head and fainted.