Initial Mastery of Sage Art

When Kawafune opened his eyes again, Tsunade's fair face was before him. She was sleeping soundly.

"She used too much Chakra to heal your injuries. Don't wake her."

Only then did Kawafune notice several slugs still clinging to his face, their touch cool and slimy.

Most of his injuries had healed as well. What a foolish girl.

"Understood, Slug Sage."

Kawafune gently moved Tsunade so that her head rested on his lap. That hard boulder had to be uncomfortable.

He also brushed aside her long light-yellow hair so it would not disturb Tsunade's sleep.

"How do you feel now?"

"Still a little weak."

Kawafune answered the Slug Sage's question.

As he sensed his condition, he found a powerful force within him that he could command. This was Sage Chakra.

"That is normal. I never expected your Cellular Activity to be so high."

"Lord Hashirama completed the fusion directly, but after failing, you actually turned the situation around yourself."

"Today has truly opened my eyes."

The Slug Sage did not hold back its admiration for Kawafune.

Who dared say Shikkotsu Forest had no Sage Art?

The toads and little snakes could step aside.

"It was all luck. I almost died."

"When people die, they are no more than a handful of dirt. Turning into pus is merely another way of becoming one with nature."

Kawafune's face darkened. He and the Slug Sage probably had nothing left to talk about.

"Does this mean I've completed my training?"

As he spoke, Kawafune activated the Sage Chakra within him, and red markings appeared around his eyes.

He could feel the astonishing restorative power and destructive force contained in this Chakra. It was on an entirely different level from his own Chakra.

"You can be considered to have mastered it, but you still need to adapt to absorbing Natural Energy."

"Natural Energy in the outside world is thin, so it is difficult to maintain Sage Mode continuously."

"Unless you possess Hashirama's Wood Style, which can absorb Natural Energy without end."

The Slug Sage remained professional when it came to professional matters.

Kawafune could only sigh for the umpteenth time. An Asura reincarnation really was absurdly overpowered.

They were born with all kinds of cheats. One clap of their hands, and whatever they wanted appeared. When would he reach that level?

Still, he had to keep his feet on the ground. Kawafune sighed. Fortunately, he now knew Sage Art too.

"Slug Sage, does Shikkotsu Forest have any Sage Arts I can learn?"

Kawafune was still asking about training. The Slug Sage was not suited for talking about life or ideals.

"Not really."

"However, techniques performed with Sage Chakra will be more powerful. Combined with your unique techniques, they will be even stronger."

Once the Slug Sage put it that way, Kawafune quickly understood.

In the original story, whether it was Hashirama, Jiraiya, or Naruto, all of them combined Sage Mode with the field they excelled in most.

No wonder their techniques were ridiculously powerful.

Take Naruto, for example. How many Rasengans could you take?

"Alright, I understand."

After saying that, Kawafune had no desire to continue talking with the Slug Sage.

The Slug Sage tactfully said nothing more.

It diligently wriggled across Kawafune's face, healing the last of his injuries.

Kawafune closed his eyes as well. In just this short while, the weakness in his body had already faded.

As expected of Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Art.

After dispelling Sage Mode, Kawafune continued absorbing Natural Energy.

He had only just begun to master it. He was still far from filling up on Sage Chakra.

During this process, Kawafune also adapted to absorbing and fusing Natural Energy. There was no longer any backlash.

This really was training where you either succeeded or died. No wonder Tsunade proudly said her Grandfather had learned Sage Art in a single day.

Of course. If he had not learned it, would there still be her?

It was only when Tsunade slowly woke up against Kawafune's lap that he ended his training.

By then, the Slug Sage's clone had long since departed, and Kawafune's handsome face appeared before Tsunade once more.

"You're finally alright."

Tsunade climbed up and threw her arms around Kawafune.

For a moment, Kawafune was a little unaccustomed to it. Feeling the soft warmth against his chest, he reached out and embraced Tsunade's back.

He lowered his head to her neck and shoulder and whispered, "I'm alright now. Thank you for everything."

After holding each other for a while, Tsunade composed herself and pushed Kawafune away.

Only then did a blush spread across her face. Kawafune had gotten his fill of tofu.

"Have you completely mastered Sage Art?"

Tsunade adjusted her hair and found a topic to discuss.

"Yeah. Let's go outside and test its power."

Kawafune took Tsunade's hand and headed out of the cave. He had no idea how long this cave was.

Fortunately, slugs were not good at burrowing. A few minutes later, the two emerged from the cave.

They saw the bright, warm sun once more.

He had no idea where this place was. The surroundings were open, with only scattered trees and deep swamps.

At a glance, it was clearly not somewhere humans could live for long.

"I'll first see how much Sage Mode improves me."

As Kawafune spoke, he released Tsunade's hand. Red markings appeared around his eyes.

He held the Eight-Faced Han Sword in his right hand as Lightning Chakra began covering his entire body.

Kawafune was certain that under the enhancement of Sage Chakra, his Lightning Chakra had become even more violent. His Cells already felt a tearing pain.

Fortunately, damage at this level was quickly repaired and would not affect combat.

Starting with a draw slash, Kawafune became like a bolt of lightning. When he appeared again, he was already dozens of meters away.

Two zigzagging trails of scorched earth were left along his path.

"So fast. Such destructive power."

Tsunade murmured softly. She had faced this move from Kawafune head-on before.

When used in Sage Mode, its power had increased by far more than a single level.

"Not bad."

Kawafune used the Body Flicker Technique to return before Tsunade. He was very satisfied with this speed and power.

Even against a Tailed Beast, power like this would be enough to inflict serious damage.

"I have one of Grandfather's Sage Arts here. Do you want to try it?"

Tsunade pulled a handwritten manual from her clothes. It had been written by Hashirama himself.

Tsunade had deliberately brought it with her this time.

"Let me see."

Kawafune had not been very interested at first. He did not have Wood Style, so he could not use Hashirama's Sage Arts anyway.

But when he opened it, he found a Sealing Jutsu recorded inside.

Sage Art—Gate of the Great God.

This was the powerful Sealing Jutsu Hashirama had used in Sage Mode to suppress the Ten-Tails.

If Kawafune was not mistaken, Uzumaki Mito must have contributed greatly to it.

It was even one of Hashirama's rare techniques that required hand seals.

"I'll give it a try."

After Kawafune spoke, Tsunade nodded and moved a little behind him.

Kawafune formed hand seals with both hands, then shouted with imposing force.

Sage Art—Gate of the Great God!

As a great amount of Sage Chakra drained away,

red torii gates descended from the sky one after another and drove deep into the ground.

Like shackles, they could lock an enemy down tightly.

"As expected of the First Hokage's Sage Art. It really is powerful."

Kawafune was not merely flattering her. This technique might be somewhat lacking against people, but it was perfect for dealing with Tailed Beasts.

"I'm glad you like it."

Tsunade narrowed her eyes and smiled sweetly.

Kawafune took her hand and led her back toward the cave.

Along the way, he was still thinking about Minato. He needed to get Minato to develop the Rasengan as soon as possible.

He only had high Cellular Activity going for him. When it came to Chakra shape transformation, he still had to rely on a genius.

At worst, he could provide a few ideas and let Minato work on it.

Once Minato figured it out and Kawafune learned it, anyone who came at him would have to ask themselves whether they could handle the huge ball in his hand.

As he imagined it, Kawafune actually laughed aloud.

Tsunade glanced at him from the side. This fool was laughing to himself again.