"Go to Shikkotsu Forest?"
Naruto frowned. "As far as I know, Shikkotsu Forest only has one slug—you. All the other slugs are your split bodies. Wouldn't talking to you be the same thing?"
The slug, no bigger than a fingernail, waved its feelers.
"It isn't the same, Lord Naruto. There are some things I can only give you in Shikkotsu Forest, and only there can I demonstrate my sincerity."
"Sincerity? You aren't planning to ambush me while I'm entering Shikkotsu Forest, are you?"
That possibility could not be ruled out.
"I think Lord Naruto has no need to worry about that. I'm more afraid of something like that happening than you are, because I don't want Shikkotsu Forest to become a second Mount Myōboku either."
Katsuyu's voice was exceedingly sincere.
Naruto gave the slug a long look. As the old saying went—
Those who understood the times were the true heroes!
"So how do I get to Shikkotsu Forest?"
Seeing Naruto agree, Katsuyu pointed her feelers toward Hinata.
"Lady Hinata..."
At that, Hinata snapped out of her daze.
She took a scroll from her clothes and handed it to Naruto.
"This is Shikkotsu Forest's Contract Scroll. Teacher asked me to give it to you."
Hinata's voice was somewhat low and weak. Clearly, she had yet to recover from her previous state.
Naruto took the scroll and opened it immediately. He inspected it carefully to see whether it would impose any restrictions on him.
After confirming that there were no restrictions, Naruto signed his name on it.
He immediately felt a connection form between himself and Katsuyu.
"It's done."
"Then please prepare yourselves, Lord Naruto and Lady Hinata. I'll take you to Shikkotsu Forest now."
"Alright."
"Mm."
With their replies—
Bang!
White smoke suddenly billowed around them. By the time it