Dangerous Immortal Arts

As the second Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails chosen by Konoha, Kushina's safety was of utmost importance.

Especially now that Uzumaki Mito was advanced in age.

Therefore, to ensure her safety, Hiruzen Sarutobi had the idea of having her team up with Qingshui.

It just so happened that Qingshui also had no teammate to form a group with, and the two were good friends, making them a suitable match.

More importantly, with Qingshui's strength, he could absolutely protect Kushina.

"Alright, alright, I know. I'll tell Kushina tomorrow. If there's nothing else, I'll go rest."

Seeing Tsunade's impatient look, Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head helplessly.

But it was indeed very late now, and he should also go home to rest.

After sending Mikoto back to the Uchiha compound, Qingshui went straight back to his own home.

Then, he eagerly used Summoning Jutsu to summon a palm-sized small slug.

"Lord Qingshui, is there something you need at this late hour?"

"Katsuyu Sage, I heard that the three great Sage Lands have a cultivation method called Sage Mode?"

This was the reason Qingshui summoned Katsuyu so late.

He was simply too eager to improve.

"So Lord Qingshui wants to learn Sage Mode? With your current Chakra, you can barely learn it."

The slug did not refuse, but only gave this answer.

Hearing this, Qingshui fell silent for a moment.

He currently had nearly eighty thousand Chakra, surpassing most ninjas in the ninja world.

Yet, in the Katsuyu Sage's words, he could only "barely" learn Sage Mode.

No wonder only a handful of ninjas could learn Sage Mode in the original story.

Just by the Chakra requirement alone, 99% of ninjas couldn't meet the standard.

Of course, this was not because Katsuyu Sage had high standards, but because if one's Chakra amount was insufficient, rashly learning Sage Mode was extremely dangerous.

The Nature Energy in the ninja world was highly corrosive. If one's Chakra was too little, they could easily be devoured by Nature Energy and eventually become a part of nature.

"Then, Katsuyu Sage, how does one cultivate Sage Mode?"

In the original work, Mount Myōboku is described the most, with Jiraiya, Minato, and the protagonist Naruto Uzumaki all learning Sage Jutsu there.

Next is Ryūchi Cave, from which the dream-achieving master Kabuto Yakushi also learned Sage Jutsu.

Orochimaru also studied at Ryūchi Cave, but did not succeed.

Finally, Shikkotsu Forest is described the least. From beginning to end, it has not been explained how one can learn Sage Jutsu there, nor who has learned it.

Although some people speculate that Senju Hashirama's Sage Jutsu originated from here, there is no actual evidence.

"It's very simple. As long as you can endure my acid, you can learn Sage Jutsu."

Despite the cute and pleasant voice, what was said made Qingshui's blood run cold.

One must know that the Katsuyu Sage's acid has extremely strong corrosive properties and is one of its few offensive methods.

How could a mortal ninja's body withstand it?

"Katsuyu Sage, has anyone learned Sage Jutsu using this method before?"

The Katsuyu Sage thought carefully for a moment, "If I remember correctly, someone learned it hundreds of years ago. He had extremely strong physical strength and self-healing abilities."

This left Qingshui completely speechless.

Why did the method of practicing Sage Jutsu in Shikkotsu Forest seem many times more dangerous than Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave?

There was no difference between this and seeking death.

At this moment, Qingshui suddenly understood.

Could the words "Shikkotsu" (wet bones) in Shikkotsu Forest refer to the countless bones left behind after those who failed to learn Sage Jutsu died, forming a forest of bones?

Just like those who failed to learn Sage Jutsu at Mount Myōboku, who eventually turned into stone toads.

No wonder Tsunade in the original work did not learn Sage Jutsu.

In her youth, she had not mastered the Yin Seal nor developed the Hundred Healings Jutsu, so it was naturally impossible for her to go to Shikkotsu Forest to learn Sage Jutsu.

By the time she had the Hundred Healings Jutsu, she had already left Konoha, gambling all over the ninja world and accumulating a mountain of debt.

At that time, how could she have the inclination to learn Sage Jutsu?

When she was later brought back to Konoha by Jiraiya and Naruto to become Hokage, even if she had wanted to learn Sage Jutsu, she would not have had the time.

Of course, it is also possible that Tsunade, like Orochimaru, simply did not have enough talent in Sage Jutsu, and therefore did not learn it.

"So, does Qingshui-sama still want to learn Sage Jutsu now?"

The Katsuyu Sage's gentle voice now sounded like a death god to Qingshui.

He quickly replied, startled: "I just want to understand some knowledge about Sage Mode, I don't have any plans to learn it yet."

Although he could sense Nature Energy, he couldn't withstand the cultivation method the Katsuyu Sage spoke of.

Therefore, for the sake of his own life, he had to refuse.

"Of course, Lord Qingshui can ask me anything you want to know."

"Then, Katsuyu Sage, could you trouble yourself to tell me how you mastered Sage Mode back then?"

Qingshui originally thought he could easily learn the Sage Mode of Shikkotsu Forest, but now it seemed he was just overthinking it.

He believed that researching Sage Mode himself would be more reliable than learning in Shikkotsu Forest.

So he needed to learn more about Sage Mode from the Katsuyu Sage first.

After all, Sage Mode was not something one could directly master just by knowing the principles.

Otherwise, with Orochimaru's abilities, he should have mastered Sage Mode long ago.

"No problem."

Next, the Katsuyu Sage told Qingshui the entire process of how it mastered Sage Mode from scratch.

During this time, it also patiently answered all the questions Qingshui asked.

Unknowingly, the sky began to turn white.

"Thank you for your trouble, Katsuyu Sage."

"It's nothing. If you need help in the future, you can summon me anytime."

After speaking, the Katsuyu Sage automatically dispelled the Summoning Jutsu and returned to Shikkotsu Forest.

One night passed, and Qingshui gained a lot, and he had a clearer direction for researching Sage Mode.

"It's about time to go to Konoha Hospital for work."

Although he hadn't slept all night, for a ninja's physique, occasionally not sleeping for one night was not a big deal.

After all, sometimes ninjas could stay awake for several days and nights to complete missions.

"Ah, it's Lord Qingshui, Lord Qingshui is finally back!"

"Long time no see, Lord Qingshui!"

After more than half a month, the nurses at Konoha Hospital were very excited to see Qingshui again.

"It's been a long time for everyone too."

After a simple greeting to everyone, Qingshui returned to his office and took out a scroll to record his thoughts on researching immortal techniques.

A nurse suddenly knocked on Qingshui's office door.

"Lord Qingshui, a patient needs you to treat them immediately."

Qingshui quickly put away the scroll. "I know. Prepare for surgery immediately, I'll be right there."

[Completed treatment for Tanabe Seitaro, rewarded with one Blue Orb.]

[Congratulations on obtaining 100 Chakra.]