Signing a Contract with Shikkotsu Forest

The feeling of a bunch of sticky bugs crawling all over him made Charizard feel absolutely awful.

"Just as you suspected, Natural Energy is relatively unfamiliar to Charizard and the others. They're used to relying on physical energy as their core power, and since using it has become instinctive, it's difficult for them to accept a new system of power.

"However, after all this research, and after combining it with the method that idiot Jiraiya used when practicing Senjutsu, I've found that if we use Sage Katsuyu's clones as a bridge to help the three of them come into contact with Natural Energy, they'll be able to absorb it into their bodies for the first time.

"After that, we can use Sealing Jutsu to forcibly seal that Natural Energy inside them. Relying on it to change and guide them, they'll then be able to try mastering Natural Energy on their own.

"However, Natural Energy is extremely dangerous. Although Sage Katsuyu said their unique body structures made them highly receptive to it, the very act of sealing Natural Energy inside them is extremely risky.

"If we're not careful, they might explode like Explosive Tags or be completely assimilated by Natural Energy. And the consequences of being assimilated..."

Tsunade stood up, her expression serious as she looked at Uchiha Gen.

She had worked out a way for Pokémon to master Senjutsu. Whether to use it was something Uchiha Gen and the three Pokémon would have to decide together.

"Roar!"

Before Uchiha Gen could speak, Charizard gave his wings a gentle shake, scattering all the Katsuyu on his body. His body, covered in sealing formulas, was revealed, and he let out a low rumble.

"He says... he'll be the one to set an example for his younger siblings."

Looking at Charizard's defiant expression, Uchiha Gen smiled faintly and spoke softly.

The danger of death? He had a Totem of Undying for that.

"I knew you two would want to give it a try, so I drew the sealing formulas in advance. Tch, I'm a medical ninja, but I went and learned Grandma's Sealing Jutsu just to research all this stuff for you.

"Though, to be fair, Gardevoir did most of the work. Still, the whole thing feels wrong somehow. Kid, don't you dare go back on your promise to take me gambling for a day.

"Oh, right. Before we get started, there's one more thing I need to tell you. Sage Katsuyu wants to discuss something with you, and it's about them."

Tsunade rolled her eyes at that, then gently patted Charizard's big belly. As she looked at the sealing formulas already drawn there, she seemed to remember something and turned to speak to Uchiha Gen, who was playing with Gengar.

"Sage Katsuyu? About them?"

Uchiha Gen was stroking Gengar's head when he heard that, and froze.

Because he already had Charizard and the others, he hadn't signed a contract with Shikkotsu Forest, so he had no connection with Sage Katsuyu.

The only time they'd spoken was when Tsunade and he had been performing surgery in the Medical Department. Tsunade had summoned Katsuyu to assist with treatment, which led Katsuyu to notice Gardevoir, who was studying Medical Ninjutsu alongside them.

Ever since then, Katsuyu had often asked Tsunade to summon her so she could chat with Charizard and the others. Eventually, she had offered to teach Gardevoir and the others Senjutsu, but unfortunately, their first lesson had ended in failure.

That was what had led to Tsunade's research over the past while.

"That's right, Xuan~"

While Uchiha Gen was still puzzled, all the Katsuyu that Charizard had shaken off quickly came together, forming a larger slug.

"Greetings, Sage Katsuyu."

Seeing this, Uchiha Gen immediately understood that Katsuyu's main consciousness had arrived. He greeted her respectfully. There was only one Katsuyu in all of Shikkotsu Forest; the many Katsuyu Tsunade usually summoned were merely clones split off from Sage Katsuyu.

The Uchiha respected the strong, especially those who had treated him well.

"You don't need to be so formal. I've come to ask for your permission to do something, though of course, your own wishes are what matter most."

Sage Katsuyu's voice was very gentle. If you ignored her sticky body, just from her voice alone, Katsuyu would have seemed like the gentle older sister next door.

"Please, Sage Katsuyu."

"I'd like to sign a Summoning Contract with you for Shikkotsu Forest, and also have these three children join Shikkotsu Forest. Of course, I don't mean for them to become Shikkotsu Forest's summoning creatures.

"They would still belong only to you as your summoning creatures. I won't overstep in that regard, so please don't worry, Xuan."

Sage Katsuyu's gentle voice rang out.

"Have Charizard and the others join Shikkotsu Forest? I'm sorry, Sage Katsuyu, but I can't make that decision for them. They'll have to agree to it themselves.

"Besides, Shikkotsu Forest isn't a suitable environment for Charizard or Gardevoir to live in. I don't know why you want them to join Shikkotsu Forest, but..."

Uchiha Gen spoke softly. He hadn't directly refused Sage Katsuyu, but the implication in his words was clear.

"You and your friends have such a good relationship. Just as you said, Gardevoir and the others told me they'd agree as long as you did. As for the environment...

"Don't worry about that. Shikkotsu Forest is actually enormous, and creating the environment they need wouldn't be a problem.

"As for why I want them to join Shikkotsu Forest... Xuan, your three summoning creatures all have terrifying potential. In the future, they'll become new sages. I don't mean that as a title or anything like that—they'll become true sages."

Sage Katsuyu's voice remained gentle, but her words left Tsunade completely stunned.

Come on, it was bad enough that Gen was such an outrageous kid, but how could his summoning creatures be so outrageous too?

Sage Katsuyu hadn't said they might become sages. She'd said outright that Gardevoir and the others would become sages in the future—and not just in name.

As a contractor of Shikkotsu Forest, Tsunade knew all too well what a sage was: a powerful being who surpassed the Kage.

"Is that so..."

Uchiha Gen glanced at Gardevoir and Gengar, who were waiting for his answer, then finally looked over at Charizard, who had already lain down and dozed off.

He had always known how much potential Pokémon had. After all, even a Swinub could beat Ho-Oh, and even a Beedrill could pierce an extraterrestrial. Every Pokémon had limitless possibilities.

"Since Sage Katsuyu has shown such sincerity, of course I won't refuse. I'll leave Charizard and the others in your care."