Contract with Shikkotsu Forest

A pile of slimy slugs crawling all over its body made Charizard feel as though its entire dragon soul was suffering.

"Just as you hypothesized, natural energy is relatively foreign to Charizard and the others. Having grown accustomed to using physical stamina as their energy core, they have formed instincts that make it difficult for them to accept a new power system."

"However, after this period of research and by combining it with the methods that idiot Jiraiya uses to practice Sage Mode, I've found that as long as we use a clone of Sage Katsuyu as a bridge to help the three of them make contact with natural energy, they can complete their first absorption of it into their bodies."

"After that, as long as we use sealing jutsu to forcibly lock this portion of natural energy within them, relying on this energy to alter and guide them, they can attempt to master natural energy on their own."

"But, the danger of natural energy is extremely high. Although Sage Katsuyu mentioned that their unique physical structures have a high tolerance for it, the act of sealing natural energy inside them is inherently perilous."

"If they aren't careful, they could very well explode like an Explosive Tag, or be completely assimilated by the natural energy. And the result of being assimilated by natural energy is..."

Tsunade stood up, her expression solemn as she looked toward Uchiha Gen.

She had already worked out the method for Pokémon to master Sage Arts; as for whether to proceed, that was a decision for Uchiha Gen and the three Pokémon to make themselves.

"Roar!"

Before Uchiha Gen could speak, Charizard lightly shook its wings, shedding all the slugs from its body to reveal a torso covered in drawn sealing formulas, and let out a low, muffled growl.

"He says... watch him set an example for his younger brother and sister."

Looking at the defiant Charizard, Uchiha Gen smiled slightly and spoke softly.

The danger of death? Let's talk about the Totem of Undying.

"I knew with the personalities of you two, you'd definitely want to give it a try, so I drew the sealing formulas in advance. Tsk, I'm a medical ninja, yet I ended up learning my grandmother's sealing jutsu just to research this stuff for you."

"Although Gardevoir did most of the heavy lifting, I still feel like something is off. Kid, don't you dare go back on your promise to let me win for a whole day."

"Oh, right, before we officially start, there's one more thing I need to tell you. Sage Katsuyu has something she wants to discuss with you, and it's about them."

Tsunade rolled her eyes at this, reached out to gently pat Charizard's large belly, and as she looked at the sealing formulas inscribed there, she suddenly remembered something and turned to speak to Uchiha Gen, who was busy teasing Gengar.

"Sage Katsuyu? About them?"

While stroking Gengar's head, Uchiha Gen was taken aback.

Because he already had Charizard and the others, he had never signed a contract with Shikkotsu Forest, so he had no real connection with Sage Katsuyu.

The only time they had spoken was when he and Tsunade were performing surgery in the Medical Department; because Tsunade had summoned a slug to assist with the treatment, the slug had noticed Gardevoir, who was learning medical ninjutsu alongside them.

Since then, Sage Katsuyu would occasionally have Tsunade summon her to chat with Charizard and the others. Eventually, she had even offered to teach Gardevoir and the others Sage Arts, though unfortunately, their first attempt at learning had ended in failure.

That was precisely why Tsunade had been conducting this research.

"That's right, Gen~"

Just as Uchiha Gen was feeling puzzled, all the slugs that Charizard had shaken off quickly merged together to form a larger slug.

"Greetings, Sage Katsuyu."

Seeing this, Uchiha Gen immediately understood that the main consciousness of the slug had arrived and spoke respectfully. In reality, there was only one slug in all of Shikkotsu Forest—Sage Katsuyu herself—and the many slugs Tsunade usually summoned were merely clones split from her.

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

"No need for such formalities. I have come to you this time because I wish to obtain your consent. Of course, your own wishes are what matter most."

Sage Katsuyu's voice was very gentle; if one ignored her slimy body, her voice sounded exactly like that of a gentle, kind-hearted older sister from next door.

"Please, Sage Katsuyu, speak your mind."

"I wish to sign a summoning contract with you for Shikkotsu Forest and, furthermore, to incorporate these three children into Shikkotsu Forest as well. Of course, this does not mean they will become summoning objects for Shikkotsu Forest."

"They will remain your personal summons; I will not overstep those boundaries. Please rest assured, Gen."

Sage Katsuyu's gentle voice echoed.

"Incorporate Charizard and the others into Shikkotsu Forest? I am sorry, Sage Katsuyu, but I cannot make that decision for them. They must agree to it themselves."

"Moreover, the environment of Shikkotsu Forest is not suitable for Charizard and Gardevoir. Although I do not know why you wish for them to be incorporated into Shikkotsu Forest, but..."

Uchiha Gen spoke softly. While he did not directly refuse Sage Katsuyu, the underlying meaning of his words was quite clear.

"You all share such a deep bond. Gardevoir and the others are just like you said—they also say that as long as you agree, it is fine. As for the environmental issue..."

"You can rest easy on that point. Shikkotsu Forest is actually quite vast, and creating the environment they require is not a problem at all."

"As for why I want them incorporated into Shikkotsu Forest... Gen, your three summons all possess terrifying potential. In the future, they will become true Sages. This is not merely a title or a designation, but a reality."

Sage Katsuyu's voice remained gentle, but the words she spoke left Tsunade, who was standing to the side, absolutely shocked.

No, it was already absurd enough that a kid like Gen was so talented, but how could his summons be this ridiculous too?

Sage Katsuyu wasn't talking about a possibility; she was stating 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 existence that transcended the Kage.

"Is that so..."

Hearing this, Uchiha Gen glanced at Gardevoir and Gengar, who were waiting for his reply, and finally let his gaze fall on Charizard, who had already laid down to take a nap.

He had always been clear about the potential of Pokémon. After all, a Swinub could crush Ho-Oh, and a Beedrill could pierce through extraterrestrial lifeforms; every single Pokémon possessed infinite possibilities.

"Since Sage Katsuyu is so sincere, I naturally will not refuse. I leave Charizard and the others in your care."