"Are you leaving?"
Fukasaku stood by the door, reluctant to see off the guests from the Shinobi World. After all, the Uchiha Clan had only been guests at Mount Myoboku a handful of times in its history.
With his bags packed, Rikusei stood beside Madara, full of energy as he took in the morning at Mount Myoboku. He drew a deep breath and thought, No wonder this is one of the three great sage training grounds.
He suspected that the lotus leaves grew so tall and sturdy because the air was rich with Natural Energy.
"Drip."
A glistening dewdrop raced along a vein in the leaf, trailing a long stream of water before falling toward the grass below with a clear sound.
Madara spoke at that very moment. He lowered his head and looked at the spot on his arm where he had applied Toad Oil the day before. In a rare moment of explanation, he said, "I've experienced the chakra mixed with Natural Energy inside Hashirama when he enters Sage Mode. My Senjutsu training can end here."
Fukasaku nodded in understanding. It was easy to invite a guest in, but hard to see one off. Since they were leaving, he wouldn't try to stop them.
He rubbed the Black Receiver in his hand, savoring yesterday's experience.
Beating Uchiha Madara with a stick had become a glorious highlight in his long life—one of those top-secret stories he could use to scare the younger generation when the time came.
He glanced at his wife, who was making breakfast inside, then quietly pulled a yellowed map from his cloak and lowered his voice. "Your next destination is Ryūchi Cave and Shikkotsu Forest? There's nothing worth noting about Shikkotsu Forest. The Slug Sage is easy to talk to. But if you're going to