Sage Mode of Shikkotsu Forest

The lingering awkwardness in the room was like a heavy storm cloud, making it hard to breathe.

Just then, a rapid knock sounded abruptly at the door, instantly shattering the stifling atmosphere.

Rogge frowned slightly, then slowly walked to the door and opened it.

The moment the door opened, Hiashi Hyuga stood outside, his face filled with rage.

A blazing fire burned in his eyes as he stared fixedly at Rogge, as if he wanted to see straight through him.

"Rogge, how exactly did my brother Hizashi die?" Hiashi Hyuga demanded angrily, his voice as sharp as a blade.

Rogge frowned slightly and replied calmly, "Hiashi, we're investigating this matter too. We don't know who the killer is yet."

His tone was firm, and there was not the slightest hint of panic in his eyes.

Hiashi Hyuga clearly did not believe him. He snorted coldly. "Hmph. My brother had a conflict with you. Are you saying this has nothing to do with you?"

His eyes were full of suspicion and fury as he stared hard at Rogge, seemingly trying to find even the slightest flaw in his expression.

At that moment, Tsunade stepped forward.

She looked at Hiashi Hyuga, a trace of resolve in her eyes. "Hiashi, we've already reported this matter to the Hokage. Rogge is also actively searching for the killer. We will definitely avenge Hizashi."

Tsunade's voice was calm and powerful, making people instinctively believe her.

Hiashi Hyuga glanced at Tsunade. The anger in his eyes subsided somewhat, but he was still deeply suspicious.

"It had better be. If I find out this has anything to do with you, I will never let you off."

Then he suddenly strode up before Rogge in a menacing manner, his eyes wide with fury as he questioned him again.

"Rogge, you'd better give me an answer that satisfies me, or I won't let this go."

"Get lost!"

Rogge's gaze turned cold as he instantly released Conqueror's Haki.

A powerful invisible pressure surged forth like a raging tide, and the entire room seemed to be enveloped by that terrifying aura.

Hiashi Hyuga was instantly subdued by the pressure. Beads of sweat the size of beans appeared on his forehead, and his body began trembling uncontrollably.

The fear rising in his heart nearly made him unable to stand. His eyes widened, his face full of disbelief.

Rogge looked at Hiashi Hyuga coldly, as though he were looking at an insignificant ant.

Under that immense pressure, Hiashi Hyuga completely lost the momentum he had just displayed. His lips trembled as he tried to say something, only to find that he could not make a sound at all.

In the end, under that terrifying aura, Hiashi Hyuga could only turn around and leave in disgrace.

His steps were unsteady, as if he had just gone through a battle between life and death.

Standing nearby, Tsunade also felt the residual force of Rogge's Conqueror's Haki.

She was greatly alarmed, her eyes filled with shock and confusion.

She had never imagined that Rogge possessed such immense power. Even she, an elite jonin, felt enormous pressure from it.

Tsunade looked at Rogge with a complicated expression.

She did not know how much strength Rogge was still hiding, nor did she know what kind of person he truly was.

But she knew that the current Rogge was no longer someone she could easily control.

"Rogge, you..." Tsunade trailed off, not knowing what to say.

Rogge withdrew his Conqueror's Haki and returned to his usual indifferent expression.

"Teacher Tsunade, don't worry. Hiashi Hyuga won't come looking for trouble again." Rogge's voice was calm and cold, as though nothing had happened.

Tsunade frowned slightly. "But your power... How many more secrets do you have?"

Her eyes were filled with curiosity and confusion as she looked at Rogge, hoping to find an answer on his face.

Rogge did not answer her question. He merely gave her a faint glance.

"Teacher Tsunade, please recommend me to Shikkotsu Forest. I want to learn senjutsu from the Slug Sage. We can discuss everything else later." Rogge's tone was firm, and his eyes revealed intense determination.

Tsunade sighed helplessly. "All right. Tomorrow, I'll find some time and have Little Slug use the Reverse Summoning Technique to send you to Shikkotsu Forest to learn senjutsu. It'll also give you a chance to lie low for a while."

Tsunade knew that Rogge needed a place to improve his strength, and Shikkotsu Forest might be a good choice.

After thinking for a moment, Tsunade continued persuading him. "Rogge, do you know how dangerous your situation is? First, you offended the Uchiha Clan during the clan ranking tournament, and now you've provoked the Hyuga Clan. Even if Teacher Hiruzen is the Hokage, I'm afraid it will be difficult for him to protect you. You need to be mentally prepared."

Tsunade's eyes were full of worry. She did not want Rogge to fall into danger because of a momentary impulse.

Rogge narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression still cold.

"I know, but I'm not afraid. If they dare come, I'll make sure they never leave." His tone was full of confidence and dominance.

Seeing Rogge so confident, Tsunade felt both worried and helpless.

"Rogge, you can't be so reckless. The Hyuga and Uchiha are both major clans of Konoha. Pull one thread, and the whole body moves. You'll bring huge trouble to the village this way." Tsunade's voice was full of concern as she hoped Rogge would think more calmly.

But Rogge did not care.

"So what? If they want to fight, then I'll fight. I won't let them bully me." A steadfast belief shone in Rogge's eyes. He would not bow to anyone.

Tsunade sighed, knowing it would be difficult to persuade him.

"All right. Since you've made up your mind, I won't say any more. But you must be careful when you go to Shikkotsu Forest. Training in senjutsu is no easy task, and it's full of danger." Tsunade's eyes were filled with concern as she hoped Rogge would return safely.

Rogge nodded.

"I'll be careful. Don't worry, Teacher Tsunade." His voice was calm and firm, making people instinctively trust him.

The next day, as promised, Tsunade found Little Slug and used the Reverse Summoning Technique to send Rogge to Shikkotsu Forest.

Standing within the teleportation array, Rogge looked at Tsunade, a complicated emotion flashing through his eyes.

"Teacher Tsunade, wait for me to come back." After saying that, Rogge was enveloped in smoke and vanished.

Tsunade looked at the place where Rogge had disappeared, her heart full of worry.

She hoped Rogge would learn powerful senjutsu in Shikkotsu Forest and improve his strength. After all, only great strength could make one fearless in the face of any schemes and plots.

The instant Rogge landed in Shikkotsu Forest, he sensed a mysterious and powerful aura.

It felt as if it came from an ancient god, inspiring involuntary awe.

"So strong!"

Rogge marveled inwardly. He had never felt such a powerful aura before.

That location... should be where the Slug Sage's true body is, right?

Using his powerful Observation Haki, Rogge sensed every life aura within a kilometer, some strong and some weak.

Curiosity and anticipation appeared in his eyes as he began exploring this mysterious place, searching for traces of the Slug Sage.

Dense forests surrounded him, and enormous slugs moved through the trees.

Those slugs seemed to be the guardians of the forest, their bodies radiating the aura of natural energy.

Rogge took a deep breath and began searching for the Slug Sage.

Along the way, Rogge advanced cautiously, remaining alert to everything around him.

At last, Rogge found the Slug Sage.

Its enormous body was like a mountain of flesh more than a hundred meters high, making people instinctively feel awe.

The Slug Sage's massive body was intimidating, while wisdom and mystery shone in its eyes.

"You are Rogge? Tsunade asked me to teach you senjutsu. But training in senjutsu is no easy matter. You must have sufficient perseverance and determination." The Slug Sage's voice was low and imposing, like that of an ancient god.

A trace of expectation and scrutiny showed in its eyes. It wanted to see whether this young man possessed enough potential.

Rogge bowed respectfully.

"Slug Sage, I'm ready. I will train hard in senjutsu and improve my strength."

Rogge's voice was firm and confident, and intense resolve filled his eyes.

The Slug Sage nodded.

"Good. Then begin. Senjutsu training requires you to merge with the power of nature, feel nature's strength, and make it your own." There was a trace of seriousness in the Slug Sage's voice. It knew how difficult senjutsu training was and hoped this young man would take it seriously.

"I will attach a small slug split from my body to your arm and continuously transfer natural energy to you. How much you can comprehend will depend on your talent." After speaking, the Slug Sage split off a small slug. It slowly crawled onto Rogge's arm and attached itself there.

"Be careful. If you fail to learn senjutsu, every bone in your body will soften, and you'll turn into a boneless mass of flesh. You won't even be able to stand." The Slug Sage's voice carried a warning as it hoped the young man would approach senjutsu training carefully.

Rogge waved a hand. "It's fine. I can let my Shadow Clones try first."

There was confidence and composure in Rogge's voice. The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique could help him quickly master senjutsu.

After saying that, he formed hand seals and shouted, "Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"

In an instant, over a thousand Rogge Shadow Clones appeared around him, filling the area as far as the eye could see.

Those Shadow Clones seemed like copies of Rogge, confidence showing in their eyes.

The Slug Sage was startled. It had not expected Rogge's chakra to be so immense!

"Shadow Clone Technique? That truly is a good method." The Slug Sage's voice held a trace of approval.

As the small slugs injected natural energy into them, the more than thousand Shadow Clones began attempting to merge with the power of nature.

Meanwhile, Rogge's original body watched closely from the side, focused and calm.

Expectation and tension shone in his eyes. He hoped these Shadow Clones could successfully master senjutsu.

For a time, this part of Shikkotsu Forest was filled with strange chakra fluctuations.

Every Shadow Clone struggled to sense the power of nature. Pain appeared on some of their faces before they burst into smoke and vanished. The experience of failure was simultaneously transmitted back to Rogge's original body.

Other Shadow Clones appeared calmer, as though they were gradually finding the right path. Excitement and anticipation shone in their eyes, as if they had glimpsed the hope of success.

Rogge's gaze constantly shifted between the various Shadow Clones as he analyzed their condition.

The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique is practically a cheat for accelerating training!

With the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique and the Grindlord System forcibly raising proficiency, I can master any ninjutsu in a short time. Sage Mode will be no exception. Confidence and composure shone in Rogge's eyes. He believed he would certainly succeed in mastering senjutsu.

As time passed, some Shadow Clones began showing signs of instability.

Some bodies trembled slightly, some had chaotic chakra, and some Shadow Clones even dispersed outright.

But Rogge did not panic. He continued observing the remaining Shadow Clones, waiting for them to make a breakthrough.

Seeing how calmly Rogge handled the situation, the Slug Sage could not help but silently praise him.

This young man has composure and wisdom far beyond ordinary people. Perhaps he really can master senjutsu. Expectation and approval showed in the Slug Sage's eyes. It knew this young man possessed extraordinary potential.

Meanwhile, in Konoha Hidden Village, the Hyuga Clan's hostility toward Rogge grew increasingly intense because of Hizashi Hyuga's death.

They believed Rogge was the murderer who had killed Hizashi Hyuga, and they wanted revenge for him.

At the same time, the Uchiha Clan seized the opportunity and immediately reached an agreement with the Hyuga Clan, joining forces to suppress Rogge.

They both considered Rogge a threat and wanted to eliminate that threat.

Thus, the Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan continuously pressured the Hokage, demanding that Rogge be severely punished.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was caught in a dilemma. On one hand, he did not want to offend the two major clans. On the other, he did not want to lose a ninja as talented as Rogge.

While worrying about Rogge, Tsunade actively searched for evidence, trying to prove his innocence.

She believed Rogge was not the murderer of Hizashi Hyuga and had decided to clear his name.

Rogge was not only her secret lover, but also her student. She certainly would not allow him to be treated unfairly.

In Shikkotsu Forest, Rogge was completely unaware of the tense situation in Leaf Village.

All his attention was focused on senjutsu training.

The Shadow Clones kept trying, failing, and trying again. Throughout the process, Rogge continuously summarized their experiences and adjusted his strategy.

After a period of arduous training, some Shadow Clones finally began displaying signs of merging with the power of nature.

A faint glow radiated from around their bodies, and their senjutsu chakra became more stable and powerful.

Excitement flashed in Rogge's eyes.

It finally worked!

With a "ding" from the Grindlord System, Rogge was finally able to successfully master Sage Mode.

[Grindlord System]

[Sage Mode: Mastery (1759/2000)]

"Excellent!" Rogge clenched both fists, overjoyed.

He knew he had finally mastered Sage Mode, and his strength had improved yet again.

He discovered that his senjutsu chakra possessed powerful healing abilities. In Sage Mode, any external injury he suffered could be instantly healed using the senjutsu chakra within his body.

Moreover, this "healing skill" was passive. Even Rogge himself had no way to control it.

It seems that the defining trait of Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode is gaining powerful healing abilities!

This is different from Tsunade's Strength of a Hundred Seal—the Yin Seal. Her healing is active, while mine is passive. Rogge's eyes reflected thoughtfulness as he compared the differences between his Sage Mode and Tsunade's Strength of a Hundred Seal.

Simply put, he now possessed a physique like Hashirama Senju's... the body of a sage with powerful healing abilities!