Tsunade froze for a moment. Before she could say anything, Mito had already called toward the door.
"Someone."
A maid appeared soundlessly and bowed respectfully.
"Go to my room and bring me the secret technique scrolls Hashirama left behind."
Mito paused. "The third compartment of the innermost cabinet."
The maid accepted the order and withdrew.
Tsunade was somewhat surprised. "Grandmother, those are..."
"They're all things your grandfather left behind."
Mito's gaze grew distant.
"Some were ninjutsu he researched himself, while others were secret techniques passed down through generations.
"Among them is the item representing the contract between the Senju clan and Shikkotsu Forest."
Tsunade's eyes lit up.
While the maid went to fetch the items, Mito slowly began to speak.
"Little Tsunade, do you know what the Senju clan's summoning beast is?"
Tsunade thought for a moment. "A slug? I think I've heard someone mention it before."
"That's right."
Mito nodded.
"The slugs of Shikkotsu Forest, one of the Three Great Sacred Lands.
"They are as famous as the toads of Mount Myōboku and the snakes of Ryūchi Cave."
Tsunade was curious. "What are the slugs like? Are they as mighty as Jiraiya's giant toad?"
Mito smiled but did not answer directly.
"The slugs have only one true body, which lives deep within Shikkotsu Forest.
"What we summon are all split-off clones of it.
"Each clone possesses the true body's consciousness and part of its abilities. They can act independently or merge back together at any time."
Tsunade listened, utterly absorbed.
"Your grandfather..."
Mito paused, and a trace of nostalgia flashed through her eyes.
"Hashirama could summon slugs too.
"But with his strength, he simply had no need for them.
"So during his lifetime, he rarely used the Summoning Technique. Many people didn't even know the Senju clan had summoning